Diversity in Hollywood: 'Venus' looks at exploitation of minorities in 19th century -- With 2007's "The Secret of the Grain," Tunisian-born and France-based Abdellatif Kechiche broke through as one of Gaul's best-regarded Maghrebi-French directors.

Variety Announcements: Producer to give the Variety Cinema Militans talk at fest -- Producer Christine Vachon has been tapped to deliver the Variety Cinema Militans Lecture at the Netherlands Film Festival Sept. 26.

Film Festivals: Ticket sales rise 17% at Lido -- Ticket sales and the number of journos attending Venice are up this year, which is no small feat, considering the poor global economy.

TV Ratings: As the only broadcast network with three hours of original programming in primetime Tuesday, NBC cruised to a victory among adults 18-49 and overall viewers.

Venice Film Festival: Country has its biggest showing in decades -- Greek cinema continues its burst of creativity, despite turmoil caused by the country's financial crisis, as attested by its strong presence on the Lido.

TV News: TNT, TBS pickups include 'Dallas' reboot, Devlin project -- Turner has picked up four new pilots for its TNT and TBS cablers, including an update of "Dallas" and a new entry from "Leverage" exec producer Dean Devlin.

Film News: Art-house shingle adds commercial films to slate -- Gallic mini-major MK2 is taking its production and exhibition ambitions to the next level.

Film Reviews: Rogerio Correa makes a modest but effective feature writing-directing debut.

Legit News: Musical nails down Broadway venue, dates -- "Wonderland" lands at Broadway's Marquis Theater this spring, with the new musical set to begin performances in March.

Asia: 'Hermanos,' 'Monga,' 'Confessions' to run in race -- Venezuela, Taiwan and Japan have entered pics for the foreign-language Oscar.

TV News: Brit journalist tapped by CNN for talkshow gig -- It's all true: Piers Morgan will replace Larry King in CNN's 9 p.m. slot starting in January.

TV News: Exec to oversee Europe, Middle East, Africa -- Disney-owned sports web ESPN has poached a Sony topper to run its activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

International News: Exec to oversee marketing for theatrical -- Simon Hewlett has been upped to exec VP of marketing for Universal Pictures Intl.

International News: Three-part docu goes to France 2 -- "Terrorism," a three-part docu produced by Daniel Leconte ("Carlos"), is luring buyers at the TVFI Rendez-Vous in Biarritz.

Film Reviews: Pic charts a Norwegian woman's emotional breakdown after she discovers her husband is unfaithful.

Film Reviews: The road from slums to soccer glory intersects with crime in Marcel Rasquin's engaging debut.

Film Reviews: Costumer about Mozart's older sister incorporates just enough fiction to bring history into focus.

Film Reviews: A competitive swimmer recalls his involvement with the girlfriend who's now gone missing.

International Top Story: Deal includes 'Next Three Days,' 'Sammy's Adventures' -- Leading German broadcaster RTL Television has inked a wide-ranging output deal with French entertainment group StudioCanal.

International News: Zhang Ziyi to star in $35 million pic -- Action helmer Jan de Bont has signed up to direct Chinese thesp Zhang Ziyi in a new English-language, $35 million live-action version of the folk story "Mulan," which its makers hope will wow auds both in China and beyond.