Variety Asia Online - Asia entertainment news from Variety

Games/Singapore/Online/Mobile
Electronic Arts scores regional goal with "FIFA Online" game Western gaming giant opens new Asian headquarters in Singapore, expands localization strategy. Read More >>

Film/Korea/Hollywood in Asia
	"Chaser" caught by Warner for remake "Departed" team in talks to board American retread of runaway Korean hit. Read More >>

People/Film/TV/Hong Kong/Malaysia
Pfeiffer quits Celestial Pictures CEO of seven years heads for the exit with near immediate effect. Astro to make statement later. ... Read More >>

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Korea/People/Regulation

An bows out as KOFIC head
Former journalist cuts short three year mandate as top Korean film regulator.
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Hollywood in Asia/Local prod

Disney hitches with Japan producers for cartoon triple-play

Toei and Madhouse among local producers brought in for local content thrust. Mobile broadcasts also on the radar.

Singapore/TV/Finance

NHNZ moves into Beach House
Producer buys stake in Singapore shingle.
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Japan/Distrib

New Select takes "Trivial" to heart
Suspense drama is directed by and stars Sophie Marceau.
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Film/Awards/Thailand

Bangkok shows "Siam" plenty of love
Gay teen romance sweeps critics awards.
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Network/Hollywood in Asia

Sony promotes Kalle, Chien duo
Appointments cover India, SE Asia and Japan TV network businesses.
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High definition/DVD/India

Bollywood blazes trail with Blu-Ray
Eros and Sony in race to deliver colorful titles in high definition format.
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Film/Int'l sales

Scorpio strikes six pic pack
Package deal includes Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi titles.
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Finance/India

Duo launch India's first film fund
Financiers and producers unite for $50 million investment pool.
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Archive discovery/Korea

"Youth" is Korea's oldest pic
Public screening will mark launch of Cinematheque.
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Conventions/People

NAB to tune in to India
Roy, Lulla, Kumar set as speakers at debut conference.
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Political provocation/China

Bjork ruffles Beijing feathers
Singer makes statement as part of 'Shanghai Surprise.'
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Regulation/Finance

Pakistani cinema tiptoes to modern age
New 'industry status' could lead to investment, growth.
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Singapore/Film/TV

Man quits MDA for top TV job
Movies head expects to be able to hang on to SFC role.
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Box office/Film

UTV's "Akbar" takes B.O. crown
Controversial film shows its legs as revenue passes $25 million.
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Singapore/TV

MediaCorp in regional channel bid
Conglom invests in IMC and Singapore Indian channel.
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Korea/Festivals

Chungmuro fest launches int'l competition
New section to focus on "masters of the future."
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France/Film/Sales

Lelouch's "Gare" adds Asian destinations
French suspense-romancer sells to China and India.
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Japan/Exec shuffle

Sato named to head Kadokawa Group
Tsuguhiko Kadokawa to remain as chairman and CEO.
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China/Internet/Piracy

MPA, Microsoft and Tudou.com pact for video contest
"Love Genuine" aims to take on pirates.
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Japan/Film/Box office

"Our Daily Bread" sets house record
German docu racks up 25,000 admissions.
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Japan/Porn/Arrest

Japanese police arrest porn censors
Five faces charges over DVDs that violate industry guidelines.
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Japan/Music festival

Coldplay takes center stage at Summer Sonic
British band to headline festival in Japan.
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India/Animation/Finance

DQ Entertainment takes stake in French toon house
Indian animation firm aims to strengthen global position.
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Film/Reviews

"CJ7"
A spotty first foray into family-friendly entertainment by multihyphenate Stephen Chow catches the eye, but not fully the heart.
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Film/Reviews

"Sweet Food City"
Miserabilist, minimalist digital filmmaking says nothing new.
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Reviews/Documentaries

"Iris Chang: The Rape of Nanking"
Docu using archive footage is sentimental and overlong, but also moving.
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