Film and music roundup: February 2022
Netflix to create docuseries about couple who laundered billions worth of cryptocurrency
As reported by Variety, Netflix will be releasing a docuseries about the recently arrested Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan, a couple accused of running a large cryptocurrency laundering scheme.
This case is known as “the biggest financial crime case in history”. The couple allegedly hacked into the exchange and stole around 120,000 bitcoin assets and the value of the stolen cryptocurrency rose from $71 million to nearly $5 billion.
The docuseries will be directed by Chris Smith, who has directed several documentaries and docuseries for Netflix, many of which focus on scam artists and criminal activities. Nick Bilton will be the executive for this docuseries. He produced a documentary about the Theranos scandal, “The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley”. Netflix hasn’t provided any detail about the series’ potential release date or cast members.
ViacomCBS rebranded as Paramount, announcing launch of exclusive streaming platform Paramount Plus
As reported by The Verge, mass media and entertainment conglomerate ViacomCBS has just rebranded as Paramount. Through the rebranding, the company said that it will be focusing on its goals to become a major player in streaming services.
Paramount seeks to “turn streaming into a sustainable business for the future,” Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said at an investor event on 15 February. The company expects to hit 100 million streaming subscribers by 2024 while planning to further its international expansion by offering mobile-only subscriptions.
It will also launch streaming platform Paramount Plus which will serve as the exclusive streaming home for all Paramount Pictures movies starting2024 in the US, following their theatrical runs.
“Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion” to be released this year
According to a tweet by Joko Anwar, the sequel to the famous Indonesian horror film “Pengabdi Setan” will be released this year. The announcement was made as he posted a mini poster of the soon-to-released film. Titled “Pengabdi Setan 2: Communion”, people are expecting that the plot will revolve around the main character’s (Ibu, played by Ayu Lakshmi) involvement in a satanic cult.
Most casts are from the previous title, including Asmara Abigail, Bront Palarae and Endy Arfian. However, it will also introduce new faces, including Jourdy Pranata, Ratu Felisha, Muzakki Ramdhan, Fatih Unru, Kiki Narendra, Rukman Rosadi, Mian Tiara and Muhammad Abe.
Indonesian musicians Weird Genius and DJ Sihk to perform at Tomorrowland Belgia 2022
Indonesian EDM group Weird Genius consisting of Reza Oktovian, Eka Gustiwana and Gerald Liu will perform at Tomorrowland Belgia 2022 on 22 July at the Barong Family stage, the same stage as Yellow Claw.
Indonesian DJ and music producer DJ Shik will also perform in this event. He is known as the producer of Rich Brian’s second single "Who That Be" that managed to get more than 55 millions streams.
Laura Basuki wins Silver Bear award for Best Supporting Performance in Berlinale Film Festival 2022.
Indonesian actress Laura Basuki won a Silver Bear Award for Best Supporting Performance in Berlinale Film Festival 2022. She won the award for her performance as Ino in a movie directed by Kamila Andini titled “Before, Now & Then (Nana)”.
The film’s plot revolves around the story of Raden Nana Sunani (played by Happy Salma) and is set in the 1960s. The story was adapted from the novel “Jais Darga Namaku” by Ahda Imran. Ibnu Jamil and Arawinda Kirana also starred in the film. It is one of the films that have been selected to premiere at Berlinale 2022.