'Combat' draws euros

David Wnendt's award-winning feature film debut "Combat Girls," about a young woman trying to break free from an ultra-violent gang of neo-Nazis, is drawing strong interest across Europe.The pic, which is currently in theaters in Germany, has sold to Luna Filmverleih in Austria, Cinema EU in Bulgaria, Film Europe for Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary; KT Film & Media in Macedonia and Entertainment One for the Benelux. Ascot Elite is distributing the film in Germany and Switzerland, while Spectator has brought the pic to Polish screens.The film has attracted plenty of attention in light of an ongoing investigation in Germany into the murder spree allegedly committed by a notorious neo-Nazi trio that managed to escape detection for more than a decade.Police suspect two rightwing terrorists, who died in an apparent murder-suicide in November, killed 10 people, most of foreign origin, over a 10-year span. The story has generated indignation at the failure of Germany's domestic intelligence agency, which is known to keep tight tabs on neo-Nazi groups, and put a new focus on rightwing extremist groups."Rightwing extremism had not really been a major topic in Germany for years as the focus shifted to Islamic terrorism," said "Combat Girls" producer Rene Frotscher of Berlin-based Mafilm.That changed with the massacre in Norway last summer and the story of the alleged neo-Nazi killers in Germany. "It came as a big surprise that these big underground structures existed that were able to hide these neo-Nazis," Frotscher said, generating stronger interest at the B.O. as a result.It's also become a must-see for school classes across the country. "It's not just a German discussion," Frotscher said about the subject matter. It's about how the lack of structures can allow young people to fall prey to racist groups and their extremist ideology, he added."Combat Girls" has made nearly $500,000 at the German box office and remained high in the country's arthouse charts. Contact Ed Meza at ed.meza@mannaa.de

Berlusconi faces new trial

ROME -- Silvio Berlusconi continues to be indicted inside a situation including wiretaps and leaked information, which gets worse legal worries for that Italo media mogul and former premier. Milan magistrates have set a March 15 start date for that trial. Berlusconi is charged with seeping transcripts of wiretapped calls to newspaper Il Giornale, that is possessed by his brother Paolo, to be able to allegedly discredit a political opponent. Berlusconi's lawyer Niccolo Ghedini referred to the indictment as "incredible," adding that "this umpteenth trial will finish up in nothing, as the rest of the ones," Italian news agency ANSA reported. The Television magnate-switched-pol can also be facing three separate tests on charges including corruption and tax fraud, regarding the Mediaset, the very best Italian commercial broadcaster Mediaset, that they controls, as well as for having to pay for sex by having an underage prostitute. The wiretap transcripts within this new situation were allegedly acquired by Berlusconi because of his position as pm at that time. They have to do with calls in 2005 between then leftist leader Piero Fassino along with a banker throughout a putting in a bid war for charge of prominent Italo bank Banca Nazionale del Lavoro. Berlusconi resigned in November compelled by financial turmoil besides his sex and corruption scams. He lately reiterated towards the Financial Occasions he'll not run again for pm. Contact Nick Vivarelli at nvivarelli@gmail.com

'G.I. Joe' Sequel Is 'Better Than The First,' Says Channing Tatum

Whether you loved or hated "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," it's fair to say that there were a few things that could be improved upon in a sequel (except Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance as "The Doctor"/Rex though. He was awesome). Now with a second film looming and a lengthy trailer we've overanalyzed it's time to find out what the stars of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" are saying about the film. When MTV News caught up with Channing Tatum during the press day for his new romantic drama "The Vow" recently, we asked him to dish on a few details about the film. Thing is, based on the trailer, it looks as though Tatum's character very likely does not last long in the film. I attempted to get Tatum to own up to Duke's early departure with a few pointed, wink-and-nudge-type questions. First, what can he tell fans about his character's arc in the film? "I don't know. I think they're going to have to check it out," he said. "I think that the movie is going to be better than the first one. I think that Jon Chu has a younger, hipper sensibility. ['Rise of Cobra' director] Stephen Sommers is great, I really enjoyed working with him, but I think this movie is going to be a little hipper. A little bit more edgy." So what can he tell us about what he's seen of the film? "I actually haven't seen very much," Tatum said sincerely. Should we prep for seeing a lot of Duke screen time? "I don't know," Tatum said with a smile, beginning to see where I was going with my line of questioning. "I'm not sure. I haven't seen the final cut." At this point in our conversation, Tatum's "Vow" co-star Rachel McAdams, who was seated next to him in the video but out of frame, seemed confused about where we were going with the conversation so I whispered to her that rumor has it that Tatum's character dies in the movie, which made Tatum laugh out loud. "Really?" he giggled, acting surprised. Do you think Duke lives or dies? Tell us in the comments or on Twitter!

Anna Maria Muehe: Followed family into biz

Anna Maria MueheIf that name seems to ring a bell, it should. Berlin-born Anna Maria Muehe's parents were both thesps: her mother is East German Jenny Groellmann, and her father, Ulrich Muehe, is best known internationally as the star of "The Lives of Others," which won the foreign-lingo film Oscar in 2006.For Muehe, another career was a possibility ("Like anybody, I was considering different things"), but after shooting her first feature at the age of 15 -- Maria von Heland's "Big Girls Don't Cry" (2001) -- she found the lure of showbiz too great to resist.A year later, she won the actress award at the Copenhagen Film Festival for her lead role in Achim von Borries' "Love in Thoughts," and has since appeared in Julie Delpy's "The Countess," Til Schweiger's "1 1/2 Knights" and Christian Schwochow's "November Child," for which she received a German Film Award nomination."I think my great fortune, so far, is that every movie I've made, I've worked with brilliant actors. For example, last year I played alongside Otto Sander, a man who's acted for such a long time, and in so many different films, yet who's never lost the joy in what he does," she says.Does she consider herself a European or a German actress? "I don't really see any difference. To get me hooked, it just needs a great script and an interesting director; it's not important whether it's a German or an international project -- the work and the preparation are the same."For example, one of my favourite directors is Dominik Graf. I'm really fascinated by his way of dealing with projects and the way he works with actors. But then, there are so many outstanding directors all over the world. It would be an honor to work with any of them."Return to the Berlin Preview >> Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

VIDEO: Local News Station Re-Enacts Trial with Puppets

The Puppet's Court Whenever a Cleveland judge banned news cameras in the court docket for any federal corruption trial, a nearby news station required an unusual, amusing key to covering it: They re-passed the trial using puppets. "The testimony is real, the puppets aren't, tonight... within the Puppet's Court," an un named but clearly amused WOIO anchor states. Take a look at much more of present day top videos But simply since the testimony has been read by cute, fluffy creatures does not mean it's G-ranked. Watch being an innocent-searching squirrel holds forth about hookers, genital hpv warts and stolen fridges:

Warners, Lin away and off to 'Otherland'

Warner Bros. will "Otherland," acquiring feature rights to Tad Williams' sci-fi book series and setting up it with Serta Lin to produce. Studio has attracted on John Scott III to script the film, using the four books launched by DAW-Penguin USA between 1996 and 2001 as "Capital of scotland - Golden Shadow," "River of Blue Fire," "Mountain of Black Glass" and "Sea of Silver Light." Story for your adaptation is positioned a hundred years afterwards and follows several unforeseen heroes who must escape an assassin and cope with epic digital cell phone industry's to resolve a conspiracy that expects to get rid of humanity. Seanne Winslow Wehrenfennig at Lin Pictures assists as co-producer and oversee for Lin Pictures. Lin's a producer on "An Online Detective: Wager on Shadows" which is in publish-production on period drama "Gangster Squad," starring Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Sean Penn, directed by Ruben Fleischer. He's also creating "Lego: the part of Resistance," written and directed by Chris Burns and Phil Master, with Warners arranging a 2014 release. Scott's zombie script "Maggie" made the most effective 10 in the 2011 Black List known as the very best title in the 2011 Blood stream List, the most effective 13 most-loved unproduced scripts inside the horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and dark comedy/drama genres. "Maggie" is at pre-production with Henry Hobson pointing, and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam, Matt Baer, and Trevor Kaufman creating. Scott may also be adapting Isaac Asivmov's "Caves of Steel" for Fox, also with Hobson installed on direct. WME signifies the "Otherland" book rights. Scott is repped by CAA and handled by Trevor Kaufman. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

The American Idol Show Episode 1: Singin' in Savannah and Seacrest's Evil Twin

You're ready to cozy on the couch and bust out your ice-cold can of Coca-Cola... because Idol. Is. Back. (Individuals were dramatic Ryan Seacrest-esque breaks.) Through the season, you will see levels (a la Kelly Clarkson's "Respect"), and generally, you will see lows (William Hung's "She Bangs"), however the important factor to keep in mind here's that we are within this together. OK? Before we arrive at the night's best entertainers, are we able to just obtain the worst part taken care of first? Together with his black v-neck and offensive faux spray-tan, let us all agree that Seacrest is really as deplorable as always. Possibly probably the most frightening area of the evening was our chance ending up in Rob Kraisman - Seacrest's doppleganger and subsequently my new worst nightmare. Around the cheesiness scale, this person is sort of a hunk of bleu which has been decaying during my fridge for 3 several weeks. Since that's off my conscience, we shall follow the positive! Here are the participants which were outlined today - they're in no way fantastic - they are only the ones we all know are dealing with to Hollywood. David Leathers, Junior. (a.k.a Mister "Steal Your GirlfriendInch) Before singing a superbly carried out ballad, S.Y.G. alleges that he's 17, but everybody watching knows this can be a blatant lie. He's really 9. Another fun fact: he's taken part against Idol champion Scotty McCreary inside a singing competition - and required to begin with! Gabi Carrubba If Gabi Carruba were the kind of girl to publish within the personal ads portion of C-list, her ad would read "tap dancer-cum-singer and lover of Nigel Lythgoe." Which is not saying much. She's a sweet-sounding voice, however it was a little generic-sounding. I doubt she'll stick out enough to really make it towards the final 24. Stephanie Renae She's the doe-eyed 15-year-old that nails a rendition of "Within Your Paradise," even though she's undeniably gifted, I believe her youth and lack of experience will obtain the best of her. She causes it to be right through to Hollywood with two thirds "yes's." Randy's critique? "Not." Schyler Dixon We are reminded that Schlyer really auditioned this past year together with her brother Colton. This season she's elected to test sans her brother or sister - she's 16 and seeking to become a person, damn it! However the idol judges may have none from it. "Generate Colton!" "Coltonnn!!!" they yell in the poor girl, who's determined to forever reside in her brother's shadow. So Schyler does a really impressive version of "Break Even" through the Script, but Colton follows her, and steals the show. Throughout his performance, Schyler looks on, stabbing her brethren together with her piercing blue eyes. Both of them visit Hollywood, but sadly, Colton won't ever allow it to be there because Schyler has contracted popular guy. Lauren Mink Up to this time, it has been by pointing out youngsters, then when 25-year-old Lauren takes happens, she appears like she ought to be in geriatric care! She's got a separate voice along with a girl-next-door look - as well as, she works in a program for grown ups with disabilities. Total package? I believe so. Shannon Magrane She's the six-footer having a size 11 shoe who brings her girltourage and very large father into her audition. Shannon has got the fresh-faced look, and guy does she have soul. I believe she's not going anywhere soon. Amy Brumfield The 2011 version of Very Bowersox lives inside a tent because, as she stated, she can not afford $100/week accommodation. (Though I'd need to make a $100/week accommodation could not considerably of the upgrade in the tent). What's promising for Amy is the fact that according to her first audition, it is a near certainty she'll be moving forward from that tent very quickly. She's remarkable and different. Ashlee Altise I had been really expecting the braided, bunny-hopping Ashlee to become a complete train-wreck. Which she was - but she just also happened with an incredible voice. The idol judges loved her (J. Lo known as her "crazy," within the best possible way, obviously), and sent her right through to Hollywood. She's talent along with a great shot of which makes it to the peak 12. She'll have to laid off the meth first. (I kid!) W.T. Thompson All of this-American boy quit his job in a federal prison to audition for Idol, which most likely is not probably the most proper move whenever your wife is six several weeks pregnant. But like Martin Luther King Junior. before him, the guy were built with a dream! And it is a positive thing younger crowd had supportive idol judges. W.T. did possess a "sparkle" as Jennifer stated, but regrettably, I do not think he'll last very lengthy. Brittany Kerr She's the National basketball association dancer (along with a Blake Lively/Barbara Underwood hybrid) who single-handedly demonstrated the male idol judges are powerless to some beautiful lady. Brittany certainly has pipes, but let us face the background music - she was nothing special. Yet she experiences to Hollywood. Phillip Phillips The man so nice they named him two times! Save for his awkward fist-clenching, Double-Phil was awesome. Potentially my personal favorite from the evening. She has the dreamy blue eyes and raspy voice that The American Idol Show dreams are constructed with. Still dying over that acoustic version of "Thriller"? Because I'm. I'm not extending its love to waste space within this recap by acknowledging the disaster which was Maweno Kodjo. The 2nd-hands embarrassment I felt as you're watching was similar to a kindergartner pissing his pants while watching whole class. Which is I am going to say of that. Another factor that traumatized me -- and that one I'll discuss, since it is said to be cathartic or something like that - may be the oversexed Steven Tyler fans speaking about his "ten inch record." Worst of all of them? The only whitened female from Zoysia, N.Y. who grabs his ass and claims he's her future ex-husband. Incidentally, he's of sufficient age to become her grandfather. Ok, now it is your turn! Who had been your preferred? Your least favorite? Would you, too, lust after Steven Tyler's 10-inch-record? Go forth, and comment, Idol fans! show less