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The Danish film “The Venus Effect” unfurls within the deceptively tranquil confines of rural Denmark, where the protagonist, Liv, a woman in her twenties, moves through a life pre-plotted with an agreeable boyfriend and the familial rhythms of an apple orchard.

Hers is a world of expected progressions, of seasons turning reliably. Into this carefully cultivated existence arrives Andrea, an agent of vibrant disruption. Characterized by an artistic spirit and a free, somewhat chaotic energy, Andrea is the antithesis of Liv’s measured reality.

Their immediate, almost perplexing, connection forms the film’s magnetic core, signaling not merely a romantic deviation but the inception of a profound journey into self-understanding. The narrative sets its sights on exploring the often-unforeseen paths to realizing one’s desires, charting the subtle and significant transformations that follow such awakenings.

Charting the Tides of New Desire

The dynamic between Liv and Andrea ignites with a palpable chemistry,...

In Danish series ‘Generations’ created by Anna Emma Haudal, it’s all in the family.

“I’ve always been interested in family dynamics. It drives everything I write,” she tells Variety ahead of the show’s premiere at French Series Mania, Europe’s most important TV festival.

“I was very interested in epigenetics. When I realized I was a part of my grandmother when she was pregnant with my mom, because I was my mom’s egg, it blew my mind. Everything she’s been through during her pregnancy affected me too. I turned into a real nerd, eager to dig into mysterious connections between family members, and that led me to these generations of women.”

Still, it’s not just about similarities between loved ones. During renovation in Copenhagen’s apartment building, a mummified body of a child is discovered. 85-year-old Martha immediately confesses to the crime, but her daughter,...

Dr Sales, the international sales arm of Danish pubcaster Dr, is launching at Mipcom in Cannes Dr Drama’s latest event series “Generations,” mixing crime, mystery and family secrets.

Making her debut in long-form serialised drama is Anna Emma Haudal, behind DR3’s hit youth series “Doggystyle” for which she won a national Robert Award for best short series in 2019. Haudal shares the writing credits with seasoned writer Rune-Schjøtt-Wieth and co-directs with Thomas Daneskov (“Wild Men”) and Ville Gideon Sörman (“I See You”).

Toplining the drama is rising talent Alice Bier who landed the title role in Netflix’s period drama “Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction,” after an appearance in her mother Susanne Bier’s “The Night Manager.” In other main roles are seasoned actresses Ulla Henningsen, Anette Støvelbæk as well as Simon Sears (“Ride Upon the Storm”).

The series opens with the discovery of a mummified infant during a...

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has unveiled its 2015 line-up which includes films representing 54 countries, 23 world premieres and 53 U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Niki Caro’s McFarland USA will close out the 30th fest. Based on the 1987 true story and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello, the film follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. The unlikely band of runners overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.

The festival runs from January 27-February 7.

Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.

World Premieres

A Better You, USA

Directed by Matt Walsh

Cast: Brian Huskey,...

A self-acknowledged "showcase for Academy Award frontrunners," the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is often overlooked for the actual films that earn it festival status. An amalgamation of international discoveries and ’merica’s circuit highlights, the Sbiff curates a week of best-of-the-best to pair with their star-praising. The 2015 edition offers another expansive selection, bookended by two films that aren’t on any radars just yet. Sbiff will open with "Desert Dancer," producer Richard Raymond’s directorial debut. Starring Reece Ritchie and Frieda Pinto, the drama follows a group of friends who wave off the harsh political climate of Iran’s 2009 presidential election in favor of forming a dance team, picking up moves from Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev thanks to the magic of YouTube. The festival will close with "McFarland, USA," starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Telling the 1987 true story of a Latino high school’s underdog cross-country team,...

Moriarty may be dead (or is he?!), but Sherlock and Watson aren't going to be short of problems to solve in the much-anticipated third series of Sherlock.

Exec producer Sue Vertue announced the first major piece of series three casting news yesterday (July 29), revealing that Dane Lars Mikkelsen would be joining the show as dastardly villain Charles Augustus Magnussen.

But what do we know about Magnussen? And for anyone who doesn't know their Forbrydelsen from their Borgen, who is Mikkelsen? Digital Spy has all the details that every Sherlockology fanatic needs to know.

1. Lars Dittman Mikkelsen was born on May 6, 1964 in Denmark.

He graduated from the National Theatre School of Denmark in 1995 and he is married to actress Anette Støvelbæk.

2. Oh. And did we mention he has quite a famous brother called Mads?

Surely a Benedict Cumberbatch/Hugh Dancy, Sherlock/Hannibal crossover episode beckons. Sherlibal? Hannilock?

3. He is best known...