"Game of Thrones" star Kit  Harington's BBC One series "Gunpowder" has been acquired by  HBO for its US release.
The three-part miniseries, written by Ronan Bennet and  directed by J Blakeson, stars Harington as Robert Catesby  who masterminded the Gunpowder plot in London in 1605.
The first part of the miniseries will debut on December  18 in the United States, according to a statement posted on  HBO's official website.
Harington, who himself is the descendant of Robert  Catesby, has co-executive produced the miniseries.
The series also features actors Liv Tyler, as Catesby's  cousin Anne Vaux, Mark Gatiss, as King James spymaster-in-  chief Robert Cecil, and Peter Mullan, as Jesuit Father Garnet.
"Three years ago, Daniel West and I began developing  Gunpowder with Kudos and Ronan Bennett. We are thrilled to  share this unique story with the US audience. I can't think of  a better place to do that than my home at HBO," said  Harington.
The miniseries chronicles the evolution of the ..

HBO to distribute Kit Harington's British drama in US

PTI Automatic

Praising the first edition of  Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) very highly,  Dadasaheb Phalke Award winning filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan  today said the government should build a permanent festival  venue for such events.
"You (organisers) can impress upon the government to  have a festival complex, where seminars, discussions and  meetings can take place along with film screening,"  Gopalakrishnan said.
Any auditorium cannot have film screening because the  ambience has to be there with good sound system, he added  during an open discussion on the ongoing festival.
The Padma Vibhushan award winner filmmaker expressed  his immense satisfaction on the overall arrangement as well as  response to the first Guwahati International Film Festival,  which has invited him as the chief guest for the closing  ceremony tomorrow.
"I believe the first GIFF has been very successful.  It has an overwhelmed ambience. Lots of dedicated and  motivated works are going on that cannot go ...

GIFF very successful, govt should build permanent venue: Adoor

Actor Kalki Koechlin said the  concept of men contributing equally in domestic chores is  still not there in India.
Responding to a question about why women are made to feel  guilty if they do not want kids, Kalki said, "It's a cultural  baggage that we have because women have been at home, they've  been the ones to raise the children. It'll change, but slowly.
"If women are sharing the work space, which they are, men  should be sharing the domestic space. That balance hasn't yet  arrived, which I think will be there in a generation or two."
The 33-year-old actor next plays the role of a mother in  Rakhee Sandilya directed "Ribbon", also featuring Sumeet Vyas.
The film chronicles the story of an urban couple who  struggles to balance career and family in a metropolitan city.
The "Shaitan" actor said people warned her about taking  up the role of a mother, but she found it a "welcome  change" from her previous characters.
"People say don't play a mother otherwise you'll be stuck  doing 

Men sharing domestic space with women still not there: Kalki

Paramount Pictures will distribute  Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati" in international markets.
The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone in the lead  role of Rani Padmavati, Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin  Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh, is slated  to release worldwide on December 1.
Bhansali became the first Indian to direct an opera in  Paris and Rome with Padmavati. The opera made its debut at  the 51st Spoleto festival, and will now be retold in the form  of a visual cinematic extravaganza.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Viacom18 Motion  Pictures on this exciting new release. Padmavati, has all the  makings of a hit film and we are excited to bring Sanjay's  incredible vision to audiences across the international market  place," said Megan Colligan, spokesperson of Paramount  Pictures.
Ajit Andhare  COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the  producers behind the movie, said the collaboration with  Paramount will help take the movie to new places.
"This ..

Paramount to distribute 'Padmavati' internationally

Over the years, as the waves  gushed around, chipping away river banks, swamping forests and  fields, Badal Chandra Mandal's life drifted like a piece of  wood in a swirling mass of water.
Mandal has been in a constant state of migration over the  last three decades, running from one island to another, as the  level of sea along the coast of Bay of Bengal kept rising,  which eventually devoured his native village Khasimara.
Mandal's story, documented in the film 'Sundarbans:  Rising Water, Ebbing Life', will be part of a five-day-long  film festival here, beginning tomorrow.
The event, organised by the environment forum CMS-  Vatavaran, will have the screening of over 100 films,  depicting the impact of climate change on communities and  wildlife across the world.
CMS-Vatavaran will also award Gandhian green activist  Chandi Prasad Bhatt and filmmaker Rita Banerji for their  efforts in bringing about a change in perception towards  environment and wildlife conservation.
During the ...

Festival to screen films on environment and wildlife

Popular actor Meghna Malik says the  content on the small screen may be changing with the times but  TV still has a long way to go when it comes to dumping the  stereotypes.
The 46-year-old actor says the artistes have always had  to go the extra mile to break the norms.
"I have been lucky to get different kind of shows and  roles. (But) the typecast or stereotype has not gone away...
"It is an actor's personal fight to break that perception  and it is not easy," Meghna tells PTI.
The actor, who will next be seen in Colors show, "Laado -  Veerpur Ki Mardaani" in her memorable role of Ammaji, says  despite its tight schedule, television is a fruitful medium of  employment for women.
"Doing TV is tough as it demands a lot of time, energy  and strength. Sad part is there is (you get) less time for  your private life. TV is also a place where no matter how much  you want to do exciting stuff, you are not offered good yet  different roles on regular basis.
"But at the same time ...

TV continues to promote stereotypes: Meghna Malik

Actor Alec Baldwin, who worked  with James Toback on two projects, said he was not aware of  the director's alleged sexual misconduct.
The 59-year-old actor worked with Toback, 72, on two  movies -- "Seduced and Abandoned", a HBO documentary exploring  the film financing aspect of film production, and "The Private  Life of a Modern Woman".
"In all the time I've known Jimmy (Toback), I never had  one conversation about his sex life... In my time with Jimmy,  it was absolutely, positively business," the actor told Los  Angeles Times, which first broke the story about Toback.
"I don't know that Jimmy has done anything criminal. It  sounds like many people are saying he has. That he has  assaulted them. If that's true, that's news to me," he added.
The actor admitted that he was aware that Toback used to  "hit on a lot of women".
"He had an appetite for going up to women and saying  salacious and provocative things to them and introducing  himself with his credentials and so forth and ...

Baldwin distances himself from Toback, says had no knowledge

Elizabeth Banks and Margot  Robbie have joined hands for the movie adaptation of modern  children's classic "The Paper Bag Princess".
The 1980 book by Robert Munsch is famous for reversing  the fairy tale princess stereotype with its story of female  empowerment.
Universal bought the rights to the book after a bidding  war.
Banks is attached to direct the project, which she will  also produce with Robbie via their respective production  houses --  Brownstone Productions and LuckyChap Entertainment,  according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Katie Silberman will write the screenplay.
Robbie is likely to star in the project but it is not  certain at this time.
Published in 1980, "The Paper Bag Princess" is about a  princess all set to marry her perfect Prince Charming when a  dragon attacks the kingdom, kidnaps the prince and burns the  castle.
With no clothes left to wear, the princess wears a paper  bag and sets out to fight the dragon. When she saves the  prince, he ungratefully ...

Elizabeth Banks, Margot Robbie join 'The Paper Bag Princess'

The Weinstein Company has pushed  back the theatrical release of their horror film "Poloroid" to  an unannounced date next year.
The banner has, however, not given any explanation that  led to the development, reported Variety.
The film, based on director Lars Klevberg's short, was  originally scheduled to open in cinema halls on November 22.
The movie narrates the story of a high school loner who  stumbles upon a vintage Polaroid camera tainted with a dark  secret. She discovers the camera has the power to murder those  who come in contact with it.
"Poloroid" features Kathryn Prescott, Mitch Pileggi,  Grace Zabriskie, Samantha Logan, Madelaine Petsch and Javier  Botet.
On October 14, TWC announced that it has put the release  of Benedict Cumberbatch's "The Current War" on hold till next  year in wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment and  abuse scandal. The movie was slated to open on November 24.

After 'Current War', TWC postpones 'Polaroid' release

Andy Dick has been sacked from  horror comedy "Vampire Dad" after the actor was accused of  sexual harassment by members from the cast.
Producer of the film, Kathryn Moseley, took cognisance of  a report about the 51-year-old actor's misconduct, involving  at least four members of the production on another film  "Raising Buchanan" - an acting job he lost.
According to Moseley, Dick was escorted off the sets due  to his "multiple, flagrant acts of improper conduct and  inappropriate contact with several crew members."
Resembling his act on the sets of "Raising Buchanan",  Dick turned up one day late on "Vampire Dads" after he missed  his flight, made advances on several people and was admittedly  "loopy" after overdosing on Xanax, a drug prescribed for  anxiety and panic attacks.
This triggered his exit from the show, Moseley told The  Hollywood Reporter.
The producer did not reveal the details of the actor's  alleged behaviour but she said the matter is being  investigated by a ...

Andy Dick loses second film over sexual misconduct claims

Actor Jeremy Piven is the latest  Hollywood figure to be accused of sexual harassment by a  woman.
The "Entourage" actor has been accused of sexual  misconduct by TV actor Ariane Bellamar, who accused Piven of  groping her.
Piven has denied the allegations against him in a  statement to Deadline.
The revelations against Piven prompted CBS, the studio  behind Piven's "Wisdom of the Crowd" and HBO to issue  statements.
"We are aware of the media reports and are looking into  the matter," CBS stated in its statement.
HBO also issued a statement following Bellamar's  allegations, saying, "Today, via the press reports, is the  first we are hearing about Ariane Bellamar's allegations  concerning Jeremy Piven."
The studio also said that it has a policy of zero  tolerance towards sexual harassment.
"Everyone at HBO and our productions is aware that zero  tolerance for sexual harassment is our policy. Anyone  experiencing an unsafe working environment has several avenues  for making complaints 

Actor Jeremy Piven accused of sexual harassment

Sanjay Leela Bhansali may have a  reputation for being a tough taskmaster on the sets but  Deepika Padukone believes she has developed a shorthand with  the director after collaborating with him on three films.
Deepika, who plays the titular character in Bhansali's  "Padmavati", said she would initially rehearse a lot before  shooting a particular scene but her performance has become  more instinctive now.
"With Sanjay Leela Bhansali, you don't count the number  of takes, you just go with the flow. You have to switch off  from things like your heavy headgear, costume or how  uncomfortable the duppata is on your head.
"When the camera is on, it is all about what I am doing  and the energy. After the shoot, you realise (there are)  injuries," Deepika told reporters here at the 3D trailer  launch of the film last night.
Deepika reportedly wore a heavy lehnga while doing the  dance number "Ghoomar".
The actor said there was more trust as an actor-director  between them and that had helped 

With Bhansali, you don't count retakes: Deepika Padukone

Producer Harvey Weinstein and  director James Toback, who are facing multiple allegations of  sexual abuse, are being investigated by the Beverly Hills  police department.
The investigation stems from multiple complaints received  about the individuals, Variety reported.
"These cases are currently under investigation and no  further information will be released at this time," police  said in a statement.
Weinstein, 65, has been accused by over 60 women of  sexual harassment and in some cases of rape after New York  Times ran an expose on October 5 detailing decades of sexual  misconduct.
The Los Angeles Times published a report on October 22,  detailing accusations of sexual harassment against Toback, 72,  by 38 women, going back to the '80s. More than 300 women have  come forward since then.
Both Weinstein and Toback have denied all allegations.

Beverly Hills Police dept investigating Weinstein, Toback

Rapper Jay-Z will be honoured by  the Industry Icon award at the annual Pre-Grammy Gala.
The 47-year-old musician will receive the honour from  Clive Davis and the Recording Academy on January 27, reported  Variety.
Jay-Z, who is a multiple Grammy winner and entrepreneur,  will be recognised for his significant contribution to the  music industry and his several philanthropic efforts.
The event will be held at the Sheraton New York Times  Square on the evening before the main ceremony, which is being  held in New York for only the second time since 1998.
Davis said he is thrilled to honour Jay-Z who is a  "quintessential icon".
"I couldn't be happier and more excited to share the  evening with him. What a night this will be!" he added.
With the award, the rapper joins the list of previous  honourees such as Davis himself, A&M Records founders Herb  Alpert and Jerry Moss, veteran manager Irving Azoff, Sony/ATV  Music Publishing chairman/CEO Martin Bandier, Virgin Records  founder ...

Jay-Z to receive Industry Icon award on Grammy Awards eve

Hit TV drama "This Is Us" has  removed a reference to Kevin Spacey from one of its episodes  after the "House of Cards" actor was accused of sexual  harassment.
The Tuesday night episode originally included a reference  to Spacey in flashback when struggling young actor Kevin  (Justin Hartley), then in his 20s, learns his roommate had  landed a role in a film starring Spacey, according to The  Hollywood Reporter.
"In light of recent events, the producers have decided to  remove the brief reference to Kevin Spacey," 20th Century Fox  Television, which produces the NBC drama, said in a statement  hours before the episode was to be aired.
Spacey is the latest Hollywood figure to be accused of  sexual harassment after Harvey Weinstein and James Toback.
"Star Trek: Discovery" star Anthony Rapp recently came  forward with claims that "The Usual Suspects" star made  unwanted sexual advance towards him 1986 during a house party.  Rapp said he was 14-year-old at that time.
Spacey apologised in 

'This Is Us' removes Spacey reference after scandal

Korean thriller "A Hard Day" is  getting a Hindi remake, to be directed and co-produced by "Go  Goa Gone" directors RAj & DK.
Kross Pictures has signed an agreement to produce the  official Hindi remake of the film after their critically  acclaimed "TE3N". The Hindi remake of "Miracle In Cell No 7",  to be directed by Umesh Shukla, is already in the works.
"A Hard Day" made its debut at 2014 Cannes Film Festival  in the Director's Fortnight segment.
The movie was critically appreciated at the festival and  became one of the biggest hits at the box office in South  Korea.
"'A Hard Day' is a fast-paced thriller with unrelenting  suspense and a great dose of humour. It will be a very  interesting challenge to adapt this film into Hindi. We hope  to bring a unique spin and contribute to this well-made  thriller. We are excited to start our collaboration with Kross  Pictures," the director duo said in a statement.
Thomas Kim, CEO Kross Pictures said the movie was their  latest attempt ...

Raj & DK to remake Korean drama 'A Hard Day'

Singer Sia has said that being a  ardent fan of "Sex and The City", she would love to play the  role of Samantha Jones in the potential third film of the  franchise.
The 41-year-old musician said she would not mind being  criticised if she were to replace actor Kim Cattrall, the  original Samantha, reported FemaleFirst.
"I'll play Sam! I'll take the bullet. I'll take all the  haters saying, 'She's not Sam.' I don't care, I just want to  see the movie," Sia told Beats 1 host Zane Lowe.
The "Chandelier" hitmaker's comments come after Cattrall  said she would not object if the makers of "SATC" cast another  actor to play her beloved character from the series.
Cattrall had said she will never take on the role of  Samantha again as she was through with it, but admitted she  has "no regrets" about the show.
She also said it was sad how she was made out to be the  black sheep in impeding the development of a third film in the  franchise and was portrayed as "demanding or a diva" in the  ...

Sia wants to play Samantha Jones in 'SATC 3'

Actor Lily Collins is all set to  feature opposite Zac Efron in serial killer Ted Bundy biopic  "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile".
The 28-year-old actor will play Elizabeth Kloepfer,  former girlfriend to Efron's Bundy in the Joe Berlinger-  directed movie, reported Variety.
Talking about Collins' selection to essay Kloepfer in the  film, Berlinger said, "Lily has very quickly distinguished  herself as a major talent in a number of diverse roles in  recent years.
"I am really excited about taking Zac and this hugely  talented actress to some dark but very human places they may  not yet have explored."
The movie explores Kloepfer's perspective during the long  time that Bundy hid his murder spree from her when they were  living together.
Shortly before his execution in 1989, Bundy confessed to  committing 30 homicides in seven states between 1974-1978.
The original screenplay was written by Michael Werwie,  which won the Nicholl Fellowship first prize and was featured  on ...

Lily Collins to star opposite Zac Efron in Ted Bundy biopic

Filmmaker duo Dennis Widmyer and  Kevin Kolsch have been roped in to direct the upcoming "Pet  Semetary" film.
The script of the movie, which based on Stephen King's  horror novel of the same, will be written by Matthew  Greenberg, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film follows the story of Louis Creed, who tries to  bring back his dead son by placing him to rest in an Indian  burial ground but it does not go according to plan.
The novel was also the basis for a 1989 feature film, for  which King wrote the screenplay.

Dennis Widmyer, Kevin Kolsch to direct 'Pet Semetary'

"Grey's Anatomy" star Caterina  Scorsone has added her name to the more than 300 women who  have come forward with claims of sexual harassment against  director James Toback.
In an Instagram post, the actor, who plays the role of Dr  Amelia Shepherd on the medical drama, said she had detailed  her experience with Toback without naming him in an old essay.
Responding to a recent Rolling Stone interview with  Toback, in which he denies all allegations, the actor said she  decided to corroborate the stories of the women, who finally  opened up against the director.
"In response to James Toback's crass denial in Rolling  Stone, I feel I must corroborate the stories of these women,"  Scorsone wrote on her Instagram.
"I want to be clear that the predatory director I wrote  about in the article I posted a few days back, was James  Toback. The article was written 17 years ago. Many industry  people knew about it and encouraged me to stay silent. I  didn't, and it directly affected my career," 

'Grey's Anatomy' star accuses Toback of sexual harassment

Veteran actor Max von Sydow will  be honoured with Career Achievement Award by the Los Angeles  Film Critics Association (LAFCA).
The 88-year-old actor will be presented with the honour  at the annual awards dinner on January 13, reported Deadline.
"We are thrilled to give the Career Achievement award to  such a magnificently talented actor.
"Over the six decades hes commanded the screen, Mr von  Sydow has earned a reputation as the greatest living actor,"  said LAFCA president Claudia Puig in a statement.
von Sydow has starred in over 100 films, where he played  characters as disparate as an assassin, a king, an exorcist,  the devil and Jesus Christ - in several languages.
He has also worked with filmmakers ranging from Ingmar  Bergman, Bertrand Tavernier, Sydney Pollack, Penny Marshall,  Martin Scorsese, Wim Wenders to Steven Spielberg.
The actor will next appear in "Kursk", a drama about the  submarine disaster in 2000, directed by Thomas Vinterberg,  also featuring Lea Seydoux and 

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