The Curse from the Medieval Symphony

A Screen Australia, Wild Fury production in colaboration with Screen Queensland, Australian Broadcasting Corp., Melbourne Film Festival Premiere Fund. (Worldwide sales: Films Transit Intl., Montreal.) Created by Veronica Fury. Directed by Randall Wood. Script, Wood, Anthony Mullins.With: Gary Thorpe, Veronica Fury, Malcolm McDonald, John Curro, Alison Rogers, Olga Pringle, Eugene Gilfedder, Paul Grabowski, Martin Anderson, Deborah Conway, Jason Pocock, Alyson Stimson.An Antipodean "let us placed on a show" ethos encounters an alleged hex with an unwieldy musical opus within the charming docu "The Curse from the Medieval Symphony." The titular spell on Havergal Brian's composition is highlighted by superbly made graphics -- and fewer remarkably via helmer Randall Wood's technique -- however the enjoyably eccentric musical professionals and fanatics questioned here never appear to accept alleged "curse" seriously. Partially funded by gold coin from Australian Broadcasting Corp., docu appeals to worldwide pubcasters, while music-designed fests will probably add this for their repertoires. Designed in the 20's over an eight-year period by working-class British composer John, "The Medieval Symphony" continues to be carried out under six occasions in the whole. Not able to understand the problem or even the prohibitive expense any venue would face in organizing both orchestras, four brass bands and five choirs needed through the piece, the composer declared his work to become cursed. Decades later in Queensland, classical-music aficionado and radio broadcaster Gary Thorpe wished to produce an Australian performance from the symphony -- the very first outdoors Blighty. His mission survived 28 years. Docu starts in 2005, as producer Veronica Fury, simply because Thorpe needs all of the help he is able to get, begins aiding him with organization and fund-raising. Once grouchy conductor John Curro and anxious choral master Alison Rogers are enlisted, it appears Thorpe's dream may finally be realized. Visiting London, the docu observes as news from the impending production transmits the oddball membership from the Havergal John Society all atwitter. Nonetheless, multiple variables, such as the ongoing scarcity of gold coin, conspire to beset the suggested concert with obstacles. Because the clock ticks lower to some 2010 performance, pic is interspersed with dialogue-free dramatizations of Brian's struggles to create the symphony, archival footage from the deceased composer and excerpts from a job interview with Brian's now-octogenarian daughter, Olga Pringle. Although too great for the cutting-room floor, the tranquil interview with Pringle in her own Scottish home has run out of sync using the film's harried tone her dotty authenticity also stands for an impact that most of the stilted previous interviews with Queensland participants were semi-practiced. Helmer Wood relies an excessive amount of on altered camera contacts because he tries to produce a malevolent atmosphere where none is available. Exquisite graphics from animation house Fifty Fifty tend to be heavy-handed within this context, but how a animation indicates demonic forces is properly medieval. Mismatching threads eventually converge, and also the stylistic clashes end up part of the docu's ramshackle homemovie charm. Pic finishes on the triumphant note, using the helmer making certain the climactic performance is offered due coverage. Tech credits are great. Since its stereo system preem at Melbourne fest, docu continues to be remixed for five.1 Multichannel audio.Camera (color, HD), Randall Wood editor, Scott Walton music, Havergal John animation director, Paul Butler seem, Michael Gissing. Examined on DVD, Sydney, August. 6, 2011. (In Melbourne Film Festival -- Australian Showcase.) Running time: 82 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sins Of My Dad

This is actually the incredible story of Pablo Escobar, the infamous boss of Colombia's Medellin drug cartel, told for the first time by his boy, Sebastian and the widow Maria Isabel Santos. In Nicolas Entel's film Sebastian informs of his remarkable childhood, becoming an adult having a father he loved but whom he understood to become Colombia's enemy number 1. He informs of occasions of remarkable luxury and extravagance, and in other cases away from home. And Sebastian and the widow open the household vaults to talk about their private and lengthy hidden archives. But this is the storyline of a couple of Escobar's most prominent sufferers, the Minister of Justice along with a politician going to be chosen Leader of Colombia, as relayed through their sons. These were among 100s that Escobar had wiped out within the 1980's. The film follows Sebastian because he attempts to break periodic revenge and murder by seeking reconciliation using the sons of his father's sufferers.

Meg Lowe Moves From Discovery To Distribution And Strategy Gig At OWN

Los Angeles, CA Meg Lowe has been named senior vice president of distribution and strategy for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, it was announced today by Erik Logan and Sheri Salata, presidents of OWN. Lowe has been elevated to the position having most recently served as senior vice president of distribution for Discovery Communications. In her new role, she will lead sales and affiliate marketing and all carriage negotiations for OWN. "Meg has proven her skills working withdistribution partners across Discoverys U.S. networks and MTV Networks, and I look forward to putting her expertise to work for OWN, said Logan. As the network prepares for the launch of its robust Fall lineup and the debut of Oprahs Next Chapter in January, I am confident that this momentum, coupled with Megs leadership, will help create lasting win-win relationships with distributors and subscribers alike and help expand OWNs nationwide reach, added Salata. In her previous position with Discovery since 2010, Lowe led the affiliate marketing and field sales team in securing carriage for Discoverys portfolio of 13 U.S. networks. Lowe also oversaw all activities and carriage negotiations for Discoverys suite of HD channels and all Discovery U.S. Hispanic networks, in addition to the companys joint venture services 3net and The Hub, which she willcontinue to oversee in her new position. Before joining Discovery in 2010, Lowe spent15 years at MTV Networks, most recently, as senior vice president, contentdistribution and marketing. In this capacity she oversaw distribution for all MTV and BET Networks. Previously, she was responsible for negotiating distribution deals as vice president, market development forMTV and BET Networks. She also served as director and manager inthe MTV Networks Market development group. Lowe started her careerin media in planning and buying positions at Backer Spielvogel Bates, OrionPictures and Draft Worldwide. Among her industry achievements and affiliations,Lowe is a member of the Cable Television Association for Marketing, Womenin Cable Telecommunications (WICT) and a graduate of WICTs Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and film from the University of Maryland.

Billy Crystal Is "Itchy" To Host Oscars Again

February's 83rd Academy Awards called him "one of the greatest Oscar hosts of all time". And Hollywood realized how much he was missed when he made a surprise appearance on stage at the Kodak Theatre last time around. Now Billy Crystal dropped a big hint this past weekend that he's "itchy" to host again.The 63-year-old actor made the remarks duringa Q&A for an American Cinematheque screeningto mark the 20th anniversary of his comedy City Slickers. The Los Angeles Times caught his remarks: "It got to be too much after a while and the sameness in my life.That's why I pulled back. And then when I thought I might want to do it again, they were on to other people. It's always fun. It's really hard, but maybe one or two more times? I don't know. They know where I am...I came out last year as a surprise. It was a last-minute decision. They had called and said would you do this thing and honor Bob Hope and that was a kind of cool thing to do. I said OK. I did it, and people wanted to see me, they stood up, and I couldn't talk for about a minute. And, um, I got a little itchy. So we'll see what happens. I can't promise anything." Here's his cameo from the 83rd Academy Awards:

RATINGS RAT RACE: 'Big Brother' Steady, 'Same Name' Perks Up

CBS easily won Sunday night with the two highest-rated programs of the night in adults 18-49 -- Big Brother (2.8/9, 7.8 million) at 8 PM, which was even with last week, and Same Name (1.6/4, 5.1 million) at 9 PM, which was up a whopping 23%. With 60 Minutes (1.2/4, 8.7 million) and a CSI: Miami rerun (1.2/3, 5 million) solid as bookends (60 Minutes was the most watched program of the night), CBS dominated the night with an average of 1.7/2 in 18-49 and 6.4 million viewers. Also worth noting is the solid performance of rerun of ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos at 7 PM (1.3/4, 5.3 million), which drew the third highest ratings for the night in 18-49 and total viewers, significantly outperforming the Ty's Great British Adventure special (1.0/3, 3.8 million), which followed it on ABC. Fox aired comedy reruns leading into the 2011 Teen Choice Awards (1.1/3), hosted by The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco, which were down 27% in the adults 18-49 demo though up 4% in the core teen demo (2.8/8) to post the award show's best teen numbers in 3 years. NBC aired low-rated reruns (Dateline, 0.5/2 & It's Worth What?, 0.7/2) followed by two back-to-back episodes of The Marriage Ref at 9 PM (0.9/2) and 10 PM (1.0/3). The first episode was even and the second up a tenth from last week's show, which aired at 10 PM. Both built on their lead-ins.

Cheers & Jeers: Betsy Brandt's Big Break

Betsy Brandt Cheers to Betsy Brandt for breaking out on Breaking Bad. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine.As Marie Schrader, the off-kilter sister-in-law of terminally ill meth-magician Walter White (Bryan Cranston), the skilled character actress has mostly provided support - in every sense of the word - on AMC's nerve-wracking thriller. But with the latest episode, "Open House," Brandt brilliantly stepped into the spotlight as Marie spun out of control, regaling real estate agents and home-sellers with cockamamie fictions about her life - and surreptitiously swiping a few mementos in the process.Marie's bizarrely escapist behavior was understandable, considering how grim her reality has become, with partially paralyzed narc husband Hank (Dean Norris) verbally abusing her for bringing home Fritos instead of Cheetos. Her character might've gotten a bad break, but Brandt's future couldn't be brighter.How great is Betsy Brandt on Breaking Bad?Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Ben Foster Tapped To Play John Jr In Fiore Films' 'Gotti' Pic

Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father finally has a son: Ben Foster has been tapped to play John Gotti Jr in the pic, which stars John Travolta as John Sr, Al Pacino and Kelly Preston. Joe Pesci also has been cast in the production, but he's suing producer Fiore Films over his role. Barry Levinson, who replaced original helmer Nick Cassavetes, is directing the pic from a screenplay by Levinson and James Toback. Production is set to begin Jan. 3. Foster, who co-starred in 3:10 to Yuma and more recently opposite Jason Statham in The Mechanic, is reuniting with Levinson after starring in the director's 1999 film Liberty Heights.