(Los Angeles, CA and Silver Spring, MD) – OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Discovery Networks International (DNI) today announced they have partnered to launch an OWN programming block in the United Kingdom. The multi-year deal will include programming from popular OWN series: OPRAH’S NEXT CHAPTER, OPRAH’S MASTER CLASS, OPRAH’S LIFECLASS, and SUPER SOUL SUNDAY. The programming block marks a drive to bring broad based general entertainment content to TLC and bring OWN content to DNI’s female flagship channels. The block will premiere on the TLC in the UK, and additional launches for the months ahead are currently being explored.

“We are so proud to build on the great success that we have had airing OPRAH’S NEXT CHAPTER with Lance Armstrong and Justin Bieber,? said Luis Silberwasser, Executive Vice President Chief Content Officer, DNI. “This is the next phase in showcasing the content that is like no other, the kind that only Oprah and her team at OWN can deliver. This is a real win for DNI, OWN, and most importantly, our viewers with the stars and celebrities that are featured across OWN programming. We are delighted to premiere this block in the UK on TLC at its launch.?

“OWN’s success in the U.S. has afforded us this opportunity to expand our programming internationally reaching Oprah’s dedicated fans around the world?” said Erik Logan, president, OWN. “We are seeing great demand for our series as we continue to build our worldwide audience. We’re thrilled to be able to continue the network’s momentum with this international expansion.?

OWN will continue its partnership with Passion Distribution to distribute other OWN programming internationally.

About the programs:

OPRAH’S NEXT CHAPTER: Viewers join Oprah for in-depth interviews with some of today’s biggest newsmakers and celebrities. The series has delivered some of the network’s highest ratings reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

OPRAH’S MASTER CLASS: Oprah uncovers the successes, failures and lessons of some of the most brilliant and famous people of our time, including Jay-Z, Simon Cowell, Diane Sawyer, Lorne Michaels, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Sidney Poitier, Dr. Maya Angelou – and even Oprah Winfrey herself.

OPRAH’S LIFECLASS: Taking the role of a teacher alongside handpicked experts, Oprah highlights the lessons and principles that guide her life.

SUPER SOUL SUNDAY: The multi-award winning series inspires viewers to become the best they can be and find a deep connection to the surrounding world. During this inspiring block of programming, Oprah sits down with top thinkers, visionaries and authors to discuss themes of happiness, spirituality and personal fulfillment. Notable guests include Elie Wiesel, Wayne Dyer, Gary Zukav, Debbie Ford, Marianne Williamson and Ram Dass.

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/oprah-winfrey-discovery-networks-intl-partner-to-launch-own-programming-block-in-the-uk

A feature film based on a 2010  Rio de Janeiro favela drug seige is currently in post-production, with HanWay now coming onboard to rep the film at Cannes to international buyers.

The short story goes… On November 25, 2010, the Special Ops Battalion (BOPE) together with the Brazilian Navy, invaded the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in Rio de Janeiro, to flush out drug barons.

The operation, which was part of the 2010 Rio de Janeiro Security Crisis, was the State responding to drug traffickers setting buses and other vehicles on fire using combustible fuels. These attacks occurred in various neighborhoods throughout the city of Rio de Janeiro. The coordinated gang attacks were in retaliation for the government setting up police units within various favelas around Rio, which led to the expulsion of assorted armed drug traffickers, who fled to other favelas.

Rio’s Public Security Chief, José Mariano Beltrame, backed by Rio’s Governor, sent an ultimatum to the criminals in hidding in the targeted favelas, to either surrender and put down their weapons, or face an invasion, which would likely end in violence and fatalities. The criminals refused to surrender and radioed threats to the military. Two days later, 3000 men invaded the Complexo do Alemão with rifles, battle tanks, and armored cars. Despite the criminals’ threats, the military force met with little resistance and took over the area within a few hours. After the invasion, an initial search was conducted, and tons of drugs (cocaine and marijuana) were found, as well as weapons, stolen cars, and motorcycles.

The film that is based on this real-life event it titled Rio Siege, and will chart the story of five policemen who are caught deep undercover when the Brazilian military storm favela Alemao to flush out drug barons.

Jose Eduardo Belmonte directs a cast that includes Antonio Fagundes, Caua Reymond, Caio Blat, Gabriel Braga Nunes and Otavio Muller, says ScreenDaily.

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/cannes-2013-film-based-on-2010-rio-de-janeiro-favela-alemao-drug-raid-in-production

Really the only Diaspora film screening in competition at the Cannes Film Festival this year, here’s your first look at footage from Chadian filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s follow-up to his critically-acclaimed drama Un Homme Qui Crie (aka A Screaming Man), titled Grisgris. 

The film centers on Grisgris, a 25 year old young man with dreams of becoming a dancer despite the fact that he’s paralyzed from the waist down. His dreams are shattered when his uncle falls seriously ill. To save him, he decides to go work for petrol traffickers.

Not quite the same father/son relationship theme that seems to run through Haroun’s work (see Abouna-2002, Daratt-2006, A Screaming Man-2010), but still very much in that similar relational vein. 

This may in no way be of any consequence to the narrative, but I learned that the term “Gris-gris” refers to an amulet that is believed to protect the wearer from evil or brings luck. 

The film stars Soulémane Démé, Mariam Monory, Cyril Guei, Anaïs Monory and Marius Yelolo (who’s worked with Haroun on at least 2 other past films).

Grisgris is produced by Florence Stern for Pili Films, with Chad’s Goï Goï Productions and Frances 3 Cinéma.

It make its world premiere at Cannes, in competition, and already has a France theatrical release date set for August 28, 2013.

Watch a first clip from the film below (NOTE: if it doesn’t play, click HERE instead):

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/cannes-2013-first-look-footage-from-mahamat-saleh-harouns-grisgris

Jerry Lamothe‘s feature film Amour Infinity – A Brooklyn Love Story, a moving tragic love story, celebrated its 13th anniversary screening of its debut last evening at MIST (My Image Studios) in Harlem. Curtis Ceasar John, who was present to host the event on behalf of ActNow Foundation, interviewed Lamothe for SA in this insightful piece HERE, which you should read if you haven’t.

Unbeknownst to me – last night was the first time of me seeing the film – Amour is something of an underground cult classic. And well deservedly so. I didn’t know what to expect, especially for a first film. I’ve seen plenty of those and it’s seldom that one comes across one as well crafted, directed and acted such as this one. It isn’t a perfect film; Lamothe told the audience at last night’s QA there are definitely some things he would change. However, like a diamond in the rough, somehow its perfect imperfection complement the overall beauty of the film; if that makes any sense. 

In Amour, Derek (Jerry Lamothe) is a single father dealing with the separation from the mother of his young son. To make matters worse, Jerry, who doesn’t have a car, was laid off from his job, events which ultimately catapult the break-up. Jerry insists on keeping temporary custody of his son with the assistance from his sister. On one fateful night when picking up his son from the hospital outside the wrong entrance (B not D), Jerry sees Amour (Jamie Burton-Oare), an old friend from High School, and after quickly reacquainting outside of the hospital, the two begin a courtship.

There’s some real honesty and vulnerability behind Lamothe’s script. I found myself going through gamut of emotions with these characters and going through the falling in-love process. And maybe it’s all part of the “infatuation trap” – when everything feels so right, a feeling way beyond physical attraction, in which you are building an instant connection, an intense friendship with someone who you could talk to for hours.

But, it’s not all about man/woman romance. The film also spends considerable time in the relationship with Jerry and his friends. There are films that definitely try too hard to be funny especially showcasing the camaraderie and chemistry between the “fellas”.  I was impressed with the clever scripting, direction, the acting and the natural flow of their conversations, which were truly funny.

Lamothe said that he wanted to show Jerry was a flawed character, and he didn’t want a happy ending. The ending was actually the first part written into the script; the filmmaker said he writes script scenes out of sequence. The latter wasn’t obvious and made no difference in the final product. In Amour, Jerry faces reuniting with the mother of his child for the sake of family. It’s a real dilemma; I’m sure many in the audience found themselves like myself: cringing during several scenes, disappointed at how – this is going to sound cliche, so put on that Boyz II Men – a love that seems to pure and real can go wrong.

Yet, the film isn’t cliched. Love doesn’t conquer all in the way you may expect, but there’s a profound lesson of love. If you haven’t seen the film, I don’t want to give it all away. There’s plenty more to chew on after the viewing of Amour Infinity (colorism, friendship, dealing with illness, family, true love etc.)

Amour Infinity is available on Amazon on demand and purchase; so if you haven’t seen it, go watch it, like, now.

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/thoughts-on-jerry-lamothes-impressive-film-debut-amour-infinity

A new season of Roomieloverfriends, the web series created by the Black Sexy TV team (aka Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier), and executive produced by Issa Rae (aka Awkward Black Girl) via her Issa Rae Productions. 

We here at SA totally love what these folks are doing within the web series space, building a strong library of work, giving audiences (especially black audiences) varied slices *our* varied experiences mostly ignored by the mainstream. 

So take advantage of their offerings. And even if this one doesn’t appeal to you specifically, there are others to choose from within the Black Sexy TV/Issa Rae family of works.

The very sexy and funny Roomieloverfriends stars Shayla Hale, Andra Fuller and Yaani King

.

Watch episode one of the new season (season 2) below:

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/watch-season-2-episode-1-of-roomieloverfriends-from-black-sexy-tv-issa-rae-prod

Today in history… May 19, 1925, Malcolm Little/Malcolm X/El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the 4th of 7 children, to Earl Little and Louise Norton.

Of course, I’m sure we all know of Spike Lee’s 1992 film based on the life of the man – a film that will rest among the nation’s treasures in the world’s largest archive of film, TV and sound recordings; just over a year ago, it was inducted for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. 

And by the way, it’s now officially on Blu-ray, finally released in that format last year. So you can pick up a copy if you haven’t yet.

You can also watch Orlando Bagwell’s 2 1/2 hour 1994 documentary, Malcolm X: Make It Plain, narrated by Alfre Woodard - a film that paints a comprehensive portrait of Malcolm X – hustler, visionary, husband and father, dynamic orator and, after spending time in prison, Minister Malcolm, the fiery, eloquent spokesman for the Nation of Islam; and finally as El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, internationally recognized leader and advocate for oppressed peoples – loved and despised, revered and feared… until he was assassinated at the young age of 39.

The entire 2 1/2 hour film is on YouTube, and I’ve embedded it below, so you can watch it in full, if you haven’t already. It’s a solid documentary and very well worth viewing, especially on his birthday, as well as a miserable “stay inside” weather day (in New York City anyway).

Here it is: 

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/malcolm-x-was-born-today-watch-orlando-bagwells-comprehensive-doc-malcolm-x-make-it-plain-now

Only in the film business can a movie make $84 million over the weekend and still be considered
a disappointment. But that’s what some people are saying about Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Since it opened Weds night, the film
has grossed that amount, which is about equal to what the
previous Star Trek reboot made, during its first weekend in 2009, adjusted for today dollars. There were originally
predictions of a $100 million weekend, but it fell short. Still $84 million is definitely nothing to sneeze at.

Iron
Man 3 has already passed the $1 billion mark worldwide which explains why Robert Downey is reportedly
asking for the moon from Marvel Productions
and Disney, to reprise the role again.

Meanwhile 42
keeps chugging along, still in the top ten, approaching $90 million. The film could just edge out $95 million by the time it drops out of the top ten.

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/weekend-bo-may-17-19-whats-a-disappointment

Via press release from ABC:

ABC’s “Scandal” Marks Most-Watched Telecast Ever and Spikes Over Last Season’s Finale

In its second season finale, ABC’s red-hot Scandal delivered the series most-watched telecast ever (up for the 3rd week in a row) and tied a series high in Adults 18-49 for the 2nd week running. The show also achieved new all-time highs across all key Women (W18-34/W18-49/W25-54). Scandal dominated the 10 o’clock hour, beating the second hour of CBS’ 2-hour Elementary finale by 68% in Adults 18-49 to finish as the #1 TV series in its slot on each of its last 16 first-run broadcasts. Scandal spiked over its year-ago first season finale in Total Viewers (+25%) and Adults 18-49 (+39%). Scandal built on its Grey’s Adult 18-49 lead-in for the 3rd time in 4 weeks.

Scandal Social Stats: Scandal once again topped Thursday night as the most social series with 571,353 tweets, which is its highest number this season. This is up +83% from the prior week, and Scandal has now delivered over 4.3 million tweets this season making it ABC’s most social program. As it has continually done this season, Scandal outperformed the American Idol Finale by +56% (366,061 tweets)

Article source: http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/abcs-scandal-marks-most-watched-telecast-ever-spikes-over-last-seasons-finale