Berlin Golden Bear Winner ‘Dreams' Scores Further Sales in Australia, Mexico, South Korea and More (EXCLUSIVE)
Berlin sales outfit M-Appeal has sealed further deals for Norwegian director Dag Johan Haugerud's Berlinale Golden Bear winner 'Dreams,' as well as additional sales for 'Sex' and 'Love,' the other films in the director's trilogy.
'Dreams' follows Johanne, a young woman who documents her first love — an infatuation with her teacher — through intimate writing. When her mother and grandmother discover her work, their initial shock turns to recognition of its literary merit. As they weigh publishing it, Johanne is forced to reconcile fantasy with reality, while all three women explore their differing perspectives on love, sexuality and self-discovery.
More from Variety
'Queerpanorama' Sells to North America and Other Key Territories Following Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)
Berlinale Award Winner 'Little Trouble Girls' Sells in North America, U.K. and Ireland and More (EXCLUSIVE)
Berlinale Prizewinning 'We Believe You,' a Belgian Family Custody Drama, Lures Buyers for the Party Film Sales (EXCLUSIVE)
Vendetta Films has acquired the trilogy for Australia and New Zealand. 'We fell in love with 'Dreams' and we think this unique and mystery-filled spin on the age-old tale of a student falling for their teacher is perfect for modern audiences. We're so excited to bring Dag Johan Haugerud's trilogy to screens across Australia and New Zealand,' Jill Macnab, general manager of Vendetta Films, told Variety.
In Mexico, the trilogy will be released by Cinemas Nueva Era, and Edko Films has picked up the trilogy for Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong International Film Festival in April, where 'Dreams' will screen as the closing film. Ukraine's SVOEkino has also acquired the trilogy.
South Korea's JINJIN Pictures, which previously acquired 'Sex,' the trilogy's first installment, has now picked up 'Love' and 'Dreams' to complete the set.
In Singapore, the trilogy has been acquired by Anticipate Pictures, whose recent releases include 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' and 'Anatomy of a Fall.' The three films will be released in the second half of 2025. 'Whimsical yet incisive, this trilogy introduces fresh concepts of love, sex and dreams in ways that will surprise and stimulate our Singapore audience,' Vincent Quek, founder of Anticipate Pictures, said.
Further new sales for 'Dreams' include Cineplex, covering Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Peru, and Falcon Pictures, which has acquired 'Dreams' and 'Love' for Indonesia.
All distributors will release the films theatrically.
'We are delighted to have secured such strong theatrical partnerships for the film,' said Maren Kroymann, managing director of M-Appeal. 'It's incredibly rewarding to see our team's efforts and the long-term strategy we've developed over the past year for the trilogy come to fruition.'
The 'Sex Love Dreams' trilogy was produced by Yngve Sæther and Hege Hauff Hvattum for Motlys. The films were supported by the Norwegian Film Institute, Nordic Film and TV Fund, and the promotion activities for the trilogy were supported by MEDIA funding from the European Union.
Previously announced deals for 'Dreams' include North America (Strand Releasing), France (Pyramide), Germany and Austria (Alamode), U.K. (Modern Films), Portugal (Films4You), Taiwan (Swallow Wings), Japan (Bitters End) and Bulgaria (Beta Films).
Best of Variety
The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Oscars 2026: First Blind Predictions Including Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, 'Wicked: For Good' and More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: 'A Supremely Talented Actor'
Hollywood is paying tribute to Loretta Swit after news of her death was announced Friday. According to a police report, the M*A*S*H star died of suspected natural causes at her home in New York City, her publicist, Harlan Boll, announced. More from The Hollywood Reporter Renée Victor, Voice of Abuelita in 'Coco,' Dies at 86 Devin Harjes, 'Boardwalk Empire,' 'Daredevil' and 'Gotham' Actor, Dies at 41 Sherry Robb, Literary Agent, Talent Manager and Producer, Dies at 81 Swit appeared in all but 11 episodes of M*A*S*H during its 11-season run, earning two Emmys for her portrayal of Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan. Notably, she was nominated for 10 Emmys, one for every season she appeared in except season one. After her tenure in the medical war drama, she went on to star in several films, including Freebie and the Bean (1974), Race With the Devil (1975), S.O.B. (1981) and BoardHeads (1998). Alan Alda, Swit's longtime M*A*S*H co-star, paid tribute to her on X. 'Loretta was a supremely talented actor. She deserved all her 10 EMMY nominations and her 2 wins. But more than acting her part, she created it,' he wrote on Friday. 'She worked hard in showing the writing staff how they could turn the character from a one joke sexist stereotype into a real person — with real feelings and ambitions. We celebrated the day the script came out, listing her character not as Hot Lips but as Margaret. Loretta made the most of her time here.' Mike Farrell, who joined the series in season four, shared a photo of the late actress on Instagram, writing, 'Loretta… 1937-2025.' In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Jamie Farr, who portrayed Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger in M*A*S*H, said, 'Our dear Loretta was so talented, beautiful and an exceptional friend. There is a void in my life now and I shall always have a very special place for her in my heart. May her memory be eternal.' Also in a statement to THR, Journey Gunderson, the executive director of the National Comedy Center, said, 'Loretta Swit's portrayal of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan was groundbreaking – bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy's most enduring roles. Her talent extended well beyond that iconic character, with acclaimed work on both stage and screen that showcased her intelligence, versatility, and passion. That legacy endures through the cultural impact of MASH, which is proudly represented in the National Comedy Center.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Diddy's Ex-Girlfriend Cries in Court Alleging 3-Day Sex Sessions With Male Escorts That Made Her ‘Feel Disgusting'
A woman who dated Sean 'Diddy' Combs from January 2021 to August 2024 broke down in tears on the witness stand at his criminal trial as she recounted enduring three-day sex sessions with male escorts that were allegedly arranged by Combs. Testifying under a pseudonym, 'Jane' said Combs pressured her into participating in these so-called 'hotel nights,' drug-fueled sexual performances that closely resemble the 'freak-offs' that Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura described. More from Variety Judge Scolds Diddy for 'Nodding Vigorously' to the Jury, Threatens to Remove Him From Courtroom Diddy Auditioned to Play James Brown in 'Get on Up,' Lost Part to Chadwick Boseman Donald Trump, Asked About Pardoning Diddy, Says 'I Would Certainly Look at the Facts' and That 'He Used to Really Like Me a Lot' Jane described one 'hotel night' that involved three rounds of sexual intercourse with one escort over the course of 18 hours. Immediately afterward, Combs allegedly left the hotel. Jane said she was 'so high' from ecstasy given to her by Combs and felt 'lonely.' Jane said 'hotel nights' became a weekly occasion during parts of her relationship with Combs. The longest 'hotel night' Jane remembers having lasted more than three days without sleep. She said the shortest of such encounters lasted 12 hours, and a typical 'hotel night' spanned 24 to 30 hours. Jane said she told Combs multiple times that she did not want to have sex with other men, and that he was 'dismissive' of her concerns. An audio recording from a hotel room in which Jane asked that an escort wear a condom was played in court. In the recording, Combs is heard brushing off Jane's request. Jane testified that on another occasion, Combs looked at her and said, 'You better not ask for a fucking condom' as an escort prepared to begin intercourse with her. Jane testified about one 'hotel night' that occurred on her birthday. She was eating at Nobu, having great one-on-one time with Combs, when he mentioned there would be 'entertainment' after dinner — a 'gulp moment' for Jane. They went to a hotel after the meal, where Combs gave Jane a necklace for her birthday. Then, an unfamiliar man entered the hotel suite. 'I just accepted it,' Jane said of the 'hotel nights.' The sexual routine became muscle memory for her. 'I've done so many of these, I just know how to tune out,' Jane said. 'I just put my thoughts away [and] tune into someone else. Somebody who can perform.' Through heavy cries, Jane described the alleged encounter as 'invasive.' 'I didn't want to do this on my birthday,' she said. After the escort finished, Combs and Jane moved to a different hotel suite, where Combs was 'sweet' and gave her another gift, alongside flowers, cake and balloons. She remembered another escort suddenly entering, and they had 'hours and hours' of sex. 'By the time he left, it was morning,' Jane said. She testified that Combs brought in a third escort immediately afterward. On one occasion, Jane testified, she performed a 'hotel night' without taking drugs. After having sex with two male escorts, she went to the bathroom and threw up. As a third escort entered the hotel room, she recalled Combs telling her, 'You'll feel better now that you've thrown up. Let's go.' In a text message from September 2023 that was read in court, Jane told Combs, 'I don't want to play this role in your life anymore … it's dark, sleazy and makes me feel disgusting.' Jane's testimony began on Thursday afternoon, when she told the jury that she met Combs while on a girls' trip in Miami in 2020. At the time, Combs was romantically involved with one of Jane's friends, and he invited them on a boat and to his house. She called him 'Ernie' and he called her 'Bert,' nicknames based on the 'Sesame Street' characters. Jane and Combs started a romantic relationship in January 2021, and Jane found him 'super charming,' 'passionate' and 'larger than life.' She told him that she had previously been in a relationship with one of his friends, and that she had a child with someone Combs disliked. A month later, Combs took Jane on a trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, when he allegedly gave her the drug ecstasy 10 times over the course of nine days. Over the next few months, they met up every other week and had lots of sex. She said Combs often gave her cash payments, sometimes up to $10,000, as a loving gesture. Things changed in May 2021, when Combs began opening up to Jane about his sexual fantasies. Early one morning, they had been up for 24 hours straight on ecstasy and MDMA, and they were having sex for nearly 15 hours while watching pornography. 'He really wanted me to fantasize or talk about other men,' Jane said. She recalled Combs saying, 'I can make this fantasy a reality,' and, within a couple of hours, he brought her to a hotel room that was being set up by assistants. Combs hired a male escort named Don to come to the hotel, and he had Jane dress up in lingerie and 'big stripper heels,' as she called them. Jane described being high on drugs as Combs instructed her to pour baby oil on Don and then perform oral sex on him. Things escalated, and soon enough Jane was undressing and having intercourse with Don. After he ejaculated, she had sex with Combs. Jane said this experience 'exhilarated' her because 'it was taboo.' 'I had a good time with my partner,' she said. But 'that night opened a Pandora's box in our relationship,' Jane said. 'It was a door I was unable to shut.' Soon, having sex with other men became 90% of her time spent with Combs, Jane said. These 'hotel nights' could involve multiple rounds of sex with male escorts and with Combs, and they could span up to 30 hours without sleep. Jane said she told Combs 'many times,' both in writing and verbally, that she did not want to have sex with other men, a concern that Combs allegedly brushed off. When Jane moved from the East Coast to Los Angeles in 2021, Combs paid her $10,000 rent. When she expressed hesitancy about his sexual preferences, Combs insinuated that they could break up and he would stop paying her rent, she testified. Thus, she said she felt 'obligated' to 'perform' for him. In the September 2023 text, Jane told Combs that she felt the 'hotel nights' were 'the only reason you have me around and pay for the house.' Earlier in the trial, Combs' longtime ex-girlfriend Ventura alleged that over the course of 11 years, Combs used violence and threats of blackmail to coerce her into 'freak-offs,' drug-fueled sex parties with male escorts that lasted days at a time. Combs is pleading not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence in prison. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Animated Program — Can Netflix Score Big With 'Arcane,' 'Devil May Cry' and the Final Season of 'Big Mouth?' What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lisa Kudrow Reveals Why She Might 'Avoid' Joining 'The White Lotus' Season 4
Lisa Kudrow revealed that she would love to work with Mike White during a conversation with Parker Posey for Variety's Actors on Actors series When Posey said Kudrow should join season 4 of The White Lotus, the Friends alum expressed hesitation for taking on a role that is "too dark" Kudrow also revealed that she might not be White's "cup of tea," but joked that she'd let Posey know if she was offered a partLisa Kudrow might've just landed her next role. The Friends alum, 61, sat down with Parker Posey for the June 6 episode of Variety's Actors on Actors series, where they reflected on their careers and opened up about recent projects. As they talked about Posey's fan-favorite role on season 3 of The White Lotus, she questioned if Kudrow would join the next installment of the iconic series. 'Work with Mike White?' Kudrow replied, naming the show's creator. 'Yes. That's a quick answer. I love Mike White.' Although her interactions with White have been limited to hanging out with him at a party, Kudrow revealed that she is also a big fan of his work. 'Brad's Status was my favorite movie of that year,' she said of the 2017 comedy, which White wrote, directed and acted in. 'I emailed him to let him know because I had to. It was so good, I had to, and I don't do that a lot.' 'Lisa, you should be in season 4 [of The White Lotus],' Posey, 56, chimed in. 'You need to be a part.' Gushing over her character Victoria Ratliff, a wealthy North Carolina wife and mother of three who is unaware that her husband's business is under investigation during their vacation in Thailand, added that Kudrow needs to experience the power of the show's writers as they uncover 'the complexity of people.' 'Well, we'll see,' Kudrow joked. 'I'm not asked, but I'll have to let you know.' When Posey highlighted White's unpredictable storylines, the No Good Deed star admitted that she 'might not be his cup of tea.' 'Which is allowed to happen,' she noted. 'But no, I'm a huge Mike White fan.' 'I know you're his cup of tea,' Posey interjected. 'I'm going to text him after this to ensure that you know that you are!' Still, Kudrow had some hesitation about how she would fit into the series. 'I do get nervous about inhabiting things that are too dark,' she confessed. 'I try to avoid that.' Variety confirmed that The White Lotus has been renewed for a fourth season in January 2025, a month before the premiere of season 3, which broke records with 6.2 million viewers tuning in for the finale in April. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The White Lotus is currently streaming on Max. Read the original article on People
