WALKING AND TALKING

“Ladies of My Billion (WOMB),” a documentary produced by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, will play on Prime Video from Might 3. Directed by Ajitesh Sharma, “WOMB” follows the journey of Srishti Bakshi, as she launched into a strolling pilgrimage from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, India, spanning 3,800 kms (2,360 miles) over 240 days, with a mission to seek out and share tales about ladies, their struggles, goals, rights, and their wins, in opposition to all odds.

“Ladies have borne the brunt of gender bias for a lot too lengthy, enduring a silent battle in opposition to entrenched social injustices that search to suppress their voices. With ‘WOMB’, the intention is to transcend these struggles – to be a beacon of hope,” mentioned Chopra Jonas. “’WOMB’ is just not merely an outline of ache and struggling, however a rallying cry and name for solidarity and motion. We hope this movie takes us a step nearer to a world the place each lady is appreciated, honored, and empowered to soar.”

The documentary is produced by Chopra Jonas below her Purple Pebble Footage label and by Apoorva Bakshi’s Awedacious Originals.

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Ricky Ow, one of many greatest names in Asian tv has joined the board of Singapore-based streamer Viddsee.

Ow, has a profession that spans profitable stints WarnerMedia, Turner and Sony Footage. “He brings to Viddsee a deep understanding of the media panorama, notably in areas of market improvement, content material manufacturing and IP funding,” the corporate mentioned.

Viddsee “has developed from a platform primarily centered on showcasing quick type content material with a community of storytellers, to inserting a stronger emphasis on the manufacturing of award-winning unique content material and expansive model campaigns. This pivot leverages its community of over 5,000 creators to not solely develop in measurement but additionally improve the standard and scope of its content material choices,” the corporate defined. Ow shall be anticipated to information Viddsee in driving new initiatives below Candee Labs, its enterprise into the Web3 and AI house.

Multi-award profitable Filipina actress Ruby Ruiz has landed her first main display screen function following her look in Amazon’s “Expats.” She is going to lead “First Gentle,” the characteristic directorial debut of James. J. Robinson.

Principal pictures is now underway on the Australian-Fiipino co-production, which comes with funding from Display Australia. Veteran actress Maricel Soriano (“Mom Nanny”), Rez Cortez (“Bukal”), Soliman Cruz (“Blue Room”) and Kidlat Tahimik spherical out the solid. 

Set within the distant mountains of the Philippines, “First Gentle” sees the demise of a younger development employee pressure an aged nun to confront the muddied ethics of an establishment she has devoted her life to. The script, additionally by Robinson, is a deeply private story exploring the intersection of responsibility, religion and institutional energy. 

“Creating ‘First Gentle’ over the previous two years has been an extremely profound journey into the center of pre-colonial Filipino philosophy,” Robinson mentioned. “To have the ability to inform a narrative by bringing collectively artists from Australia and Philippines, and witness this cultural change in actual time, can be one of the enlightening experiences of my life; and displays a deeper journey inside myself to outline my identification and ancestry as a mixed-race artist.”

Supported by Display Australia in affiliation with the Movie Growth Council of the Philippines, Clou Media Productions, the Melbourne Worldwide Movie Pageant Premiere Fund and VicScreen, “First Gentle” is produced by Gabrielle Pearson by her outfit Majella Productions alongside Christelle Dychangco from Clou Media Productions and Jane Pe Aguirre (“A Prayer Earlier than Daybreak”), one of many Philippines’ most revered and longest working producers. GoodThing Productions’ Nick Batzias and Virginia Whitwell (“Nitram,” “The Australian Dream”) function govt producers. 

“For our first official characteristic manufacturing beneath the Majella umbrella, studying in regards to the intersection between Filipino and Australian strategies of working has been one of many myriad gems of doing a world co-production,” Pearson mentioned. “In a way forward for globalist filmmaking, realizing the ways in which disparate cultures throughout the globe can uncover the universality of their experiences additional treads the pathway towards inclusive filmmaking, whereas providing complicated perception into the deeper human situation.”

Impartial Leisure have boarded the movie and can deal with world gross sales, excluding Australia and New Zealand, the place Bonsai Movies will distribute the movie theatrically.

Robinson is a celebrated Filipino-Australian artist with an expansive profession in pictures and filmmaking. His work has frequently appeared in publications equivalent to The New York Instances and Vogue Australia, the place he has photographed a few of the world’s greatest names together with Kylie Jenner, Sydney Sweeney, Rose Byrne and Harris Dickinson. His Filipino brief documentary “Inang Maynila” was acquired by Nowness and screened on the Brooklyn Movie Pageant in 2022, whereas his earlier brief “No Reception” was a part of the 2018 TIFF x Instagram Shorts program in 2018.

“‘First Gentle’ is a charming mix of Filipino and Australian creativity, delving into themes of mortality, religion and self-discovery,” mentioned Display Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon. “With common resonance, this movie guarantees an attractive journey for audiences.”  

Rachel Stavis, billed because the “Hollywood Exorcist,” is channeling her creativity for a lot of upcoming scripted tasks.

Stavis is an writer and filmmaker whose day job — as a “non-denominational exorcist on a mission to create international change by eradicating darkness from one individual or place at a time,” per her bio – has put her within the make use of of studio chiefs, film stars and international political figures.

Stavis’ work ranges from the private and therapeutic to paranormal investigations, and content material makers are taking discover. Stavis is at present within the casting section for her characteristic directorial debut “Da Wee Do Wa,” for which she additionally wrote the script. The movie explores generational trauma suffered by ladies within the context of physique horror. XYZ Movies is within the combine to supply the mission. V, previously generally known as Eve Ensler, is on board as an government producer. Acclaimed multi-hyphenate and “Higher Issues” creator Pamela Adlon can also be connected as an EP.

V, who created the landmark theater piece “The Vagina Monologues,” referred to as Stavis’ movie “an intense and splendidly written exploration into generational trauma and gaslighting – two types of abuse that so many individuals are dealing with proper now. Telling this story via the lens of horror is a robust approach to handle essential points and spark significant conversations, so I’m thrilled to collaborate in bringing these themes to mild in a nuanced and unconventional approach.”

Along with the movie, Stavis has partnered with prolific writer-producer Glen Mazarra (“The Defend,” The Strolling Lifeless”) on a sequence adaptation of her personal memoir, “Sister of Darkness: The Chronicles of a Trendy Exorcist.”

Revealed by HarperCollins in 2018, the e-book covers Stavis’ early life in discovering her presents and revisits circumstances that put her and her shoppers in peril. Mazarra referred to as Stavis “an unbelievable individual with an enchanting story, one we’re excited to discover as a TV sequence. She’s modified how I see the world.”

Present enterprise has been enamored with exorcism for many years, particularly lately as Common rebooted “The Exorcist” franchise and an unusually robust efficiency from Russell Crowe’s 2023 movie “The Pope’s Exorcist.”

Reps for Stavis have additionally been purchasing journals from the writer surrounding her most terrifying gig – a 2019 incident involving a constructing referred to as The Rosewood Inn. The property’s new proprietor reached out to Stavis noting quite a few uncommon occurrences: a number of staff had reported unusual noises, screams and visions; a development foreman fell right into a coma and finally died. An investigation revealed a string of mysterious deaths on web site years prior.

Stavis is repped by CAA and Kailey Marsh at Brillstein Leisure.

SPOILER ALERT: Don’t learn forward you probably have not watched Season 11, Episode 8 of “The Masked Singer,” “Lady Group Night time,” which aired April 24 on Fox.

Jenifer Lewis spent a yr recovering from a devastating 10-foot fall whereas on safari in Tanzania. It was whereas she was nonetheless in mattress, convalescing, that she received a name from “The Masked Singer.” “I nonetheless couldn’t stroll,” she instructed Selection. “And my mates inspired me to get away from bed and go do what I like to do. ‘You’ll be in entrance of a reside viewers, you’ll be singing, you’ll be in a masks, however you’ll nonetheless be doing what you actually like to do, which is to entertain.’”

“The Masked Singer” revealed on Wednesday evening’s version that “Black-ish” star Lewis was Group B’s “Miss Cleocatra.” Lewis was unmasked after performing “Free Your Thoughts,” by En Vogue, and earlier than that, “Stormy Climate,” by Etta James.

Lewis mentioned the present accommodated her limitations on stage. “They bolted me to the ground in a harness after I sang ‘Stormy Climate,’ and after I sang the En Vogue track, the mic was bolted. You’ll see, I by no means let go of it as a result of I couldn’t stroll. But it surely did carry my spirit to stand up and do ‘The Masked Singer.’ It was the most effective resolution I made.”

Lewis got here up with the thought of being a Cleopatra-like character, “as a result of I knew they might carry me out on the stage. They may sit me on the throne, and the muscle males may escort me round.”

However, as a result of she was nonetheless in a little bit of ache, “I used to be nonetheless on a bit of morphine. So when you look carefully, after I’m on that throne, you’ll see a bit of nodding off up there,” Lewis mentioned. “I used to be so stoned strolling round!”

Lewis mentioned she has improved tremendously in latest months. “I’m doing nice,” she mentioned. “Folks ask me, ‘On a scale of 1 to 10, how are you doing?’ I’m a 9 and a half. I wish to inform the children whenever you fall, nonetheless you fall, stand up. Stand up. That’s all we received.”

For Miss Cleocatra, Ken Jeong received it proper with Jenifer Lewis. Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg named Loretta Devine. Rita Ora guessed Roberta Flack. Robin Thicke went with Loretta Devine as effectively.

Lewis was unveiled on Wednesday as Miss Cleocatra, after a smackdown with the opposite lowest vote-getter, the Seal. The duo confronted off in a smackdown, every performing their very own model of “Waterfalls,” by TLC. Seal will return subsequent week for the Group B finals.

It  was “Lady Teams Night time,” and the panel opened by singing “Wannabe” by the Spice Ladies.

Jenifer Lewis as Miss Cleocatra joins Kate Flannery (Starfish), Charlie Wilson (Ugly Sweater), DeMarcus Ware (Koala), Colton Underwood (Love Chicken), Sisqó (Lizard), Billy Bush (Sir Lion), Joe Bastianich (Spaghetti & Meatballs), Savannah Chrisley (Afghan Hound) and Kevin Hart (Ebook) because the celebrities unmasked on “The Masked Singer” this season.

Again for Season 11 are host Nick Cannon, alongside panelists Jenny McCarthy Wahlberg, Ken Jeong and Robin Thicke, whereas Rita Ora has joined the desk to fill in for Nicole Scherzinger, who was in London to star on the West Finish’s “Sundown Boulevard.”

“The Masked Singer” Season 11 options themed episodes together with “The Wizard of Oz,” in celebration of the eighty fifth anniversary of the basic movie; “Transformers” (marking the model’s fortieth anniversary) and music tributes together with “Billy Joel Night time” and “Queen Night time.” Extra themes embrace “Lady Teams,” “Soundtrack of My Life,” “TV Theme Night time” and “Bathe Anthems.”

With sixteen whole movie star singers, together with three “wildcards,” Season 11 options new costumes together with “Gumball,” “Lizard,” “Ugly Sweater,” “Goldfish,” “Starfish,” “Ebook,” “Gumball,” “Miss Cleocatra,” “Afghan Hound,” “Beets,” “Poodle Moth,” “Clock,” “Spaghetti & Meatballs,” “Lizard,” “Koala,” “Seal” and “Sir Lion.” In line with the present, the Season 11 contestants boast a mixed 22 Grammy nominations, 11 platinum albums, 33 Teen Selection nominations, 108 million data offered, 326 movie appearances and 1.7 billion Spotify streams.

Subsequent week, we’ll discover out which Group B winner faces off in opposition to Group A winner Goldfish and Group C’s Poodle Moth and Clock for the quarter finals.

Right here have been the Group B performances on Wednesday’s Episode 8, “Lady Group Night time”:

Gumball

Tune: “Broad Open Areas,” by the Chicks

Panel guesses: Aaron Taylor Johnson, Derek Hough, Taran Killam

Clue: Delivered by Carnie Wilson, singing “Don’t Cha.” “Don’t you want you may have starred with Channing Tatum like me?”

Bundle voiceover: “You all received my coronary heart beating final time with your entire love. And the final smackdown, that was depraved enjoyable. It’s thrilling to carry out on woman group evening as a result of there’s truly one woman who’s been singing lead in my life for years. My spouse. I nonetheless keep in mind the evening that I met her. An angel from throughout the room. I knew proper then and there I’d spend the remainder of my life along with her. And the whole lot was good. Till she was recognized with a illness that will affect her later in life. Instantly, the eternally that we have been planning regarded very completely different, and we had a choice to make. We may let what was on the horizon outline us, or we may select to be current every second. To say sure extra and discover all the broad open areas on the market. Tonight, I’m singing one in every of her favourite songs, only for her.”

Earlier track: “If I Solely Had a Coronary heart,” by Jack Haley

Earlier panel guesses: Chace Crawford, Kevin Jonas, Jamie Dornan

Beets

Tune: “I’m So Excited,” by the Pointer Sisters

Panel guesses: Brooks and Dunn; Titus Burgess and Alan Cumming; Zach Braff and Donald Faison

Clue: Delivered by Raven-Symoné, singing “Weak.” “We made our viewers weak within the knees on Broadway.”

Bundle voiceover: “Final time, we actually introduced it dwelling. So the strain’s on to pay homage to the women tonight. Like the most effective woman teams on the market, we each convey our personal spice. I used to be the full girls man. [And I was the tough guy.] Two guys who couldn’t be any extra completely different. However we didn’t attempt to outdo one another. As an alternative, like a very good woman group, we teamed up. [It was our organic friendship that made us a delicious duo and kept us on the menus nationwide.] Yeah, we’re nonetheless touring, hitting the city. [We’d be so excited to make it to the Group B finale. And tonight is the night that we’re going to make it happen.]”

Earlier track: “House,” by Michael Bublé

Earlier panel guesses: Will Arnett and Jason Bateman; Ok-Ci and Jojo; Steve Martin and Martin Brief

Miss Cleocatra

Tune: “Free Your Thoughts,” by En Vogue

Panel guesses: Roberta Flack, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis

Clue: Delivered by Carnie Wilson, singing “Cease! Within the Title of Love.” “The Supremes aren’t simply on my playlist. They’re part of my profession.”

Bundle voiceover: “I actually precipitated a storm final time. I used to be the cat’s meow! I’m thrilled to be right here tonight to champion fierce woman teams. You recognize I had my very own gang of nice ladies who formed me. Beginning with my very own mom. She was a maid, so I didn’t need to be. However the most effective reward I ever received from her was her work ethic. It made me the toughest hustler in Tinseltown. Now, all of the brightest starst look to me, together with Michelle Obama and her mom. I’m most pleased with the little princesses who see me as their queen. I need them to know in the event that they wish to be supreme, free your thoughts and work tougher than anybody else. And thanks Ma, for exhibiting me that!”

Earlier track: “Stormy Climate,” by Etta James

Earlier panel guesses: Taraji P. Henson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine

Seal (WILDCARD)

Tune: “Maintain On,” by Wilson Phillips

Panel guesses: Haley Joel Osment, Corey Feldman, Sean Astin

Clue: Delivered by Raven-Symoné, singing “Bo$$.” “Properly, you realize, it’s straightforward to be assured when you’ve gotten a boss like Steven Spielberg.”

Bundle voiceover: “For 1000’s of years, it was buried within the ice. Ready for the proper time to strike. Beware, the seal. Hey guys, what’s all of the fuzz about? Similar to the seal, I’m cute, cuddly and pleasant. It will make sense that I’m the wildcard, as a result of I used to be mistakingly perceived as a wild youngster. You solely know me out of your screens, radios or posters tacked as much as your partitions. And I’m so excited to be right here on woman teams evening, as a result of I used to be in one of the crucial well-known teams on this planet. And now, I’ll get your seal of approval, with a lady group anthem from some Masked Singer alums.”

Final season’s performers included Ne-Yo as Cow, John Schneider as Donut, Macy Grey as Sea Queen and Janel Parrish as Gazelle be part of John Oates as Anteater, Keyshia Cole as Candelabra, Sebastian Bach as Tiki, Ginuwine as Husky, Ashley Parker Angel as S’extra, Metta World Peace as Cuddle Monster, Luann de Lesseps as Hibiscus, Tyler Posey as Hawk, Billie Jean King as Royal Hen, Michael Rapaport as Pickle, Tom Sandoval as Diver, Anthony Anderson as Rubber Ducky and one-time particular visitor Demi Lovato as Anonymouse.

Fox Various Leisure is behind “The Masked Singer,” which is exec produced by showrunner James Breen, Craig Plestis, and Nick Cannon. The collection relies on the South Korean format created by Mun Hwa Broadcasting Corp.

Korean comedy motion movie “The Roundup: Punishment” destroyed all competitors in native theaters on its Wednesday opening day.

The movie earned $4.92 million from 821,000 ticket gross sales, in keeping with knowledge from Kobis, the monitoring service operated by the Korean Movie Council (Kofic). That represented a crushing 97% share of the day’s theatrical market.

Together with a smattering of previews over the newest weekend, the movie completed Wednesday with a cumulative of $5.26 million earned from 862,000 spectators.

Earlier, it was reported that the movie had damaged the Korean file for superior ticket gross sales. On the eve of its arrival in cinemas, the movie had notched up 830,000 pre-sales for Wednesday and different subsequent days. That comfortably exceeded earlier record-holder “Alongside With the Gods: The Final 49 Days,” which pre-sold 646,000 tickets in 2018, and final yr’s “The Roundup: No Manner Out,” which pre-sold 640,000 earlier than arriving in cinemas.

The movie, which sees a tough-guy cop go after gangsters concerned in medicine, cryptocurrencies and on-line playing, is directed by Heo Myeong-haeng and it co-stars Kim Moo-yeol and Lee Dong-hwi. It’s the fourth movie in a franchise which kicked off in 2017 with “The Outlaws” and was adopted by “The Roundup” in 2022 and “The Roundup: No Manner Out” in 2023.

Don Lee, who additionally goes by the identify Ma Dong-seok, is the star of the movie and the genius behind the franchise. He takes credit as planner, producer and co-screenwriter.

On the Berlin Movie Competition, the place “Punishment” had its world premiere in February, Lee instructed Selection that the franchise is predicated on real-world police instances and that he intends the movie collection to run to eight instalments.

Selection’s assessment of the brand new title waxed lyrical concerning the franchise’s evolution and the newest movie’s purity. “[It] minimizes pointless originality, whereas gloriously maximizing the alternatives for Lee to crack sensible, or look aggrieved and a bit bored, as if he’s simply remembered he must do laundry, all whereas his meaty forearms land a flurry of sledgehammer punches so fast their recipients, usually fairly actually, have no idea what hit them. This, actually, is cinema,” mentioned critic Jessica Kiang.