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This week’s International Insider covers a mix of entertainment and media milestones. The long-awaited zombie sequel 28 Years Later is finally here, promising even more chaos than its predecessors. Meanwhile, Netflix and French broadcaster TF1 struck a major deal that could reshape European streaming, and Japan’s NHK celebrates its 100th anniversary. The newsletter also highlights key stories from France and Spain, making it a packed update for media and film buffs.

Editor’s Note: Whether you’re a film fan excited for the next chapter in a cult franchise or a media watcher tracking industry shake-ups, this week’s developments are big deals. The Netflix-TF1 partnership signals more cross-border collaborations in streaming, while NHK’s centennial reminds us of public broadcasting’s enduring role. And, of course, zombies never go out of style—especially when they’re back with a vengeance.

The Venice Film Festival is shaping up to be a star-studded affair in 2025, with heavy hitters like Dwayne Johnson, Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, and George Clooney attached to buzzy projects. Films like Smashing Machine (starring Johnson and Emily Blunt), Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt (featuring Roberts and Stone), and Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest collaboration are all rumored for the lineup. Venice’s artistic director is still finalizing the roster, but the festival is already generating major Hollywood buzz.

Editor’s Note: Venice has long been a launchpad for Oscar contenders and prestige films, and this lineup—packed with A-listers and acclaimed directors—suggests 2025 could be another big year for awards season. If you love cinema, this is your early heads-up on which films might dominate conversations (and red carpets) later this year.

Diana Penty almost landed a role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar but backed out because she didn’t feel ready at the time. A year later, director Imtiaz Ali remembered her for Cocktail, where she auditioned and bagged the part in just 24 hours. The film turned out to be a breakout hit, launching her Bollywood career alongside big names like Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone.

Editor’s Note: It’s a classic case of "right place, wrong time" turning into a lucky break. Diana’s honesty about not being ready for Rockstar—and her eventual success with Cocktail—shows how timing and persistence shape careers in Bollywood. Plus, it’s a fun peek into the "what-ifs" of casting decisions that fans love to dissect.

The new film Sitaare Zameen Par, which hit theaters on June 20th, is off to a decent start at the box office, pulling in ₹3.89 crore by Friday afternoon. Early reviews have been positive, praising its heartfelt message about children, though it hasn’t matched the explosive opening of Aamir Khan’s past hits. Analysts think strong word-of-mouth could help it grow over the weekend.

Editor’s Note: While not a record-breaker yet, the film’s warm reception and meaningful theme could give it legs—especially if audiences keep talking it up. For Bollywood watchers, it’s a test of whether a smaller, message-driven movie can hold its own in a market often dominated by big-budget spectacles.

Legendary Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore—best known for classics like Cinema Paradiso—is both charmed and puzzled by how deeply Chinese audiences connect with his work. While presiding over the Shanghai Film Festival’s competition jury, he reflected on his unexpected popularity in China (where his films were surprise box-office hits) and briefly touched on a shelved sci-fi project. There’s a warmth here—Tornatore seems genuinely moved by the cultural embrace, even if he doesn’t fully understand it.

Editor’s Note: It’s rare for foreign auteurs to achieve mainstream love in China, so Tornatore’s candid musings highlight how art can transcend borders in unpredictable ways. His presence at the festival also underscores Shanghai’s growing clout as a global cinema hub—and hey, maybe that abandoned sci-fi project isn’t entirely off the table?