movies

Cannes: Pedro Almodóvar Speaks Out Against Donald Trump, Canal+ Blacklist

Published

3 months ago

May 20, 2026

Pedro Almodóvar was asked by one Spanish journalist at today’s Cannes press conference for his pic Bitter Christmas about “Hollywood being in crisis and Canal+ threatening creators.”

The latter refers to Canal+ Chair and CEO, the Maxime Saada, who said that the conglom won’t work with those who signed the Time To Switch-Off Bolloré” petition which sounded the alarm over tycoon Vincent Bolloré’s growing control of the French entertainment and media sectors. Those who signed the petition include Juliette Binoche, Cannes 2026 Palme d’Or contenders Arthur Harari and Bertrand Mandico as well as directors Yann Gonzalez, Sepideh Farsi and actors Adèle Haenel, Zita Hanrot, Samuel Kircher, Ariane Labed, Anna Mouglalis and Jean-Pascal Zadi among others.

“Artists have to speak out and speak to the institutions in contemporary society — it’s a moral duty,” said the Oscar winning filmmaker.

“Silence, and fear…silence is an expression of fear. They’re a symptom that things are going really badly. It’s a serious sign that democracy is a crumbling. Creators must speak out.”

“The worst thing to happen to us to stay silent. We have a moral obligation to speak out about all these things. We need to turn against Netanyahu. In Europe, we have laws, there are certain limits. We have to act as a shield against this madness,” the filmmaker continued ending on “Europe should never be subjected to Trump!” Almodovar was wearing a “Free Palestine” pin at the conference.

At which point the press room erupted into great applause.

Would Almodovar entertain a thriller involving the current right wing state of the world? Why, yes.

“I want to discover a universe that’s different from my own. I would like to change direction and paths,” he said, “this is the last film about myself.

Bitter Christmas is a pair of parallel stories about a successful writer-director who is experiencing creative block, and a group of people 22 years earlier who may or not figure into his latest screenplay. The present-day story set in the summer revolves around filmmaker Raúl Rossetti (Leonardo Sbaraglia), who is in a deep funk, unable to again find the mojo that made him a success. The second story revolves around another filmmaker, Elsa (Bárbara Lennie), who had directed a couple of feature flops and is instead now using her talents in advertising and commercials. The pic received a seven minute standing ovation at its world premiere last night.

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DreamLab Films Boards Satirical Iranian TIFF Title ‘Head to Head’

Published

8 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: DreamLab Films has boarded sales on satirical Iranian picture Head to Head (Sar beh Sar) about a film production in which the male cast members are subjected to the strict dress rules applied to women in Iran, ahead of its world premiere at TIFF.

Blending dark comedy with sharp social observation, the Iran-Germany co-production marks Ghasideh Golmakani’s first feature after a string of internationally screened short films exploring gender, power and social taboos in Iran.

Set in contemporary Iran, Head to Head follows an acclaimed female writer-director who makes the radical choice to require men to wear skirts and headscarves for her latest film. As the men struggle with heat, restrictions, and wounded pride, tension swells and Bahar’s hopes for success are met with growing resistance.

The film stars Mehrnoosh Satari, Saeed Naderi, Ebrahim Azizi (It Was Just an Accident), Amir Hajimohammadi, Elaheh Farazmand and Lili Farhadpour (My Favorite Cake).

Golmakani also wrote and produced the feature, with David M. Lorenz serving as associate producer and Saba M. Rezaei as executive producer. Cinematography is by Amin Jafari, sound design by Alireza Alavian, production design by Melody Esmaeili and original music by Yoones Eskandari.

The director, who holds a PhD from the Sorbonne on Iranian women filmmakers before and after the Revolution, said the film grew out of years of reflecting on the place of women in Iranian cinema.

“Head to Head is rooted in years of observing the challenges women face in Iranian cinema. It is not only a reflection on the situation experienced by women, but also an invitation to male colleagues to reflect on what women have had and still have to endure in order to continue existing on the cinema screen,” she said

Paris-based DreamLab Films is handling worldwide sales and festival strategy.

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‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’s Historic ITV Run Extends To Seventh Season

Published

14 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: Sorry, I Didn’t Know is again extending its record-breaking run on ITV, and this time it appears to have set another high bar.

The British comedy panel show has been renewed for a seventh season, a decade after UK commercial network ITV first commissioned it from TriForce Productions. The re-order extends Sorry, I Didn’t Know‘s record as the longest-running show from a Black-led production company.

Reps for the show say today’s news means it has now also broken the record for the longest-running Black TV show in British history, passing classic Channel 4 sitcom Desmond’s, which ran for six seasons between 1989 and 1994, and BBC Two’s The Real McCoy, which ran on BBC Two between 1991 and 1996 for five seasons and a special ‘Best of’ clip series. Verifying such records is complicated, but both ITV and TriForce are certain it is the case.

Host Chizzy Akudolu will return for Season 7, which will hit screens later this year on ITV1 and streamer ITV. Team captains Richard Blackwood and Eddie Kadi will also return. The show sees Blackwood, Kadi and guests compete in a quiz on Black history. Akudolu was initially a team captain, but replaced Jimmy Akingbola as host for the sixth season.

Filming is taking place this summer in front of a live studio audience in London. Previous guest talent includes Adjoa Andoh, Susan Wokoma, Munya Chawawa, Stephen K Amos, Marcus Brigstocke, Angellica Bell, Richie Anderson, Oti Mabuse, Jordan Stephens, JB Gill, Babatunde Aléshé, Colin Jackson, Seann Walshe and Jamelia. No word on talent for Season 7 just yet.

“We’re so excited Chizzy is taking her place again as queen of the show,” said Fraser Ayers, exec producer for TriForce. “At 10 years and the seventh season, it’s an incredibly special one, and having been in every episode since the pilot in 2016 she’s the perfect host to shepherd us into this next chapter.

“With lots of surprises planned for this series, it’s going to be a special one. We thank ITV for the support they give us to keep making this ground-breaking show, as it seems like a little bit of knowledge, and a lot of laughs, is needed now more than ever.”

The Season 7 order came from ITV’s Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe and Entertainment Commissioner Gemma John-Lewis. Ayres, Minnie Ayres and Akingbola exec produce for TriForce. The series editor is Delia Williams.

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Keke Palmer, Jacob Tremblay, Jeremy Irons Projects Set for TIFF Market

Published

20 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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TIFF on Monday unveiled its selection for its first-ever international financing and project market.

Among the highlights is an animated feature with an all-star voice cast, including Keke Palmer, Alan Cumming, Common, and Regina Hall attached; a collaboration between acclaimed Indian-Canadian director Deepa Mehta (Fire, Earth, Water) and Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons; and a drama headlined by Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin (CODA, Children of a Lesser God) and Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder).

The lineup also boasts a new documentary featuring Booker Prize winner Marlon James (Underground Railroad) and a host of projects from Toronto Film Fest alums, including filmmakers Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Shasha Nakhai, Karen Chapman, Darlene Naponse, and Tyler Hagan.

The 51 projects — 40 features, six series, and five innovative or immersive works — all looking for production and financing partners, will be presented at the inaugural TIFF industry market.

“The projects, the award-winning talent, and the enthusiasm amongst key decision makers all reflect the emphasis we’ve placed on closing the loop between the ideas and the investments that fuel our global industry,” said the head of the TIFF market, Charles Tremblay. “When projects find the right champions, opportunities become reality and exceptional stories continue to be developed, financed, produced, and shared with audiences across the globe.”

The projects represent a cross-section of genres, from dramas and documentaries to animation, with a global reach, featuring producers from Canada to Australia, Brazil to India, the U.S. to Zimbabwe.

After years of informal dealmaking in Toronto, TIFF will launch its first fully fledged content market at next month’s event. TIFF: The Market runs alongside the festival from Sept. 10-16.