James Graham’s double-OIivier Award winning play Dear England is hitting TV screens and the prolific creator is thinking about whether any former soccer players could make the cut.
Speaking to Deadline outside last night’s prestigious London theater awards, Graham floated the likes of Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and former England goalkeeper David Seaman as potentials, although no approaches have been made. Watch the full clip below.
“It’s a drama first and foremost so of course we need good actors but [the question of having real soccer players in it is] a good question,” said Graham. “Do we get the real Gary Lineker? Do we get the real David Seaman? It’s a good question as [the show] should have that sense of fun and playfulness as well.”
Earlier this year, Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright featured in Daniel Kaluuya’s Netflix directorial debut The Kitchen, while footballers such as Vinnie Jones and Eric Cantona...
Speaking to Deadline outside last night’s prestigious London theater awards, Graham floated the likes of Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and former England goalkeeper David Seaman as potentials, although no approaches have been made. Watch the full clip below.
“It’s a drama first and foremost so of course we need good actors but [the question of having real soccer players in it is] a good question,” said Graham. “Do we get the real Gary Lineker? Do we get the real David Seaman? It’s a good question as [the show] should have that sense of fun and playfulness as well.”
Earlier this year, Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright featured in Daniel Kaluuya’s Netflix directorial debut The Kitchen, while footballers such as Vinnie Jones and Eric Cantona...
- 4/15/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
French industry to descend on La Rochelle to premiere high-end drama series to the world.
Disney+’s French original Irrésistible, Canal+ legal drama Conviction, TF1’s Behind Closed Doors from Coda producers’ Jerico TV and Swedish thriller Evil are among the French and European titles that will premiere at France’s Festival de la Fiction, taking place in La Rochelle from September 12-17.
The event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023, has long been a popular ‘back-to-school’ festival for the French industry, with a strong focus on French series, Its international appeal is growing and it has become a significant launchpad for European content.
Disney+’s French original Irrésistible, Canal+ legal drama Conviction, TF1’s Behind Closed Doors from Coda producers’ Jerico TV and Swedish thriller Evil are among the French and European titles that will premiere at France’s Festival de la Fiction, taking place in La Rochelle from September 12-17.
The event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023, has long been a popular ‘back-to-school’ festival for the French industry, with a strong focus on French series, Its international appeal is growing and it has become a significant launchpad for European content.
- 8/29/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
WGA members attended the glitzy event but ceded the spotlight to cast and non-guild colleagues.
The 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival wrapped in Monaco on Tuesday night (June 20) having found creative ways to manoeuvre around the limits placed on visiting US talent by the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
The festival managed to wrangle international stars and US studio execs to the event and sidestepped any controversy relating to project promotion. WGA members are prohibited from making promotional appearances during the strike but can hold press conferences in their capacity as directors or producers.
Novelist and showrunner Harlan Coben,...
The 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival wrapped in Monaco on Tuesday night (June 20) having found creative ways to manoeuvre around the limits placed on visiting US talent by the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
The festival managed to wrangle international stars and US studio execs to the event and sidestepped any controversy relating to project promotion. WGA members are prohibited from making promotional appearances during the strike but can hold press conferences in their capacity as directors or producers.
Novelist and showrunner Harlan Coben,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
“The Fragile Colossus,” “Ten Pound Poms” and “The Seed” ruled the roost at this year’s Monte-Carlo Television Festival, with the three programs collecting two prizes each at a small-screen showcase that ran June 16 – 20 in the Monaco capital.
Produced by Make It Happen Studio and Shoot Again Productions in partnership with TF1 France, telefilm “The Fragile Colossus” took home Monte-Carlo’s Golden Nymph for best film and the special jury prize. The French drama follows a one-time rugby star (played by soccer player-turned-actor Eric Cantona) confronting his history as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and is based on the life and memoires of rugbyman Sébastien Boueilh.
Winner of Nymphs for best series and best actor for star Warren Brown, “Ten Pound Poms” tracks a group of newly arrived Brits looking to build a better life in 1950s Australia. The six-part series was written by Danny Brocklehurst and produced by...
Produced by Make It Happen Studio and Shoot Again Productions in partnership with TF1 France, telefilm “The Fragile Colossus” took home Monte-Carlo’s Golden Nymph for best film and the special jury prize. The French drama follows a one-time rugby star (played by soccer player-turned-actor Eric Cantona) confronting his history as a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and is based on the life and memoires of rugbyman Sébastien Boueilh.
Winner of Nymphs for best series and best actor for star Warren Brown, “Ten Pound Poms” tracks a group of newly arrived Brits looking to build a better life in 1950s Australia. The six-part series was written by Danny Brocklehurst and produced by...
- 6/20/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
A generational football talent, a celebrated actor and now a chanteur with serious chops – the Frenchman is a polymath par excellence. He discusses politics, mortality and Pep Guardiola
Take Nick Cave, add a splash of Leonard Cohen, sprinkle with Serge Gainsbourg and you might have something approximating Eric Cantona’s first single. Yes, you read that right: The Friends We Lost is seriously good. The footballer turned actor turned chanteur whisper-croons his way through a gorgeous meditation on life with a handful of gnomic Cantona-isms thrown in for good measure (“Like a red snake in the water / In mind a winning number / Listen to the silence over the fear / The deep ocean that we can’t hear”). The single is just the start. Next up is a tour, a live album and a studio album.
Cantona tells me that, from childhood, he always hoped to play his own music on stage,...
Take Nick Cave, add a splash of Leonard Cohen, sprinkle with Serge Gainsbourg and you might have something approximating Eric Cantona’s first single. Yes, you read that right: The Friends We Lost is seriously good. The footballer turned actor turned chanteur whisper-croons his way through a gorgeous meditation on life with a handful of gnomic Cantona-isms thrown in for good measure (“Like a red snake in the water / In mind a winning number / Listen to the silence over the fear / The deep ocean that we can’t hear”). The single is just the start. Next up is a tour, a live album and a studio album.
Cantona tells me that, from childhood, he always hoped to play his own music on stage,...
- 6/2/2023
- by Simon Hattenstone
- The Guardian - Film News
Netflix has its fair share of problems, but its impressive slate of films and shows from all over the world isn't one of them. The streamer regularly makes new international shows and movies available to a mass audience, and with big hits like "Squid Game," "Money Heist," and "Dark," many of the most acclaimed and talked-about non-English language shows around these days come courtesy of Netflix.
Unfortunately, the streamer's persnickety algorithm and surplus of content means not everyone gets the memo when a new film or show drops. That means a movie or series can manage to earn a spot as the most-watched non-English project on the streamer — as the French thriller "Aka," Mexican satire "¡Que viva México!" and the Norwegian monster film "Troll" all did this month, per Netflix's internal metrics — without viewers even knowing about them. Though Netflix isn't particularly transparent with its viewership data, it does offer...
Unfortunately, the streamer's persnickety algorithm and surplus of content means not everyone gets the memo when a new film or show drops. That means a movie or series can manage to earn a spot as the most-watched non-English project on the streamer — as the French thriller "Aka," Mexican satire "¡Que viva México!" and the Norwegian monster film "Troll" all did this month, per Netflix's internal metrics — without viewers even knowing about them. Though Netflix isn't particularly transparent with its viewership data, it does offer...
- 5/24/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Aka is a French-style gangster thriller that has its main appeal in showing Eric Cantona playing a Scarface. Too bad he isn’t up to it.
Aka is a French film directed by Morgan S. Dalibert starring Alban Lenoir and Eric Cantona. Yes, the one from Manchester United.
About the movie
Bad guys, very “badass” in a movie that Guy Ritchie would have done much better.
The star this time is not Cantona, featured almost as a commercial claim for the film, but this actor called Alban Lenoir who, with his very manly features, fits the role to perfection … A quite different matter is if the role is worth it or if the movie has enough dramatic intensity to demonstrate anything beyond knowing how to hold a gun (there are others in Hollywood who do not even know how to do that).
As for the Movie: zero sense of humor...
Aka is a French film directed by Morgan S. Dalibert starring Alban Lenoir and Eric Cantona. Yes, the one from Manchester United.
About the movie
Bad guys, very “badass” in a movie that Guy Ritchie would have done much better.
The star this time is not Cantona, featured almost as a commercial claim for the film, but this actor called Alban Lenoir who, with his very manly features, fits the role to perfection … A quite different matter is if the role is worth it or if the movie has enough dramatic intensity to demonstrate anything beyond knowing how to hold a gun (there are others in Hollywood who do not even know how to do that).
As for the Movie: zero sense of humor...
- 4/28/2023
- by Martin Cid
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
"Meet Adam Franco. His new mission: infiltration. The only possible cover: His actual identity." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a French crime thriller titled Aka, an action film arriving for streaming at the end of April. A steely special ops agent finds his morality put to the test when he infiltrates a syndicate and unexpectedly bonds with the boss's young son. In this intense new action thriller, Adam Franco goes undercover in a criminal organization and gets into more trouble. Alban Lenoir stars in this as Franco, along with Éric Cantona, Thibault de Montalembert, Sveva Alviti, and Saïdou Camara. This has a generic plot involving an undercover guy getting too close to the people he's supposed to be following, but with French sensibilities. It's directed by the cinematographer of the two Lost Bullet action films previously. // Continue Reading ›...
- 3/30/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
There’s a new star on the pitch. The third episode of Ted Lasso’s third season introduced a soccer player so famous he goes by a one-word moniker — Zava.
Played by Agents of Shield star Maximilian Osinski, Zava will have more screen time as the season unfolds, and the actor is still pinching himself. “I couldn’t believe it at first,” says Osinski, who is married to actress Dichen Lachman, featured on another Apple TV+ hit, Severance. “You watch a show for two years as a fan and never imagine that one day you’ll be in a scene standing opposite Jason Sudeikis.”
Co-creator Brendan Hunt, an executive producer who also plays Coach Beard, says Zava was inspired by some of the sport’s “more colorful divas” including “a lot” of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “Zlatan is among the most unique of that breed of God-gifted lunatic.”
The Swedish superstar, who now plays for A.
Played by Agents of Shield star Maximilian Osinski, Zava will have more screen time as the season unfolds, and the actor is still pinching himself. “I couldn’t believe it at first,” says Osinski, who is married to actress Dichen Lachman, featured on another Apple TV+ hit, Severance. “You watch a show for two years as a fan and never imagine that one day you’ll be in a scene standing opposite Jason Sudeikis.”
Co-creator Brendan Hunt, an executive producer who also plays Coach Beard, says Zava was inspired by some of the sport’s “more colorful divas” including “a lot” of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. “Zlatan is among the most unique of that breed of God-gifted lunatic.”
The Swedish superstar, who now plays for A.
- 3/29/2023
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In The Traveller (Le Voyageur), Eric Cantona plays the detective Thomas Bareski. Disgusted by the way difficult cases are being shelved, Bareski takes a leave of absence to travel around rural France attempting to solve cold cases. Working out of the back of a battered blue van, isolated and living off the land, Bareski is the embodiment of the lone detective.
The Traveller is comprised of eight[1] feature length episodes. In the first four, Bareski arrives in a small town to further the investigation of a cold case that was beyond the capabilities of the local police. The police are obviously none too pleased with their historic failures being pointed out by some hobo cop.
The Traveller harks back to the television drama of the Eighties and Nineties. The period after the step change in production values epitomised by Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People but before CSI's reliance on.
The Traveller is comprised of eight[1] feature length episodes. In the first four, Bareski arrives in a small town to further the investigation of a cold case that was beyond the capabilities of the local police. The police are obviously none too pleased with their historic failures being pointed out by some hobo cop.
The Traveller harks back to the television drama of the Eighties and Nineties. The period after the step change in production values epitomised by Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People but before CSI's reliance on.
- 3/26/2023
- by Donald Munro
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Tournage “le voyageur” realisation Stephanie Murat. Avec Eric Cantona
We’ve seen plenty of movies and TV series featuring heroic cops who nail the worst of the perps by “going rogue” to one extent or another. This French series The Traveller serves up a protagonist in grizzled detective Thomas Bareski (Eric Cantona), who not only goes rogue, but native. Though he’s long been one of France’s most successful cops, he’s frustrated by the number of elusive killers they couldn’t identify or convict; especially the ones he nailed who either walked on a technicality or worked a deal for a lighter sentence than they deserved. He thinks the honchos give up too soon on too many violent acts, leaving the door open for more crimes, and precluding closure for victims and their survivors. So he resigns, buys a van and travels mainly off the grid as he dives into cold cases,...
We’ve seen plenty of movies and TV series featuring heroic cops who nail the worst of the perps by “going rogue” to one extent or another. This French series The Traveller serves up a protagonist in grizzled detective Thomas Bareski (Eric Cantona), who not only goes rogue, but native. Though he’s long been one of France’s most successful cops, he’s frustrated by the number of elusive killers they couldn’t identify or convict; especially the ones he nailed who either walked on a technicality or worked a deal for a lighter sentence than they deserved. He thinks the honchos give up too soon on too many violent acts, leaving the door open for more crimes, and precluding closure for victims and their survivors. So he resigns, buys a van and travels mainly off the grid as he dives into cold cases,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Mark Glass
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Running Jan. 10-17, Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous in Paris – an export focused market that unites buyers, producers, talent and press from film and television – will fête its 25th edition with a return to pre-pandemic (in-person) attendance numbers, and a once-more ebullient social calendar, rife with the cocktails, awards ceremonies and evening events that fell by the wayside over the past few vintages.
“We’ll have a renewed effervescence,” says Unifrance director of cinema, Gilles Renouard, of this year’s event. “People are finding each other again, [and] our goal was to get back toward a normal edition with our European distributors.”
Indeed, with 87 films brought to market and more than 400 international film distributors present, such figures mark highs unseen since 2019 – with those numbers bolstered by 100 TV buyers, who have come onboard once Unifrance merged with TV France International in 2021, thus creating a one-stop-shop for film and TV promotion.
“Our objective is not to increase each year,...
“We’ll have a renewed effervescence,” says Unifrance director of cinema, Gilles Renouard, of this year’s event. “People are finding each other again, [and] our goal was to get back toward a normal edition with our European distributors.”
Indeed, with 87 films brought to market and more than 400 international film distributors present, such figures mark highs unseen since 2019 – with those numbers bolstered by 100 TV buyers, who have come onboard once Unifrance merged with TV France International in 2021, thus creating a one-stop-shop for film and TV promotion.
“Our objective is not to increase each year,...
- 1/9/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Charlotte Colbert, the filmmaker and multimedia artist whose feature directorial debut She Will won the Locarno Film Festival’s Golden Leopard for Best First Feature, has signed with Gersh for representation, Co-President David Gersh announced today.
“Charlotte is a visionary writer/ director,” said Gersh, “and is one of the most original and exciting new filmmakers to emerge.”
Colbert’s Locarno thriller tells the story of Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige), who after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland with her young nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt). She discovers that the process of such surgery opens up questions about her very existence, leading her to start to question and confront past traumas. The two then develop an unlikely bond as mysterious forces give Veronica the power to enact revenge within her dreams.
She Will has been acquired for domestic distribution by IFC Films and will be released this spring.
“Charlotte is a visionary writer/ director,” said Gersh, “and is one of the most original and exciting new filmmakers to emerge.”
Colbert’s Locarno thriller tells the story of Veronica Ghent (Alice Krige), who after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland with her young nurse Desi (Kota Eberhardt). She discovers that the process of such surgery opens up questions about her very existence, leading her to start to question and confront past traumas. The two then develop an unlikely bond as mysterious forces give Veronica the power to enact revenge within her dreams.
She Will has been acquired for domestic distribution by IFC Films and will be released this spring.
- 2/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
French soccer player-turned-actor Eric Cantona (“Looking for Eric”) is set to star in “Giant With Feet of Clay” (“Le Colosse aux pieds d’argile”), a television drama about sexual harassement and abuse in sports.
The movie is about to start shooting in Southwestern France with French director Stéphanie Murat; and is being produced by Sydney Gallonde’s Make It Happen Studio and Tetra Media Studio (“Paris Police 1900”).
Aude Marcle penned the script which is loosely based on the true story of Sébastien Boueilh, who penned the book “Le Colosse aux pieds d’argile” with Thierry Vildary. The timely movie has been commissioned by French TV network TF1 which is also co-producing.
Cantona as Sébastien, a successful former rugbyman who was raped by someone close to his parents for four years when he was a teenage athlete and has been unable to tell anyone what happened to him. Torn by...
The movie is about to start shooting in Southwestern France with French director Stéphanie Murat; and is being produced by Sydney Gallonde’s Make It Happen Studio and Tetra Media Studio (“Paris Police 1900”).
Aude Marcle penned the script which is loosely based on the true story of Sébastien Boueilh, who penned the book “Le Colosse aux pieds d’argile” with Thierry Vildary. The timely movie has been commissioned by French TV network TF1 which is also co-producing.
Cantona as Sébastien, a successful former rugbyman who was raped by someone close to his parents for four years when he was a teenage athlete and has been unable to tell anyone what happened to him. Torn by...
- 10/18/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Banijay has announced that its French scripted label, Endemol Shine Fiction, is rebranding as Shine Fiction and has already signed several important development deals under the new banner. The announcement was made during a Series Mania panel lead by Banijay’s head of scripted Lars Blomgren which included Shine Fiction managing director Dominique Farrugia among the guests.
Farrugia, who has been managing director since November of last year, will stay on in her current position and head the updated label. She is tasked with maintaining a full pipeline of ambitious high-end content for the French market which also has international potential.
Straight out of the gates, Shine Fiction has closed a deal with talent agent Camille Trumer for the rights to adapt the bestselling novels of French author Pierre Lemaitre. His novels “The Great Swindle” (“See You Up There”) and “Three Days and a Life” have already been adapted as...
Farrugia, who has been managing director since November of last year, will stay on in her current position and head the updated label. She is tasked with maintaining a full pipeline of ambitious high-end content for the French market which also has international potential.
Straight out of the gates, Shine Fiction has closed a deal with talent agent Camille Trumer for the rights to adapt the bestselling novels of French author Pierre Lemaitre. His novels “The Great Swindle” (“See You Up There”) and “Three Days and a Life” have already been adapted as...
- 9/1/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Premier League Doc Series Sells Globally
All3Media International has inked multiple signed deals for Fever Pitch! The Rise of the Premier League, the new documentary from Story Films and David Beckham’s new production company Studio 99. Commissioned by BBC Two, the 4 x 60’ doc will tell the story of the creation of the lucrative English Premier League through the stories of some of its most famous names, including Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Vinnie Jones and Alan Shearer. Amazon has acquired the series for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, buyers include Rtl for Germany and German-speaking Europe, Telefonica for Spain and Dr Denmark, Nrk Norway, Svt Sweden and Yle Finland for Nordic regions. Discovery+ has acquired the series for India, while Watcha will be the exclusive home for the series in South Korea. The doc is set to debut on BBC Two in the UK later this year. C4...
All3Media International has inked multiple signed deals for Fever Pitch! The Rise of the Premier League, the new documentary from Story Films and David Beckham’s new production company Studio 99. Commissioned by BBC Two, the 4 x 60’ doc will tell the story of the creation of the lucrative English Premier League through the stories of some of its most famous names, including Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Vinnie Jones and Alan Shearer. Amazon has acquired the series for Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In Europe, buyers include Rtl for Germany and German-speaking Europe, Telefonica for Spain and Dr Denmark, Nrk Norway, Svt Sweden and Yle Finland for Nordic regions. Discovery+ has acquired the series for India, while Watcha will be the exclusive home for the series in South Korea. The doc is set to debut on BBC Two in the UK later this year. C4...
- 8/19/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival unveils competition titles for 2021 edition.
FIDMarseille has unveiled the full line-up for its 2021 edition (July 19-25), which includes a retrospective and honorary award for Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
The acclaimed writer/director, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2010 with Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, will attend the festival in France to accept the Grand Prix d’Honneur, introduce several screenings from throughout his career and present a masterclass.
Weerasethakul’s latest feature, Memoria starring Tilda Swinton, is set to play in Competition at Cannes Film Festival and his visit to Marseille will come after that premiere.
FIDMarseille has unveiled the full line-up for its 2021 edition (July 19-25), which includes a retrospective and honorary award for Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
The acclaimed writer/director, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2010 with Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, will attend the festival in France to accept the Grand Prix d’Honneur, introduce several screenings from throughout his career and present a masterclass.
Weerasethakul’s latest feature, Memoria starring Tilda Swinton, is set to play in Competition at Cannes Film Festival and his visit to Marseille will come after that premiere.
- 6/24/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Now in its fourth edition, the showcase is funded and run by the BFI and the British Council, in partnership with BBC Film and Film4.
New films from Harry Wootliff, the directors of Notes On Blindness and Yardie star Aml Ameen are among the titles selected for this year’s Great 8, the annual Cannes buyers’ showcase of UK films from emerging directors.
The selected filmmakers will present unseen footage from their films to international buyers and festival programmers online on June 17. All eight films are in post-production and will be available to buyers at the pre-Cannes screenings virtual market (June...
New films from Harry Wootliff, the directors of Notes On Blindness and Yardie star Aml Ameen are among the titles selected for this year’s Great 8, the annual Cannes buyers’ showcase of UK films from emerging directors.
The selected filmmakers will present unseen footage from their films to international buyers and festival programmers online on June 17. All eight films are in post-production and will be available to buyers at the pre-Cannes screenings virtual market (June...
- 6/10/2021
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Rocket Science is launching world sales ahead of the Cannes market on under-the-radar UK psychological thriller She Will, the debut film from UK artist and filmmaker Charlotte Colbert with an original score from Black Swan and Requiem For A Dream composer Clint Mansell.
Starring are Alice Krige (Carnival Row), Kota Eberhardt (X-Men: Dark Phoenix), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Rupert Everett (The Happy Prince), Jon McCrea (Cruella) and Amy Manson (The Nevers).
Currently in the final stages of post-production, the Brit List screenplay charts the story of Veronica Ghent (Krige) who after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland with her young nurse Desi (Eberhardt). There she discovers that the process of such surgery opens up questions about her very existence, leading her to start to question and confront past traumas. The two develop an unlikely bond as mysterious forces give Veronica the power to enact revenge within her dreams.
Starring are Alice Krige (Carnival Row), Kota Eberhardt (X-Men: Dark Phoenix), Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), Rupert Everett (The Happy Prince), Jon McCrea (Cruella) and Amy Manson (The Nevers).
Currently in the final stages of post-production, the Brit List screenplay charts the story of Veronica Ghent (Krige) who after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland with her young nurse Desi (Eberhardt). There she discovers that the process of such surgery opens up questions about her very existence, leading her to start to question and confront past traumas. The two develop an unlikely bond as mysterious forces give Veronica the power to enact revenge within her dreams.
- 6/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The European Super League fiasco makes this golden age retrospective seem naive in ignoring the club’s commercialisation
This is a perfectly watchable documentary, but events have overtaken it, exposing a crucial naivety. It is about the soap-operatic tragedy and triumph of legendary football club Manchester United, co-written, co-produced and presented by its saturnine bad-boy hero Eric Cantona, and in this version of history, he looms larger than Bobby Charlton or George Best.
Cantona smoulders his way outrageously through his script, though revealing little or nothing about himself, except for one remark about the notorious kung-fu incident against an abusive Crystal Palace fan: “I would ’ave liked to kick him even harder … ” His theme is Manchester United’s 20th-century golden age, from its comeback after the 1958 Munich disaster through to the fairytale ending of the 1999 Uefa Champions League final. And there it stops. The film goes on and on about Manchester United’s European ambition,...
This is a perfectly watchable documentary, but events have overtaken it, exposing a crucial naivety. It is about the soap-operatic tragedy and triumph of legendary football club Manchester United, co-written, co-produced and presented by its saturnine bad-boy hero Eric Cantona, and in this version of history, he looms larger than Bobby Charlton or George Best.
Cantona smoulders his way outrageously through his script, though revealing little or nothing about himself, except for one remark about the notorious kung-fu incident against an abusive Crystal Palace fan: “I would ’ave liked to kick him even harder … ” His theme is Manchester United’s 20th-century golden age, from its comeback after the 1958 Munich disaster through to the fairytale ending of the 1999 Uefa Champions League final. And there it stops. The film goes on and on about Manchester United’s European ambition,...
- 5/6/2021
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Euro producer and sales firm Anton is launching world sales on completed Eric Cantona movie Magic 7 from Heartbreaker, The Intouchables and The Death Of Stalin producer Nicolas Duval Adassovsky of Quad Productions.
The family film will see former Manchester United legend Cantona playing ‘Eric’, a former football star and now coach for a Chinese league team, who ends up in a small village after being falsely accused of corruption. When a young boy saves him from near death in the desert he requests that in exchange Eric coaches the local team. At first only preoccupied by saving his reputation, Eric slowly comes around and rediscovers his passion for football thanks to the young players whom he guides to a junior cup final.
Steve Weiz directs the Mandarin-language movie (with English subtitles), which also stars Chinese actress Jingjing Qu, known for box office smash The Wandering Earth.
Chinese partners on...
The family film will see former Manchester United legend Cantona playing ‘Eric’, a former football star and now coach for a Chinese league team, who ends up in a small village after being falsely accused of corruption. When a young boy saves him from near death in the desert he requests that in exchange Eric coaches the local team. At first only preoccupied by saving his reputation, Eric slowly comes around and rediscovers his passion for football thanks to the young players whom he guides to a junior cup final.
Steve Weiz directs the Mandarin-language movie (with English subtitles), which also stars Chinese actress Jingjing Qu, known for box office smash The Wandering Earth.
Chinese partners on...
- 3/15/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon and Universal have boarded UK rights to soccer documentary Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In about the iconic former Manchester United manager.
The anticipated film heralds from blue chip UK firms DNA Films, known for Oscar-winning movies The Last King of Scotland and Ex Machina, and Passion Pictures, known for Oscar-winning documentaries such as One Day in September and Searching for Sugarman. Today we can reveal a first look image from the film.
Amazon will launch the doc on its Prime service in the UK and Ireland from May 29. Universal Pictures International is lining up a theatrical run in UK-Ire from May 27 and the studio has world rights apart from North America.
The film, directed by Ferguson’s son Jason, sees Ferguson recount the most important stories of his life, both in and out of football. He made the film while recovering from the life-threatening brain hemorrhage he...
The anticipated film heralds from blue chip UK firms DNA Films, known for Oscar-winning movies The Last King of Scotland and Ex Machina, and Passion Pictures, known for Oscar-winning documentaries such as One Day in September and Searching for Sugarman. Today we can reveal a first look image from the film.
Amazon will launch the doc on its Prime service in the UK and Ireland from May 29. Universal Pictures International is lining up a theatrical run in UK-Ire from May 27 and the studio has world rights apart from North America.
The film, directed by Ferguson’s son Jason, sees Ferguson recount the most important stories of his life, both in and out of football. He made the film while recovering from the life-threatening brain hemorrhage he...
- 2/17/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The official reveal trailer for FIFA 21 released on Thursday, a day after it was announced that 21-year-old French international and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe would headline as the game’s newest cover athlete.
The reveal trailer allowed for fans to experience a more in-depth feel of the gameplay on top of what the teaser trailer was able to offer earlier this summer. EA also gave viewers a sneak peek of a new intelligent gameplay style that will include a new agile dribbling system, positioning personality and creative off-ball runs. The full game will reveal sometime in August, EA announced.
Career mode will feature a new way for players to manage every moment, by being able to drop in and out of games to take control of the team during key moments. A revamped growth system, enhanced opposition AI, and new ways to sign players highlight additions made to a...
The reveal trailer allowed for fans to experience a more in-depth feel of the gameplay on top of what the teaser trailer was able to offer earlier this summer. EA also gave viewers a sneak peek of a new intelligent gameplay style that will include a new agile dribbling system, positioning personality and creative off-ball runs. The full game will reveal sometime in August, EA announced.
Career mode will feature a new way for players to manage every moment, by being able to drop in and out of games to take control of the team during key moments. A revamped growth system, enhanced opposition AI, and new ways to sign players highlight additions made to a...
- 7/23/2020
- by Chris Longo
- Den of Geek
Embankment Films also reveals a raft of upcoming feature documentaries as part of a fresh push into factual.
Embankment Films has revealed the top-line cast of feelgood feature The Miracle Club and a key pre-sale, and boarded a raft of documentaries as part of a major push into factual.
Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith will be joined by fellow Oscar-winner Kathy Bates and Ozark star Laura Linney in the story of working-class women from Dublin who embark on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Ordinary Decent Criminal), the film is set to begin shooting in Ireland in April...
Embankment Films has revealed the top-line cast of feelgood feature The Miracle Club and a key pre-sale, and boarded a raft of documentaries as part of a major push into factual.
Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith will be joined by fellow Oscar-winner Kathy Bates and Ozark star Laura Linney in the story of working-class women from Dublin who embark on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Ordinary Decent Criminal), the film is set to begin shooting in Ireland in April...
- 6/17/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
U.K. pay-tv operator Sky has ordered a slate of nine original documentaries and factual shows ahead of the launch of its new factual channels Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature on May 27.
The feature-length documentaries and series include biographies of Stephen Hawking, which had extensive access to his friends and family, and Tina Turner, with exclusive access to the star herself, alongside a look at Hollywood star Steve McQueen. Two sports documentaries include “The United Way” about Manchester United, led by soccer player Eric Cantona, and “Tyson Bruno,” a feature-length film charting the highs and lows of two of boxing’s best-known fighters.
“Lancaster” tells the story of the Lancaster Bomber, synonymous with epic film “The Dam Busters,” and the servicemen who flew them. From the world of music there is “The Go-Go’s,” which looks at the pioneering female punk band, and “Look Away,” a documentary that looks at the dark side of rock,...
The feature-length documentaries and series include biographies of Stephen Hawking, which had extensive access to his friends and family, and Tina Turner, with exclusive access to the star herself, alongside a look at Hollywood star Steve McQueen. Two sports documentaries include “The United Way” about Manchester United, led by soccer player Eric Cantona, and “Tyson Bruno,” a feature-length film charting the highs and lows of two of boxing’s best-known fighters.
“Lancaster” tells the story of the Lancaster Bomber, synonymous with epic film “The Dam Busters,” and the servicemen who flew them. From the world of music there is “The Go-Go’s,” which looks at the pioneering female punk band, and “Look Away,” a documentary that looks at the dark side of rock,...
- 5/21/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Sky has unveiled a slate of nine documentaries that will populate the Comcast-owned broadcaster’s new UK channels: Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature.
The channels launch on May 27 and will be the beneficiaries of a £30M ($37M) a year factual content funding boost that has now converted into commissions on Professor Stephen Hawking, Mike Tyson, Steve McQueen and Manchester United.
Below is the slate in full:
Hawking (Sky Documentaries)
BAFTA-winning Atlantic Productions will open up Hawking’s private family archive to reveal the late professor’s human side in a 90-minute documentary. It is made in association with Sky Studios.
Tyson Bruno (Sky Documentaries)
Endemol Shine UK’s Workerbee, in association with Sky Studios, will chart the rivalry between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno, as well as reuniting the boxers.
McQueen: The Lost Movie (Sky Documentaries)
The 90-minute documentary tells the story of a movie McQueen started production on in the mid-1960s,...
The channels launch on May 27 and will be the beneficiaries of a £30M ($37M) a year factual content funding boost that has now converted into commissions on Professor Stephen Hawking, Mike Tyson, Steve McQueen and Manchester United.
Below is the slate in full:
Hawking (Sky Documentaries)
BAFTA-winning Atlantic Productions will open up Hawking’s private family archive to reveal the late professor’s human side in a 90-minute documentary. It is made in association with Sky Studios.
Tyson Bruno (Sky Documentaries)
Endemol Shine UK’s Workerbee, in association with Sky Studios, will chart the rivalry between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno, as well as reuniting the boxers.
McQueen: The Lost Movie (Sky Documentaries)
The 90-minute documentary tells the story of a movie McQueen started production on in the mid-1960s,...
- 5/21/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Several Sundance titles included in acquisitions haul.
Scandinavian distributor NonStop Entertainment has acquired 10 new documentaries for digital and theatrical release.
Given the ongoing situation with closed cinemas due to the coronavirus outbreak, NonStop will evaluate release plans for each film in Scandinavia and the Baltics at a later date. The company’s documentary acquisitions include six films that played at Sundance.
They are:
Welcome to Chechnya, David France’s look at Lgbt refugees from the Russian republic, acquired from Submarine;
Assassins, Ryan White’s story of how two women were duped into killing Kim Jong-nam, cquired from Magnolia Pictures International...
Scandinavian distributor NonStop Entertainment has acquired 10 new documentaries for digital and theatrical release.
Given the ongoing situation with closed cinemas due to the coronavirus outbreak, NonStop will evaluate release plans for each film in Scandinavia and the Baltics at a later date. The company’s documentary acquisitions include six films that played at Sundance.
They are:
Welcome to Chechnya, David France’s look at Lgbt refugees from the Russian republic, acquired from Submarine;
Assassins, Ryan White’s story of how two women were duped into killing Kim Jong-nam, cquired from Magnolia Pictures International...
- 4/1/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Drama Adult Material and Basque conflict saga Patria among series set to market premiere online.
French TV festival and industry event Series Mania has kicked off its industry-focused online platform the Digital Forum, showcasing 40 completed series and 10 short format works as well as 30 pre-recorded pitches for shows in development.
The digital initiative replaces the physical event that was due to take place in the northern French city of Lille from March 20 to 28 but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. France is now under a lockdown which is expected to run into April.
Channel 4’s drama Adult Material and...
French TV festival and industry event Series Mania has kicked off its industry-focused online platform the Digital Forum, showcasing 40 completed series and 10 short format works as well as 30 pre-recorded pitches for shows in development.
The digital initiative replaces the physical event that was due to take place in the northern French city of Lille from March 20 to 28 but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. France is now under a lockdown which is expected to run into April.
Channel 4’s drama Adult Material and...
- 3/25/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Drama Adult Material and Basque conflict saga Patria among series set to market premiere online.
French TV festival and industry event Series Mania has kicked off its industry-focused online platform the Digital Forum, showcasing 40 completed series and 10 short format works as well as 30 pre-recorded pitches for shows in development.
The digital initiative replaces the physical event that was due to take place in the northern French city of Lille from March 20 to 28 but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. France is now under a lockdown which is expected to run into April.
Channel 4’s drama Adult Material and...
French TV festival and industry event Series Mania has kicked off its industry-focused online platform the Digital Forum, showcasing 40 completed series and 10 short format works as well as 30 pre-recorded pitches for shows in development.
The digital initiative replaces the physical event that was due to take place in the northern French city of Lille from March 20 to 28 but was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. France is now under a lockdown which is expected to run into April.
Channel 4’s drama Adult Material and...
- 3/25/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Wild Bunch TV-sold “Albatros,” Turner Latin America’s banner title “Amarres” and REInvent Studios’ globe-trotting “Peacemaker” will feature at a 54 series-strong Buyers Showcase, which launches today March 25 as a backbone of Series Mania’s online Digital Forum, Europe’s first big festival experiment in a virtual marketplace.
Also featuring a powerful Co-Pro Pitching lineup, packed by pedigree producers and creatives, the Digital Forum’s industry audience, such as the number of accredited distributors, still has to be confirmed.
Some high-profile titles are missing: Opener “The Luminaries,” for example, from Fremantle and Working Title, and HBO closer “Run.” That said, the Buyer’s Showcase looks set to include five of Series Mania’s original 10 main competition entries and 13 of its 15 International Panorama titles, the festival’s two main sections.
Looking to the long-haul, as it also address urgent financial fall-out from Covid-19, the industry needs festival selection more than ever.
“Series...
Also featuring a powerful Co-Pro Pitching lineup, packed by pedigree producers and creatives, the Digital Forum’s industry audience, such as the number of accredited distributors, still has to be confirmed.
Some high-profile titles are missing: Opener “The Luminaries,” for example, from Fremantle and Working Title, and HBO closer “Run.” That said, the Buyer’s Showcase looks set to include five of Series Mania’s original 10 main competition entries and 13 of its 15 International Panorama titles, the festival’s two main sections.
Looking to the long-haul, as it also address urgent financial fall-out from Covid-19, the industry needs festival selection more than ever.
“Series...
- 3/25/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
London-based sales agent Embankment Films has boarded world rights on Frankie, Anthony’s Wonke’s feature doc about horse racing star Frankie Dettori. The movie follows Dettorri over the course of one season and is currently in production. Producers are Nick Ryle, Pete Russell and Damien O’Donohoe of Trombone Productions. Embankment’s recent docs slate includes the BAFTA nominated McQueen, Harvey Weinstein deep-dive Untouchable, and the upcoming The United Way, the story of Manchester United narrated by Eric Cantona.
Leonine has continued a busy Efm by unveiling a deal with fellow German company
Syrreal Entertainment to co-develop the limited series Santiago, based on a pitch by Adolfo J. Kolmerer and Arend Remmers (Schneeflöckchen). The pair are creating the series with Christian Alvart, it is a modern interpretation of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and will span two seasons with eight episodes each, travelling from a Venezuelan prison,...
Leonine has continued a busy Efm by unveiling a deal with fellow German company
Syrreal Entertainment to co-develop the limited series Santiago, based on a pitch by Adolfo J. Kolmerer and Arend Remmers (Schneeflöckchen). The pair are creating the series with Christian Alvart, it is a modern interpretation of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and will span two seasons with eight episodes each, travelling from a Venezuelan prison,...
- 2/24/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Anthony Wonke directs the feature about the iconic jokey.
London-based Embankment Films has picked up international sales to Frankie, a feature documentary about iconic jockey Frankie Dettori.
The film is now in production and is being directed by Anthony Wonke, who won an International Emmy and Bafta TV award for documentary Syria: Children On The Frontline. Wonke is also behind sporting legend documentaries Ronaldo and Being AP, the latter focussed on Irish jockey Tony McCoy.
Frankie shadows Dettori for one racing season as he strives to win a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe with his horse, Enable.
London-based Embankment Films has picked up international sales to Frankie, a feature documentary about iconic jockey Frankie Dettori.
The film is now in production and is being directed by Anthony Wonke, who won an International Emmy and Bafta TV award for documentary Syria: Children On The Frontline. Wonke is also behind sporting legend documentaries Ronaldo and Being AP, the latter focussed on Irish jockey Tony McCoy.
Frankie shadows Dettori for one racing season as he strives to win a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe with his horse, Enable.
- 2/24/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
Embankment has launched worldwide sales at the European Film Market on feature documentary “Frankie,” the story of champion jockey Frankie Dettori, winner of more than 3,000 races.
The film shadows Dettori for one season as, at 49, he looks to win a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe on Enable, his most beloved horse.
Dettori said: “I’m blessed with an extraordinary life and career and I’m very excited to share that story on film. I want to show what it’s really like being a top jockey and there is so much that hasn’t been told that will surprise and entertain audiences.”
Currently in production, “Frankie” is directed by Emmy and multiple BAFTA winner Anthony Wonke, whose credits include “Ronaldo” and “Being AP,” which sold out worldwide.
Wonke said: “High-performance elite sport is always an exhilarating place to set a film. What makes this even more exciting is Dettori himself,...
The film shadows Dettori for one season as, at 49, he looks to win a record third Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe on Enable, his most beloved horse.
Dettori said: “I’m blessed with an extraordinary life and career and I’m very excited to share that story on film. I want to show what it’s really like being a top jockey and there is so much that hasn’t been told that will surprise and entertain audiences.”
Currently in production, “Frankie” is directed by Emmy and multiple BAFTA winner Anthony Wonke, whose credits include “Ronaldo” and “Being AP,” which sold out worldwide.
Wonke said: “High-performance elite sport is always an exhilarating place to set a film. What makes this even more exciting is Dettori himself,...
- 2/24/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Paris — “Narcos” showrunner Chris Brancato and “Godfather of Harlem” star Giancarlo Esposito, actors Carole Bouquet and Zabou Breitman, and the cast and crew behind the Canal Plus series “The Bureau” will be among the many guest of honor at this year’s Series Mania, which will kick off its 11th edition on March 20.
Returning to the north-eastern French city of Lille, Series Mania will once again offer a broad cross-section of international scripted dramas, with a selection culled from 25 different countries including Chile, Peru, Niger, Senegal and South Korea, alongside high profile productions from the U.S., the U.K. and France.
Among the 38 productions world premiering in Lille, the BBC/Tvnz literary adaption “The Luminaries,” with Eva Green, will play as opening series while the closer remains unannounced.
Once again, Netflix makes a strong showing this year. Beyond bringing the cast and crew of their Paris-set drama “The Eddy,...
Returning to the north-eastern French city of Lille, Series Mania will once again offer a broad cross-section of international scripted dramas, with a selection culled from 25 different countries including Chile, Peru, Niger, Senegal and South Korea, alongside high profile productions from the U.S., the U.K. and France.
Among the 38 productions world premiering in Lille, the BBC/Tvnz literary adaption “The Luminaries,” with Eva Green, will play as opening series while the closer remains unannounced.
Once again, Netflix makes a strong showing this year. Beyond bringing the cast and crew of their Paris-set drama “The Eddy,...
- 2/19/2020
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Liam Gallagher admits it took him a while for him to get back on track after Oasis, which ended in 2009 when he got into a backstage fistfight with his brother Noel Gallagher. It was the end of a classic musical partnership, and set the two brothers off into the musical wilderness. Noel, Oasis’ main songwriter, formed the musically adventurous High Flying Birds. Liam created Beady Eye with former members of Oasis. But even Liam admits those years “weren’t so fruitful.” The band broke up in 2014, and Liam decided go solo.
- 2/7/2020
- by Patrick Doyle
- Rollingstone.com
Liam Gallagher surprise-released a live Ep titled Acoustic Sessions Friday and with it a new video for “Once,” a Why Me? Why Not track that appears in its original demo form on the Ep.
The one-shot video features Gallagher as chauffeur and servant at a regal but disheveled estate owned by a wine-guzzling king, played by French soccer star-turned-actor Eric Cantona. The video was helmed by Charlie Lightening, the director of the Gallagher documentary As It Was.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have Eric Cantona, the last Rock n roll footballer,...
The one-shot video features Gallagher as chauffeur and servant at a regal but disheveled estate owned by a wine-guzzling king, played by French soccer star-turned-actor Eric Cantona. The video was helmed by Charlie Lightening, the director of the Gallagher documentary As It Was.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have Eric Cantona, the last Rock n roll footballer,...
- 1/31/2020
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Digital network Whistle Sports has inked a multi-year partnership with Otro -- a U.K.-based soccer content company, which works with top players like David Beckham (pictured above), Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane, Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., and Eric Cantona.
Whistle will help Otro -- which launched as a subscription app late last year priced at $3.99, with content from the aforementioned stars -- to establish its new YouTube channel, as well as a presence on other platforms. Whistle will help Otro develop and monetize original content globally, and will also help it establish and manage its merch store. For instance, in addition to YouTube, it’s likely that content will live on Instagram, where Messi and Neymar Jr. are the ninth and tenth most-followed figures on the platform globally.
Whistle is best known for creating premium IP in the sports realm, including F2 Finding Football, which premiered on YouTube...
Whistle will help Otro -- which launched as a subscription app late last year priced at $3.99, with content from the aforementioned stars -- to establish its new YouTube channel, as well as a presence on other platforms. Whistle will help Otro develop and monetize original content globally, and will also help it establish and manage its merch store. For instance, in addition to YouTube, it’s likely that content will live on Instagram, where Messi and Neymar Jr. are the ninth and tenth most-followed figures on the platform globally.
Whistle is best known for creating premium IP in the sports realm, including F2 Finding Football, which premiered on YouTube...
- 9/17/2019
- by Geoff Weiss
- Tubefilter.com
Soccer Aid for Unicef 2019, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV and Stv this week, has raised a record-breaking £6,774,764 so far – over £1m more than last year’s on the night total – for Unicef’s vital work keeping children around the world happy, healthy and safe to play.
This amount was raised thanks to the generous support of the UK public, ITV and Stv viewers, and the UK government who have matched all donations so far, doubling the difference made to children’s lives. This figure has smashed all previous records for money raised on the night.
The eagerly anticipated match took place in London for the first time in over a decade, packing out Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium with a whopping 39,836 in attendance. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out for the second year in a row, with the Soccer Aid World XI...
This amount was raised thanks to the generous support of the UK public, ITV and Stv viewers, and the UK government who have matched all donations so far, doubling the difference made to children’s lives. This figure has smashed all previous records for money raised on the night.
The eagerly anticipated match took place in London for the first time in over a decade, packing out Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Stadium with a whopping 39,836 in attendance. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to a nail-biting penalty shoot-out for the second year in a row, with the Soccer Aid World XI...
- 6/18/2019
- Look to the Stars
Soccer Aid for Unicef players including Usain Bolt, Niall Horan, Jamie Redknapp and Sir Mo Farah joined more than 250 guests for a star-studded gala tonight at the Science Museum in South Kensington, raising a staggering £425,000 to support Unicef’s vital work protecting children in danger around the world.
The superstars and footballing legends descended on London’s Science Museum for the first ever Soccer Aid for Unicef Gala, hosted by Mark Wright. The evening featured an interactive football themed reception, complete with a real grass ‘green carpet’ and walkthrough player tunnel. Guests were also treated to exclusive performances from Robbie Williams and world freestyle football sensation, Ben Nuttall.
As part of his performance, Robbie Williams announced live on stage Sir Mo Farah will be this year’s captain of the England team, much to the surprise of Sir Mo himself, who was delighted to accept the captain’s armband.
Actor...
The superstars and footballing legends descended on London’s Science Museum for the first ever Soccer Aid for Unicef Gala, hosted by Mark Wright. The evening featured an interactive football themed reception, complete with a real grass ‘green carpet’ and walkthrough player tunnel. Guests were also treated to exclusive performances from Robbie Williams and world freestyle football sensation, Ben Nuttall.
As part of his performance, Robbie Williams announced live on stage Sir Mo Farah will be this year’s captain of the England team, much to the surprise of Sir Mo himself, who was delighted to accept the captain’s armband.
Actor...
- 6/14/2019
- Look to the Stars
The footballer’s move to Naples resurrected his career, leading to professional glory – and personal disaster. A new documentary from the maker of Senna tells his incredible story
Diego Maradona didn’t know it would be his last match for Barcelona. It was the final of the Spanish Cup against Athletic Bilbao in May 1984, but from the start, it went badly: he was relentlessly hacked at by the opposition, including a man not long christened “the Butcher of Bilbao” for a tackle on Maradona that almost ended his career, and racially abused by the crowd. On the final whistle, Barça had lost 1-0 and he received more taunts, this time from the Bilbao players. Now he cracked. He launched an extravagant kung-fu kick at one of them and knocked another out cold with his knee. The brawl escalated and became one of the most infamous in football history. Eric Cantona...
Diego Maradona didn’t know it would be his last match for Barcelona. It was the final of the Spanish Cup against Athletic Bilbao in May 1984, but from the start, it went badly: he was relentlessly hacked at by the opposition, including a man not long christened “the Butcher of Bilbao” for a tackle on Maradona that almost ended his career, and racially abused by the crowd. On the final whistle, Barça had lost 1-0 and he received more taunts, this time from the Bilbao players. Now he cracked. He launched an extravagant kung-fu kick at one of them and knocked another out cold with his knee. The brawl escalated and became one of the most infamous in football history. Eric Cantona...
- 6/2/2019
- by Tim Lewis
- The Guardian - Film News
This week, actor David Harewood met members of parliament at a Soccer Aid for Unicef event at the Houses of Parliament to support the Great Big Kickabout.
MPs attended the afternoon reception, which was hosted by Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Jon Bercow, in the State Rooms. David Harewood told MPs about his recent trip to Sierra Leone, where he saw first-hand how Unicef programmes are improving child health, early childhood development and education in vulnerable communities.
David Harewood said: "I recently travelled to Sierra Leone with Unicef saw with my own eyes some of the incredible work done to help children around the world.
“I visited a baby care unit where there were babies no bigger than my hand, fighting for breath and fighting for life. The lifesaving work doctors and staff were doing there reminded me of why I play for Soccer Aid for Unicef.
MPs attended the afternoon reception, which was hosted by Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Jon Bercow, in the State Rooms. David Harewood told MPs about his recent trip to Sierra Leone, where he saw first-hand how Unicef programmes are improving child health, early childhood development and education in vulnerable communities.
David Harewood said: "I recently travelled to Sierra Leone with Unicef saw with my own eyes some of the incredible work done to help children around the world.
“I visited a baby care unit where there were babies no bigger than my hand, fighting for breath and fighting for life. The lifesaving work doctors and staff were doing there reminded me of why I play for Soccer Aid for Unicef.
- 5/22/2019
- Look to the Stars
Critically Acclaimed singer-songwriter, fashion designer, actress and TV star Rita Ora will perform an exclusive live half time set at Soccer Aid for Unicef 2019 at Chelsea Fc’s Stamford Bridge Stadium in London on Sunday 16th June, broadcast exclusively on ITV and Stv.
The global superstar has also been named a Unicef UK Ambassador, it was announced today. Having supported Unicef UK since 2013, when she featured in the charity’s ‘No Place Like Home’ video to help raise awareness of the refugee crisis in Syria, Rita has supported numerous campaigns and performed at celebrated Unicef events including the Halloween Ball, Match for Children and the Unicef Summer Gala in Italy.
Rita also recently travelled to her native Kosovo earlier this year in support of the Soccer Aid for Unicef campaign to see how Unicef programmes are improving child health, childhood development and education in marginalised communities.
Rita made the surprise...
The global superstar has also been named a Unicef UK Ambassador, it was announced today. Having supported Unicef UK since 2013, when she featured in the charity’s ‘No Place Like Home’ video to help raise awareness of the refugee crisis in Syria, Rita has supported numerous campaigns and performed at celebrated Unicef events including the Halloween Ball, Match for Children and the Unicef Summer Gala in Italy.
Rita also recently travelled to her native Kosovo earlier this year in support of the Soccer Aid for Unicef campaign to see how Unicef programmes are improving child health, childhood development and education in marginalised communities.
Rita made the surprise...
- 5/14/2019
- Look to the Stars
Mathias Malzieu is set to direct “A Mermaid in Paris,” a romantic comedy/fantasy with Reda Kateb and Clémence Poesy.
Kinology is handling international sales on the film, as well as co-producing with Wonder Films and Entre Chien et Loup. Sony will distribute the film in France. Virginie Ledoyen, Rossy de Palma and Eric Cantona round out the cast.
Malzieu, who made his feature debut with the animated film “Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart,” wrote “A Mermaid in Paris” with Stéphane Landowski (“Rise of a Star”).
“‘A Mermaid in Paris’ will be Mathias’ first live-action film and it will mark the birth of a visionary auteur in the veins of Michel Gondry — he has an amazingly rich imagination, unusual way of telling stories full of whimsical charm and talent for creating endearing characters,” said Gregoire Melin, founder of Kinology.
Malzieu, who’s also a singer and an artist, wrote a...
Kinology is handling international sales on the film, as well as co-producing with Wonder Films and Entre Chien et Loup. Sony will distribute the film in France. Virginie Ledoyen, Rossy de Palma and Eric Cantona round out the cast.
Malzieu, who made his feature debut with the animated film “Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart,” wrote “A Mermaid in Paris” with Stéphane Landowski (“Rise of a Star”).
“‘A Mermaid in Paris’ will be Mathias’ first live-action film and it will mark the birth of a visionary auteur in the veins of Michel Gondry — he has an amazingly rich imagination, unusual way of telling stories full of whimsical charm and talent for creating endearing characters,” said Gregoire Melin, founder of Kinology.
Malzieu, who’s also a singer and an artist, wrote a...
- 11/2/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Soccer Aid for Unicef today announced that the 2018 campaign raised a record-breaking fundraising total of £6,746,557 – with 100% of the money going to Unicef’s vital work protecting children in danger around the world.
Thanks to the generous support of the public, ITV viewers, our partners, a host of A-list celebrities and the UK Government – which matched all public donations pound-for-pound – the star-studded match surpassed its previous fundraising total records. To date, Soccer Aid for Unicef has raised in excess of £30 million since the very first match, 12 years ago.
It was also revealed today that next year’s game, in June 2019, will take place at Stamford Bridge. This is the first time the match will be played at Chelsea and marks a return to the capital, with Soccer Aid 2008 having taken place at Wembley Stadium. Pre-registration for tickets is available here: www.socceraid.org.uk.
Manchester United formally handed over the Soccer...
Thanks to the generous support of the public, ITV viewers, our partners, a host of A-list celebrities and the UK Government – which matched all public donations pound-for-pound – the star-studded match surpassed its previous fundraising total records. To date, Soccer Aid for Unicef has raised in excess of £30 million since the very first match, 12 years ago.
It was also revealed today that next year’s game, in June 2019, will take place at Stamford Bridge. This is the first time the match will be played at Chelsea and marks a return to the capital, with Soccer Aid 2008 having taken place at Wembley Stadium. Pre-registration for tickets is available here: www.socceraid.org.uk.
Manchester United formally handed over the Soccer...
- 10/25/2018
- Look to the Stars
Best known for his acclaimed 2013 film “2 Autumns, 3 Winters,” filmmaker Sebastien Betbeder has built a stable, yet under-the-radar career making underrated observational comedies, a trend that he continues with his latest film “Ulysses and Mona,” which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival. Featuring former soccer star turned actor Eric Cantona (“Looking for Eric“) as the titular Ulysses and Manal Issa as Mona, this low-key film follows a reclusive artist’s attempt to make amends with the family and friends that he has wronged.
Continue reading ‘Ulysses and Mona’ Recalls ‘About Schmidt’ & ‘Lost in Translation’ [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Ulysses and Mona’ Recalls ‘About Schmidt’ & ‘Lost in Translation’ [Tiff Review] at The Playlist.
- 9/15/2018
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Playlist
A conceptual artist at the end of his tether finds a new lease on life when he meets a young admirer in Ulysses & Mona (Ulysse & Mona), the latest feature from French indie auteur Sebastien Betbeder (2 Autumns, 3 Winters). Completely offbeat yet emotionally effective in its depiction of a lonely man at death’s door trying to make amends with the world, this deadpan dramedy-cum-road movie had its world premiere in Toronto, where it could land a few pickups outside of its homeland.
Eric Cantona, the infamous “King Eric” of Manchester United who switched to acting in the ...
Eric Cantona, the infamous “King Eric” of Manchester United who switched to acting in the ...
A conceptual artist at the end of his tether finds a new lease on life when he meets a young admirer in Ulysses & Mona (Ulysse & Mona), the latest feature from French indie auteur Sebastien Betbeder (2 Autumns, 3 Winters). Completely offbeat yet emotionally effective in its depiction of a lonely man at death’s door trying to make amends with the world, this deadpan dramedy-cum-road movie had its world premiere in Toronto, where it could land a few pickups outside of its homeland.
Eric Cantona, the infamous “King Eric” of Manchester United who switched to acting in the ...
Eric Cantona, the infamous “King Eric” of Manchester United who switched to acting in the ...
Soccer Aid for Unicef 2018, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV and Stv, has raised a record-breaking £5,540,259 so far for Unicef’s vital work protecting children in danger around the world.
This amount was raised thanks to the generous support of the UK public, ITV and Stv viewers, and the UK government who have matched all donations so far pound for pound. This figure has smashed all previous records for money raised on the night.
The eagerly anticipated match took place at a packed out Old Trafford which saw the highest ever Soccer Aid for Unicef attendance – a whopping 71,965 people turned up to watch the match. The match ended in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out with England beating the World XI 7-6 in a sudden death contest with Blake Harrison scoring the winning penalty.
Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams' England side, captained by Olly Murs, went head to head against a...
This amount was raised thanks to the generous support of the UK public, ITV and Stv viewers, and the UK government who have matched all donations so far pound for pound. This figure has smashed all previous records for money raised on the night.
The eagerly anticipated match took place at a packed out Old Trafford which saw the highest ever Soccer Aid for Unicef attendance – a whopping 71,965 people turned up to watch the match. The match ended in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out with England beating the World XI 7-6 in a sudden death contest with Blake Harrison scoring the winning penalty.
Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams' England side, captained by Olly Murs, went head to head against a...
- 6/12/2018
- Look to the Stars
This week, the British Prime Minister welcomed the stars of this year’s Soccer Aid for Unicef, including former Olympic athletes Usain Bolt and Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams to a reception at 10 Downing Street.
The event celebrated the commitment by the UK government to match every £1 donated by the public through its UK Aid Match scheme, doubling the difference for children in danger around the world.
Soccer Aid for Unicef star players including Sir Mo Farah and Olly Murs joined the Prime Minister to celebrate change made possible by the generous donations of the British public, who have previously raised more than £24 million for Soccer Aid for Unicef since the first match in 2006.
The reception also welcomed young reporter Kendra, aged 14, who travelled to see how donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef can help children in Lesotho, school children and Unicef UK Children’s Champions – members of the public...
The event celebrated the commitment by the UK government to match every £1 donated by the public through its UK Aid Match scheme, doubling the difference for children in danger around the world.
Soccer Aid for Unicef star players including Sir Mo Farah and Olly Murs joined the Prime Minister to celebrate change made possible by the generous donations of the British public, who have previously raised more than £24 million for Soccer Aid for Unicef since the first match in 2006.
The reception also welcomed young reporter Kendra, aged 14, who travelled to see how donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef can help children in Lesotho, school children and Unicef UK Children’s Champions – members of the public...
- 6/8/2018
- Look to the Stars
Unicef Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra has called for more support for vulnerable Rohingya refugee children and women following a four-day trip to refugee camps and informal settlements in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
Priyanka visits Rohingya refugee children at a Unicef-supported therapeutic feeding center for malnourished children
Credit/Copyright: Unicef/UN0211302/Sokol
“After seeing the distressing images of the Rohingya crisis unfolding last year, being here and meeting the children and families affected has helped me better understand the enormity of this crisis,” said Chopra. “Nearly 60 percent of the more than 700,000 refugees are children, living in desperately difficult conditions – with limited access to permanent shelter, clean and safe water, food and education.”
“In the past four days, I’ve seen the incredible work that Unicef and partners are undertaking, and the progress made in these makeshift camps in the last 9 months, but there is still so much more support needed. The...
Priyanka visits Rohingya refugee children at a Unicef-supported therapeutic feeding center for malnourished children
Credit/Copyright: Unicef/UN0211302/Sokol
“After seeing the distressing images of the Rohingya crisis unfolding last year, being here and meeting the children and families affected has helped me better understand the enormity of this crisis,” said Chopra. “Nearly 60 percent of the more than 700,000 refugees are children, living in desperately difficult conditions – with limited access to permanent shelter, clean and safe water, food and education.”
“In the past four days, I’ve seen the incredible work that Unicef and partners are undertaking, and the progress made in these makeshift camps in the last 9 months, but there is still so much more support needed. The...
- 5/25/2018
- Look to the Stars
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