Category: media

The Indian version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” is such a ratings hit in India, movie theatre owners say it’s killing their business. “If things continue the way they are, our trade will be almost finished. Nobody is interested in coming to the theatres when the game show is on.” – BBC

A weekend fire at Moscow’s central TV broadcasting tower has shut down broadcasts of all of Russia’s national television networks ever since. – Variety

The question took center stage at the Edinburgh Film Festival last week when the UK’s Film Council executive director announced that the council would no longer fund any “social realist art films” – a surprising decree given that many of the hits at this year’s  festival fit squarely within the definition.” – The Guardian

Although the BBC’s recently announced plans to enhance its arts programming have met with popular approval, one critic at least sees only flaws: “BBC4, the new outlet for eggheads and art-lovers, is foredoomed to failure. Among arts leaders, the BBC is viewed with suspicion verging on contempt. Its credibility vanished years ago, along with all its best producers.” – The Telegraph (UK)

“No Mexican cultural figure has ever been as sought after by Hollywood. For years, filmmakers here have tried to make a movie based on Kahlo’s gripping and tragic life story, but they have found their projects derailed by bickering parties, mediocre scripts, lack of financing and controversy about casting decisions.The latest chapter in the making-of-the-Frida-Kahlo-movie saga is the fierce competition between three bio-pics rushing to be the first in production. They involve some of the biggest Latino names in filmmaking.” – Los Angeles Times

Cineplex Odeon, Canada’s biggest movie theatre chain, may be forced to shut down many screens as its U.S. parent negotiates with lenders. Parent company Lowes, the movie-theatre company, is in debt for some $635 million, and said that it plans to close up to 250 money-losing screens in North America in fiscal 2000. – The Globe and Mail (Canada)

Tolkein fans can breathe a sigh of relief if their “elvish” isn’t up to snuff: the hotly anticipated “Lord of the Rings” trilogy will have subtitles when the elves speak in their own language – according to Ian McKellan (who plays the wizard Gandalf ). He divulged a few secrets on his website. – The Age (Melbourne) (NZPA)

• — the BBC’s U.S. channel, was launched two years ago and is already so popular its audience base rivals the BBC proper. “Why is BBC America growing so fast? [BBC America’s president] and his programming staff get to pick the best of the BBC, programs that already are battle-tested, turned into hits and refined.” – Inside.com

“New technology confronts all programme-makers with genetic modification in the name of economy and efficiency: as budgets and schedules shrink, we lose vital space for human factors – surprise, and the room to fail, to make mistakes, to rethink and work on them until we get them right. As demand mounts for instant strong results, ethical concerns are inevitably downgraded.” – New Statesman

BBC chief Greg Dyke proposed a “revolutionary transformation of the BBC channels” last week that includes more arts programming and educational content. “If he pulls it off, Dyke will earn himself the reputation of the man who saved the BBC from the ravages of the digital age, maintaining the corporation as a universal broadcaster at the centre of cultural life in Britain. The risks of the strategy cannot be underestimated: mess it up and the BBC will be left in ruins.” – The Guardian