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Exclusive: Disney+ is moving into originals in the Central and Eastern Europe region with a green light for Polish drama Breslau (working title). The drama will follow a police officer investigating an horrific killing and production is underway, Deadline has learned.

The cast includes Tomasz Schuchardt (You are God), Agata Kulesza (Ida), and Sandra Drzymalska (Filip). Leszek Dawid (My Name Is Ki) directs from Bartosz Janiszewski and Magdalena Żakowska’s script.

The eight-part crime drama is set in 1936 in Breslau (the German name for the Polish city of Wrocław). It will tell the story of a commissioner Franz Podolsky, who investigates a brutal murder. Because of the upcoming Olympic Games, the pressure is on to catch the murderer.

“This is an important moment for Disney+ in Poland,” said Magdalena Cieslak, Director Original Productions Disney+ in Cee. “It’s our first Original production in Central and Eastern Europe and we are excited that such talented,...

Copenhagen-based Dr Sales has snapped up international rights on the anticipated opening film of the 21st Cph:dox Festival, “Life and Other Problems.” Variety debuts the trailer below.

The playful existential film by Danish documentary filmmaker Max Kestner is shepherded by Denmark’s Bullitt Film (Prix Europa for “Absolute Beginners”), with Ruben Östlund’s Swedish banner Plattform Produktion and the U.K.’s Hopscotch Films (“Story of Film”). Bullitt and Plattform teamed up earlier on the 2023 Sundance special jury prize winning doc “And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine.”

Commenting on the Dr Sales pick up, Kim Christiansen, executive producer, in charge of documentaries and co-productions, says: “Max Kestner has for decades been one of the most intelligent filmmakers in Denmark, and I have personally been a huge fan since his 2002 TV series ‘Blue Collar White Christmas,’ which in tone and humor was way ahead of its time.”

“It’s...

Original Crow movie could have been very different if Michael Jackson had been cast, which would have undermined the angry, melancholy revenge tale of the comic. Brandon Lee's performance in The Crow received praise, making it a surprise smash hit despite his tragic death during production. Many actors, including Christian Slater and Jon Bon Jovi, were considered for the role, but Lee, a big fan of the comic, ultimately won the role and contributed to designing the film's action sequences.

The original actor producers wanted to cast in The Crow would have resulted in a very different movie. James O'Barr created the original Crow graphic novel as a way to grieve over the passing of his fiancee, with the story following a man who comes back to life a year after he and his lover were brutally murdered to seek vengeance. Comic book movies were still finding their feet...