Independent Artist Group Names Jarred Arfa EVP, Head Of Global Music

Guy Lodge Film Critic You have to admire the moxie of authors and filmmakers who set their science-fiction spectaculars in the very near future, essentially confronting viewers with what may seem a pretty outlandish forecast for their own lives. Those that pull it off present us with possibilities resonant enough to ponder, even when they’re too far-fetched to actively fear: So it proves in “Restore Point,” a sharp, high-shine sci-fi outing from the Czech Republic, in which earthly life after death is routine, a cellular rather than spiritual matter. Set in an unspecified (though Czech-speaking) central Europe in the year 2041, director Robert Hloz’s whopper of a calling-card debut may offer a more credibly subdued, budget-constrained visual of the mid-21st century than the lavishly built “Blade Runner 2049” — unless we’re in for a drastic design (r)evolution over the course of the 2040s — but its ideas are sky-high in concept. Marrying glossy mainstream genre aesthetics to probing, elaborately conceived speculative storytelling, this is a notably ambitious and auspiciously well-realized first feature for Hloz: the kind that appears to be flaunting his capabilities for even bigger international and Hollywood assignments.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent In a broad-based deal, Netflix and Germany’s Constantin Film, one of Europe’s biggest production-distribution companies behind the “Resident Evil” film franchise and TV series “Shadowhunters,” have struck an exclusive long-term partnership.  The powerful alliance sees Netflix acquiring pay distribution rights pay to Constantin Film’s theatrical productions in the German-speaking region. These include national and international original and co-produced films, as well as films acquired for cinema or straight-to-video (STV) release. German and international theatrical productions.  Titles will be made available to Netflix subscribers on an SVOD basis 10-12 months after their theatrical release. In return, Netflix will contribute significantly to the financing of these productions, Constantin Film announced this week. The new agreement grants Netflix licensed access to Constantin Film’s existing film and series catalog, it added. 

BreAnna Bell Chef Alisa Reynolds was on the brink of losing her prized My 2 Cents restaurant when she was struck with an idea that would take her career worldwide. On her eight-episode unscripted Hulu series “Searching for Soul Food,” which dropped on June 2, the Los Angeles-based Reynolds travels the world, shining a light on marginalized cultures as she dines on native cuisines. Hailing from Onyx Collective, the series pushes Reynolds — whose food has been enjoyed by renowned figures such as Barack Obama, Lena Waithe, A$AP Rocky, among others — into the TV space as one of the few Black women to host their own show in the travel and food genres.

The gunman who murdered beautician Elle Edwards in a botched gangland shooting recorded a chilling rap video from prison in which he vowed deadly revenge on his enemies.

Selome Hailu The fireworks in the sky on Tuesday night also made their way to Hollywood’s data desks. Viewership of “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks” on Peacock more than doubled when compared to last year’s show, Variety has learned exclusively, though exact streaming numbers for both 2022 and 2023 are unavailable. However, as the holiday event was simulcast across both Peacock and NBC, linear numbers show an increase as well: 4.6 million viewers tuned in to NBC’s live 8 p.m. airing, marking a 3% increase from 2022. In ratings among the adults 18-48 demographic, the fireworks jumped by 15%, scoring a 0.71 on Tuesday. And for the 10 p.m. encore, total viewership was up 4% while 18-49 ratings increased 20% compared to last year. (These statistics are all based on Live + Same Day data.)

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Musician and actor Dominic Fike admitted in a video interview with Apple Music that he was a “drug addict” when he joined the second season of HBO’s “Euphoria.” He was cast as Elliot, a drug user who perpetuates Rue’s relapse and finds himself in a love triangle with Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer). According to Fike, the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, tried to hire a “sober coach” to keep Fike clean in real life, but the plan failed. “I was a drug addict and coming on to a show that’s, you know, mainly about drugs, is very difficult,” Fike told Zane Lowe. “Sam [Levinson], the director and writer, got me a sober coach, somebody to be there all the time. It did not work.”

Manchester United's takeover was rumoured to be concluding at the beginning of this week.

A warning has been issued after the number of hospital admissions linked to a potentially deadly disease has seen a sharp rise. There has been a 22 per cent increase in liver disease hospital admissions in England in just one year, according to recent health figures published.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed three anti-LGBTQ+ bills Wednesday in defiance of veto-proof Republican majorities in the state legislature. Photo: North Carolina Governor’s Office.

Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's divorce was dismissed by a Georgia court Friday. "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star filed a "dismissal without prejudice" with the Superior Court of Fulton County in documents obtained by Fox News Digital.  The dismissal comes almost two months after the couple filed his-and-hers complaints petitioning for a divorce.

Britney Spears says she was hit by an NBA security guard. Others have downplayed the incident. But you know what? Video don’t lie!!!

Tom Sandoval is officially back in the Vanderpump Rules orbit.

How much is a proper tip for a DoorDash driver?

NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s security team will not face charges following the physical altercation with Britney Spears.

Off the hook!

Hot Fuzz and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.Created by artist and animator Trevor Carlee, the clip from 2007’s Hot Fuzz replicates a scene during the supermarket shootout featuring Frank Butterman (Nick Frost) and Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg), where they trade one-liners.The clip was shared by director Edgar Wright on Instagam, with the caption: “Hot Fuzz in Lego by @trevorcarlee ! #offthefuckingchain.”A post shared by @edgarwrightSharing a comparison clip which also features the original film footage, Carlee said he “definitely plans on doing more” Lego recreations of scenes from Hot Fuzz.Other recent clips by Carlee include a scene from It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where Charlie (Charlie Day) tells Mac (Rob McElhenney) about his mailroom conspiracy theory. The scene is pulled from season four episode Sweet Dee Has A Heart Attack.You can check out further clips, including a scene from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, below.A post shared by Trevor Carlee (@trevorcarlee)A post shared by Trevor Carlee (@trevorcarlee)Pegg recently confirmed he had started writing a fourth feature film with Wright last summer, which would be entirely separate from the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy.Speaking to the Guardian, Pegg said: “Whatever Edgar and I do next, we’re not going to rely on what we’ve done before.

Fall Out Boy put a modern twist on a classic rock hit by updating the lyrics to Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” more than 30 years after its 1989 release.

Lana Del Rey has announced surprise shows in Ireland and Europe, set to take place next month.Following her appearance at the Other Stage at Glastonbury on Saturday (June 23), Lana Del Rey has announced a series of surprise shows, scheduled for the next few weeks.The three new shows will see the New York singer-songwriter head to Amsterdam first, before performing in Dublin and Paris. They also work around her previously confirmed headline performance at London’s BST Hyde Park next Sunday.“I love Europe and after playing Glastonbury, have decided to play a few more shows in various countries around my Hyde Park Show in London on July 9th,” she said in a new statement.

Cynthia Littleton Business Editor Jim Osborne is a product of the mailroom. The veteran talent agent, who has been named CEO of the newly christened Independent Artist Group, got his start in the representation field the old-fashioned way — by working his way of out of the ICM mailroom and assistant pool. Osborne has spent the past dozen years at APA, rising to partner in 2015 and to president in 2020. As of today, he advances to the top post, as APA combines into a new entity with Dennis Arfa’s music touring powerhouse Artist Group International. The deal brings such superstars into the fold as Billy Joel, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Linkin Park and the Strokes, and was orchestrated in part by investor Ron Burkle and his Yucaipa Co. (which owned Artist Intl. and invested in APA in 2020).

The consolidation in the talent representation space continues. Agency for the Performing Arts and music touring agency Artist Group International (AGI) are merging, with the combined full-service agency rebranded as Independent Artist Group (IAG). APA President Jim Osborne is being named CEO of IAG, with Dennis Arfa, founder and CEO of AGI, as Chairman of the Music Division of IAG. Former longtime APA CEO Jim Gosnell will serve on the board of AGI alongside Osborne and Arfa.

APA has taken a big step to fortify its future as a full-service talent agency by combining with touring powerhouse Artist Group Intl. to create the newly named Independent Artist Group, led by APA president Jim Osborne. Osborne will become CEO of Independent Artist Group (IAG), taking over day-to-day management of the firm. Jim Gosnell, APA’s longtime leader, segues into board member role with a mandate to evaluate growth and acquisition opportunities for the new venture. Dennis Arfa, co-founder of Artist Group Intl., will serve as chairman of IAG’s Music division. Artist Intl. Group president Marsha Vlasic becomes vice chairman of music.