International Week In Review 7/20

Paris Premiere Of 'Dark Knight Rises' Cancelled After Shooting

Warner Bros. cancelled the planned Paris premiere of The Dark Knight Rises after a gunman killed at least 12 people at a midnight screening of the film in Colorado. Cinemas across Europe said they would be tightening theater security ahead of the film's release.

'Narnia' Star William Moseley Hit by Lightning

British actor William Moseley (The Chronicles of Narnia), was hit by lightning during the shoot for his new film, The Silent Mountain. Moseley and nine other Silent Mountain crew members were injured while filming a scene on location in the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. All have since recovered and shooting on the film has resumed.

YouTube Launches Dedicated Ramadan Channel

Online video site YouTube launched a channel dedicated to Middle East series screening during the holy month of Ramadan, which kicks off Friday. YouTube will screen more than 50 series from across the region on the site. Middle East broadcasters earn a major chunk of their annual revenue during the 30-day period.

Apple Must Tell U.K. Consumers Samsung Tablet Not iPad Clone

Apple's global legal battle against Samsung's Galaxy tablets was dealt a blow in the U.K. this week when a judge ordered Apple to inform consumers on its U.K. web site and in British newspapers that Samsung did not copy the tech giant's designs for the iPad in its own tablet device.

BBC Keeps Olympics Through 2020

A week ahead of the opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics, the BBC has signed a deal to ensure it will remain the exclusive U.K. Olympic broadcaster through 2020 at least. The agreement signed with the International Olympic Committee includes U.K. rights across all media platforms, including online and mobile.

Locarno to Honor Mexico's Gael Garcia Bernal


Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal will join U.K. actress Charlotte Rampling as recipients of the Locarno Film Festival’s Excellence Award, organizers announced this week. Garcia Bernal stars in Pablo Larrain’s historical drama No, which will screen in Locarno.

Universal Inks Russian Deal With Premium Film

Universal Pictures International (UPI) this week made a major play for the booming Russian market, announcing a principal agreement with Russian distributor Premium Film to release eight upcoming UPI films.The first major Premium release by UPI will be Jackie Chan’s Chinese Zodiac, followed by Last Stand starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Conde Nast's Ostroff and Hulu CEO Kilar At MIPCOM

Conde Nast Entertainment president Dawn Ostroff and Hulu CEO Jason Kilar will give keynote addresses to industry attendees at this year's MIPCOM confab in Cannes. Ostroff's keynote will focus on the importance of storytelling in a multiplatform world while Kilar will stress the importance of original programming in Hulu's success.

Hollywood Movies Make $4 billion For Euro TV

Hollywood films were worth a cool $4.3 billion for European broadcasters last year, according to a research report published this week. The report found the six big Hollywood studios accounted for two-thirds of imported feature film hours last year. Germany was the biggest winner from Hollywood films, with broadcasters generating $1 billion from imported films.

Madonna Cancels Australia Tour, Adds France Gig


Madonna cancelled her plan tour of Australia this week, meaning it will be the first time in 20 years the pop music icon won't be touring down under. But Madonna added a July 26th concert date in Paris, where she has incurred the wrath of right wing politician Marine Le Pen for a screening a video showing a swastika superimposed on Le Pen’s face.