International
Weinstein Co. declares slate of films
MUMBAI: The Weinstein Co. (TWC) has declared its slate of films to be released this year. The goal for TWC is to have four to six wide releases a year and at least a half-dozen other limited releases, both in-house productions and acquisitions.
The company‘s next wide release will be Piranha 3-D that will open on 20 August in more than 2,000 US theatres. Apparently, TWC has been able to book the number of 3D screens it needs.
That will mark the first film in a renewal of the Dimension division run by Bob Weinstein. Other sequel titles being developed in 3D include Hellraiser and Children of the Corn.
A wide release is planned for Scream 4 in April and then Spy Kids 4 in August next year, currently in production with budgets of about $40 million each. In active development for wide release are sequels to Scary Movie and Halloween among others.
Meanwhile, Harvey Weinsteinis said to be focused again on films with lower budgets (typically $15 million-$25 million) that will get platform releases that could be expanded. That includes at least four this year that will be given his well-known Oscar push.
The films seen as worthy of Academy consideration are The King‘s Speech starring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter, Sundance pickup Blue Valentine starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams and the recent acquisition Miral from director Julian Schnabel and starring Freida Pinto and Willem Dafoe.
The Weinsteins also will push documentary The Tillman Story about the NFL player who went to Afghanistan and was killed by friendly fire. Harvey Weinstein apparently did a re-edit on Blue Valentine after it was screened at Cannes.
On Wednesday, TWC firmed up dates for its slate of limited releases. In addition to those mentioned, they are Nowhere Boy (Oct. 8), The Company Men (Oct. 22) and two others Easy Money and Reign of Assassins that will release this year.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
