Exclusive: ‘Peaky Blinders’ and ‘Gangs of London’ star Joe Cole and ‘True Spirit’ and ‘Titans’ actor Teagan Croft have both just wrapped contemporary neo-noir thriller Override, the fourth feature from directing duo Natasha Merkulova and Alexey Chupov. It marks the English-language debut for the Russian helmers, whose Captain Volkonogov Escaped played in Venice’s Competition strand in 2021.
Paris-based sales and production outfit Charades has boarded international sales for title, which was shot in L.A. in March, while AC Independent and WME Independent will co-represent North American rights for the film. The project will be launched to buyers in Cannes next month.
Override, which is currently in post-production, follows Ron Camp (Cole), a 31-year-old taxi driver in L.A. and Becca (Croft), his 16-year-old passenger, as they are plunged into a modern-day nightmare. Unaware of Ron’s identity as a spree killer, Becca becomes entangled in a series of terrifying events.
Paris-based sales and production outfit Charades has boarded international sales for title, which was shot in L.A. in March, while AC Independent and WME Independent will co-represent North American rights for the film. The project will be launched to buyers in Cannes next month.
Override, which is currently in post-production, follows Ron Camp (Cole), a 31-year-old taxi driver in L.A. and Becca (Croft), his 16-year-old passenger, as they are plunged into a modern-day nightmare. Unaware of Ron’s identity as a spree killer, Becca becomes entangled in a series of terrifying events.
- 4/25/2024
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer-director Aysulu Onaran (Balaban) has wrapped principal photography on her latest feature film, Rebirth Island. The film is a historical spy thriller based on true events from the Cold War.
Executive producers on the pic are Rose Ganguzza (Fatima) and Adilet Yessimov (Balaban). The film was shot on location in Kazakhstan. Onaran will present the project to buyers at EFM.
The film’s synopsis reads: It’s summer 1992, a month before the collapse of the Soviet empire. A military scientist, Colonel Dautov, serves at the top-secret laboratory on Rebirth Island. The Colonel’s beliefs and military oath are challenged when he rescues an imprisoned woman from the laboratory and helps a CIA agent to find the secret burial ground of 200 tons of the bioweapon Anthrax-836 to avert the biological apocalypse.
Dulyga Akmolda, Vlad Bukatkin, Malika Baygubenova, Olga Landina, and Alexey Shemes star in the film. Additional credits include Director...
Executive producers on the pic are Rose Ganguzza (Fatima) and Adilet Yessimov (Balaban). The film was shot on location in Kazakhstan. Onaran will present the project to buyers at EFM.
The film’s synopsis reads: It’s summer 1992, a month before the collapse of the Soviet empire. A military scientist, Colonel Dautov, serves at the top-secret laboratory on Rebirth Island. The Colonel’s beliefs and military oath are challenged when he rescues an imprisoned woman from the laboratory and helps a CIA agent to find the secret burial ground of 200 tons of the bioweapon Anthrax-836 to avert the biological apocalypse.
Dulyga Akmolda, Vlad Bukatkin, Malika Baygubenova, Olga Landina, and Alexey Shemes star in the film. Additional credits include Director...
- 2/16/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Veteran manager Aleksey Ageyev — who while repping a roster of top global filmmakers, has produced more than 30 scripted series and features — has joined David Unger’s global management company Artist International Group as Partner.
Ageyev brings to Aig clients including 2021 Tribeca prize-winning filmmaker Levan Koguashvili (Brighton 4th); screenwriter Elena Kiseleva, who co-wrote Andrey Konchalovskiy’s 2020 Venice Special Jury Prize winner Dear Comrades!; screenwriter Andrey Zolotarev (Sputnik); and showrunner Roman Kantor, among others.
Prior to joining Artist International Group, Ageyev headed up the global talent management company PlusSeven as well as the Los Angeles-based Storyworld Entertainment, where he specialized in adapting foreign formats for the U.S. market. Notable credits include To the Lake and Seven Seconds, both for Netflix.
“International projects are the future of our industry. David Unger has been nurturing international voices for two decades,” said Ageyev. “With our combined efforts, we...
Ageyev brings to Aig clients including 2021 Tribeca prize-winning filmmaker Levan Koguashvili (Brighton 4th); screenwriter Elena Kiseleva, who co-wrote Andrey Konchalovskiy’s 2020 Venice Special Jury Prize winner Dear Comrades!; screenwriter Andrey Zolotarev (Sputnik); and showrunner Roman Kantor, among others.
Prior to joining Artist International Group, Ageyev headed up the global talent management company PlusSeven as well as the Los Angeles-based Storyworld Entertainment, where he specialized in adapting foreign formats for the U.S. market. Notable credits include To the Lake and Seven Seconds, both for Netflix.
“International projects are the future of our industry. David Unger has been nurturing international voices for two decades,” said Ageyev. “With our combined efforts, we...
- 11/21/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Powerhouse producers Valeriy Fedorovich and Evgeniy Nikishov, the creative duo behind Netflix’s first Russian original series, “Anna K,” quietly left 1-2-3 Production in early March and are now focused on their Moscow-based shingle MC2.
Though the announcement was formally made just days removed from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Fedorovich said the plan to leave the Gazprom-Media-backed production outfit had been set in motion long ago.
“When we set up our own company, it was clear that we [would] have to say goodbye to 1-2-3 Production,” Fedorovich told Variety. “We used to work for others; now we want to work for ourselves.”
As the co-heads of the Moscow-based outfit which they launched in 2018, Fedorovich and Nikishov were the creative force behind the plague thriller “To the Lake,” a series that made top 10 lists across the globe after it was acquired by Netflix, and wrapped production last year on...
Though the announcement was formally made just days removed from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Fedorovich said the plan to leave the Gazprom-Media-backed production outfit had been set in motion long ago.
“When we set up our own company, it was clear that we [would] have to say goodbye to 1-2-3 Production,” Fedorovich told Variety. “We used to work for others; now we want to work for ourselves.”
As the co-heads of the Moscow-based outfit which they launched in 2018, Fedorovich and Nikishov were the creative force behind the plague thriller “To the Lake,” a series that made top 10 lists across the globe after it was acquired by Netflix, and wrapped production last year on...
- 5/26/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount+ announced a stacked lineup of legendary vets for the third season of The Challenge: All Stars, which will premiere on Wednesday, May 11 with back-to-back episodes. For the first time ever, this all-new season requires past contestants to have qualified for or won a Challenge final, featuring the franchise’s fiercest competitors from every era […]
The post ‘The Challenge: All Stars Season 3’ Premiering May 11 On Paramount+ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post ‘The Challenge: All Stars Season 3’ Premiering May 11 On Paramount+ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/20/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
David Hyde Pierce has been earning plenty of praise for his co-starring role in the new HBO Max drama Julia, based on the life of renowned chef, author, and television personality Julia Child. Pierce plays Paul Child, who — while not as famous as his wife — lived a life that was every bit as […]
The post Why David Hyde Pierce Found His Inner Child In ‘Julia’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Why David Hyde Pierce Found His Inner Child In ‘Julia’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/20/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Over the course of his career, Jason Beghe has appeared on dozens of television shows, and he’s played a recurring role on more than 20 of them. But none of those roles can even come close to Sgt. Hank Voight — he’s played the role on close to 200 episodes of television. Of course, he’s […]
The post After 10 Years In ‘Chicago,’ Jason Beghe Reflects On Character’s Growth appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post After 10 Years In ‘Chicago,’ Jason Beghe Reflects On Character’s Growth appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/20/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Ever since American Idol premiered 20 years ago, it’s been delivering memorable performances and incredible moments. And if you’re feeling those moments as you’re watching on television, you better believe the judges are feeling it as these moments unfold before their very eyes. Luke Bryan, who’s in his fifth season as an Idol judge, told […]
The post Luke Bryan’s Favorite ‘Idol’ Moment Is… appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Luke Bryan’s Favorite ‘Idol’ Moment Is… appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/18/2022
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Netflix has paused all productions and acquisitions out of Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, according to a just-published report in Variety. Representatives at Netflix could not immediately be reached for comment from IndieWire.
Netflix reportedly had four Russian original projects in the works. One project affected is a crime thriller series currently in production that has now been put on hold. The neo-noir mystery series “Zato” was set to be the streamer’s first original series filmed in Russia. The series is set around uncertainties in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union. From directors Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin, “Zato” was first announced in early February 2022.
The streamer currently offers a robust slate of Russian film and TV series on its platforms globally and in the United States, including the popular animated kids’ program “Masha the Bear,” the drama thriller series “To the Lake,...
Netflix reportedly had four Russian original projects in the works. One project affected is a crime thriller series currently in production that has now been put on hold. The neo-noir mystery series “Zato” was set to be the streamer’s first original series filmed in Russia. The series is set around uncertainties in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union. From directors Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin, “Zato” was first announced in early February 2022.
The streamer currently offers a robust slate of Russian film and TV series on its platforms globally and in the United States, including the popular animated kids’ program “Masha the Bear,” the drama thriller series “To the Lake,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Lion, Outbreak, and more fantastic titles that Crackle has to offer, streaming this Holiday season!
“Free streaming network Crackle announces new exclusives, movies, and series for December, including Crackle’s original Outbreak. Crackle’s mix of Hollywood blockbusters, award-winning indies, classic TV, and hand-picked exclusive and original content is always free.”
Read more at Crackle
Sure, it’s not as good as the original Jurassic Park, but The Lost World: Jurassic Park deserves your respect.
“Steven Spielberg is no stranger to wonder. Many of the director’s most memorable films leave audiences in a great state of awe. Just remember the first time you saw Elliott soar through the sky on his bike with an extra-terrestrial named E.T, or when Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant staggered out of his vehicle at the sight of a brontosaurus in the sci-fi classic Jurassic Park.”
Read more at Inverse
HBO Max...
“Free streaming network Crackle announces new exclusives, movies, and series for December, including Crackle’s original Outbreak. Crackle’s mix of Hollywood blockbusters, award-winning indies, classic TV, and hand-picked exclusive and original content is always free.”
Read more at Crackle
Sure, it’s not as good as the original Jurassic Park, but The Lost World: Jurassic Park deserves your respect.
“Steven Spielberg is no stranger to wonder. Many of the director’s most memorable films leave audiences in a great state of awe. Just remember the first time you saw Elliott soar through the sky on his bike with an extra-terrestrial named E.T, or when Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant staggered out of his vehicle at the sight of a brontosaurus in the sci-fi classic Jurassic Park.”
Read more at Inverse
HBO Max...
- 11/30/2021
- by Lee Parham
- Den of Geek
Thirty years ago, Bette Midler and James Caan starred in a movie that — at the time — most people wanted to forget, For The Boys.. While it had a successful limited release in two theaters the weekend before Thanksgiving in 1991, its wide release the following weekend proved disastrous. It only earned $4.5 million […]
The post Bette Midler’s Always Been Proud Of Her ‘Boys’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Bette Midler’s Always Been Proud Of Her ‘Boys’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 11/23/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The return of William Petersen and Jorja Fox to the new CSI show, CSI: Vegas, isn’t just a return to their old characters — it’s the first time either of them has taken a starring role on a television show since the original CSI’s finale. That being the case, both Petersen and Fox admitted to […]
The post ‘CSI’ Comeback Wasn’t Easy For William Petersen & Jorja Fox appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post ‘CSI’ Comeback Wasn’t Easy For William Petersen & Jorja Fox appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 11/17/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Hugh Dillon has been starring on the Paramount Network series Yellowstone in the recurring role of Sheriff Donnie Haskell. But now, he’s got a regular role on a new show called Mayor of Kingstown. It’s no surprise that he got a role on the series, which stars Jeremy Renner, Dianne Wiest, and Kyle Chandler, since […]
The post Hugh Dillon’s ‘Kingstown’ Has Pre-‘Yellowstone’ Roots appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Hugh Dillon’s ‘Kingstown’ Has Pre-‘Yellowstone’ Roots appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 11/15/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The ice hockey rivalry between Canada and the Ussr, one of the biggest sporting rivalries in the world, is to be the subject of a limited documentary series.
“72” (working title), will focus on The Summit Series, a pivotal set of eight games played between the two nations in 1972 in Canada and Russia where political rivalry equalled the on-field competition. The tournament was rife with allegations of dirty play and disputes over officiating. In Canada, the games were set against a backdrop of a home-grown terrorist movement that had turned violent, while Kgb agents and Soviet soldiers sat in the stands for the games in Moscow.
Canadian production companies Connect3 Media (“Mirage”) and Yap Films (“The Lost Unabomber Tapes”) are partnering with Russian producer 1-2-3 Production (“To the Lake”) to co-develop the series, which aims to provide the definitive history of the event. Dan Diamond, who has written more than a...
“72” (working title), will focus on The Summit Series, a pivotal set of eight games played between the two nations in 1972 in Canada and Russia where political rivalry equalled the on-field competition. The tournament was rife with allegations of dirty play and disputes over officiating. In Canada, the games were set against a backdrop of a home-grown terrorist movement that had turned violent, while Kgb agents and Soviet soldiers sat in the stands for the games in Moscow.
Canadian production companies Connect3 Media (“Mirage”) and Yap Films (“The Lost Unabomber Tapes”) are partnering with Russian producer 1-2-3 Production (“To the Lake”) to co-develop the series, which aims to provide the definitive history of the event. Dan Diamond, who has written more than a...
- 10/8/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As an actor, Andy Serkis is no stranger to big-ticket blockbuster franchises. After all, he’s been in Star Wars movies and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But now that he’s gotten into directing, Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a giant leap forward for him. In only his third directorial assignment, he’s landed a […]
The post With ‘Venom,’ Director Andy Serkis Knew He Had To Level Up appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post With ‘Venom,’ Director Andy Serkis Knew He Had To Level Up appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 10/5/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
While Team Blake is the reigning champion on The Voice, Blake Shelton has reason to be worried. Two of his fellow coaches — Kelly Clarkson and John Legend — were winners in their first seasons, and now there’s another new coach taking a seat this season: Ariana Grande. Of course, Shelton doesn’t want to build […]
The post Blake Shelton Admits New ‘Voice’ Coach Ariana Grande’s Got Game appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Blake Shelton Admits New ‘Voice’ Coach Ariana Grande’s Got Game appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 10/4/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Exclusive: Endeavor Content is getting into the Russian-language drama business.
The production and distribution arm of the Hollywood agency is backing action drama Hope from Russian streamer Start. The division, which has previously backed series including Killing Eve and Normal People, will handle international distribution for the series.
Hope stars Victoria Isakova, who previously starred in the Russian adaptation of Homeland and drama series To The Lake, which airs internationally on Netflix.
She plays Nadezhda — which means Hope in Russian — a ruthless assassin for the Syndicate – a criminal organization she was forced to work for as a teenager in exchange for getting out of prison.
The espionage action series, which is set between brutal and lawless 1990s Russia and the present day, is directed by Elena Hazanov (Petrushka Syndrome) and explores the duality of women’s nature in the series by examining the psychology of complex female protagonist Hope and...
The production and distribution arm of the Hollywood agency is backing action drama Hope from Russian streamer Start. The division, which has previously backed series including Killing Eve and Normal People, will handle international distribution for the series.
Hope stars Victoria Isakova, who previously starred in the Russian adaptation of Homeland and drama series To The Lake, which airs internationally on Netflix.
She plays Nadezhda — which means Hope in Russian — a ruthless assassin for the Syndicate – a criminal organization she was forced to work for as a teenager in exchange for getting out of prison.
The espionage action series, which is set between brutal and lawless 1990s Russia and the present day, is directed by Elena Hazanov (Petrushka Syndrome) and explores the duality of women’s nature in the series by examining the psychology of complex female protagonist Hope and...
- 9/21/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A selection of Russian films will screen in-person during the Beijing International Film Festival (Bjiff) through a collaboration with the new Russian Film Festival, part of an effort by both governments to promote Russian cinema in China and cultural exchange.
The Chinese festival is set to run from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30 as an in-person event after being pushed back from its typical April release date due to the pandemic. Given its close ties to Chinese film authorities, it is often a platform to showcase works from countries with which China hopes to strengthen political ties.
The Russian Film Festival is a program targeting international audiences via a series of online screenings organized by state-run Roskino and backed by Russia’s ministry of culture, in response to the global shutdown of cinemas amid the pandemic. Last year, the festival was held online in Australia, Mexico, Spain and Brazil. This year, it has gone up in Argentina,...
The Chinese festival is set to run from Sept. 17 to Sept. 30 as an in-person event after being pushed back from its typical April release date due to the pandemic. Given its close ties to Chinese film authorities, it is often a platform to showcase works from countries with which China hopes to strengthen political ties.
The Russian Film Festival is a program targeting international audiences via a series of online screenings organized by state-run Roskino and backed by Russia’s ministry of culture, in response to the global shutdown of cinemas amid the pandemic. Last year, the festival was held online in Australia, Mexico, Spain and Brazil. This year, it has gone up in Argentina,...
- 9/15/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
To get a sense of the frantic energy driving Russia’s booming film and TV industry these days, one need look no further than powerhouse producing duo Valeriy Fedorovich and Evgeniy Nikishov, who this week will take time off from shooting Netflix’s first original Russian drama series in Moscow to bow their latest feature film on the Lido.
It’s a reversal of fortune that the veteran producers couldn’t have scripted themselves even a decade ago. “For many years, Russia’s film industry existed in isolation from the global market – what chance did North American viewers, for example, have of screening a Russian TV show or film a few years ago?” says Nikishov. “The situation is radically different now. With the development of global platforms, we’ve been given a unique opportunity to become fully-fledged participants in the global film industry.”
That opportunity has been a long time coming for Russian filmmakers,...
It’s a reversal of fortune that the veteran producers couldn’t have scripted themselves even a decade ago. “For many years, Russia’s film industry existed in isolation from the global market – what chance did North American viewers, for example, have of screening a Russian TV show or film a few years ago?” says Nikishov. “The situation is radically different now. With the development of global platforms, we’ve been given a unique opportunity to become fully-fledged participants in the global film industry.”
That opportunity has been a long time coming for Russian filmmakers,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Roman Kantor has signed with CAA for representation in all areas.
The Moscow-based screenwriter recently penned an adaptation of Anna Karenina for Netflix. The contemporary reimagining of the Leo Tolstoy classic is the streamer’s first-ever Russian original drama series.
Kantor previously scripted contemporary thriller To The Lake, which debuted on the Russian platform Premier, and was subsequently acquired by Netflix.
He also wrote The Silver Skates, which was the first Russian film to be released as a Netflix Original. The sweeping period romance, which Michael Lockshin directed in his feature debut, opened the 42nd Moscow Film Festival, going on to chart on Netflix’s Top 10 list in 51 countries.
Kantor is also writing Woland, an adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita, which is tentatively set for release in 2022.
He continues to be represented by Aleksey Ageyev at PlusSeven Management.
The Moscow-based screenwriter recently penned an adaptation of Anna Karenina for Netflix. The contemporary reimagining of the Leo Tolstoy classic is the streamer’s first-ever Russian original drama series.
Kantor previously scripted contemporary thriller To The Lake, which debuted on the Russian platform Premier, and was subsequently acquired by Netflix.
He also wrote The Silver Skates, which was the first Russian film to be released as a Netflix Original. The sweeping period romance, which Michael Lockshin directed in his feature debut, opened the 42nd Moscow Film Festival, going on to chart on Netflix’s Top 10 list in 51 countries.
Kantor is also writing Woland, an adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita, which is tentatively set for release in 2022.
He continues to be represented by Aleksey Ageyev at PlusSeven Management.
- 8/12/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“Now We’Re Sucking Diesel! If you don’t get it, you missed a great series.” Stephen King’s recent discovery of British police thriller Line of Duty – as relayed via a series of highly enthusiastic Tweets – was a delight to witness. King’s zeal is enough to make UK fans wish that he hadn’t binge-watched the BBC series from his home inside the sewers of Derry, Maine, but instead watched it at broadcast pace in the UK, where he would no doubt have made a sizeable contribution to the show’s Twitter larks. (King proved himself happy to join in with online TV show speculation when he correctly predicted the killer in HBO/Sky’s Mare of Easttown. You can bet he’d have had a take on the mystery identity of Line of Duty baddie ‘H’.)
Line of Duty isn’t alone in attracting King’s online...
Line of Duty isn’t alone in attracting King’s online...
- 7/24/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Anthony Anderson has found a lot of success as an entertainer, including seven seasons on ABC’s hit Black-ish. However, Anderson is fully aware that he’s one of the fortunate ones, and that not every project is a winner. Since he’s also hosting a reboot of the game show To Tell the Truth on ABC, he’s […]
The post Que Sera, Sera, Anthony Anderson? appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Que Sera, Sera, Anthony Anderson? appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 6/24/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Through seven seasons on The Good Wife and now five seasons on The Good Fight, Christine Baranski has played the character that’s earned her six Emmy Award nominations, Diane Lockhart. She’s a lawyer who’s always been strong and steadfast in her beliefs, even when they’ve been detrimental to her career or personal life. How does […]
The post Christine Baranski Doesn’t Have To ‘Fight’ Off Her Love For Diane Lockhart appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Christine Baranski Doesn’t Have To ‘Fight’ Off Her Love For Diane Lockhart appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 6/24/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Although Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds were voice actors together on 2013’s animated Turbo, they didn’t get to work together in the flesh until 2017’s The Hitman’s Bodyguard. Now the two of them have reteamed (along with Salma Hayek) for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, and while Reynolds has talked about his love for his co-stars, […]
The post Samuel L. Jackson: Ryan Reynolds Is Great ‘In An Odd Kind Of Way’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Samuel L. Jackson: Ryan Reynolds Is Great ‘In An Odd Kind Of Way’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 6/22/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
If the coronavirus pandemic has been a boon to global streaming services, which saw their subscriber numbers climb in the past year as homebound audiences stayed glued to their screens, that’s only accelerated a trend already taking hold in the Russian VOD space.
According to Tmt Consulting, the Russian VOD market grew by 66% in 2020 to reach a value of 27.8 billion rubles ($384 million), with revenue from subscriptions rising by 87%. This comes as a growing number of media holdings, telecoms, and financial giants enter the streaming fray.
Earlier this year, Russia’s largest mobile operator, Mts, launched the Kion streaming platform, just months after financial giant Sber (formerly known as Sberbank) acquired the leading streaming service Okko as part of its push to reinvent itself as a technology company. Russian search engine and It giant Yandex has seen explosive growth with its KinoPoisk VOD platform, while the Gazprom-backed streamer Premier and platforms such as More.tv,...
According to Tmt Consulting, the Russian VOD market grew by 66% in 2020 to reach a value of 27.8 billion rubles ($384 million), with revenue from subscriptions rising by 87%. This comes as a growing number of media holdings, telecoms, and financial giants enter the streaming fray.
Earlier this year, Russia’s largest mobile operator, Mts, launched the Kion streaming platform, just months after financial giant Sber (formerly known as Sberbank) acquired the leading streaming service Okko as part of its push to reinvent itself as a technology company. Russian search engine and It giant Yandex has seen explosive growth with its KinoPoisk VOD platform, while the Gazprom-backed streamer Premier and platforms such as More.tv,...
- 6/9/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Currently in production on the second season of “To the Lake,” a dark depiction of a world affected by a mysterious virus, which has gained worldwide popularity on Netflix, Moscow-based 1-2-3 Production is only just getting started. As Variety found out, the second season of “Call Center” is also in active development, with “Dreams of Alice,” an eight-episode series chosen for the Berlinale Series Market Selects in March, at a work-in-progress stage. Survival drama “The Big Game,” about a reality show gone wrong, is also in the works.
“We were happy to see that people in so many countries watched ‘To the Lake’ and that it landed in the top 10 in over 70 territories,” says Evgeniy Nikishov, general producer of TV-3 channel, who heads the company alongside Valeriy Fedorovich. “It has received a flood of fan posts and comments on social media, emails to our company and directly to the actors of the show.
“We were happy to see that people in so many countries watched ‘To the Lake’ and that it landed in the top 10 in over 70 territories,” says Evgeniy Nikishov, general producer of TV-3 channel, who heads the company alongside Valeriy Fedorovich. “It has received a flood of fan posts and comments on social media, emails to our company and directly to the actors of the show.
- 6/8/2021
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The popularity of subscription video-on-demand services in Russia has been growing rapidly and, as noted by Olga Filipuk, chief content officer of Yandex Mediaservices, the production of original shows has now reached a new level. While there is still a demand for Russian takes on tried-and-tested global genres such as crime thrillers and science-fiction, global success depends on having an original story: Russian in terms of style but relatable to viewers in other countries.
“Platforms explore new, complicated topics; they are not as limited as TV channels,” says Alexandra Modestova, CEO of Expocontent, mentioning the likes of “Happy End,” “Mediator,” “An Ordinary Woman” and “To the Lake,” which has become one of the top-watched shows on Netflix in the U.S. and worldwide.
“Russia has around 100 million potential content consumers and Netflix aims at this audience by launching its first originals here, like ‘Anna K,’ as well as acquiring series,...
“Platforms explore new, complicated topics; they are not as limited as TV channels,” says Alexandra Modestova, CEO of Expocontent, mentioning the likes of “Happy End,” “Mediator,” “An Ordinary Woman” and “To the Lake,” which has become one of the top-watched shows on Netflix in the U.S. and worldwide.
“Russia has around 100 million potential content consumers and Netflix aims at this audience by launching its first originals here, like ‘Anna K,’ as well as acquiring series,...
- 6/7/2021
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
As a writer and producer, Michael Schur has had a pretty good track record over the years. Among the shows he’s been responsible for over the past decade or so are hits like Parks & Recreation, The Good Place, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. His new project is Hacks, an HBO Max comedy about a older comedian […]
The post For Writer Michael Schur, Success With ‘SNL’ Jokes Wasn’t Always A Sure Thing appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post For Writer Michael Schur, Success With ‘SNL’ Jokes Wasn’t Always A Sure Thing appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/28/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
For 10 seasons, Friends was there for us, and we were there for the show. After debuting at No. 8 in its first season’s final TV rankings, it pulled off an impressive streak of placing all of its subsequent seasons in the Top 5, with average viewership exceeding 20 million throughout the show’s entire run. […]
The post The One About The Things That Made ‘Friends’ Worth Watching appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post The One About The Things That Made ‘Friends’ Worth Watching appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/27/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
For the past seven seasons, Sutton Foster has been playing the character of Liza Miller on the series Younger, and she’s enjoyed every minute of it. But even if she hadn’t won the lead role in the show, Foster still would have wanted to have been part of it, and she told us she knows […]
The post If Sutton Foster Could Be ‘Younger’ And Someone Else, She Would Be… appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post If Sutton Foster Could Be ‘Younger’ And Someone Else, She Would Be… appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/26/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
As a stand-up comedian, Tig Notaro is used to working on real stages and seeing real people. So, as she transitions more and more into acting, she’s becoming more and more familiar with the modern land of make believe — a.k.a. shooting with a green screen. She had to do plenty of it in Zack […]
The post When It Came To ‘Army’s’ Green Screens, Tig Notaro Was A Little Green appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post When It Came To ‘Army’s’ Green Screens, Tig Notaro Was A Little Green appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/25/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
As a universally recognized television star, you’d think John Stamos would have plenty of confidence. And in a way, he does — but it’s a confidence that’s come not from fame and stardom, but maturity. When he was younger, he admitted to us, he had plenty of swagger that passed for confidence, but that swagger […]
The post Lost & Found: How John Stamos Got His Groove Back appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Lost & Found: How John Stamos Got His Groove Back appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/25/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
News that Kevin Spacey has been cast in his first movie since several allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him starting in 2017 has ignited fury across social media and the film industry. Spacey is set to appear as a sex abuse investigator in a new film by Italian actor and director Franco Nero titled “L’uomo Che Disegno Dio.” Nero is also starring in the movie, as is his wife Vanessa Redgrave. In a statement to CNN, the film’s producer, Louis Nero, defended Spacey’s casting by saying he believes the accusations are “false,” adding, “I cast him because he is a great actor.”
Franco Nero shared similar sentiments when Spacey’s casting was first announced over the weekend, saying in a statement, “I’m very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film. I consider him a great actor and I can’t wait to start the movie.
Franco Nero shared similar sentiments when Spacey’s casting was first announced over the weekend, saying in a statement, “I’m very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film. I consider him a great actor and I can’t wait to start the movie.
- 5/25/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
To lead its revival of the Emmy-winning series In Treatment, HBO looked to Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba to play the role of the therapist treating the show’s revolving door of patients while trying to keep her own life in order. In each of the show’s four episodes each week, she works with a different character. […]
The post For New ‘In Treatment’ Star Uzo Aduba, Therapy’s Tougher Than Prison appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post For New ‘In Treatment’ Star Uzo Aduba, Therapy’s Tougher Than Prison appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/21/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
The new series Girls5eva centers on a girl group that’s thrust back into the spotlight more than two decades after its one-hit wonder heyday. Naturally, the show features a lot of singing, so it was important to Tina Fey that the actresses cast in the roles could sing. As she told us, it got much […]
The post Finding Her ‘Girls5eva’ Was Easy For Tina Fey (Once She Had Sara Bareilles) appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Finding Her ‘Girls5eva’ Was Easy For Tina Fey (Once She Had Sara Bareilles) appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/21/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
As the calendar turned to March this year, and the cold, dark months of a pandemic winter gave way to hopeful signs of spring, Evgenia Markova, head of the Russian film promotion body Roskino, mooted the prospect of hosting a physical version of the Key Buyers Event, a showcase of new Russian content now in its third year. “I was hoping that it would be possible,” she tells Variety. “But the further it went, the more uncertainty there was around it.”
With the coronavirus pandemic still spreading in Russia and across the rest of the world, Markova and the organizing team decided to revisit last year’s successful virtual model, which attracted more than 600 participants from around the globe, including 200 foreign buyers from the likes of Rtl Group, AMC Networks, Cgv Mars, Wild Bunch, Beta Film, and Chinese streaming service iQIYI. The three-day event features live presentations, pitches, panel discussions,...
With the coronavirus pandemic still spreading in Russia and across the rest of the world, Markova and the organizing team decided to revisit last year’s successful virtual model, which attracted more than 600 participants from around the globe, including 200 foreign buyers from the likes of Rtl Group, AMC Networks, Cgv Mars, Wild Bunch, Beta Film, and Chinese streaming service iQIYI. The three-day event features live presentations, pitches, panel discussions,...
- 5/19/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The news has been bittersweet for This Is Us fans — the producers are sticking to their original plan and ending the show after its sixth season. So next season will be like a farewell tour, as the show’s storylines head toward what is certain to be a heart-wrenching finale. As difficult as it will […]
The post With The End In Sight, Justin Hartley Remember How ‘This Is Us’ Started appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post With The End In Sight, Justin Hartley Remember How ‘This Is Us’ Started appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/18/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
John Legend knows a thing or two about making quality music — the 12 Grammy Awards he’s won can attest to that. In fact, he knows a lot about quality entertainment overall — his status as a member of the exclusive Egot club can attest to that. So when Legend puts on his critic’s cap […]
The post John Legend Analyzes ‘The Voice’ To Find What Makes It Great appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post John Legend Analyzes ‘The Voice’ To Find What Makes It Great appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/17/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
On her new series Hacks, Jean Smart plays an aging comedy legend who wants to get back into the standup spotlight. While there have been some legendary female comics she could have used as reference — you can see some shades of Joan Rivers in Smart’s performance — she told us she wanted to try […]
The post For Jean Smart’s ‘Hacks’ Character, Any Similarities Are Purely Comic-cidental appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post For Jean Smart’s ‘Hacks’ Character, Any Similarities Are Purely Comic-cidental appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/14/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
If people could predict which kind of TV shows would become cultural touchstones, there would be a lot of rich producers, and a lot fewer failed shows on television. There’s no such thing as a sure thing in television, so when you land on one of those landmark shows, it’s kind of like lightning striking. […]
The post Can ‘Big Shot’ Inspire ‘Full House’-Like Passion? John Stamos Hopes So appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Can ‘Big Shot’ Inspire ‘Full House’-Like Passion? John Stamos Hopes So appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/13/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
When Lecy Goranson was auditioning for Roseanne at age 13, she couldn’t be too picky. Though she would have loved to have gotten the part of Darlene Conner, she was instead cast as the eldest sister, Becky. While she didn’t get her first choice, Goranson says she definitely grew to appreciate the character more and […]
The post On ‘Roseanne’ & ‘The Conners,’ Lecy Goranson Grew To Love Becky appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post On ‘Roseanne’ & ‘The Conners,’ Lecy Goranson Grew To Love Becky appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/12/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Sebastian Stan’s had a pretty good career so far, especially after he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe 10 years ago in the role of Bucky Barnes — a.k.a. The Winter Soldier. These days, he’s got two new projects available for viewing — the McU-based TV series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the romantic […]
The post Sebastian Stan Thinks He’s Got Everybody Fooled! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Sebastian Stan Thinks He’s Got Everybody Fooled! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/10/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
In each episode, Roberts sits down with three famous women who share experiences that are both personal and moving. As the show’s title suggests, the guests often “turn the tables” and interview Roberts and each other in heartfelt and often humorous conversations that showcase authenticity and vulnerability. Guests include Debbie Allen, Sofia Carson, Jamie Lee […]
The post ‘Turning the Tables With Robin Roberts’ Premieres July 30 On Disney+ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post ‘Turning the Tables With Robin Roberts’ Premieres July 30 On Disney+ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/6/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
When John Stamos was a teenager, he got his big break with a job on the daytime soap General Hospital, even though his father wasn’t convinced that it would lead to bigger and better things. Stamos, however, had plenty of confidence — and for good reason. He’s had a long, prosperous career, which currently has him […]
The post Working With Little ‘Big Shot,’ John Stamos Sees Echoes Of Himself appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Working With Little ‘Big Shot,’ John Stamos Sees Echoes Of Himself appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/6/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
In the movie world, Tom Cruise is notorious for the way he gets involved in every aspect of the movies he’s making. Well, we may have found his television equivalent. Topher Grace is one of the stars — and also one of the executive producers — of the new show Home Economics, and co-star Karla […]
The post On ‘Home Economics,’ Co-Star Says Topher Grace Is On Cruise Control appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post On ‘Home Economics,’ Co-Star Says Topher Grace Is On Cruise Control appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/5/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
During the final season of House, Jesse Spencer took a few episodes off to shoot a new pilot for a show called Chicago Fire. Coming off a long-running hit show, Spencer dared not presume he’d be lucky enough to land another big hit right away. But here he is now, on a show that — […]
The post Shockingly, Jesse Spencer Thought ‘Chicago Fire’ Would Burn Out Quickly appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Shockingly, Jesse Spencer Thought ‘Chicago Fire’ Would Burn Out Quickly appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/5/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
While many people have been watching Sebastian Stan recently in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, you can now see another side of him in the new film Monday. Filmed in Athens by a Greek director, it’s the story of a man and woman who find lust at first sight while on vacation, then have […]
The post Sebastian Stan Sees ‘Monday’ Through A Different Lens These Days appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Sebastian Stan Sees ‘Monday’ Through A Different Lens These Days appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/4/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Blake Shelton’s been with The Voice since Day One, which was 10 years and 20 seasons ago. In terms of seasons, he’s now the longest-running judge or coach on any American reality competition. Why has he stuck around so long? It’s not like he doesn’t have anything else to do — since taking his seat […]
The post Twenty Seasons & Counting: Why Blake Shelton’s Not Leaving ‘The Voice’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Twenty Seasons & Counting: Why Blake Shelton’s Not Leaving ‘The Voice’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 5/3/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
For the first decade or so of Kevin Bacon’s career, he was constantly being cast as the protagonist. Whether it was the dancing teenager from Footloose or the young husband in She’s Having a Baby, you found yourself cheering on his characters to their happy endings. Then came JFK, where we saw a very different […]
The post Thirty Years Ago, Kevin Bacon Wanted Badly To Be Bad appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Thirty Years Ago, Kevin Bacon Wanted Badly To Be Bad appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/30/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Having just started its third season, undoubtedly has more twists and turns on the way for its fans. If you want to know the reasons behind the disappearance and reappearance of Flight 828, don’t ask Josh Dallas. He may be one of the show’s stars, but he doesn’t know the answers to your questions. In […]
The post Want ‘Manifest’ Spoilers? Don’t Ask Josh Dallas — He Won’t Tell! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Want ‘Manifest’ Spoilers? Don’t Ask Josh Dallas — He Won’t Tell! appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/29/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
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