Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | “Seeing myself on Netflix, I have to punch myself every day. Like, is that really me?” asked actress Tendaiishe Chitima, star of the first Zimbabwean feature film acquired by the streaming pioneer. “Cook Off” was shot in 2017, just months before the fall of Zimbabwe’s …
Read More »‘Bada… Bing… Bang’? HBO throws out rulebook with streaming launch
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Decades before glossy Netflix and Amazon shows began luring Hollywood A-listers to the small screen, cable network HBO helped invent premium television. Now the home of “The Sopranos,” “The Wire” and “Game of Thrones” is scrambling to catch up with its newfound online …
Read More »Scorsese and Netflix unveil ambitious new film “The Irishman”
New York, United States | AFP | Director Martin Scorsese unveiled his new film “The Irishman” Friday, kicking off the New York film festival with the ambitious Netflix movie that was more than a decade in the making. The star-studded gangster epic had a budget of $160 million, using 117 different …
Read More »Neymar fulfils ‘dream’ with cameo in Netflix drama
Paris, France | AFP | Neymar announced on Tuesday he had “realised” his dream with a cameo appearance as a monk in his favourite Netflix show. The Brazilian was originally edited out of two episodes of La Casa de Papel (Money Heist) by Netflix pending the outcome of his rape case. …
Read More »Netflix shares slide on disappointing subscriber growth
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Netflix shares plunged in after-hours trade Wednesday after its quarterly update showed weaker-than-expected subscriber growth for the streaming television sector leader. Netflix said it added 2.7 million new subscribers worldwide in the April-June period, well below expectations, as the sector prepared for offerings …
Read More »Five things to watch for on Oscars night
Hollywood, United States | AFP | Oscars night is quickly approaching — on Sunday, all will be revealed. Will Alfonso Cuaron sweep the awards for his cinematic masterpiece “Roma?” Will another contender swipe the best picture Oscar from him? Can Glenn Close finally claim her first Academy Award? The ceremony will …
Read More »Oscar nominations: all the fun facts
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The nominations for the 91st Oscars were announced Tuesday, with “Roma” and “The Favourite” leading the pack. But the statistical quirks that the annual event throws up can be as intriguing as tracking which movies get the most nods. Here are some fun …
Read More »Netflix will debut first African original in 2019
Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Streaming giant Netflix announced on Monday that it will launch the platform’s first original series made in Africa in 2019, adding that it planned further investment in productions on the continent. “#QueenSono — Africa’s first Netflix original! A thrilling story about a kickass female …
Read More »Obama in negotiations to create Netflix series: report
San Francisco, United States | AFP | Former US President Barack Obama is in negotiations with Netflix about producing a series of shows for the online streaming giant, according to US media reports. Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama would provide Netflix with exclusive content, with the format …
Read More »Under-fire US comic admits to sexual misconduct
New York, United States | AFP | A US comedian on Friday admitted sexual misconduct and expressed remorse after being accused of masturbating in front of women, a rare statement of contrition in the midst of Hollywood’s burgeoning sexual harassment scandal. Father of two Louis C.K. released the statement to …
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