Tory barrister standing in Hartlepool by-election has spent decade away from town

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentFilmax has swooped on international rights to “Irati,” an action adventure feature set in the eighth-century Pyrenees.Produced by Spain’s Bainet, Ikusgarri Films, Kilima Media with France’s La Fidèle Production, “Irati” weighs in as one of the most ambitious new Spanish movies being brought onto the market at Berlin. Filmax will present a promo at the EFM.Featuring battles, mythological creatures and fantasy elements in a mix of Basque legend and historical events, it also marks director Paul Urkijo’s follow-up to “Errementari: the Blacksmith and the Devil,” which Filmax sold to Netflix for the world.Now in post-production, “Irati” turns on a pagan girl who guides a young Christian lord called Enekoon a journey into an ancient, mythological world. Eneko hopes to recover lost treasure, key to his defending his valley from Charlemagne’s marauding army, which is devastating the Pyrenees.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian director Matteo Garrone, who was at the 2020 Berlinale with Roberto Benigni-starrer “Pinocchio,” is set to return to the director’s chair in March with coming-of-age adventure drama “Io Capitano,” on which France’s Pathé will be handling international distribution.Garrone’s new pic, whose title translates as “I, Captain,” will be shot in Italy, Morocco and Senegal, marking the first time, Garrone –– a two-time Cannes jury prize-winner, with “Gomorrah” in 2008 and “Reality” in 2012 –– sets a feature film outside of Italy.As is customary with Garrone, story details of “Io Capitano” are being kept under wraps, besides the fact that he wrote the screenplay with regular collaborators Massimo Gaudioso and Andrea Tagliaferri and actor Massimo Ceccherini (“Pinocchio”), who also contributed to the “Pinocchio” screenplay.

Christopher Vourlias Rwandan director Kivu Ruhorahoza’s “Father’s Day,” which bows in the competitive Encounters strand of the Berlin Film Festival, is a timely story of fatherhood in a country that saw a generation orphaned by one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century.The film presents a trio of interwoven stories set in the East African nation. A mother tries to cope with the loss of her only son.

Christopher Vourlias Russian VOD platform KION has unveiled a slate of original content it will be presenting to buyers at the European Film Market.Launched less than one year ago by telecom giant MTS, the company has so far surpassed expectations, according to Igor Mishin, VP for media business development at MTS and CEO of MTS Media. “We have exceeded all business key performance indicators, in terms of the subscriber base and streaming views,” he said.The company is launching two new feature films and two original series at EFM.“Ophiuchus” is an erotic thriller about a bold and sexually liberated pathologist whose lovers begin to die under mysterious circumstances.

“Death on the Nile” was being released in the rest of the Middle East over the weekend, according to Deadline.Gadot, 36, served in the Israeli armed forces for two years, as is required of all young Israelis, before she entered show business.It’s not the first time the former Miss Israel’s nationality has caused controversy as tensions persist between the two warring nations.

Manchester United need a response as they prepare to face Southampton on Saturday.

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from Tuesday evening's frustrating 1-1 draw with Burnley when they welcome Southampton to Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

thug from a deadly drug cartel can be heard trying to extort a man, with the threat of abducting his wife, in a chilling phone call shared online. The video comes from the Mexican state of Sonora, which borders Arizona, US, and captures the tense conversation between the drug cartel extortionist and the victim over some unexplained, previous misunderstanding. The criminal notes that the man's wife - who is in the room with him - is a "well known business woman", and insists: "I don’t want to tie your wife up and abduct her."He also reveals that members of the cartel have visited a house nearby to abduct another man, claiming that he now has orders from higher-ups to "go where you are and abduct you, to take your vehicle or car and keep everything that you have of value, fool."As the threats are being laid bare, the terrified victim can be heard agreeing with the "boss" before adding "we won't say anything".

Arsenal are set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Matt Turner, but are reluctant to announce his arrival until the summer transfer window opens.According to football.london, a deal has been reached between the Gunners and MLS outfit New England Revolution for the shot-stopper, with a fee being agreed of £4.5m leading to £7.5m plus further bonuses.However, Arsenal will not announce the signing until Turner has completed his medical.Personal terms have already been agreed with the player and the Revs have even announced that the 27-year-old will be making the move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer, but the Gunners are refusing to jump the gun on the transfer.A statement on the Revolutions' website stated: “The New England Revolution have agreed to terms for goalkeeper Matt Turner to join Arsenal of the English Premier League in a summer transfer for an undisclosed fee pending completion of a medical.“Turner, the 2021 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, is expected to join Arsenal in late June 2022, allowing the United States international to remain with New England through the entirety of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League campaign and nearly half of the 2022 MLS regular season.“Further information will be shared when the transfer is completed.”The arrival of Turner will open the door for Bernd Leno to leave the club in the summer too, who has been replaced by Englishman Aaron Ramsdale this season.HAVE YOUR SAY! Who else should Arsenal sign in the summer? Comment below.Leno was the first-choice keeper in North London for the three seasons prior to Ramsdale’s arrival, however, he has started just three Premier League fixtures this campaign and the writing is on the wall for the Germany international.Leno

The first footage of the upcoming Aquaman sequel has been released.

Madison Chock and Evan Bates made headlines over the past week with their exciting and dramatic performance during the Team Figure Skating Event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and they’re about to take the ice again for the Rhythm Ice Dance competition today (February 12).

Sunderland have announced former Hamilton manager Alex Neil as their new head coach - and his successor comes in as assistant.

Kevin Thomson’s approach doesn’t change – whether he is facing Lionel Messi, Cowdenbeath or St Mirren.

Michael Smith insists he is desperate to get rid of the pain of two Scottish Cup Final defeats to Celtic by delivering the silverware at Hearts .

One of Girvan’s most eagerly-anticipated events is set to make a comeback in 2022.

Things must be good at Celtic Park if Brendan Rodgers is able to show his face again.

Chris Pratt and his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger put on a loved up display as they stepped out in Santa Monica.  The 42-year-old actor and the 32-year-old author, who are expecting their second child together, kicked off Valentine's Day weekend with a sunny stroll on Friday. The Guardians of the Galaxy star affectionately rested his hand on his spouse's backside as they walked down the street.

Marry Me has opened on Valentine's weekend (February 11) to mixed reviews from critics. In the whirlwind romance, Jennifer Lopez teams up with Marvel's Owen Wilson to make one of the most unlikely on-screen couples. Directed by Kat Coiro, Marry Me is based on a graphic novel of the same name where a pop star, Kat Valdez (Lopez), decides to marry a complete stranger (Wilson) holding a "Marry Me" sign in the crowd after finding out her fiancé is cheating on her.

Video: Geena Davis recalls actor telling her she was 'too old' to be his romantic interest (Cover Video)IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green finalise divorceIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kanye West pleads to be reunited with family in response to Kim Kardashian photoshootAdam Driver replaces Hugh Jackman in Michael Mann's Enzo Ferrari biopicBillie Eilish and Finneas make White House visitBREAKING NEWS: Prince Charles tests positive for Covid-19Bob Saget's family reveals cause of deathChanning Tatum wants to keep his 'natural' body hair in Magic Mike 3Snoop Dogg acquires former label Death Row RecordsKanye West pleads to be reunited with family in response to Kim Kardashian photoshootQuentin Tarantino to be father-of-twoJulia Fox acknowledges Kanye West may have 'residual feelings' for Kim KardashianMegan Fox and Brian Austin Green finalise divorceKim Kardashian 'fought against' wearing mask to 2021 Met GalaDolly Parton offers employees free tuition and books to pursue higher educationIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Beyoncé lands first Oscar nominationIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Adele dominates 2022 BRIT Awards Katherine, 32, announced she and Chris are expecting their second child back in December. They are also parents to daughter Lyla, who was born in August 2020.

A shock poll has tipped the Tories to win the Hartlepool by-election despite Boris Johnson fearing a "tough night" in this Thursday's local elections.

A senior Tory has refused to answer questions over whether Boris Johnson was given a loan from a Tory donor to fund a lavish refurbishment of the Downing Street flat.