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    Films by Gomis, Tucci delight viewers at Berlin Film Fest 

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments3081 Views
    Director Alain Gomis speaks during a press conference for the film 'Felicite' at the 2017 Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
    BERLIN (AP) --

    Senegalese director Alain Gomis has delighted viewers at the Berlin Film Festival with "Felicite," a movie about the life and struggles of a singer in the Congo city of Kinshasa.

    The move, shown Saturday to much applause, tells the story of Felicite, played by Véro Tshanda Beya Mputo, who is struggling to raise money for an operation for her son, who was injured in an accident.

    Gomis told reporters he wanted to show that people "can fight for their dignity in all circumstances – and how good that is."

    The movie is one of 18 movies competing for the festival's top Golden Bear award.

    Also screened Saturday in Berlin was "Final Portrait," directed by Stanley Tucci, about the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. It is not part of the Golden Bear competition.

    Tags:Alain GomisBerlin Film FestivalFeliciteFinal Portrait



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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