The Ankler

๐ŸŽง ‘It’s Like California in the 1920s’

Saudis are building their own entertainment empire with Hollywood help; Golden Globes; Rushfield resolutions

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Five years ago, the industry rose up in protest over Saudi Arabian dissident Jamal Khashoggiโ€™s murder, which U.S. intelligence found was approved by the countryโ€™s leader, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Now, with Hollywood in lean times and in need of new markets, the Kingdom and its $776 billion sovereign wealth fund, appear back in favor, reports Claire Atkinson. โ€œItโ€™s like California in the 1920s,โ€ said one movie producer. Meanwhile, political waters also are churning around the Golden Globes, where a ribbon-wearing campaign for Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas may or may not bear out, explains Peter Kiefer, who broke news of the efforts. Also: Andy Lewis delivers George Santosโ€™ thoughts on an upcoming HBO film, and Richard Rushfield expounds on his New Year resolutions for Hollywood.

Transcript here.