Showbiz Sandbox 409: The Cannes Film Festival Has Its #MeToo Moment

May 14, 2018

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Only three films by female directors are competing for the top prize at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival, but that hasn’t stopped women from raising their voices. In fact, a red carpet protest was held by 82 female filmmakers and actresses, representing the number of films made by women that have appeared in the festival over its seven decade span. That said, the nine-member Cannes jury this year has five women on it and is headed up by actress Cate Blanchett.

As always, we’re in Cannes for the festival and will fill you in on all the noteworthy films and events. Though media reports may be saying the event has lost its luster, and indeed it has been very low-key this year, one should never underestimate Cannes for being able to find the next great auteur.

Meanwhile in China, western theme parks are flourishing while the 2,700 homegrown parks are collapsing, almost literally. Will the future of theme parks in the Middle Kingdom predict how Hollywood movies will ultimately fare?

Of course we also cover the week’s top entertainment news including why the Nobel Prize in Literature will not be handed out this year, questions over the legitimacy of a Chinese box office hit and why Spotify is distancing itself from R. Kelly.

comScore Announces Official Worldwide Box Office Results for Weekend of May 13, 2018
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comscore-announces-official-worldwide-box-office-results-for-weekend-of-may-13-2018-300647402.html

Netflix Takes Chinese Blockbuster ‘Us and Them’ for the World (Exclusive)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-netflix-takes-chinese-blockbuster-us-them-world-1109132

China Box Office: Questions Surround ‘Us and Them’ $88 Million Holiday Weekend Win
http://variety.com/2018/film/asia/china-box-office-questions-us-and-them-holiday-weekend-1202791492/

Mexican Superstar Eugenio Derbez Inks TV Deal at Lionsgate
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/mexican-superstar-eugenio-derbez-inks-tv-deal-at-lionsgate-1110040

Former Wanda Exec Jack Gao Launches Smart Cinema in China (EXCLUSIVE)
http://variety.com/2018/film/asia/jack-gao-launches-smart-cinema-in-china-1202805137/

Saudi Arabia Reps Tout Production Incentives, Get Grilled on Women’s Rights
http://variety.com/2018/film/markets-festivals/saudi-arabia-film-womens-rights-1202806912/

MoviePass Parent Company Sees Stock Plunge as Cash Runs Out
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/moviepass-parent-company-sees-stock-plunge-as-cash-runs-1109839

MoviePass Owner Hits Back at Reports Service Is Dying
http://variety.com/2018/film/markets-festivals/moviepass-owner-service-not-dying-1202808835/

No Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/awards-and-prizes/article/76777-no-nobel-prize-in-literature-in-2018.html

Clayne Crawford Breaks Silence on ‘Lethal Weapon’ Firing
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/clayne-crawford-responds-lethal-weapon-firing-1111487

Ashley Judd Sues Harvey Weinstein for Sexual Harassment and Defamation
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/ashley-judd-sues-harvey-weinstein-sexual-harassment-defamation-1107165

Viacom Accused of Covering Up Brad Grey Rape in $100M Lawsuit
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/viacom-accused-covering-up-brad-grey-rape-100m-lawsuit-1107896

Ex-MTV Exec Brian Graden Sued for Alleged Sexual Abuse
http://variety.com/2018/biz/news/brad-grey-brian-graden-rovier-carrington-1202795293/

Roman Polanski’s Attorney Threatens to Sue Academy Over Director’s Expulsion
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/roman-polanskis-attorney-threatens-sue-academy-directors-expulsion-1109821

NBC’s Matt Lauer Report Finds “No Evidence” That Leadership Knew of Behavior Complaints
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nbc-releases-findings-matt-lauer-harassment-inquiry-1108770

Christiane Amanpour Will Lead New PBS Late-Night Program
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christiane-amanpour-will-lead-new-pbs-late-night-program-1109701

Spotify Pulls R. Kelly and XXXTentacion From Playlists, Stirring a Debate
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/arts/music/rkelly-spotify-accusations-xxxtentacion.html

‘Arrested Development’ Pay Dispute Erupts Over “Recut” Episodes
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/arrested-development-pay-dispute-erupts-recut-episodes-1108966

‘Rick and Morty’ Gets 70 New Episodes Under Huge Renewal Deal
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/10/arts/television/rick-and-morty-70-new-episodes.html

Motown the Musical Tour Will End in June After 4 Years on the Road
http://www.playbill.com/article/motown-the-musical-tour-will-end-in-june-after-4-years-on-the-road

The Ultimate Analog Music Is Back
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-08/the-ultimate-analog-music-is-back-ballfinger-reel-to-reel-tape

How Mickey Mouse Conquered China
https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2018-05-02/how-mickey-mouse-conquered-china

Wanda Quietly Launches Qingdao Movie Metropolis
http://chinafilminsider.com/wanda-quietly-launches-qingdao-movie-metropolis/

Quick Take: Six Flags Coasts Toward More China Expansion
https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-04-25/quick-take-six-flags-coasts-toward-more-china-expansion-101239260.html

Anne V. Coates, Admired Editor of Acclaimed Movies, Dies at 92
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/obituaries/anne-v-coates-admired-editor-of-acclaimed-movies-dies-at-92.html

Remembering the Cinematic Prowess of Anne V. Coates
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/05/remembering-anne-v-coates-film-editor/560069/

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