Latest news with #NinePuzzles'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rekha, Muzaffar Ali's Indian Classic ‘Umrao Jaan' Returns in 4K Restoration
India's biggest multiplex chain PVR Inox is bringing Rekha and Muzaffar Ali's 1981 classic 'Umrao Jaan' back to the country's theaters in a 4K restoration beginning June 27. The film, starring Rekha in her Indian National Film Award-winning performance as a courtesan-poetess in 19th-century Lucknow, has been restored by the National Film Development Corporation-National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission. The restoration was supervised by director Ali himself, working from a 35mm release print preserved at the NFAI after original negatives proved too fragile. Ali is also releasing a limited-edition coffee table book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs and production materials. More from Variety 'Nine Puzzles' Becomes Disney+'s Most-Watched Korean Series of 2025 - Global Bulletin Diane Kruger Brings Beloved 'Bluey' Stories to German Audiences - Global Bulletin Disney+ Scores UEFA Women's Champions League Rights in Five-Year European Deal - Global Bulletin ''Umrao Jaan' was not just a film — it was a journey into the soul of a lost culture,' Ali reflected. Rekha added that the character 'lives within me, breathes through me, even now.' The re-release is part of PVR Inox's Timeless Classics initiative, celebrating landmark Indian cinema. Nippon TV has launched Gyokuro Studio in Tokyo and Nippon TV LA Business Office to accelerate international expansion. The Tokyo-based Gyokuro Studio, headed by Kenichiro Akiyama, aims to develop 10 unscripted titles annually, reaching 100 titles over 10 years through global co-creation with top talent and production houses. Meanwhile, Tom Miyauchi will lead the Los Angeles hub focusing on North American and LATAM content sales, IP distribution, and local production partnerships. The Japan entertainment powerhouse, which owns nearly 90% of its content IP and streaming giant Hulu Japan, seeks to build sustainable global presence beyond its Emmy-winning 'Dragons' Den'/'Shark Tank' format success. Award-winning Indian documentary 'Turtle Walker,' directed by Taira Malaney, will screen at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, June 9-13. The Tiger Baby and Emaho Films production, made with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, follows sea turtle conservationist Satish Bhaskar's journey along India's coastlines in the late 1970s. The film won the Grand Teton Award at Jackson Wild Media Awards and premiered at Doc NYC in November 2024. ''Turtle Walker' is a quintessential Indian story focused on the wildlife of our country,' said producer Zoya Akhtar. The international co-production aims to inspire marine conservation efforts globally. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in June 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Nine Puzzles' becomes Disney+'s most-watched Korean series of 2025 within 9 days after its global premiere
Disney+ has announced that its latest Korean drama 'Nine Puzzles' has become the platform's most-watched Korean series globally in 2025. The gripping crime thriller reached this milestone just nine days after its debut on May 21. Starring 'The Witch's Kim Dami as Yoon E-na, 'Nine Puzzles' follows the story of a young woman whose life was changed by a shocking murder. As a high school student, E-na discovered her uncle's lifeless body at home, with a strange puzzle piece lying next to him. With no memory of how she got there, and being the only witness, she quickly became the prime suspect. Ten years later, E-na has transformed into a skilled criminal profiler working for the Seoul Metropolitan Police. But the trauma of her uncle's unsolved case still haunts her. When a new string of murders emerges—each one marked by the same type of puzzle piece—E-na is pulled back into the past. She must now work alongside Detective Kim Han-saem, played by 'My Liberation Notes' Son Sukku, who originally led the investigation into her uncle's death and still quietly questions her innocence. Directed by Yoon Jongbin and written by Lee Eunmi, the show features a strong supporting cast including Kim Sungkyun and Hyun Bongsik. 'Nine Puzzles' joins a growing list of Korean titles on Disney+, such as 'Unmasked' and 'Hyper Knife'. Upcoming releases include 'Low Life', a treasure-hunting adventure starring Ryu Seungryong, and 'Tempest', an international thriller featuring Gang Dongwon and John Cho. Another K-drama that is all set to be streamed on Disney+ in the second half of the year is 'The Manipulated'. Starring Ji Changwook and Do Kyungsoo, the release date of this show is yet to be announced. The series has captivated audiences with its suspenseful plot, emotional depth, and standout performances—making it a standout hit in Disney+'s global line-up.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Korean Animation Business Gets $1 Billion Government Boost
The South Korean government is betting big on animation, unveiling a $1 billion investment strategy aimed at transforming its cartoon industry into a global powerhouse. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Thursday rolled out its 'Basic Plan for the Promotion of the Animation Industry,' a sweeping five-year initiative designed to address long-standing structural weaknesses in the Korean animation sector, including overreliance on preschool content, heavy dependence on traditional television broadcasts, and challenging production conditions, according to The Korea Herald. More from Variety Netflix's Tokyo Showcase Spotlights Korean Animation Push and Genre Diversification Korean Crime Thriller 'Nine Puzzles' Set at Disney+ Prime Video's Korean Rom-Com 'The Divorce Insurance' Stars Make the Case for Life After Heartbreak: 'Choices That We Make to Become Happier' Central to the strategy is a massive financial injection, beginning with a KRW200 billion ($140 million) animation fund launching this year that will expand to KRW1.5 trillion ($1 billion) by 2029. In a move designed to attract international players, the government will introduce cash rebates for co-productions that meet specific criteria and are primarily produced in Korea. The initiative emphasizes audience diversification, with targeted support for content appealing to young adults and older demographics. Streaming platforms and short-form video apps will receive special attention, as will cross-media adaptations with popular webtoons and web novels. The plan also promotes the creation of AI-powered spin-offs to extend the lifespan and value of intellectual property. Recent successes include 'Heartsping: Teenieping of Love,' which became the country's second-highest-grossing animated feature with 1.2 million admissions. Korea's animation history also includes notable hits like 'Leafie: A Hen Into the Wild' (2011), which remains the country's top-grossing animated film with 2.2 million viewers, and the 'Pororo the Little Penguin' franchise, which has produced 11 feature films. The government's international expansion strategy focuses on emerging Asian markets, with plans to establish joint pavilions at major animation markets in Greater China and Southeast Asia. Korean Cultural Centers and K-Content Business Centers will spearhead global marketing initiatives, while dedicated funding will support localization efforts including dubbing and subtitling. Recognizing technology's transformative potential, the plan outlines construction of an AI-powered ecosystem spanning production, distribution and startup incubation. Officials will develop Korean-style AI training datasets for video content and establish a Second Animation Promotion Committee with emerging media experts. New legislation is planned to support content involving virtual humans and short-form formats. The initiative includes comprehensive talent development, with training programs for animation planners, writers and AI-skilled video production professionals in partnership with universities. In 2023, the Korean animation industry recorded $764 million in revenue, marking a 23% increase from the previous year — surpassing the 2.1 percent growth of the overall content sector. The Culture Ministry aims to increase animation industry revenue to $1.3 billion and exports from $120 million in 2023 to $170 million by 2030. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Choose Your Words Wisely': Adviser To Trump's U.S. Attorney Nominee Ed Martin Warns Democratic Strategist Over MSNBC Appearance
An adviser to interim U.S. Attorney in Washington Ed Martin had a message for a Democratic strategist over a recent MSNBC appearance: 'Careful son. Choose your words wisely.' The message on X from Michael R. Caputo was to Andrew Bates, the former Biden White House deputy press secretary who now has his own political strategy firm. More from Deadline Associated Press Is Expected To Receive A Spot In Print Pool By Sunday, White House Official Says In Court Filing Google Violated Antitrust Law By Maintaining Digital Ad Technology Monopoly, Judge Rules C4 Announces Trump's First 100 Days Doc; Disney+ Sets K-Drama 'Nine Puzzles' Release; Creativity Capital & Milk VFX/Lola Unveil Hires - Global Briefs During the MSNBC segment, Bates criticized Martin for firing FBI agents and prosecutors 'because they investigated January 6th criminals.' He also attacked Martin as someone 'who presented an award to a neo-Nazi who stormed the Capitol, and said he was an extraordinary leader.' In an email response to Deadline about what he meant by his warning to Bates, Caputo sent a Webster's Dictionary link to the word 'defamation.' Caputo later repeated his warning to a post from another Democratic strategist, Chris D. Jackson. Bates also is advising a group of prosecutors who oppose Martin's nomination to be confirmed to the U.S. attorney post, in what already is a contentious battle. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has urged its chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley (D-IA), to hold a hearing on the nomination. Among other things, Durbin wrote that at a Trump Bedminster Club ceremony last fall, Martin gave an award to Janaury 6th defendant Timothy Hale-Cusanelli and called him 'an extraordinary man, an extraordinary leader.' Democrats also have posted video of Martin's remarks at the event. In the January 6th case, prosecutors described Hale-Cusanelli as a Nazi sympathizer with a history of anti-semitic remarks. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney did not immediately return a request for comment. More recently, Durbin has cited reports that Martin did not disclose 150 appearances on Russian state TV in a Senate questionnaire. A Martin spokesperson later told The Washington Post that Martin 'disclosed all the identified links' in supplemental letter to the Senate. Caputo is a longtime Trump ally who described himself as a 'smashmouth politician,' in a Politico profile, which detailed his battle with throat cancer. Martin told The New York Times this week about his hiring, 'Because Michael has known President Trump for over 40 years, he's uniquely positioned to help us make America great again.' As interim U.S. attorney, Martin has fired off letters to various lawmakers and institutions on topics ranging from their diversity, equity and inclusion programs and Elon Musk's DOGE. In February, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) appeared on CNN to talk about how Democrats could challenge Elon Musk, the and lawmaker said, 'What America wants is for us to bring actual weapons to this bar fight. This is an actual fight for democracy.' Martin sent Garcia a letter, asking him to clarify his comments and warning 'we take threats against public officials very seriously.' Garcia responded, 'So if you criticize Elon Musk, Trump's DOJ will send you this letter. Members of Congress must have the right to forcefully oppose the Trump Administration. I will not be silenced.' Martin also has taken part in defending the administration against the Associated Press after Trump officials banned the news organization from the pool because its style guidance did not switch the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. That drew criticism that Martin was acting as the president's personal lawyer rather than an official with the Justice Department. Best of Deadline 'Ransom Canyon' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The New Netflix Western Romance Series Everything We Know About 'Emily In Paris' Season 5 So Far Everything We Know About Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners': From The Themes To How It Was Shot
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Associated Press Is Expected To Receive A Spot In Print Pool By Sunday, White House Official Says In Court Filing
An Associated Press print reporter is expected to have a spot in the White House pool by Sunday, following a court order to end Donald Trump's ban on the wire service for failing to conform to his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, an administration official said in a court filing today. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich argued that the administration has been complying with Judge Trevor McFadden's order that they could not prohibit the AP based on their content. McFadden concluded that the ban, put in place in February, violated the First Amendment. More from Deadline C4 Announces Trump's First 100 Days Doc; Disney+ Sets K-Drama 'Nine Puzzles' Release; Creativity Capital & Milk VFX/Lola Unveil Hires - Global Briefs FCC Chairman Goes After Comcast For "News Distortion" After White House Complains That MSNBC Didn't Carry Press Briefing On Deportations George Clooney Says Op-Ed Urging Joe Biden To Exit Race Was His "Civic Duty", Singles Out Wes Moore As Top Democratic Prospect An AP photographer was admitted to the pool today. McFadden has set a hearing for Friday after the AP contended that the White House was not complying with his order. The AP cited a White House new policy that declares 'in clear violation of the Court's Injunction Order, that '[t]he President retains absolute discretion over access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other comparably sensitive spaces.'' Since the AP challenged the ban in court, the Trump White House has taken control of the press pool, after decades in which the White House Correspondents' Association determined who would be part of the dozen or so journalists' group with access to more intimate settings with the president, including the Oval Office. The AP previously was a permanent member of the pool in one of the spots designated for wire service reporters. After McFadden issued his ruling earlier this month, the White House changed the makeup of the pool, eliminating designated spots for wire services and instead making those reporters part of the regular rotation for print reporters. In a filing today, the Justice Department's attorneys wrote that the AP had to wait its turn in the rotation. They wrote that 'this does not mean that the Associated Press was immediately placed inevery daily press pool and granted access to every media event at the White House starting onApril 14, 2025.' The AP's legal team, led by Charles Tobin, wrote, 'The new policy abandons the longstanding role of wire services, which have been included in the pool since its inception to assure that White House reporting reaches the broadest possible audience in the United States and around the globe as quickly and reliably as possible. This change marks the latest reduction in wire service participation, which the White House continues to use as a pretext for targeting the AP: from three non-rotating wire spots (AP, Bloomberg, and Reuters) before the White House barred the AP on February 11, to two wire spots between February 11 and 25 (Bloomberg and Reuters), to one or two wire spots until April 16 (Bloomberg and/or Reuters), to zero dedicated wire spots now.' The AP was banned from Oval Office and other events after it declined to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in its style guidance. Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 doing so, but the AP noted that other countries did not recognize the name change for the international body of water. The AP said that it would still acknowledge's Trump's executive order, though. Earlier today, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on whether to grant the White House's emergency motion to sideline McFadden's ruling in favor of the AP. The judges have yet to issue a decision, but Budowich noted the appeal in his court declaration. Should the appellate court grant an emergency stay, the AP's access could be cut off again. Best of Deadline 'Ransom Canyon' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The New Netflix Western Romance Series Everything We Know About 'Emily In Paris' Season 5 So Far Everything We Know About Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners': From The Themes To How It Was Shot
