lifestyle TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015

Music & Movies Glen joins psychological thriller ‘Beautiful Devils’

ame of Thrones” actor Iain Glen has joined the cast “Beautiful Devils” is directed by James Marquand (“One Night their lovers through lies, treachery and murder. Channeling of psychological thriller “Beautiful Devils,” which in Istanbul,” “The Boy with the Thorn in His Side”), and is pro- the themes of ambition, greed and the pressure of social “G started filming in London last week. The movie is a duced by Ascension Productions’ Craig Tuohy, alongside media culture, the film, like the original play, ends in bloody modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Othello,” set in Carnaby Intl.’s Andrew Loveday, Mike Loveday and Terry tragedy. “Beautiful Devils” is filming in the U.K. around the the world of the contemporary music business. Glen, whose Loveday. Carnaby has secured worldwide sales rights to the urban areas of East London, giving it a dark gritty feel to credits include the role of Lady Mary’s beau Sir Richard Carlisle film. The pic sees up-and-coming musician Oz (Ikhile) aban- match the tone of the tragic story. Filming commenced on in “Downton Abbey,” plays alongside a raft of up-and-coming don his friend, confidant and musical side-kick Ivan June 1 and is scheduled to wrap on July 5, and will receive its talent, including Osy Ikhile, who appears in the upcoming (Langridge), in favor of his lover Darcy (Hurd-Wood) and her theatrical release in the spring of 2016. — Reuters “Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation,” Elliot James Langridge friend, the talented Casper (Horn). (“Northern Soul”), Rachel Hurd-Wood (“Home Fires”), and Ivan remains close to Oz as he rises to stardom, all the Danny Horn (“Emmerdale”). while secretly setting out to ruin his former friend. Ivan ropes Others appearing include comedian Rufus Hound, making in the services of the malleable Rigo, the producer’s son who his feature film debut, and established thesp Steve holds a grudge against Oz because of his unrequited love for Waddington, whose credits include “The Imitation Game.” Darcy. Together they set about destroying the new group and Iain Glen

Zambian musician arrested for ‘mocking’ president

Zambian musician was arrested yesterday song’s lyrics tell the story of a character named over a song he composed that officials said Lungu who grows up in a slum and becomes presi- Adefamed President Edgar Lungu by accus- dent. The Lungu in the song is described as carry- ing him of drinking too much and being incompe- ing a suitcase filled with bottles of Jameson Irish tent. Chama Fumba, 31, whose stage name is whiskey and having no idea how to govern. Pilato, was detained in Lusaka and charged with President Lungu, 58, who took office in January, is conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, his a former defense minister. He suffers from recur- lawyer told reporters at the capital’s central police ring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of station. “The police declined to grant us bail and the oesophagus, and has been regularly hospi- we requested to them that in that case the matter talised for treatment. His election victory followed should quickly proceed to court,” Marshall the death of predecessor Michael Sata. — AFP Muchende said. Fumba faces a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine if found guilty. The

This photo provided by Universal Pictures shows, Nick Robinson, left, as Summer box office stumbles: Zach, and Ty Simpkins as Gray, in a scene from the film, ‘Jurassic World,’ direct- Can save the day? ed by Colin Trevorrow, in ‘Jurassic World’ the next installment of Steven Spielberg’s ground- ot even the combined heat of the Avengers, sequels and reboots with sizzle. “There’s no reason to breaking ‘Jurassic Park’ Melissa McCarthy, and the Barden Bellas, can panic at all,” said Contrino. “Some of the strongest series. — AP Npush the summer box office past the boiling movies of the summer are still on the horizon. June point. Take this weekend when “Spy,” a critically and July were pretty weak last year, but this year is adored espionage send-up with McCarthy, bowed to a much stronger.” solid $30 million, even as overall ticket sales declined for the third time in a row. That losing streak comes on Diminishing part the heels of the worst Memorial Day the movie busi- It’s also true that individual movies are hits whether ness has seen in five years as “Tomorrowland,” the or not the overall box office is booming. “Spy” may heavily promoted George Clooney fantasy, stumbled have generated less than the $35 million that many out of the gate. There’s still a lot of popcorn movie sea- analysts had expected it would make, but with a pro- son left to go, but this was not the way that many ana- duction budget of $65 million and strong overseas’ lysts and studios expected summer 2015 to play out. numbers, it stands to be profitable. Likewise, “Pitch Zambian musician Chama Fimba, also known as Pilato, arrives at Lusaka Central Police station for “It’s not a Chicken Little, ‘the sky is falling’ situation, Perfect 2,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “San Andreas” questioning after police summoned him over a song he has released in Lusaka yesterday. — AFP but certainly we need a big hit and we need it now,” will enrich their backers, even if the larger business is said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at struggling. With the domestic box office a diminishing Rentrak. The problem is that too many movies have part of a film’s revenue pie US audiences aren’t as arrived without numerals in the title or have been important as they were a decade ago. “Avengers: Age pitched to older audiences instead of the teenagers of Ultron,” for instance, has generated 67% of its $1.3 who drive the movie business from May through billion bounty from foreign markets, while “Mad Max: Usher wants to August. “A lot of original titles combined with R-rated Fury Road’s” best chance at recouping its $150 million fare has had an impact,” said Dergarabedian. There are production budget lies with how fervently overseas’ a couple of reasons the expected windfall has yet to crowds embrace its apocalyptic vision. materialize. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” has earned a The issue is one of perception, however, and it’s a move to London massive $438 million stateside, but it will fall short of predicament largely of Hollywood’s own making. the $623 million that its predecessor racked up. And Facing a bleak 2014, studios and exhibitors relentlessly films like “Mad Max: Fury Road” have failed to match beat the drum for 2015, predicting that records would he 36-year-old star revealed he would “love” to move to the big box office returns of “Maleficent” and “X-Men: shatter and old benchmarks would be left in the dust. the English capital from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, Days of Future Past,” both of which premiered early in Some analysts even projected that summer 2015 Tbecause he wants his sons Usher ‘Cinco’, seven, and the summer of 2014. would be the first time in history that North American Naviyd Ely, six, to explore the city. Speaking at an intimate receipts would top $5 billion. That now seems unlike- show in the city on Sunday he said: “I’d love to live in London, Anticipated releases ly. Ticket sales trail previous record holder, the summer and I’d love my kids to explore the culture, the languages, As it currently stands, 2015’s summer is outpacing of 2013, by 7% and some analysts are revising their everything. I’ve always wanted to do a stint in London.” the previous year’s ticket sales by a mere 2.9%. That’s a summer estimates downward to roughly $4.5 billion, The exclusive semi-acoustic show was held as part of paltry lead given that 2014 fielded the worst summer less than the high water mark of $4.8 billion. “The sum- MasterCard’s Priceless Surprises campaign, with 400 lucky since 1997 when adjusting for inflation. Help is on the mer just isn’t firing on all cylinders,” said Jeff Bock, box guests being treated to some of his biggest hits including way. “Jurassic World” is projected to open to north of office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. “Four out of six “OMG’, ‘Climax’ and ‘Good Kisser’ alongside a five-piece band. $100 million and the months of June and July bring weekends this summer have been down and that’s left Speaking after his set, Usher added: “Performing tonight was a such highly anticipated releases as “Minions,” a spin-off a sour taste.” Of course next weekend, when “Jurassic completely unique experience - from the intimate crowd and of “Despicable Me”; Pixar’s “Inside Out”; the fifth World” takes multiplexes by storm, the seasonal acoustic set, to the incredible venue. It was great to be able to “Mission: Impossible”; follow-ups to “Magic Mike” and depression could give way to euphoria. Such is life on perform a completely different type of concert for my British “Ted”; Marvel’s “Ant-Man”; and the gaming comedy the emotional roller coaster that is the summer box fans.” “Pixels.” On paper, they look like winners. office. — Reuters Celebrity fans including ‘Jealous’ singer Labrinth and Bond Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst of girl Naomie Harris were among the lucky stars in the audience BoxOffice.com, says scheduling is to blame. The pic- for the show, during which the ‘Burn’ hitmaker sipped tea as a ture might seem rosier if say “Mad Max: Fury Road” and tribute to the UK. Mary J Blige is the next artist to perform for “Pitch Perfect 2” had debuted over Memorial Day the Priceless Gigs series, for which MasterCard cardholders have an exclusive chance to win tickets by entering before instead of “Tomorrowland,” he argues, and the rest of Usher the warm months will see an impressive number of Thursday 9 June .-Bang Showbiz

Richard Johnson, Abu Dhabi Court orders shut down a near miss to play of illegal TV services distributor ollowing a complaint received from OSN, the region’s leading covering hotels, shops and camps. 007, dies at 87 pay-TV network, the Abu Dhabi Criminal Investigation India based Direct-to-Home (DTH) overspill services such as ichard Johnson, a distinguished British FDepartment (CID) successfully conducted a raid at a shop Dish TV India, Airtel Digital TV, Sun Direct and Tata Sky are unli- actor who almost played James Bond, selling unauthorised subscription services and set top boxes from censed and unauthorised to operate in the MENA region. has died. He was 87. Johnson’s family Indian pay-TV operator, Dish TV. According to industry reports, TV piracy costs the industry over R Following the raid, the CID authorities presented the case US$500 million every year. The Anti-Piracy Coalition has launched says he died Saturday in a London hospital after a short illness. A founding member of before the Abu Dhabi Court for illegal provision of TV content, a campaign called ‘Do the Right Thing,’ encouraging illegal pay-TV the Royal Shakespeare Company, Johnson backed with evidence seized during the raid which included Dish subscribers to swap their service for a legitimate OSN set-top box. had a six-decade career on stage, film and TV receivers and a computer. television. His big-screen roles included Based on the evidence captured and applicable laws, the Abu “Khartoum” opposite Laurence Olivier and Dhabi Court has ordered the closure of the shop for one year, Charlton Heston. deportation of the shop manager, and imposed a fine of AED Johnson told Cinema Retro magazine in 200,000. This judgment is subject to appeal, which has to be filed 2009 that he declined the lead role in the first within 14 days. Bond film, “Dr. No.” Sean Connery got the part David Butorac, Chief Executive Officer of OSN, said: “We are instead. Johnson felt Connery was miscast thankful to the CID and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department for but nonetheless perfect, “because it turned their swift and stern action that will dissuade operators and dis- the thing on its head and he made it funny.” tributors of illegal TV services. The court verdict reiterates the seri- Johnson wed four times, including a brief ousness with which the government regards TV piracy. We will 1960s marriage to American star Kim Novak. continue to work with the authorities to curb TV piracy, which He is survived by his wife Lynne and four chil- adversely impacts the TV and creative industry of the UAE.” dren. — AP Based on complaints filed by OSN, the Department of Economic Development and Criminal Investigation Departments Kim Novak walks arm-in-arm with British actor Richard across the UAE have investigated and conducted 47 raids to-date Johnson, her former husband, in London. — AP