Reuters Entertainment News Summary
Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.
UK launches probe into Ticketmaster over Oasis shows
Britain's competition watchdog on Thursday launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over the sale of Oasis tickets, including the use of "dynamic pricing" to hike the cost to fans at the last minute. Thousands of fans waited long hours in virtual queues last weekend to get their hands on tickets for the British band's reunion shows next summer, only to find that prices had jumped in a "dynamic pricing" scheme.
Rapper Rich Homie Quan dies at 34
American rapper Rich Homie Quan, who charted the Billboard Hot 100 with songs like "Type of Way" and "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)", died on Thursday, according to media reports. He was 34. The rapper died at his home in Atlanta, TMZ reported, citing his family and a representative for the Fulton County morgue.
Harvey Weinstein indecent assault case ended by UK prosecutors
British prosecutors said on Thursday they had discontinued indecent assault charges against former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein after concluding there was no realistic chance of securing a conviction. When it authorised charges against Weinstein two years ago, Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said the alleged assault had taken place in August 1996 in London, with police adding the accusation had involved a woman now aged in her 50s.
Toronto film festival showcases an industry transformed by streaming
The film industry, including actors, must embrace and adapt to changes that have resulted from the blurring line between streaming services and the big screen, the head of the Toronto International Film Festival said ahead of the event's opening. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed the way audiences consume entertainment, and the film industry has had little choice but to go with the flow, TIFF Chief Executive Cameron Bailey said in an interview this week.
Slovak theatres, galleries threaten strike over government 'intimidation'
Hundreds of theatres, galleries and other cultural organisations in Slovakia threatened on Thursday to go on strike if the culture ministry did not stop what they described as intimidation of people working in the creative sector. Many prominent Slovak cultural figures have been at loggerheads with Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova, part of a deepening polarisation in the country following Prime Minister Robert Fico's sustained criticism of Western liberal values.
TIFF 2024: Tragically Hip series honors beloved Canadian band
Surviving members of The Tragically Hip walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday for the world premiere of a docuseries that celebrates the Canadian rock band and the legacy of its late vocalist Gord Downie. Downie, who lost his battle with cancer in 2017, stands at the heart of the four-part series, "The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal," which honours one of Canada's most acclaimed bands.
Russian soldiers given their chance to speak at Venice
Documentary-maker Anastasia Trofimova spent seven months living with Russian soldiers near the front line in Ukraine and has brought their tale to the Venice Film Festival, looking to challenge stereotypes. "In Russia, they are these heroes who never die. In the West, they are mostly war criminals, war criminals, war criminals," the Russian-Canadian director told reporters ahead of the premiere of her film "Russians at War".
How did mafia boss elude Italy for so long, Venice film asks
Italian investigators knew a lot of things about mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro - his love for designer clothes, video games, Rolex watches, and his long list of victims. But they never seemed to know where he was, until his arrest outside a Palermo clinic in January 2023, ending three decades on the run. He died of cancer months later, refusing to spill the beans on his crime empire.
Rainstorm sends stars fleeing Venice red carpet
A powerful thunderstorm battered the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, forcing actors and filmmakers to flee the red carpet as lashing rain drenched the Lido. The blast of bad weather ended days of relentless heat in Venice, which has bathed the world's oldest film festival in blazing sunshine.
Factbox-What is the 'dynamic pricing' that has angered Oasis fans?
Thousands of Oasis fans waited long hours in virtual queues this weekend to get their hands on tickets for the British band's reunion shows next summer, only to find that prices had been hiked as part of a "dynamic pricing" scheme. Many fans who waited for more than three hours thinking they would pay the initially advertised rate of 148.50 pounds ($195.10) ended up paying double at 355.20 pounds.
