Is the Holocaust passe for Hollywood and the world’s filmmakers? This is the first year in at least half a century that not a single Oscar or Golden Globe entry has focused on the horrors of the Shoah.
Actress Claire Danes has landed in Israel to film scenes for a new television series based on an Israeli show. Danes arrived Monday in Israelto film the Fox television series \”Patriots,\” based on the Israeli series \”Kidnapped,\” in which Israeli soldiers return after 17 years being held as POWs in Lebanon.
Is “Never Say Never,” the biographical documentary and concert film that recounts the rise of Justin Bieber, also a message film of “Hear O Israel\”? The film, which opens Feb. 11 in wide release, has a genuine Jewish backstory due to the onscreen presence and production involvement of Bieber’s Jewish manager, Scott Samuel \”Scooter\” Braun.
Susanne Bier, whose Danish film, “In a Better World,” is a favorite for Oscar honors, is an anomaly.
Adam Sandler was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sandler brought his two daughters, ages 2 and 4, to Tuesday\’s ceremony in front of the W Hollywood Hotel. His is the 2,431st star awarded on the walk.
Israeli filmmakers Erez Kav-El and Talya Lavie received awards at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.
An anti-Israel Turkish movie filmed in part aboard the intercepted flotilla ship the Marmara will not open in Germany as scheduled. Germany\’s movie-ratings agency announced Tuesday that it would not allow \”Valley of the Wolves-Palestine\” to open Thursday, saying it had not had time to review the film. The film had been scheduled to open on International Holocaust Day. More than 3 million ethnic Turks live in Germany, according to The Wall Street Journal.
With “The King’s Speech” garnering 12 nods, royalty led the Oscar nomination parade, but Jewish contenders had their shining moments.
Oscar nominations announced.
The brother of Harry Potter actress Afshan Azad was jailed on Friday for six months for attacking his sister after discovering she was dating a non-Muslim. Azad, 22, who played Padma Patil in the hit film franchise, allegedly feared for her life during the three-hour ordeal last year, according to statements issued at the Manchester Crown Court.
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