An explosive political drama retracing the 2018 murders of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, “Our People” claimed the best project award at this year’s Series Mania Forum.
Winning €50,000 in prize money and earning an enhanced international stature, the unflinching miniseries should now see an easier path forward – particularly given the chilly reception it found with funding authorities in native Slovakia.
“We thought it impossible,” said director Tereza Nvotova as she claimed the Series Mania prize. “We thought it was dead, because the government in Slovakia really doesn’t want this story told. And we think this story is so important not just because of what is happening in Slovakia, and not just because Jan and Martina were murdered.”
“We just want to tell the truth,” Nvotova continued. “The world is turning very dark, and I think we all can feel it. We are all scared and...
Winning €50,000 in prize money and earning an enhanced international stature, the unflinching miniseries should now see an easier path forward – particularly given the chilly reception it found with funding authorities in native Slovakia.
“We thought it impossible,” said director Tereza Nvotova as she claimed the Series Mania prize. “We thought it was dead, because the government in Slovakia really doesn’t want this story told. And we think this story is so important not just because of what is happening in Slovakia, and not just because Jan and Martina were murdered.”
“We just want to tell the truth,” Nvotova continued. “The world is turning very dark, and I think we all can feel it. We are all scared and...
- 3/19/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Slovakia’s explosive political drama “Our People” will head to Series Mania’s Forum Co-Pro Pitching Sessions in March.
Produced by Jakub Viktorín and Tomáš Hrubý for nutprodukcia and written by Miro Šifra, it will be directed by Tereza Nvotová.
The miniseries, inspired by tragic real events, depicts the killing of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kušnírová.
Kuciak used to focus on tax frauds committed by business figures and alleged connections between local politicians and the Italian mafia. They were assassinated in 2018 in their home.
“We not only have their family’s consent, but also tens of thousands of pages of case files,” said Šifra.
“These documents provide a detailed and fascinating glimpse into the interplay between the state and the mafia. They also highlight the courage of those who risk their lives to expose this.”
Talking to Variety, the team admitted to “drawing heavily” on over 50,000 pages of case files,...
Produced by Jakub Viktorín and Tomáš Hrubý for nutprodukcia and written by Miro Šifra, it will be directed by Tereza Nvotová.
The miniseries, inspired by tragic real events, depicts the killing of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kušnírová.
Kuciak used to focus on tax frauds committed by business figures and alleged connections between local politicians and the Italian mafia. They were assassinated in 2018 in their home.
“We not only have their family’s consent, but also tens of thousands of pages of case files,” said Šifra.
“These documents provide a detailed and fascinating glimpse into the interplay between the state and the mafia. They also highlight the courage of those who risk their lives to expose this.”
Talking to Variety, the team admitted to “drawing heavily” on over 50,000 pages of case files,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Johnny Depp has struck up a “bromance like no other” with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aka Mbs, says a Vanity Fair profile.
And after getting a royal tour of the Saudi Kingdom, the Pirates of the Caribbean star is eyeing a possible seven-figure deal to become a global cultural ambassador as he shoots movies in the country.
“Though I admit I was somewhat naïve at first to what was transpiring in the region, I’ve since experienced firsthand the cultural revolution that is happening there,” Depp told Vanity Fair.
The magazine profile reveals Depp over the past year has spent around seven weeks in Saudi Arabia, touring the country and getting a firsthand look at its cultural renaissance led by Mbs.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from various parts of the region who have been most welcoming in sharing with me their culture, their traditions,...
And after getting a royal tour of the Saudi Kingdom, the Pirates of the Caribbean star is eyeing a possible seven-figure deal to become a global cultural ambassador as he shoots movies in the country.
“Though I admit I was somewhat naïve at first to what was transpiring in the region, I’ve since experienced firsthand the cultural revolution that is happening there,” Depp told Vanity Fair.
The magazine profile reveals Depp over the past year has spent around seven weeks in Saudi Arabia, touring the country and getting a firsthand look at its cultural renaissance led by Mbs.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from various parts of the region who have been most welcoming in sharing with me their culture, their traditions,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amr Al-Madani, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla (Rcu) has been arrested in connection to allegations of corruption.
Nazaha, Saudia Arabia’s oversight and anti-corruption authority, posted a statement on Sunday saying Al-Madani had been arrested for his involvement in “crimes of abuse of authority and money laundering.”
He is accused of benefiting from “illegally obtained contracts” valued at around $55 million made between Saudia Arabia’s sustainable energy research sector and the National Talents Company, a group he partially owns. Al Madani is also accused of directly profiting from the projects through money transfers from two family members employed by the company, who, according to Nazaha, have also been arrested and confessed to their involvement. Al-Madani is in custody awaiting prosecution. He has been replaced as acting head of the commission by Abeer Al Akel.
Nazaha said Al-Madani continued to hold a stake in National Talents...
Nazaha, Saudia Arabia’s oversight and anti-corruption authority, posted a statement on Sunday saying Al-Madani had been arrested for his involvement in “crimes of abuse of authority and money laundering.”
He is accused of benefiting from “illegally obtained contracts” valued at around $55 million made between Saudia Arabia’s sustainable energy research sector and the National Talents Company, a group he partially owns. Al Madani is also accused of directly profiting from the projects through money transfers from two family members employed by the company, who, according to Nazaha, have also been arrested and confessed to their involvement. Al-Madani is in custody awaiting prosecution. He has been replaced as acting head of the commission by Abeer Al Akel.
Nazaha said Al-Madani continued to hold a stake in National Talents...
- 1/31/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Is the Saudi-Hollywood love affair back on?
Judging by the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which wrapped on Dec. 9, the answer is yes. A parade of stars including Will Smith, Michelle Williams, Chris Hemsworth, Johnny Depp and Halle Berry made the pilgrimage to Jeddah even as the Israel-Hamas conflict raged just 700 miles north.
This year’s guest list signals a dramatic reversal in relations from five years ago, when Hollywood’s outrage campaign was in full swing following the murder of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi government agents. In the aftermath, WME’s Ari Emanuel cut ties with the kingdom, returning its $400 million investment just six months after courting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Los Angeles.
While enticing big-name talent this year generated positive publicity, the real Saudi mandate is to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil,...
Judging by the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which wrapped on Dec. 9, the answer is yes. A parade of stars including Will Smith, Michelle Williams, Chris Hemsworth, Johnny Depp and Halle Berry made the pilgrimage to Jeddah even as the Israel-Hamas conflict raged just 700 miles north.
This year’s guest list signals a dramatic reversal in relations from five years ago, when Hollywood’s outrage campaign was in full swing following the murder of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi government agents. In the aftermath, WME’s Ari Emanuel cut ties with the kingdom, returning its $400 million investment just six months after courting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Los Angeles.
While enticing big-name talent this year generated positive publicity, the real Saudi mandate is to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Saudi Arabia is following in Middle East neighbor Qatar’s footsteps and will host the 2034 soccer World Cup.
In the past few hours, Football Australia has pulled out of the running, leaving Saudi Arabia the only nation bidding to host the global tournament in a decade’s time.
World football body Fifa had said the 2034 World Cup would be held in Asia or Oceania, and an Australian bid was regarded as the only potential challenger to Saudi Arabia.
The move means that the World Cup will be hosted in a middle eastern nation twice in the space of 12 years, following last year’s Qatar World Cup.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister, said the World Cup bid “constitutes an important and natural step in our journey as a country passionate about football”.
Amidst accusations of ‘sportswashing,’ Saudi Arabia has gone big on soccer in past months,...
In the past few hours, Football Australia has pulled out of the running, leaving Saudi Arabia the only nation bidding to host the global tournament in a decade’s time.
World football body Fifa had said the 2034 World Cup would be held in Asia or Oceania, and an Australian bid was regarded as the only potential challenger to Saudi Arabia.
The move means that the World Cup will be hosted in a middle eastern nation twice in the space of 12 years, following last year’s Qatar World Cup.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister, said the World Cup bid “constitutes an important and natural step in our journey as a country passionate about football”.
Amidst accusations of ‘sportswashing,’ Saudi Arabia has gone big on soccer in past months,...
- 10/31/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Saudi Leader Mohammed Bin Salman Addresses Saudi Arabia’s Role In 9/11 Attacks In Fox News Interview
Fox News Bret Baier sat down with Saudi Arabian leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tonight and, to Baier’s credit, asked some pointed questions which Mbs – as he is known – answered in turn with degrees of candor and deflection.
Among them were queries about the reported $2 billion the Kingdom invested with Jared Kushner shortly after Donald Trump left office, the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the normalization of ties with Israel, Liv Golf, Russia and, maybe most important to many Americans, the Saudi government’s role in the attacks of 9/11.
“Recently in the U.S., we remembered the 22nd anniversary of the 911 attacks,” Baier began. “As you know, 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, and the 9/11 victims families, you know, they make their feelings clear, especially around the anniversary, that they believe there’s intelligence that somehow links the Saudi government to supporting or facilitating those hijackers. What do you say to those 9/11 families 22 years later?...
Among them were queries about the reported $2 billion the Kingdom invested with Jared Kushner shortly after Donald Trump left office, the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the normalization of ties with Israel, Liv Golf, Russia and, maybe most important to many Americans, the Saudi government’s role in the attacks of 9/11.
“Recently in the U.S., we remembered the 22nd anniversary of the 911 attacks,” Baier began. “As you know, 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudis, and the 9/11 victims families, you know, they make their feelings clear, especially around the anniversary, that they believe there’s intelligence that somehow links the Saudi government to supporting or facilitating those hijackers. What do you say to those 9/11 families 22 years later?...
- 9/21/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
On Friday, The New Yorker published a bombshell story by Clare Malone detailing how comedian Hasan Minhaj, a former Daily Show correspondent and host of Netflix’s Patriot Act, had fabricated a number of stories that were featured on his show and in his stand-up routines, including being dumped by a prom date because of the color of his skin; that he’d recognized an FBI informant who’d been surveilling Muslim people in his community; that he received an envelope with white powder that he thought was anthrax and...
- 9/16/2023
- by Marlow Stern
- Rollingstone.com
Hasan Minhaj admitted to — and defended — making up stories in his stand-up sets in a new interview with The New Yorker.
The story outlines several fabrications peppered throughout Minhaj’s work, often in service of describing experiences of discrimination and threats of violence for speaking truth to power. It is not unheard of for comedians (or even memoirists) to tweak, exaggerate, or make-up certain details to ensure a joke lands, and Minhaj defended his choices, saying the stories he told were based on “emotional truth.”
He added: “The punch line is worth the fictionalized premise.
The story outlines several fabrications peppered throughout Minhaj’s work, often in service of describing experiences of discrimination and threats of violence for speaking truth to power. It is not unheard of for comedians (or even memoirists) to tweak, exaggerate, or make-up certain details to ensure a joke lands, and Minhaj defended his choices, saying the stories he told were based on “emotional truth.”
He added: “The punch line is worth the fictionalized premise.
- 9/15/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Hasan Minhaj says “all my standup stories are based on events that happened to me” after a new profile in The New Yorker found that some of the details in his onstage anecdotes, like those featured in his Netflix stand-up specials, may have been made up.
Stories that The New Yorker found didn’t necessarily play out as he presented them include jokes involving one of his children and their possible exposure to anthrax and an alleged interaction with police and an FBI informant at his family’s mosque when he was a teen.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter responding to The New Yorker story, Minhaj said, “All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me. Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I...
Stories that The New Yorker found didn’t necessarily play out as he presented them include jokes involving one of his children and their possible exposure to anthrax and an alleged interaction with police and an FBI informant at his family’s mosque when he was a teen.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter responding to The New Yorker story, Minhaj said, “All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me. Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I...
- 9/15/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s mainly embellishment. Former Patriot Act host and The Daily Show alum Hasan Minhaj is acknowledging that many of the stories he has told in his comedy specials are fabricated.
“Every story in my style is built around a seed of truth,” Minhaj said in a profile in The New Yorker. “My comedy Arnold Palmer is 70% emotional truth — this happened — and then 30% hyperbole, exaggeration, fiction.”
Minhaj is a two-time Peabody Award-Winning comedian best known for his breakout Netflix special Homecoming King and his critically acclaimed, political satire show Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj for Netflix which won a Peabody, an Emmy, and a Television Academy Honor.
“All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me. Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I had an...
“Every story in my style is built around a seed of truth,” Minhaj said in a profile in The New Yorker. “My comedy Arnold Palmer is 70% emotional truth — this happened — and then 30% hyperbole, exaggeration, fiction.”
Minhaj is a two-time Peabody Award-Winning comedian best known for his breakout Netflix special Homecoming King and his critically acclaimed, political satire show Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj for Netflix which won a Peabody, an Emmy, and a Television Academy Honor.
“All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me. Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I had an...
- 9/15/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedian Hasan Minhaj has responded to a new New Yorker article that details several stories the acclaimed standup and former “Patriot Act” host embellished on stage.
“All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me,” Minhaj said in a statement to TheWrap. “Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I had an interaction with law enforcement during the war on terror. Yes, I had varicocele repair surgery so we could get pregnant. Yes, I roasted Jared Kushner to his face.”
Several of the examples Minhaj uses in his statement appear in the New Yorker article but are disputed by those familiar with these incidents. For example, though a letter with powder was sent to Minhaj’s apartment and he joked to his wife it could have been anthrax,...
“All my standup stories are based on events that happened to me,” Minhaj said in a statement to TheWrap. “Yes, I was rejected from going to prom because of my race. Yes, a letter with powder was sent to my apartment that almost harmed my daughter. Yes, I had an interaction with law enforcement during the war on terror. Yes, I had varicocele repair surgery so we could get pregnant. Yes, I roasted Jared Kushner to his face.”
Several of the examples Minhaj uses in his statement appear in the New Yorker article but are disputed by those familiar with these incidents. For example, though a letter with powder was sent to Minhaj’s apartment and he joked to his wife it could have been anthrax,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Comedian Hasan Minhaj has admitted that many of the stories about racial discrimination the late night host built his career around are not true, a new expose in the New Yorker revealed.
These fabrications include a story about a FBI informant infiltrating his Sacramento Muslim community, a white powder that was sent to his home to scare his family and that Minhaj met with the Saudi Embassy to interview crown prince Mohammed bin Salman right before the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The New Yorker confirmed these stories were partially fabricated or at the very least exaggerated.
“Every story in my style is built around a seed of truth,” Minhaj said. “My comedy Arnold Palmer is 70% emotional truth — this happened — and then 30% hyperbole, exaggeration, fiction.”
The comedian went on to say “the emotional truth is first. The factual truth is secondary.”
Though Craig Monteilh was an FBI informant in an Orange County Muslim community,...
These fabrications include a story about a FBI informant infiltrating his Sacramento Muslim community, a white powder that was sent to his home to scare his family and that Minhaj met with the Saudi Embassy to interview crown prince Mohammed bin Salman right before the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The New Yorker confirmed these stories were partially fabricated or at the very least exaggerated.
“Every story in my style is built around a seed of truth,” Minhaj said. “My comedy Arnold Palmer is 70% emotional truth — this happened — and then 30% hyperbole, exaggeration, fiction.”
The comedian went on to say “the emotional truth is first. The factual truth is secondary.”
Though Craig Monteilh was an FBI informant in an Orange County Muslim community,...
- 9/15/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
In what’s being billed as the Saudi leader’s “first interview with a major American news network since 2019,” Fox News announced that Bret Baier will sit down with Mohammed bin Salman for a “no holds barred” conversation.
The pre-taped encounter with the controversial crown prince will cover a range of topics, including the future of the kingdom and its relations with the United States.
The latter is of special interest, given that the Saudis and the Russians agreed this year to an oil price cut that has sent futures prices for Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate, the benchmarks for crude oil, up 13% and 14%, respectively, and diesel prices up 40% since May.
More recently, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct) this week demanded communications and records from PGA Tour and Liv Golf regarding their planned merger. Liv Golf is financed by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which, Blumenthal says,...
The pre-taped encounter with the controversial crown prince will cover a range of topics, including the future of the kingdom and its relations with the United States.
The latter is of special interest, given that the Saudis and the Russians agreed this year to an oil price cut that has sent futures prices for Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate, the benchmarks for crude oil, up 13% and 14%, respectively, and diesel prices up 40% since May.
More recently, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct) this week demanded communications and records from PGA Tour and Liv Golf regarding their planned merger. Liv Golf is financed by the Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which, Blumenthal says,...
- 9/14/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Mohamed Al Fayed, the flamboyant Egypt-born businessman whose son was killed in a car crash with Princess Diana, died this week, his family said Friday. He was 94.
Al Fayed, the longtime owner of Harrods department store and the Fulham Football Club, was devastated by the death of son Dodi Fayed in the car crash in Paris with Diana 26 years ago. He spent years mourning the loss and fighting the British establishment he blamed for their deaths.
“Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023,″ his family said in a statement released by the Fulham club. “He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones.″
Read More: Prince Harry Speaks Candidly About The First Time He Took Meghan Markle To Princess Diana’s Grave
Al...
Al Fayed, the longtime owner of Harrods department store and the Fulham Football Club, was devastated by the death of son Dodi Fayed in the car crash in Paris with Diana 26 years ago. He spent years mourning the loss and fighting the British establishment he blamed for their deaths.
“Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023,″ his family said in a statement released by the Fulham club. “He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones.″
Read More: Prince Harry Speaks Candidly About The First Time He Took Meghan Markle To Princess Diana’s Grave
Al...
- 9/2/2023
- by Melissa Romualdi
- ET Canada
PGA officials were in the hot seat on Tuesday as they faced lawmakers questions about the tour’s abrupt reversal that led to a deal with Saudi-backed rival Liv, despite months of criticism over the human rights record of the Saudi gpvernment.
At a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee On Investigations, PGA COO Ron Price, pressed to provide an estimate of just how much the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund would contribute to a new entity, said that “north of $1 billion” was being discussed, but that negotiations on a final agreement were ongoing.
Price and Jimmy Dunne, board member of the PGA Tour, said that the new entity would still be controlled by the PGA. They each stressed to lawmakers that the PGA decided to enter into the agreement rather than face years of litigation and a division among its athletes, as well as the threat posed by the rival Liv league,...
At a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee On Investigations, PGA COO Ron Price, pressed to provide an estimate of just how much the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund would contribute to a new entity, said that “north of $1 billion” was being discussed, but that negotiations on a final agreement were ongoing.
Price and Jimmy Dunne, board member of the PGA Tour, said that the new entity would still be controlled by the PGA. They each stressed to lawmakers that the PGA decided to enter into the agreement rather than face years of litigation and a division among its athletes, as well as the threat posed by the rival Liv league,...
- 7/11/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Randall Stephenson, the former chairman and CEO of AT&T and architect of the telecom giant’s ill-fated acquisition of Time Warner, has resigned from the policy board of the Professional Golf Association at a critical moment.
On Tuesday morning, PGA officials and others are expected to testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which is chaired by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct). Among those the committee will question are Jimmy Dunne, the policy board member who helped broker the deal, and Ron Price, the PGA Tour’s chief operating officer.
Stephenson, who had been a member of the influential policy board since 2012, stepped down from it over the weekend, with his sharply worded resignation letter reported by the Washington Post, The New York Times and others. The exec said he could not abide the deal brokered between the PGA and upstart rival Liv, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
On Tuesday morning, PGA officials and others are expected to testify before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which is chaired by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct). Among those the committee will question are Jimmy Dunne, the policy board member who helped broker the deal, and Ron Price, the PGA Tour’s chief operating officer.
Stephenson, who had been a member of the influential policy board since 2012, stepped down from it over the weekend, with his sharply worded resignation letter reported by the Washington Post, The New York Times and others. The exec said he could not abide the deal brokered between the PGA and upstart rival Liv, which is funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
- 7/10/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Fred Ryan, the publisher and CEO of The Washington Post for the past nine years, is stepping down.
Ryan announced to the staff that he is going to lead the Center on Public Civility for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Post, said that Patty Stonesifer, a director of Amazon since 1997, will join the Post as interim CEO. Ryan will remain as publisher through Aug. 1 to provide a transition period.
“Patty has built and led great organizations,” Bezos wrote in a memo to staffers. “You’ll soon see for yourself why admire her. Her skills, judgement and character all stand out.” Bezos wrote that Stonesifer will help him identify the next publisher/CEO “who will take the Post forward into the next decade.”
In his memo to the staff, Ryan said that the Post during his tenure “have accomplished one of the most...
Ryan announced to the staff that he is going to lead the Center on Public Civility for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
Jeff Bezos, the owner of the Post, said that Patty Stonesifer, a director of Amazon since 1997, will join the Post as interim CEO. Ryan will remain as publisher through Aug. 1 to provide a transition period.
“Patty has built and led great organizations,” Bezos wrote in a memo to staffers. “You’ll soon see for yourself why admire her. Her skills, judgement and character all stand out.” Bezos wrote that Stonesifer will help him identify the next publisher/CEO “who will take the Post forward into the next decade.”
In his memo to the staff, Ryan said that the Post during his tenure “have accomplished one of the most...
- 6/12/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
The PGA Tour has agreed to merge with its former rival, the Saudi-backed Liv Golf, in one of the wildest about-faces in professional sports.
The new agreement will bring together the PGA Tour, Liv Golf, and the European Tour (also known as the Dp World Tour), with the deal being described in a press release as “a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf, on a global basis.” This new global golf conglomerate — which doesn’t have a name yet — is described as a “collectively owned, for-profit entity” that...
The new agreement will bring together the PGA Tour, Liv Golf, and the European Tour (also known as the Dp World Tour), with the deal being described in a press release as “a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf, on a global basis.” This new global golf conglomerate — which doesn’t have a name yet — is described as a “collectively owned, for-profit entity” that...
- 6/6/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Ending two years of rancor and legal warfare, the PGA Tour has agreed to merge with Saudi-backed Liv Golf.
In a joint statement, the two organizations declared the stunning turn of events “a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf, on a global basis.” Technically, the pact that was announced is a framework for a deal, with a finalized version expected in the coming weeks.
The new spirit of comity represents a significant departure from the barbed exchanges between the parties in dueling antitrust lawsuits as well as players and fans on opposite sides of the split. The upstart Liv maintained that the well-entrenched PGA had engaged in anticompetitive practices by punishing its players, while PGA objected to Liv coming into its turf and poaching talent with hefty payouts.
As a result of the merger agreement, all legal claims have been dropped. While the Saudis have made inroads in Formula 1 racing and soccer,...
In a joint statement, the two organizations declared the stunning turn of events “a landmark agreement to unify the game of golf, on a global basis.” Technically, the pact that was announced is a framework for a deal, with a finalized version expected in the coming weeks.
The new spirit of comity represents a significant departure from the barbed exchanges between the parties in dueling antitrust lawsuits as well as players and fans on opposite sides of the split. The upstart Liv maintained that the well-entrenched PGA had engaged in anticompetitive practices by punishing its players, while PGA objected to Liv coming into its turf and poaching talent with hefty payouts.
As a result of the merger agreement, all legal claims have been dropped. While the Saudis have made inroads in Formula 1 racing and soccer,...
- 6/6/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
In a move that practically no one in the sports or broadcasting worlds saw coming, it was on Tuesday that the PGA Tour and Liv Golf will merge in an effort to promote golf around the world. The two rival tours will also unite with Dp World Tour — the PGA’s European Tour — to form a new commercial entity to promote all of the brands in order to deliver “maximum excitement and competition among the game’s best players,” according to a press release issued by the PGA Tour.
While the three tours will continue to exist and operate independently, Liv’s parent company Public Investment Fund (Pif) will make a capital investment into the new commercial enterprise, whose name will be announced at a later date. Pif is run and funded by Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused of crimes against humanity and the brutal murder of Suadi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
While the three tours will continue to exist and operate independently, Liv’s parent company Public Investment Fund (Pif) will make a capital investment into the new commercial enterprise, whose name will be announced at a later date. Pif is run and funded by Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been accused of crimes against humanity and the brutal murder of Suadi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- 6/6/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel went to town on CAA, said his company almost invested $1 billion in the new Liv Golf tour, and projected that COO Mark Shapiro will take over the company whenever Emanuel calls it quits.
The wide-ranging conversation with Freakonomics Radio host Stephen J. Dubner has just gone online as a podcast and will also air on public radio stations. (Listen Here.) Deadline was provided with a transcript in advance. In addition to covering a few newsy items, Dubner aimed to give listeners a sense of Emanuel’s day-to-day to arrive at his answer to a simple question: Is he enjoying himself?
“I’m having a meeting, getting on a plane to England, then going to Madrid, then coming back, then back to New York, then coming back, then going to Cannes. Then I’m going to Tokyo. Yeah. And I enjoy it,” Emanuel said. “So when I don’t enjoy it,...
The wide-ranging conversation with Freakonomics Radio host Stephen J. Dubner has just gone online as a podcast and will also air on public radio stations. (Listen Here.) Deadline was provided with a transcript in advance. In addition to covering a few newsy items, Dubner aimed to give listeners a sense of Emanuel’s day-to-day to arrive at his answer to a simple question: Is he enjoying himself?
“I’m having a meeting, getting on a plane to England, then going to Madrid, then coming back, then back to New York, then coming back, then going to Cannes. Then I’m going to Tokyo. Yeah. And I enjoy it,” Emanuel said. “So when I don’t enjoy it,...
- 6/1/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
After landing the domestic broadcast rights to the controversial, upstart Liv Golf tour, Nexstar Media Group is looking to add even more live sports rights according to the company’s CEO Perry Sook.
At this week’s Svb MoffettNathanson Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, Sook touted the success of Liv, noting that local CW affiliates owned by Nexstar were completely supportive of adding the golf league to their programming lineup. Liv Golf is backed by the Saudi Arabian government, whose ties to global terrorism, human rights violations, and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi have made most traditional sports broadcasting partners leery of doing business with the tour. But according to Sook, those issues were less important to affiliates than the prospect of securing more live sports rights.
“At the local level, this is selling like gangbusters,” Sook said. “Car dealers are not deeply involved in national or international geopolitical conversations.
At this week’s Svb MoffettNathanson Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference, Sook touted the success of Liv, noting that local CW affiliates owned by Nexstar were completely supportive of adding the golf league to their programming lineup. Liv Golf is backed by the Saudi Arabian government, whose ties to global terrorism, human rights violations, and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi have made most traditional sports broadcasting partners leery of doing business with the tour. But according to Sook, those issues were less important to affiliates than the prospect of securing more live sports rights.
“At the local level, this is selling like gangbusters,” Sook said. “Car dealers are not deeply involved in national or international geopolitical conversations.
- 5/18/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Perry Sook, CEO of The CW parent Nexstar, said the network’s deal this year to broadcast the Saudi-backed Liv Golf circuit has led to talks with “everyone” in the vibrant sports rights marketplace.
“It announced to the world that we were willing to program sports on the weekends,” he said of the transaction during a sit-down at a media conference hosted by Wall Street research firm Svb MoffettNathanson. Due to the staggering of rights expirations and negotiating windows, Sook said it’s hard to tell when the next live sports programming could join The CW’s lineup, but he noted particularly active conversations with Power 5 college conferences and motorsports groups. The next agreement could come together as soon as this fall, though Sook also said some appealing choices wouldn’t be available until 2026.
Moderator Michael Nathanson described the Liv deal as a “risk-free” opportunity that “fell into your lap” last January,...
“It announced to the world that we were willing to program sports on the weekends,” he said of the transaction during a sit-down at a media conference hosted by Wall Street research firm Svb MoffettNathanson. Due to the staggering of rights expirations and negotiating windows, Sook said it’s hard to tell when the next live sports programming could join The CW’s lineup, but he noted particularly active conversations with Power 5 college conferences and motorsports groups. The next agreement could come together as soon as this fall, though Sook also said some appealing choices wouldn’t be available until 2026.
Moderator Michael Nathanson described the Liv deal as a “risk-free” opportunity that “fell into your lap” last January,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast’s investigation into ousted NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell stemmed from a complaint filed by CNBC anchor and senior international correspondent Hadley Gamble.
“The investigation into Mr. Shell arose from a complaint by my client of sexual harassment and sex discrimination,” Gamble’s attorney Suzanne McKie of Farore Law said in a statement. “Given these circumstances, it is very disappointing that my client’s name has been released and her privacy violated.”
Gamble, who is based from CNBC’s Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi, covers energy, geopolitics and financial markets and is the anchor of “Capital Connection.” She also presents CNBC’s popular documentary franchise ‘Access: Middle East’, where she speaks to world leaders, international CEOs and philanthropists. She has worked at CNBC since 2010.
Two sources familiar with Gamble’s situation at CNBC told TheWrap that her contract was up and had not been renewed, a decision she learned...
“The investigation into Mr. Shell arose from a complaint by my client of sexual harassment and sex discrimination,” Gamble’s attorney Suzanne McKie of Farore Law said in a statement. “Given these circumstances, it is very disappointing that my client’s name has been released and her privacy violated.”
Gamble, who is based from CNBC’s Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi, covers energy, geopolitics and financial markets and is the anchor of “Capital Connection.” She also presents CNBC’s popular documentary franchise ‘Access: Middle East’, where she speaks to world leaders, international CEOs and philanthropists. She has worked at CNBC since 2010.
Two sources familiar with Gamble’s situation at CNBC told TheWrap that her contract was up and had not been renewed, a decision she learned...
- 4/24/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Oscar-winning documentarian Bryan Fogel has signed for representation with Range Media Partners.
Fogel is best known for his 2018 film “Icarus,” which exposed Russia’s state-sponsored doping program and the whistleblower at its center. The Netflix title won the Academy Award for best documentary, the first such prize for the streamer. Prior to its crowning moment on the Dolby stage, the film sold for $5 million out of the Sundance Film Festival.
Additional laurels for “Icarus” included the special jury prize at that year’s Sundance, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalism, and nominations from BAFTA, the television academy and the Directors Guild of America.
Fogel followed “Icarus” with the nonfiction thriller “The Dissident,” about the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. “The Dissident” premiered at Sundance 2020 to near-unanimous critical acclaim and sold distribution rights to Briarcliff Entertainment. In his review for Variety,...
Fogel is best known for his 2018 film “Icarus,” which exposed Russia’s state-sponsored doping program and the whistleblower at its center. The Netflix title won the Academy Award for best documentary, the first such prize for the streamer. Prior to its crowning moment on the Dolby stage, the film sold for $5 million out of the Sundance Film Festival.
Additional laurels for “Icarus” included the special jury prize at that year’s Sundance, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Journalism, and nominations from BAFTA, the television academy and the Directors Guild of America.
Fogel followed “Icarus” with the nonfiction thriller “The Dissident,” about the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. “The Dissident” premiered at Sundance 2020 to near-unanimous critical acclaim and sold distribution rights to Briarcliff Entertainment. In his review for Variety,...
- 4/20/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
There aren’t many politicians, on either side of the aisle, who have been harder on Mohammed bin Salman than Lindsey Graham. The South Carolina senator squarely blamed the Saudi Arabian crown prince for the 2017 murder of Saudi-born journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi. “He is irrational, he is unhinged, and I think he has done a lot of damage to the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and I have no intention of working with him ever again,” Graham said a year later, shortly after the...
- 4/12/2023
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
No news would have been good news for the NCAA’s Pac-12 conference this week. Instead, a report from CBS outlined the difficulties the Pac-12 has been having in finding a broadcast partner that is willing to air more than 50% of its games.
Fewer games on broadcast TV means less exposure for school brands, making it more difficult to recruit top-flight players. The Pac-12’s media rights are set to hit the open market in 2024, and negotiations are being hampered by the fact that two of its most popular and recognizable schools — UCLA and USC — are leaving the conference in fall of 2024 for the Big Ten.
Reporting from The Athletic indicates even internal timelines for a broadcast deal have been thrown off. University of Arizona president Robert Robbins told that publication he thought a deal was mere weeks away in March, but now that estimate is being pushed back. Sources...
Fewer games on broadcast TV means less exposure for school brands, making it more difficult to recruit top-flight players. The Pac-12’s media rights are set to hit the open market in 2024, and negotiations are being hampered by the fact that two of its most popular and recognizable schools — UCLA and USC — are leaving the conference in fall of 2024 for the Big Ten.
Reporting from The Athletic indicates even internal timelines for a broadcast deal have been thrown off. University of Arizona president Robert Robbins told that publication he thought a deal was mere weeks away in March, but now that estimate is being pushed back. Sources...
- 4/7/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Just a couple of years ago, few people in Hollywood would have heard of AlUla (or known the somewhat unique way to spell it). Located in Saudi Arabia’s northwestern region, in an area awash in sand dunes, desert oases and ancient ruins, some dating back to the Neolithic period of the Stone Age, it was previously perhaps best known for being part of the historic Incense Route and home to Saudi Arabia’s first Unesco World Heritage Site.
But the country’s dramatic arrival on the film scene has seen AlUla become a central pillar of its cinematic plans, with huge investments made to lure international productions, build facilities and create a fully-fledged moviemaking hub where there was literally zero film industry before. And while the country continues to combat negative perceptions about its human rights record — including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — this has all been backed...
But the country’s dramatic arrival on the film scene has seen AlUla become a central pillar of its cinematic plans, with huge investments made to lure international productions, build facilities and create a fully-fledged moviemaking hub where there was literally zero film industry before. And while the country continues to combat negative perceptions about its human rights record — including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — this has all been backed...
- 2/17/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Saudi Arabia and its sovereign wealth fund have quietly — and in some cases, not so quietly — built a multibillion-dollar foothold in Hollywood, four years after much of the industry cut ties with the country in response to the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
This time around, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, overseen by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and other Saudi-affiliated firms appear to be betting that live entertainment, rich financial investments and sports can be the gateway to the American market.
In January alone, the Pif-backed Liv Golf scored a critical U.S. broadcast TV agreement with The CW, while the government-owned Middle East broadcast giant Mbc Group cut a deal with Vice Media to create Arabic-language content. Earlier, Saudi soccer team Al Nassr signed Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for 200 million a year. And if the second edition of the Red Sea Film Festival,...
This time around, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, overseen by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and other Saudi-affiliated firms appear to be betting that live entertainment, rich financial investments and sports can be the gateway to the American market.
In January alone, the Pif-backed Liv Golf scored a critical U.S. broadcast TV agreement with The CW, while the government-owned Middle East broadcast giant Mbc Group cut a deal with Vice Media to create Arabic-language content. Earlier, Saudi soccer team Al Nassr signed Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for 200 million a year. And if the second edition of the Red Sea Film Festival,...
- 1/27/2023
- by Alex Weprin and Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Vice Media Group is expanding its business in Saudi Arabia and has signed a deal to produce content for Mbc Group, the Saudi-owned Middle East giant with the largest media operation in the region.
Unveiled on Wednesday, the deal — which was first rumored last year (The New York Times said it was potentially worth “at least 50 million” — will see the youth-focused digital media company create bespoke, Arabic-language content across food, music, fashion, the visual arts and video games, alongside providing mentorship and training opportunities. It will be run from Vice’s offices in Riyadh, which first opened in 2021.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
“Mbc Group is the leading media platform in the region, and we are happy to help extend its reach while highlighting the vibrant, emerging youth culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – where more than half the population is under the age of 35 – and across the Arabic-speaking world,...
Unveiled on Wednesday, the deal — which was first rumored last year (The New York Times said it was potentially worth “at least 50 million” — will see the youth-focused digital media company create bespoke, Arabic-language content across food, music, fashion, the visual arts and video games, alongside providing mentorship and training opportunities. It will be run from Vice’s offices in Riyadh, which first opened in 2021.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
“Mbc Group is the leading media platform in the region, and we are happy to help extend its reach while highlighting the vibrant, emerging youth culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – where more than half the population is under the age of 35 – and across the Arabic-speaking world,...
- 1/25/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The National Press Club has called on The CW‘s new owner, Nexstar, to “explain why they have partnered with the murderers of a journalist,” by allying with the Saudi-backed Liv Golf.
Nexstar announced on Thursday that it had inked a multi-year agreement for The CW to become Liv’s U.S. broadcast television and streaming home. As part of the deal, The CW will air 14 global Liv Golf League live events in 2023; weekend tourneys will air Saturdays and Sundays on The CW, and Fridays on The CW app.
More from TVLineThe CW to Add Golf (?!) as New Prez Attempts...
Nexstar announced on Thursday that it had inked a multi-year agreement for The CW to become Liv’s U.S. broadcast television and streaming home. As part of the deal, The CW will air 14 global Liv Golf League live events in 2023; weekend tourneys will air Saturdays and Sundays on The CW, and Fridays on The CW app.
More from TVLineThe CW to Add Golf (?!) as New Prez Attempts...
- 1/20/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Seven days after disturbing footage surfaced of UFC CEO Dana White slapping his wife at a New Year’s Eve party, parent company Endeavor continues to dodge the controversy.
Ari Emanuel’s silence on the matter has raised eyebrows around Hollywood given that the Endeavor CEO has been quick to chime in on various scandals and misconduct over the years, writing two recent op-eds on the scourge of antisemitism that dubbed Kanye West a “cartoonish … clown show” for praising Hitler and having previously called on the industry to shun Mel Gibson “even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line.”
So what’s behind Emanuel’s newfound reticence to call out bad behavior? Addressing the White controversy could certainly affect Endeavor’s bottom line, considering that UFC is the crown jewel in the entertainment conglomerate’s portfolio. In fact, UFC is one of the biggest contributors to Endeavor’s growth,...
Ari Emanuel’s silence on the matter has raised eyebrows around Hollywood given that the Endeavor CEO has been quick to chime in on various scandals and misconduct over the years, writing two recent op-eds on the scourge of antisemitism that dubbed Kanye West a “cartoonish … clown show” for praising Hitler and having previously called on the industry to shun Mel Gibson “even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line.”
So what’s behind Emanuel’s newfound reticence to call out bad behavior? Addressing the White controversy could certainly affect Endeavor’s bottom line, considering that UFC is the crown jewel in the entertainment conglomerate’s portfolio. In fact, UFC is one of the biggest contributors to Endeavor’s growth,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
David Fincher To Receive Honorary Cesar Award
David Fincher is to receive an Honorary Award at this year’s Cesar Awards. The primary French awards show will fete the Gone Girl filmmaker at its 2023 ceremony on February 24 at the Olympia in Paris. The awards body described Fincher as an “outstanding technician” and “a true visionary.” Awarded since 1976, previous Honorary Cesar Award winners include Robert Redford, Penelope Cruz, and George Clooney. The nominees for the 48th César Awards will be announced on January 25.
BFI And Film4 Launch New £90,000 Short Film Fund
The BFI and Film4 have partnered on Future Takes, a new pilot short film fund. The open call is seeking applications for “ambitious and original” short-form work, awarding up to £90,000 each to up to seven projects. The deadline for applications is Monday, 13 February. The fund will be available to teams with a background in – but not limited to – filmmaking, theatre,...
David Fincher is to receive an Honorary Award at this year’s Cesar Awards. The primary French awards show will fete the Gone Girl filmmaker at its 2023 ceremony on February 24 at the Olympia in Paris. The awards body described Fincher as an “outstanding technician” and “a true visionary.” Awarded since 1976, previous Honorary Cesar Award winners include Robert Redford, Penelope Cruz, and George Clooney. The nominees for the 48th César Awards will be announced on January 25.
BFI And Film4 Launch New £90,000 Short Film Fund
The BFI and Film4 have partnered on Future Takes, a new pilot short film fund. The open call is seeking applications for “ambitious and original” short-form work, awarding up to £90,000 each to up to seven projects. The deadline for applications is Monday, 13 February. The fund will be available to teams with a background in – but not limited to – filmmaking, theatre,...
- 12/16/2022
- by Zac Ntim and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
San Francisco, Dec 15 (Ians) Former Twitter employee Ahmad Abouammo has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of spying for Saudi Arabia, media reported on Thursday.
He was sentenced in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, reports NBC News.
Abouammo was found guilty by a US court in August this year for accessing private information in the accounts of certain Twitter users, and providing that information to officials in Saudi Arabia.
Abouammo and Ali Alzabarah — two Twitter employees — and Saudi national Ahmed Almutairi, aka Ahmed Aljbreen, were charged in 2019 for acting as illegal agents of the Saudi government in the US.
Abouammo was also charged with destroying, altering, or falsifying records in a federal investigation.
In the trial, the prosecution argued that a prominent member of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s government tapped Abouammo for help investigating his enemies.
He was sentenced in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, reports NBC News.
Abouammo was found guilty by a US court in August this year for accessing private information in the accounts of certain Twitter users, and providing that information to officials in Saudi Arabia.
Abouammo and Ali Alzabarah — two Twitter employees — and Saudi national Ahmed Almutairi, aka Ahmed Aljbreen, were charged in 2019 for acting as illegal agents of the Saudi government in the US.
Abouammo was also charged with destroying, altering, or falsifying records in a federal investigation.
In the trial, the prosecution argued that a prominent member of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s government tapped Abouammo for help investigating his enemies.
- 12/15/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
As Red Sea Film Festival jury President, Oliver Stone is taking his role seriously, reports ‘Variety’. He sees the festival as an opportunity to explore the cinema being made in a region that he views as being misunderstood.
“It is a chance to really dip into the very fascinating Asian and African cinema. There’s a lot of big changes going on. You know, there’s a whole new world and they’re learning how to use film to tell their stories,” Stone said in an interview to ‘Variety’.
The director of such cult classics as ‘Platoon’ and ‘JFK’ alluded to these changes in his remarks at the opening ceremony: “You see the changes that are coming here, the reforms. I think people who judge too harshly should come and visit this place and see for themselves.”
It was a remark that was bound to trigger a controversy among critics...
“It is a chance to really dip into the very fascinating Asian and African cinema. There’s a lot of big changes going on. You know, there’s a whole new world and they’re learning how to use film to tell their stories,” Stone said in an interview to ‘Variety’.
The director of such cult classics as ‘Platoon’ and ‘JFK’ alluded to these changes in his remarks at the opening ceremony: “You see the changes that are coming here, the reforms. I think people who judge too harshly should come and visit this place and see for themselves.”
It was a remark that was bound to trigger a controversy among critics...
- 12/3/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
As jury president of the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia, Oliver Stone is taking his role seriously. He sees the festival as an opportunity to explore the cinema being made in a region of the world he views as being misunderstood: “It’s a chance to really dip into the very fascinating Asian and African cinema. There’s a lot of big changes going on. You know, there’s a whole new world and they’re learning how to use film to tell their stories.”
Stone alluded to these changes in his remarks at the opening ceremony: “You see the changes that are coming here, the reforms. I think people who judge too harshly should come and visit this place and see for themselves.”
It was a remark that was bound to cause controversy among critics of the Kingdom’s human rights record. But Stone is unrepentant. “I meant what I said,...
Stone alluded to these changes in his remarks at the opening ceremony: “You see the changes that are coming here, the reforms. I think people who judge too harshly should come and visit this place and see for themselves.”
It was a remark that was bound to cause controversy among critics of the Kingdom’s human rights record. But Stone is unrepentant. “I meant what I said,...
- 12/3/2022
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Anyone in the industry who attended Cannes, Venice or Toronto this year is likely aware of the Red Sea Film Festival. Thanks to a marketing campaign that has included billboards in airports, advertisements across the trades and sponsorship of star-studded events, the event in the coastal Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah has been generating noise for its second edition.
Set to launch in March 2020, just two years after cinemas opened in Saudi Arabia after being banned for several decades, the inaugural event was canceled by organizers eight days before it was due to open, making it one of the first festival casualties of Covid-19. The first edition was pushed to late 2021, only to then be hit by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. While concerns about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the fallout from the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi may...
Anyone in the industry who attended Cannes, Venice or Toronto this year is likely aware of the Red Sea Film Festival. Thanks to a marketing campaign that has included billboards in airports, advertisements across the trades and sponsorship of star-studded events, the event in the coastal Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah has been generating noise for its second edition.
Set to launch in March 2020, just two years after cinemas opened in Saudi Arabia after being banned for several decades, the inaugural event was canceled by organizers eight days before it was due to open, making it one of the first festival casualties of Covid-19. The first edition was pushed to late 2021, only to then be hit by the omicron variant of the coronavirus. While concerns about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia and the fallout from the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi may...
- 11/30/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival kicks off its second edition in the port city of Jeddah this week.
The event, which runs December 1-10, unfolds five years to the week that news first broke that the country was lifting its 35-year cinema ban as part of a wider strategy to open up its society and the economy.
Related Story Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Festival To Honor Indian Star Shah Rukh Khan Related Story U.S. Beats Iran, Advances To Second Round Of World Cup; Will Face Netherlands Next Related Story Fox Sports Replay Cuts Protester Entirely Out Of Portugal-Uruguay World Cup Match; FIFA Says Pitch Invader Was Released – Updated
The 2021 inaugural edition unfolded amid uncertainty for both organizers and attendees. There were also a handful of last-minute glitches including the emergence of the more virulent Covid-19 Omicron strain and the no-show of figurehead artistic director Edouard Waintrop.
The event, which runs December 1-10, unfolds five years to the week that news first broke that the country was lifting its 35-year cinema ban as part of a wider strategy to open up its society and the economy.
Related Story Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Festival To Honor Indian Star Shah Rukh Khan Related Story U.S. Beats Iran, Advances To Second Round Of World Cup; Will Face Netherlands Next Related Story Fox Sports Replay Cuts Protester Entirely Out Of Portugal-Uruguay World Cup Match; FIFA Says Pitch Invader Was Released – Updated
The 2021 inaugural edition unfolded amid uncertainty for both organizers and attendees. There were also a handful of last-minute glitches including the emergence of the more virulent Covid-19 Omicron strain and the no-show of figurehead artistic director Edouard Waintrop.
- 11/30/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s long been a problematic revolving door between Congress and lobbying work on behalf of special interests. On Tuesday, The Washington Post reported on the revolving door — also plenty problematic — between the U.S. military and foreign governments, often those with a long record of human rights abuse. The armed forces have been trying to keep it a secret, too.
The Post‘s investigation — during which the outlet obtained 4,000 pages of records after a two-year legal battle with the military — found that, since 2015, more than 500 retired military personnel have...
The Post‘s investigation — during which the outlet obtained 4,000 pages of records after a two-year legal battle with the military — found that, since 2015, more than 500 retired military personnel have...
- 10/18/2022
- by Ryan Bort
- Rollingstone.com
Click here to read the full article.
“In comedy we talk a lot about ‘pushing the envelope,’ ” says Hasan Minhaj. “But sometimes the envelope pushes back.” He’s talking about the now-infamous episode of Patriot Act, his Peabody Award-winning talk show, that took aim at Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s alleged involvement in the Jamal Khashoggi murder. The full story behind that episode — which Netflix pulled from Saudi Arabia after receiving a legal threat — is one of the main topics of Minhaj’s new stand-up special, The King’s Jester (Netflix, Oct. 4). “For me, this whole special was an exploration of how I can clearly define what I’m willing to say now.”
The former Daily Show correspondent, 37, worked with director and Patriot Act co-creator Prashanth Venkataramanujam on the hourlong special. Jester began as what Minhaj describes as “comedy vomit,” coming to life through small pop-up shows...
“In comedy we talk a lot about ‘pushing the envelope,’ ” says Hasan Minhaj. “But sometimes the envelope pushes back.” He’s talking about the now-infamous episode of Patriot Act, his Peabody Award-winning talk show, that took aim at Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s alleged involvement in the Jamal Khashoggi murder. The full story behind that episode — which Netflix pulled from Saudi Arabia after receiving a legal threat — is one of the main topics of Minhaj’s new stand-up special, The King’s Jester (Netflix, Oct. 4). “For me, this whole special was an exploration of how I can clearly define what I’m willing to say now.”
The former Daily Show correspondent, 37, worked with director and Patriot Act co-creator Prashanth Venkataramanujam on the hourlong special. Jester began as what Minhaj describes as “comedy vomit,” coming to life through small pop-up shows...
- 9/29/2022
- by Seija Rankin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
President Joe Biden has arrived in London, where he will join other world leaders at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
The prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand are already in the UK for the ceremony, but the guest list for the funeral of the world’s longest-reigning monarch is proving to be controversial.
While many of the 500 names of heads of state and foreign dignitaries are as expected – French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier all due to attend – there are some names that have caused a diplomatic headache.
Representatives from Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan have not been invited, while Iran, North Korea (Dprk) and Nicaragua have only been invited to send ambassadors instead of heads of state.
China’s President Xi Jinping was invited, but it will be his Vice President Wang Qishan who attends in his place.
The prime ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand are already in the UK for the ceremony, but the guest list for the funeral of the world’s longest-reigning monarch is proving to be controversial.
While many of the 500 names of heads of state and foreign dignitaries are as expected – French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Germany’s Frank-Walter Steinmeier all due to attend – there are some names that have caused a diplomatic headache.
Representatives from Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Venezuela and Afghanistan have not been invited, while Iran, North Korea (Dprk) and Nicaragua have only been invited to send ambassadors instead of heads of state.
China’s President Xi Jinping was invited, but it will be his Vice President Wang Qishan who attends in his place.
- 9/18/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Five years ago, Bryan Fogel stumbled into a story that would change his life and help transform the world of international athletics. “Icarus” started as Fogel’s attempt to document whether he could use illegal doping to improve his results as an amateur cyclist. But it turned into something very different when the scientist he went to for advice on how to not be caught, Grigory Rodchenkov, turned out to be a key figure in Russia’s extensive, state-sponsored doping program.
“Icarus” won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, and by the time it came out, Rodchenkov was in hiding in the U.S. and Russia was under investigation by international doping authorities who would ban the country from the 2018 Winter Olympics and subsequent Olympic games (though the band would contain enormous loopholes).
But the story didn’t end there, and Fogel unveiled a sequel, “Icarus: The Aftermath,” on the...
“Icarus” won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, and by the time it came out, Rodchenkov was in hiding in the U.S. and Russia was under investigation by international doping authorities who would ban the country from the 2018 Winter Olympics and subsequent Olympic games (though the band would contain enormous loopholes).
But the story didn’t end there, and Fogel unveiled a sequel, “Icarus: The Aftermath,” on the...
- 9/3/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
“We’re not taking sides in this,” said Tucker Carlson on his popular Fox News show last night, “but one of the biggest controversies in sports in many years is taking place between the PGA Tour and an upstart tour called Liv.”
Carlson then offered up an interview with Liv tour CEO and golf legend Greg Norman.
“Why is it so offensive to some American golf fans that you’re doing here?” the Tucker Carlson Tonight host asked.
“I don’t know. I really don’t really care, quite honestly. I really just want to grow the game of golf,” replied Norman. “We at Liv see that opportunity not just for the men but for the women. We at Liv see it for NCAA and younger generations. We at Liv see it as a pathway to opportunities for these kids to experience a new world out there. Liv is the future of golf.
Carlson then offered up an interview with Liv tour CEO and golf legend Greg Norman.
“Why is it so offensive to some American golf fans that you’re doing here?” the Tucker Carlson Tonight host asked.
“I don’t know. I really don’t really care, quite honestly. I really just want to grow the game of golf,” replied Norman. “We at Liv see that opportunity not just for the men but for the women. We at Liv see it for NCAA and younger generations. We at Liv see it as a pathway to opportunities for these kids to experience a new world out there. Liv is the future of golf.
- 8/2/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Yet again, the only thing standing between former President Trump and a public stance is a signature on a check. At a Saudi-backed Liv Golf tournament, held at Trump’s Bedminster golf course Thursday, the former President told reporters that “nobody’s gotten to the bottom of 9/11,” signaling a reversal from Trump’s previous conviction that the Saudi government was responsible for the terrorist attack that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.
"Well, nobody's gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing...
"Well, nobody's gotten to the bottom of 9/11, unfortunately, and they should have, as to the maniacs that did that horrible thing...
- 7/28/2022
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Rumors have swirled of late that the latest big name who may decamp to the Saudi-backed Liv golf tour is TNT NBA analyst and onetime owner of the worst swing in golf, Charles Barkley.
PGA legend Greg Norman is the league’s CEO, and big name U.S. players like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson have already signed on for eye-popping sums. Tiger Woods turned Liv down.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and questions about the country’s ties to the Sept. 11 attacks have many reluctant to partner with Liv for any price. Indeed, families of 9/11 victims have called the decision to go forward this weekend with an Liv tournament at Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, not far from where the attacks took place, “offensive, disrespectful and hurtful.”
As a result, no U.S. broadcaster or cable...
PGA legend Greg Norman is the league’s CEO, and big name U.S. players like Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson have already signed on for eye-popping sums. Tiger Woods turned Liv down.
Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi and questions about the country’s ties to the Sept. 11 attacks have many reluctant to partner with Liv for any price. Indeed, families of 9/11 victims have called the decision to go forward this weekend with an Liv tournament at Donald Trump’s Bedminster golf club in New Jersey, not far from where the attacks took place, “offensive, disrespectful and hurtful.”
As a result, no U.S. broadcaster or cable...
- 7/26/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Licht Announces CNN Leadership Team; Kris Coratti Kelly to Head Global Communications — Update
Updated: Kris Coratti Kelly’s hiring as CNN’s new head of global communications was among a serious of announcements made by CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht as he filled out his leadership team.
In a memo to staffers, Licht said that Michael Bass would continue to serve as executive vice president of programming for CNN, while Virginia Moseley would serve as executive vice president for editorial for CNN U.S. Amy Entelis will continue as executive vice president of talent and content development, and Ken Jautz will stay as executive vice president of news. San Feist will continue as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief.
Licht also announced Johnita Due as executive vice president of integrity and inclusion, a newly created position.
He also wrote that they are undertaking a worldwide search for chief digital officer, after the departure of Andrew Morse in April. Wendy Brundige is...
In a memo to staffers, Licht said that Michael Bass would continue to serve as executive vice president of programming for CNN, while Virginia Moseley would serve as executive vice president for editorial for CNN U.S. Amy Entelis will continue as executive vice president of talent and content development, and Ken Jautz will stay as executive vice president of news. San Feist will continue as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief.
Licht also announced Johnita Due as executive vice president of integrity and inclusion, a newly created position.
He also wrote that they are undertaking a worldwide search for chief digital officer, after the departure of Andrew Morse in April. Wendy Brundige is...
- 7/20/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
President Joe Biden may have given Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman the fist bump seen ’round the world, but “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah had a good laugh Monday night imagining the other ways the two could have greeted each other.
“You know what Biden should have done if he didn’t want any controversy? He should have gone in for the handshake and then given him the psych,” Noah said, extending his hand before pulling it away quickly. “There’s no comeback from that. Devastating.”
While it didn’t exhibit the formality of a handshake between world leaders, Biden has come under fire for his fist bump with bin Salman, who U.S. intelligence officials have linked to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
In the “Daily Show” segment, Noah was quick to note that he feels America “obsesses” over small political infractions, like...
“You know what Biden should have done if he didn’t want any controversy? He should have gone in for the handshake and then given him the psych,” Noah said, extending his hand before pulling it away quickly. “There’s no comeback from that. Devastating.”
While it didn’t exhibit the formality of a handshake between world leaders, Biden has come under fire for his fist bump with bin Salman, who U.S. intelligence officials have linked to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
In the “Daily Show” segment, Noah was quick to note that he feels America “obsesses” over small political infractions, like...
- 7/19/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
“The View“ hosts are at odds over Joe Biden’s decision to fist bump Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting on Friday in Saudi Arabia to discuss oil prices and more. Biden has been criticized for the fist bump since the Saudi Crown Prince allegedly ordered the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“This is a murderer. You don’t normalize a murderer by this fist bump,” Sunny Hostin said during Monday’s episode. “It was the photo op that he wanted and we’ve normalized these relationships.”
Hostin called the fist bump an “unforced error” on Biden’s part. When co-host Joy Behar asked if Biden really “normalized” Mohammed bin Salman by fist-bumping him, Hostin fired back, “Yes, absolutely. No, Joy, this is the rehabilitation that Mbs wants and Joe Biden gave that to him.”
“Well, let’s not forget that Trump was pals with Putin,...
“This is a murderer. You don’t normalize a murderer by this fist bump,” Sunny Hostin said during Monday’s episode. “It was the photo op that he wanted and we’ve normalized these relationships.”
Hostin called the fist bump an “unforced error” on Biden’s part. When co-host Joy Behar asked if Biden really “normalized” Mohammed bin Salman by fist-bumping him, Hostin fired back, “Yes, absolutely. No, Joy, this is the rehabilitation that Mbs wants and Joe Biden gave that to him.”
“Well, let’s not forget that Trump was pals with Putin,...
- 7/18/2022
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
The hosts of “The View” largely defended President Biden on Monday morning, after his fist bump with the Saudi Crown Prince went viral this weekend. But Sunny Hostin was the outlier at the table, scolding the president for “normalizing a murderer.”
As part of his trip to Saudi Arabia — which he faced criticisms for even going through with — Biden met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday. Shortly thereafter, images and video of the President fist-bumping the royal sparked outrage, considering Bin Salman ordered the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
And for Hostin, that was the sticking point. She noted that she understood why Biden went to Saudi Arabia to begin with, as far as discussing oil prices, but argued that this particular meeting was “an unforced error.”
“This is a murderer. You don’t normalize a murderer by this fist bump,” Hostin said. “It was...
As part of his trip to Saudi Arabia — which he faced criticisms for even going through with — Biden met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday. Shortly thereafter, images and video of the President fist-bumping the royal sparked outrage, considering Bin Salman ordered the 2018 assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
And for Hostin, that was the sticking point. She noted that she understood why Biden went to Saudi Arabia to begin with, as far as discussing oil prices, but argued that this particular meeting was “an unforced error.”
“This is a murderer. You don’t normalize a murderer by this fist bump,” Hostin said. “It was...
- 7/18/2022
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.