Anna Maria Muehe: Adopted family into biz

Anna Maria MueheIf that title appears to sounds familiar, it will. Berlin-born Anna Maria Muehe's parents were both thesps: her mother is East German Jenny Groellmann, and her father, Ulrich Muehe, is better known worldwide because the star of "The Lives of Others," which won the foreign-lingo film Oscar in 2006.For Muehe, another career would be a possibility ("Like anybody, I had been thinking about various thingsInch), but after shooting her first feature at age 15 -- Maria von Heland's "Large Women Don't Cry" (2001) -- she found the lure of showbiz too great to face up to.Annually later, she won the actress award in the Copenhagen Film Festival on her lead role in Achim von Borries' "Love in Ideas," and it has since made an appearance in Julie Delpy's "The Countess," Til Schweiger's "1 1/2 Knights in combat" and Christian Schwochow's "November Child," that she received a German Film Award nomination."I believe my great fortune, to date, is the fact that every movie I have made, I have labored with brilliant stars. For instance, this past year I performed alongside Otto Sander, a guy who's behaved for this type of very long time, as well as in a wide variety of films, yet who's never lost the pleasure with what he is doing,Inch she states.Does she consider herself a European or perhaps a German actress? "I do not really use whatever difference. To obtain me hooked, it simply requires a great script as well as an interesting director it isn't important maybe it's a German or perhaps an worldwide project -- the job and also the preparation are identical.InchFor instance, among the best company directors is Dominik Graf. I am really intrigued by his method of coping with projects and exactly how he works together with stars. However, you will find a lot of outstanding company directors around the globe. It might be an recognition to utilize them.InchCome back towards the Berlin Preview >> Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Sony Pictures Classics acquires 'Sugar Man'

'Searching for the Sugar Man' Read the reviewSony Pictures Classics has acquired the rights in North America to Malik Bendjelloul's directorial debut "Searching for Sugar Man."Sony Classics announced the deal Friday at Sundance, following its premiere Thursday night in the world docu competition.The film is produced by Simon Chinn of Red Box Films and executive produced by John Battsek of Passion Pictures in association with Canfield Pictures and The Documentary Company.Josh Braun and David Koh at Submarine Entertainment brokered the deal with Sony Pictures Classics, with Protagonist Pictures handling International Sales.SPC noted it's the third film with Battsek following "One Day in September" and "My Kid Could Paint That."Story explores Rodriguez, a Detroit performer who disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon. The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com

R&B 'godfather' Johnny Otis dies at 90

By Connected PRESS Johnny Otis, the "godfather of rhythm and blues" who authored and recorded the R&B classic "Willie and also the Hands Jive" as well as for decades evangelized black music to whitened audiences like a bandleader and radio host, died at his home within the La foothill suburb of Altadena on Tuesday. He was 90 coupled with been ill for quite some time. Otis, who had been whitened, was created John Veliotes to Greek immigrants and was raised inside a black portion of Berkeley, where he stated he recognized much more with black culture than their own. Like a teen, he transformed his title while he thought Johnny Otis seemed more black. "Like a kid, I made the decision when society determined that certain needed to be black or whitened, I'd be black," he once described. His musical tastes clearly reflected that adopted culture which after he grew to become famous, his dark hair and skin frequently brought audiences and club marketers to visualize he was black like his bandmates. Otis was leading their own band in 1945 as he obtained his first large hit, "Harlem Nocturne." In 1950, 10 of his tunes made Billboard magazine's R&B chart. His "Willie and also the Hands Jive" offered a lot more than 1.5 million copies and was covered years later by Eric Clapton. He later authored "Every Beat of My Heart," that was popular for Gladys Dark night & the Pips. However the influence of Otis was felt most through his capability to recognize and promote talent. He wove into his bands such different and legendary R&B vocalists as Etta James, Hank Ballard, Large Mama Thornton and also the Robins, the final an organization that will evolve in to the Coasters. He created Thornton's original recording of "Hound Dog," an audio lesson that will later become a level bigger hit for Elvis. "His band shows another style on virtually every new recording," stated Piero Scaruffi, author of "Past Rock Music, 1951-2000." "This is because Otis didn't pressure his personality on others but labored using the personality from the others. He might not have been an excellent composer or artist themself, but he was a remarkable conductor." Otis released his professional music career being an 18-year-old drummer for bawdy barrelhouse pianist Count Otis Matthews, although he'd never performed the drums for now. Matthews instructed him to merely pound the syncopated "shave along with a haircut, six bits" beat that will get to be the backbone of early rock 'n' roll. His mastery from it soon demonstrated his ticket with other bands and finally to headlining their own group. Otis saw themself as curator of black popular music, which for him symbolized much greater than a diversion or livelihood. His mix-country R&B reviews and the tv and radio looks were devoted to delivering black music to whitened audiences. "The background music is not only the notes, it is the culture -- the way in which grandmother cooked, the way in which grand daddy told tales, how a kids walked and spoken," he once stated. In the future he together with together with his sons Shuggie and Nicky and spent a lot of his time painting and toning. Younger crowd opened up a natural supermarket in Sebastopol in early the nineteen nineties to market his boy Nicky's veggies, designing the shop together with his own colorful wall art. Although he'd little success selling groceries, he did draw large crowds towards the market every Friday and Saturday evening as he carried out there together with his band. Otis also were built with a regular show playing records around the nonprofit Pacifica Radio Network's stations until failing health motivated him to retire in 2005. Additionally to his sons, Otis is made it by his wife, Phyllis, whom he married in 1941 kids Jesse and Laura and many grandchildren.__ Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Cheers & Jeers: NCIS Love is Murder!

Cote de Pablo Jeers to NCIS for killing yet another romance. It's become a running joke on CBS' top-rated procedural that almost any love interest for the regulars ends up either killing or being killed. Earlier this season, everything wasn't Ducky for David McCallum's ME after he discovered his angelic girlfriend (Cheryl Ladd) was a devilish psycho. And now, Ziva's on-again, off-again love connection CI-Ray (Enrique Murciano) pops the question - and Cote de Pablo's Mossad vet uncovers evidence he gunned down an innocent woman while pursuing a terrorist. At least this frees up the appealing Murciano to star in his own CBS crime show, like his fellow Without a Trace alum, Unforgettable's Poppy Montgomery. But NCIS groom-to-be Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) had better get an iron-clad prenup. We have a funny feeling his storybook wedding won't have a happy ending. What did you think of last night's NCIS? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Zooey Deschanel, Channing Tatum to Host SNL in Feb

Zooey Deschanel, Channing Tatum Zooey Deschanel can make her Saturday Evening Live hosting debut on February. 11, NBC introduced Wednesday.The Golden Globe-nominated New Girl star is going to be became a member of by musical guest Karmin - a self-referred to "swag pop" duo, best recognized for their unique covers of hit tunes like Chris Brown's "Take A Look At Me Now" and Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass." (If you have never heard about them, we recommend checking this out).Browse the relaxation of present day newsChanning Tatum, whose new film Haywire is being released in a few days, may also be making his SNL debut as host a few days before, on February. 4. First-time musical guest, Bon Iver, will require the Studio 8H stage alongside Tatum.

'Psych' restored for seventh season

'Psych'USA Network has given its longest-running series, "Psych," a 16-episode seventh season. Renewal has come about as the skein's ratings inside the 18-49 and 18-34 demos are actually within an all-time high when Digital video recorder ratings amounts are incorporated. Dramedy stars James Roday and Dule Hill which is produced by Universal Cable Prods. Professional producers are Steve Hotdogs, Kelly Kulchak, Chris Henze, Mel Damski and Bill Callahan. Another 1 / 2 of their sixth season begins on Feb. 29. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Jordi Molla in talks for 'Riddick'

After coming near to nabbing the coveted villain role in J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars 2," The spanish language thesp Jordi Molla takes his sinister sneer to a different sci-fi franchise, as he's in discussions to experience the villain opposite Vin Diesel in David Twohy's "Riddick." Molla is within foretells play Santana, a mercenary who manages an eight-guy crew assigned with finding and killing Riddick. Production around the second "Pitch Black" follow up lately started again following a two-month hiatus as the producers completed financing. 2004's "The Stories of Riddick" made a lot more than $115 million worldwide, showing there's still lots of curiosity about another follow up, with that one being designed for a cost. Molla most lately starred opposite Zoe Saldana because the villain in "Colombiana." Additionally to co-starring alongside The Actor-brad Pitt in "Blow," Molla has additionally matched up wits against a couple of the greatest celebrities on the planet -- Will Cruz and Tom Cruise -- because the villain in "Bad Boys II" and "Dark night and Day." Molla is repped by Paradigm and Artists Independent Management. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com

Fassbender, Bejo Win Acting Awards at Capri, Hollywood

ROME -- Michael Fassbender and "My Week With Marilyn" were one of the hits from the Capri, Hollywood - the Worldwide Film Festival, which came to the conclusion Monday.The festival, the last film festival of every year and also the to begin the year after, got going ahead 12 ,. 26.One of the festival's highlights: Ben Kingsley was handed the festival's Stories career recognition Emanuele Crialese, was handed the Capri Peace prize for his act as the director of "Terrafirma," Italy's candidate for that language Oscar this season and Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" was selected because the film of the season.Fassbender, on Capri to get the fesival's best actor prize for his act as the sex addicted protagonist in Steve McQueen's "Shame," was among the hits from the festival. "Shame" won the Coppa Volpi award only at that year's Venice Film Festival, nevertheless its Capri appearance is its last in Italia before its Jan. 13 opening across the nation.Berenice Bejo was handed Capri's Best Actress recognition on her operate in "The Artist."Coordinators stated that "Marilyn" triggered an excellent buzz in it's Italian premier, using the festival's honorary mind, Lina Wertmueller proclaiming the film had the very best overall cast associated with a film that tested in the festival.Wertmueller is better recognized to film buffs because the first lady ever nominated for any Best Director Oscar. The Hollywood Reporter

War Horse, The Help, The Artist Among Producers Guild Nominees

First Published: January 3, 2012 1:33 PM EST Credit: Dreamworks Caption Jeremy Irvine in DreamWorks Pictures War HorseLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The historical epic War Horse, the Deep South drama The Help, the silent film The Artist and the wedding comedy Bridesmaids are in the running for top honors from the Producers Guild of America. Also nominated Tuesday for the guilds big film prize are two George Clooney tales: the family drama The Descendants and the political saga The Ides of March. Two Paris stories made the cut, the family adventure Hugo and the romantic fantasy Midnight in Paris. Rounding out the 10 nominees are the thriller The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the sports tale Moneyball. Animated contenders for the Jan. 21 awards are The Adventures of Tintin, 'Cars 2, 'Kung Fu Panda 2, 'Puss in Boots and Rango. Along with honors from other Hollywood professional groups such as actors, directors and writers guilds, the producer prizes help sort out contenders for the Academy Awards, whose nominations come out Jan. 24. The Producers Guild field represents a heavy-hitting lineup of Oscar winners and nominees, including Steven Spielberg (War Horse and Tintin), Martin Scorsese (Hugo), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), David Fincher (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Alexander Payne (The Descendants) and Bennett Miller (Moneyball). Besides starring in The Descendants, Clooney multi-tasked on Ides of March, directing, producing, co-starring and co-writing. Among other Producers Guild nominees: Film documentary: Beats, Rhymes&Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest; Bill Cunningham NY; Project Nim; Senna; The Union. TV comedy series: 30 Rock; The Big Bang Theory; Glee; Modern Family; Parks and Recreation. TV drama series: Boardwalk Empire; Dexter; Game of Thrones; The Good Wife; Mad Men. Long-form television: Cinema Verite; Downton Abbey; The Kennedys; Mildred Pierce; Too Big to Fail. Live entertainment and talk TV: The Colbert Report; The Ellen DeGeneres Show; Real Time with Bill Maher; Saturday Night Live; The 64th Annual Tony Awards. TV competition series: The Amazing Race; American Idol; Dancing with the Stars; Project Runway; Top Chef. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.