Breaking News: Oscar Buzz in France, Royal Drama and the ‘Naza’ Controversy in Israel Unfolds

Hello Insiders, it’s Max Goldbart checking back in to guide you through this week’s newsletter. Continue reading and don’t forget to subscribe.

Controversy Surrounds NAZA

The Intersection of Israeli Cinema and Politics: Israeli films often blur the lines between culture and politics, and the documentary NAZA is no exception. Premiered last week in Venice, this urgent documentary by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, directors of the Oscar-winning No Other Land, delves into a destructive program in Gaza. The film, meaning collateral damage in Hebrew, was predominantly filmed at night atop Tel Aviv buildings to dodge Israeli surveillance and safeguard its subjects. Currently, Abraham faces a threat to his citizenship from Benjamin Netanyahu, who condemns the film as “global antisemitic incitement.” Additionally, the Israeli Film Council has criticized the Venice premiere and plans to exclude film festivals from its budgeting process for film funds.

France’s Oscar Submission

France’s Oscar Decision: ‘Minotaur’ Over ‘De Gaulle’: This week’s major question in the heated competition for the Best International Feature Film Oscar was which film France would nominate. The decision often stirs up politics and debate, and this year was no exception. The choice narrowed down to Andrey Zyagintsev’s Russia-themed drama Minotaur, supported by French producers, and the historical epic De Gaulle: Résistance, which focuses on the French leader’s defiance against the Nazis. Ultimately, Minotaur was selected, marking the second consecutive year France has chosen a non-French language film, sparking discussions within the industry about the appropriateness of such decisions. The tactical selection seems aimed at appealing to Oscar voters’ preferences. Meanwhile, Spain has nominated the Cannes favorite La Bola Negra, a Netflix-acquired musical drama, as its entry, setting the stage for an intense competition.

Spotlight on Aimee Lou Wood at TIFF

Choosing a highlight from our TIFF Studio interviews was tough, so we settled on Aimee Lou Wood. The White Lotus star discussed her role in Małgorzata Szumowska’s The Idiot(s) at the Toronto International Film Festival. While there, Wood also touched on her character from The White Lotus, pondering whether her now-deceased character could reappear in future episodes, perhaps in another character’s consciousness. This intriguing possibility and more make her interview a must-watch. >>>Check Out The Interview

New Revelations About Princess Diana

Princess Diana’s Unheard Tapes: As a new documentary about Princess Diana prepares for its international debut, the timing couldn’t be more apt—amidst a fresh controversy involving her brother, Earl Spencer, and the current British monarchy. The documentary, Diana Unheard, features previously undisclosed recordings between Diana and her confidant, James Colthurst, from 1991. These tapes reveal her candid thoughts on Prince Charles and Camilla, among other topics. The film aims to portray Diana beyond the usual narrative of vulnerability, coinciding with explosive revelations from Spencer’s upcoming book, which includes a contentious claim about Prince Charles’s reaction to Diana’s death. This claim prompted a rare public response from Buckingham Palace, emphasizing the complex emotions of grief. As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle return to the UK, the royal family continues to be under intense scrutiny, with more revelations expected at the upcoming MIPCOM in Cannes.

By the Figures and Key Updates

Must-Watch: Sam Worthington, Liam Hemsworth, and Cara Delevingne are set to star in Paul Schrader’s new erotic thriller Non Compos Mentis.

Another Big Move: Stan is bringing back the beloved Australian series McLeod’s Daughters and adapting Angourice Rice’s modern take on Pride & Prejudice for television.

Major Exit: Eric Schrier, Disney’s international DTC chief, is transitioning to a producer role.

Emmy Night Success: Matthew Rhys from Wales made history at the Emmys, a night that celebrated numerous international talents.

Festival Updates: The Dubai International Film Festival is making a comeback after a decade-long hiatus, while the future of the Red Sea Film Festival remains uncertain with its scheduled date approaching in December.

More on Festivals: José Luis Rebordinos reflects on his final year at San Sebastián in a detailed discussion with Diana.

Controversy Unfolds: The film about Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil faces an investigation over allegations of illegal funding.

Industry Analysis: Despite significant layoffs, Channel 4 has decided against reevaluating executive salaries, pointing to decisions made by previous leadership.

Who’s Next for Doctor Who: The search is on for the next producer of Doctor Who, as the BBC launches a tender for the show’s new direction.

AI in Writing: Screenwriter Jack Thorne suggests some writers are using AI to cut corners in scriptwriting.

Theater News: The West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George is delayed following the departures of stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey.

Potential Shutdown: The streaming service SkyShowtime, a joint venture between Paramount and Comcast, may soon close following a review by its board.

Streaming Success: Mercedes Ron’s Drawn Together tops the Prime Video charts.

New Partnership: Disney and Kakao have inked a deal for ten projects in Korea, aiming to discover the next K-pop sensation.

Box Office Buzz: Resident Evil is set for an $80M global opening weekend.

Coming Soon: A new trailer for Happily Ever After, featuring K-pop star Shuhua.

International Insider was crafted by Max Goldbart and edited by Jesse Whittock. Contributions by Andreas Wiseman. For tips, comments, or international coverage ideas, reach out to jwhittock@deadline.com and mgoldbart@deadline.com