Reuters Entertainment News Summary

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Cannes entry 'Coward' uncovers softer side of World War One, says director

A black-and-white photo of World War One soldiers posing in sandbag skirts and shell jewellery, in stark contrast to typical images of ​the conflict, provided the starting point for Cannes Film Festival entry "Coward," said Belgian director Lukas Dhont.

Dhont said growing up in Belgium, where cemeteries from the war ​are a constant reminder, gave him a strong personal connection to the period.

Rami Malek makes Cannes debut in ‌AIDS crisis ​drama 'The Man I Love'

Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek made his debut on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on Wednesday with Ira Sachs' competition film about living with HIV/AIDS in 1980s New York City, "The Man I Love." "To be a part of it here for the first time in my life and at this age is an extraordinary pinch yourself moment again," the 45-year-old told Reuters ahead of the premiere.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' maker sues US government, others over music use

The production company behind the classic holiday special "A Charlie Brown Christmas" filed ‌lawsuits against the U.S. Department of the Interior, a video-game maker and others on Wednesday for allegedly using Vince Guaraldi's iconic music from the "Peanuts" movie without permission. Lee Mendelson Film Productions alleged in a lawsuit filed in a Washington federal court that the Interior Department used Guaraldi's version of the Christmas carol "O Tannenbaum" in a digital holiday card last year without a license.

Ivor songwriting award winners include Jacob Alon, Rosalia

Singers Jacob Alon and CMAT were among the winners on Thursday at the Ivors, Britain's annual awards for songwriters and screen composers, with the late George Michael and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke honoured with lifetime recognition. Spanish star Rosalia was named international songwriter of the year following her chart-topping album "LUX", on which she sings in multiple languages. British rocker Sam ‌Fender took songwriter of the year while DJ and record producer Calvin Harris won the music icon award.

Andy Garcia's LA noir 'Diamond' reaches Cannes after two decades in the making

Cuban-born Hollywood actor Andy Garcia's passion project, "Diamond," screened at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, some two decades after the "Ocean's Eleven" star first conceived the idea while helping his ‌daughter with a school assignment. Garcia directed and stars in the noir-inspired film that follows private detective Joe Diamond, who is hired by femme fatale widow Sharon Cobbs, played by Vicky Krieps, to investigate the murder of a wealthy businessman.

Russia's Zvyagintsev says war theme in his Cannes entry 'Minotaur' was matter of fate

Fate dictated that Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev's first feature since leaving his homeland, "Minotaur" - competing at the Cannes Film Festival - was set during the Ukraine war, he told journalists on Wednesday. The director said the idea to adapt French director Claude Chabrol's 1969 marital drama "La Femme Infidele" came to him soon after his previous Cannes entry, "Loveless", was released nearly a decade ago.

Outside Cannes, stars shine for AIDS research at amfAR Gala hosted by Geena Davis

Celebrities including Rami Malek, Eva Longoria and Lizzo gathered on the grounds of the immaculate Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on Thursday evening for the amfAR Gala to ⁠raise money for HIV/AIDS research. Oscar ​winner Geena Davis returned to the event after nearly three decades to host this year's gala ⁠on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival in the French Riviera village of Antibes.

John Travolta unsure he will direct again after Cannes debut

John Travolta, fresh from his directorial debut at the Cannes Film Festival last week, told Reuters that he cannot imagine stepping behind the camera again unless he felt a deep passion for its subject matter. "When people say, 'Would you direct again?' - I have to be passionate because it's all-consuming, so you have ⁠to love it that much," said the screen legend, admitting that making "Propeller One-Way Night Coach" was at times overwhelming.

Exclusive-British theatre group ATG Entertainment readied for sale, sources say

British West End theatre operator ATG Entertainment is in the early stages of being prepared for a possible sale by its private equity owner, four people familiar with the matter said.

A decision to go ahead with a sale of ATG ​Entertainment, previously known as Ambassador Theatre Group, would mark a revival for an industry that was hurt badly by lockdowns during the pandemic.

Mixed Martial Arts-Rousey's return against Carano draws record US audience on Netflix

Netflix’s debut live Mixed Martial Arts broadcast, featuring Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano's comeback, had a peak viewership of nearly 17 million, ⁠the streaming company reported on Tuesday. The event running under the banner of Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotion in Inglewood, California, peaked at 11.6 million viewers in the U.S., while the card averaged 9.3 million, surpassing the previous record of 8.8 million set in 2011 for UFC on Fox 1.

Disney sends Baby Yoda to bring 'Star Wars' fans to theaters

"The Mandalorian and Grogu," the first "Star Wars" movie in seven years, heads to theaters this weekend as Walt Disney ⁠bets on ​the charm of Baby Yoda to re-energize the film franchise. Disney put the "Star Wars" movies on hiatus following 2019's "The Rise of Skywalker" after executives concluded they had released too many films in a short period. That same year, the "Star Wars" TV show "The Mandalorian" became a hit on the Disney+ streaming service.

Embracer's Warhorse Studios to develop game set in the world of Lord of the Rings

Warhorse Studios, owned by video game group Embracer, is developing an open-world role-playing game set in the world of the Lord of the Rings, Embracer's chief executive said on Wednesday. The game will be set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, CEO Phil Rogers said in a post-earnings call.

Bruce Dern brings 'Dernsie' philosophy to Cannes in career-spanning ⁠documentary

Bruce Dern, one of Hollywood's most enduring character actors, returned to the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, over a decade after winning best actor, for the premiere of a documentary dedicated to the 89-year-old's unconventional career path. "Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern" is a chronological biographical documentary by filmmaker Mike Mendez about Dern's nearly 70-year career in ⁠acting, starting with small bit parts and moving on to create his distinctive acting style, the Dernsie.

Netflix ⁠to add Charlamagne tha God's 'The Breakfast Club' as first daily live show

Netflix will stream "The Breakfast Club" radio show on weekdays from June 1, deepening its partnership with iHeartMedia and making the program the streaming giant's first daily live show. The morning show, hosted by Charlamagne tha God, DJ Envy and Jess Hilarious, with guests such as former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, will run simultaneously on Netflix and radio for nearly three hours, the companies said on Thursday.

At Cannes, Almodovar says artists have duty to speak out against 'monsters' like ‌Trump

Oscar-winning Spanish director Pedro Almodovar urged artists to speak out about ‌the crises facing society on Wednesday, describing it as their moral duty against "monsters" like U.S. President Donald Trump. "The creator, from their small platform, each from their own, must speak without mincing words," ​said Almodovar at the Cannes Film Festival after the premiere of his tragicomedy "Bitter Christmas."