Manchester United offered Youri Tielemans hope and other transfer rumours

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefScripted formats are enjoying increasing success in Asia. But what makes them successful varies from case to case.French producer, Harold Valentin of Mother Production (“Call My Agent”), Akehi Yuki (“Mother”), business director at Japan’s Nippon Television, and Hong Kong’s Tommy Lo, executive producer and script supervisor of the Hong Kong version of “Ossan’s Love” joined Content Asia’s Janine Stein on Tuesday at FilMart to discuss.Valentin: “We were very surprised that [‘Call My Agent’] began travelling really after season two, because initially Netflix didn’t know what to do with the strategy. The mixture of drama and comedy had disappeared a bit in U.S.

Emiliano De Pablos Tenerife-based Bendita Film Sales has taken international sales rights to Nely Reguera’s sophomore outing, drama “La voluntaria” (“The Volunteer”), toplining “Broken Embraces,” “Perfect Life” and Piggy” star Carmen Machi, one of the biggest marquee draws in Spain.World premiering in main competition at this year’s Malaga Festival, “La voluntaria” marks Reguera’s follow-up to her well-received feature 2016 debut, the Bárbara Lennie-starrer “María (And the Others),” which won the best Ibero-American film prize at the Miami Film Festival and earned new director and lead actress nominations at the Spanish Academy Goya Awards.Barcelona-born Reguera forms part of the new generation of exciting young female Catalan auteurs, alongside Carla Simón (“Alcarràs”), Belén Funes (“The Daughter of the Thief”), Neus Ballús (“The Odd-Job Men”) and Meritxell Colell (“Facing the Wind”).  A Spain-Greece co-production, “La voluntaria” is produced by Adriá Monés at Fasten Films, Bteam Pictures’ Alex Lafuente and Maria Drandaki from Homemade Films. The film follows Marisa, a recently retired doctor, played by Machi, who has a big desire to having grand-children, but for an inexplicable reason none of her children has granted her wish.After the sudden death of her only companion, her bulldog, Marisa decides to leave everything and travel to a refugee camp in Greece, where the children seem to need people exactly like her. Itsaso Arana (“The August Virgin”), Arnau Comas (“Yesterday’s Two Nights”),  Dèlia Brufau (“Your Are Not So Special”), Yohan Levy (“Emily in Paris”) and Henrietta Rauth (“Gruber Is Leaving”) complete the cast.“We are very happy to add to our catalog the latest film by Nely Reguera, one of the most promising

On a roll! Madonna may have started her tattoo collection only recently, but the 63-year-old singer is quickly filling up her wrist. In fact, she just debuted her fourth design. 

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicAton Ben-Horin is extending his tenure at Warner Music Group with a new title and just-announced publishing partnership. Although he’s been in the position for some time, it was made official today by Atlantic Records Group, which announced Ben-Horin’s promotion to executive VP, global A&R. Covering Atlantic, Elektra Music Group, Big Beat and other subsidiary labels, he’ll report to Atlantic chairman and CEO Craig Kallman and be based out of Los Angeles.In addition, Ben-Horin, who has long been a hitmaker executive, seasoned scout and producer, has launched a publishing partnership with Warner Chappell Music.

Naman Ramachandran BBC Content has advertised for the high powered role of commissioning director, BBC Film and Storyville, a position formerly held by Rose Garnett under the title director of BBC Film.BBC Film is the feature film-making arm of the BBC, co-producing some 15 films a year. Recent successes include the BAFTA and Critics Choice awards winning “The Power of the Dog” and “The Souvenir” and “The Souvenir: Part II.”Storyville is the broadcaster’s flagship feature documentary strand and showcases films from around the world including “Welcome to Chechnya” and “Collective.” It moved under the remit of BBC Film in 2020.

Angelique Jackson In June 2021, Oscar-nominee and Emmy-winner Riz Ahmed and Pillars Fund’s Kashif Shaikh and Arij Mikati outlined the urgent need for more Muslim representation in the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera, during an extensive interview with Variety.The trio announced plans to launch a first-of-its-kind initiative, dubbed the Pillars Artist Fellowship, with a mission to provide resources and mentorship to a group of talented Muslim artists to help them use their talents to change the game in the film and television industries. Today, Pillars Fund, Ahmed and his Left Handed Films banner unveil the inaugural cohort of fellows.“We spent months getting to know many talented candidates,” stated Shaikh, Pillars Fund’s co-founder and president.

Fans noticed something on Pete Davidson‘s chest in those now-infamous leaked texts that he allegedly sent to Kanye West.

“You’re such a dick.” This oft-repeated line from “Bodies Bodies Bodies” could describe almost every character in Halina Reijn’s terrific new horror-comedy. Set in a remote mansion during a coke-fueled hurricane party gone awry, the film follows a group of wealthy friends with lots of baggage over one fateful, deadly night.

As we prepare for the highly-anticipated release of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” on Disney+ in May, it’s clear Lucasfilm has fully embraced “Star Wars” on your TV screen. But what about the movies? It seemed like Patty Jenkins was going to have her “Rogue Squadron” film coming next year, but that got shelved.

The DLVA has warned drivers about car tax scams posing as the agency.

A violent husband stabbed his pregnant wife in the neck with a kitchen knife and hacked off her hair in front of her one-year-old baby.

A Grangemouth pet shop is looking for donations to help animals and pets in Ukraine, as the shelling continues.

Jamie Carragher has warned Mohamed Salah that leaving Liverpool would be a grave error amid the Egyptian King's contract standoff.The Reds ace, 29, is still yet to pen a new deal at Anfield with reports that talks collapsed in December. Salah is still keen to stay at the Premier League high-flyers but is unwilling to lower his terms, claiming he is not "asking for crazy stuff".However, Jurgen Klopp has insisted the club "cannot do much more" in terms of meeting Salah's demands, with The Mirror reporting that the world-class winger is demanding a salary of €400k-a-week (£336,000).

Chris Erskine is to be inducted into the Partick Thistle Hall of Fame after his contributions to the Scottish Championship club.

Paul Merson has slammed Manchester United for their interest in Mauricio Pochettino and insists they should instead be targeting Brendan Rodgers.

Aston Villa are ready to launch a summer bid to land Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.Villa boss Steven Gerrard’s number one target is getting a high-quality defensive midfielder into the club.And he’ll have £50m at his disposal to get the man he wants.Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Ndidi are top of his list and he’s desperate to land one of them.Villa have already failed in one bid to get Mali international Bissouma from The Seagulls.They submitted a formal £30m offer for the 25-year-old last month but hit a brick wall.Bissouma has 18 months left on his contract but with Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle also showing interest, Brighton could wait for a bidding war to start to get nearer their £45m valuation.Gerrard has already indicated that he’s prepared to revisit that in the summer, saying: "We put in a bid for Bissouma which was turned away, and we respected it."If a move is not right then we might have to be patient and that’s where we are right now.”But he also has Ndidi right up at the top of his wish list as he prepares for his first summer transfer window at the club since making the move south from Rangers.Nigerian international Ndidi signed a bumper six-year deal at Leicester in 2018 which ties him to the club until the summer of 2024.Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers would actively resist any moves for the player but knows The Foxes could be prone to a big enough offer.Villa’s ambitious board have already shown they are prepared to back Gerrard by sanctioning the £25m arrival of Lucas Digne and the sensational loan deal which brought Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.And he’ll have a big summer war chest regardless of whether they decide to cash in on midfielders John McGinn and Douglas Luiz.Scotland

Former captain Gary Neville believes new Manchester United chief executive officer Richard Arnold needs to be granted time to put his own stamp on proceedings at Old Trafford.

Manchester United chief Richard Arnold is reportedly eyeing Ajax’s Erik ten Hag as the next permanent manager. United have been linked with a wide range of different managers since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking in November, with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino being one of the most prominent candidates.

Manchester United players want Old Trafford bosses to step up their pursuit of unsettled Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.The Express report several senior members of the United squad are understood to be keen on working under the former Tottenham manager. And while interim boss Ralf Rangnick remains a fan of Ajax’s Eric Ten Hag and will have the biggest say in the recruitment of the next manager, the players’ views have been noted.

Ralf Rangnick is reportedly eyeing up Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji amid suggestions he could leave the Bundesliga club this summer.

Manchester United have targeted Belgium international Youri Tielemans as part of their bid to land a world-class midfielder this summer.United bosses are keen to strengthen the midfield area of the team and have been keeping close tabs on Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips.But United fear being priced out of the move for Rice, who West Ham value in excess of £100million, while Leeds ace Phillips is poised to sign a new contract at Elland Road.Leeds-born Phillips has also made it clear he doesn't want to join United, due to the fierce hatred that exists between the two clubs.It means United could now turn their attentions to Leicester star Tielemans instead.Is Youri Tielemans the right signing for Man Utd? Tell us what you think in the comments section.The 24-year-old's contract with the Foxes runs out in the summer of 2023, and United know the Midlands club could be forced to cash in on one of their prize assets at the end of this season.Tielemans, who is also a target of Juventus, wants to be playing Champions League football and knows he is unlikely to achieve this with Brendan Rodgers' side.United have a good relationship with the Foxes, having signed Harry Maguire from them in a £80m deal in 2019, and believe a deal can be done in the region of £40m.Would Youri Tielemans be a good signing for Manchester United? Let us know in the comments section. Tielemans, who scored a stunning goal to help the Foxes win the FA Cup last season, joined the Foxes from Monaco in 2019, and has gone on to score 17 goals and register 16 assists in the Premier League in 104 appearances for City.He has won 47 Belgium caps and helped Roberto Martinez's men reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.