International Film Festival of India opens in Goa
The 47th International Film Festival of India is underway in Goa and will run for the next eight days. During that time more than 300 films, including four world premieres, six international premieres, 26 Asian premieres and 104 Indian premieres will be screened. South Korea will be the focus country for the event this year, with a special package of films scheduled to be screened. IFFI honoured South Korean film director and writer Im Kwon Taek with the prestigious lifetime achievement award and veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam was declared Indian Film Personality of the Year. At the event, Taek expressed he’s a fan of some well-known Bollywood actors and iconic home-grown films. “I like Shah Rukh Khan,” Taek told reporters in Goa. “Regarded by many as the father of the Korean cinema, Taek’s career has spanned five decades, during which time he has directed more than 100 films. The 80-year-old said he looked forward to collaborating with Indian filmmakers, revealing that some genres of his movies already had their roots in the country. “I get inspired by Indian thought when I make films on Buddha and Buddhism,” he said. — IANS
Fantastic Beasts debuts to $75 million
The movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them dominated the weekend box office taking $75 million (Dh275 million). Warner Bros has also confirmed that will back five instalments of the fantasy series as part of a new cinematic franchise. The film is a spin-off of the Harry Potter films, but instead of Hogwarts, it unfolds in 1920s New York City and features an entirely new cast of wizards and mythical creatures. The studio spent $180 million to make the picture, enlisting Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling to write the screenplay and bringing back David Yates, the director of several previous boy wizard outings. Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, a textbook writer and collector of the titular beasts. — Reuters
Shonda Rhimes to receive special Emmys award
Television producer Shonda Rhimes didn't get the president she wanted in the recent United States election, but she'll be receiving a special honour from the president she created at the International Emmy Awards Gala. Star of ABC's Scandal, Tony Goldwyn — who plays President Fitzgerald Grant in the drama — will present the honorary International Emmy Founders Award to Rhimes tonight (Monday, November 21) in New York. Rhimes produced the short video biopic shown at the Democratic National Convention in July before Hillary Clinton took the stage to accept the party's presidential nomination. Besides Scandal, she is also the writer, executive producer and creator of hit series including Grey's Anatomy. — AP
Rajinikant heralds 2.o film as iconic for industry
Indian actor Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, known by his mononymous stage name Rajinikant believes that his upcoming Tamil science-fiction movie 2.o will be a landmark one for the industry. “I enjoyed working on this film — this subject is very unique.” he said “This is not just a prestigious picture for the producers, director or the unit, but it’s one for the whole of Indian cinema.” Akshay Kumar plays 2.o’s antagonist — a scientist called Richard who turns into a Crow Man after an experiment goes awry. The movie also stars Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey and Adil Hussain. The film will be shot in 3D and is slated for a Diwali release date in 2017. — IANS
