Donda Academy is back after a rebrand amid lawsuits and controversy!
15.02.2024 - 13:25 / variety.com
feisty press conference, the Berlin Film Festival is about to get even more political with a demonstration defending democracy that will be held right before the start of opening night festivities. Berlinale organizers have planned this demonstration to highlight their decision to disinvite members of the far right political party AfD. “By disinviting the AfD, the Berlinale has clearly positioned itself against the right wing extremism in Germany.
On the opening night, the Berlinale is inviting a group of filmmakers to the red darpet to take a stand for democracy, diversity and peaceful togetherness,” said the organizers of the Berlinale, which stands as one of the world’s top three film festivals alongside Cannes and Venice. The Berlinale found itself in hot water over the inclusion of the far-right politicians, and after widespread backlash, the fest announced on Feb. 8 that they had withdrawn their invitation.
The situation was a hot topic of Thursday morning’s international jury press conference, with president Lupita Nyong’o being asked if she would still have attended the opening ceremony had the politicians’ invite remained. “I’m a foreigner here. I don’t know the ins and outs of the political situation here,” Nyong’o said.
“I’m glad I don’t have to answer that question. I’m glad I don’t have to be in that position.” But jury member Christian Petzold, the German director of “Barbara” and “Phoenix,” had a different perspective. “I think it’s not a problem to have five persons of the AfD in the audience,” he said.
Donda Academy is back after a rebrand amid lawsuits and controversy!
Audrey Jimenez has become the first female to ever win a high school wrestling state title in Arizona, competing against boys. The 18-year-old from Sunnyside High School in Tucson won the Division 1 title in the 106-pound weight class on February 18.A post shared by Sunkist Kids Wrestling (RTC) (@sunkistkidswrestlingclub)The wrestler had to win an appeal with the Arizona Interscholastic Association to compete against boys this wrestling season. Once approved, she made history at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
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“Bull” actor, 55, initially appeared on “NCIS” when it premiered in 2003.As for the “Jury” actress, 44, she joined the crime drama in Season 3 in 2005 — and her character was presumably killed off in Season 13.The official synopsis reads: “Tony left the ‘NCIS’ team to go raise their daughter. Years later, Ziva was discovered alive, leading her to complete one final mission with NCIS before she was reunited with Tony and their daughter in Paris.”“Since then — and where we find them in the new Paramount+ original series — Tony and Ziva have been raising their daughter, Tali, together,” the summary noted.
A high-politicized edition of the Berlin Film Festival ended Saturday, but divisions surrounding political messaging during the festival appear to be ongoing.
Christopher Vourlias Following on the heels of a successful post-pandemic reboot one year ago, the Joburg Film Festival kicks off its sixth edition on Feb. 27, with the glitzy capital of South Africa’s media and entertainment industry showcasing a selection of top talents from the host country and across the African continent.
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Todd Longwell The SAG Awards have long been one of the most important events on the kudocast calendar, but this year’s edition at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall Feb. 24 is especially significant.
Kym Marsh was tearful during her first TV appearance since her father's death as she spoke about plans to bury her son's ashes alongside him. The former Coronation Street star was heartbroken last month when she and her family announced the death of David Marsh.
Molly Smith and Tom Clare have opened up on their future plans after being crowned the winners of the first Love Island: All Stars.The pair beat Molly’s ex-boyfriend Callum Jones and his new partner Jessica Gale, who finished as runners-up during the final episode on Monday night. Of being declared the winners and securing the £50,000 prize, Tom said: “It hasn’t sunk in for us both, it’s like a blur!” And Molly, who was seen visibly shaking with shock after their names were announced by show host Maya Jama, said: “It’s like a dream, it’s actually really weird. Literally trying to process it.
Russian Pussy Riot Dissident Nadya Tolokonnikova has welcomed a pledge by Alexei Navalny’s widow Yulia Navalnaya to carry on his fight for democracy, following his death in an Arctic penal colony last week.
Hillary Clinton and Sharon Stone shared the stage at the annual Cinema for Peace funder raiser in Berlin on Monday night with the latter presenting the former U.S. secretary of state with the NGO’s Cinema for Peace Award.
Christopher Vourlias Africa’s growing screen industries are making their mark on the global stage, with three titles in the main competition at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, but how to unlock the continent’s still-untapped potential was a question on the minds of many at a conference hosted on Saturday by the European Film Market. A partnership between EFM and Prudence Kolong’s Stockholm-based consulting firm Yanibes, AfroBerlin was launched to give a platform to filmmakers from Africa and the diaspora and “to find a place where they can share stories and experiences and be heard,” said Kolong, who also organizes the Cannes Film Festival’s AfroCannes industry showcase.
Jaka Bizilj, the founder of the Berlin-based Cinema for Peace Foundation which organized the airlift from Russia of opposition activist Alexei Navalny after his poisoning in 2020, has responded to his sudden death in an Arctic Circle jail on Friday.
Are you still hung up on your ex? Did you think about them on Valentine’s Day this week? Then Frankie Bird has the song for you!
Bosses behind Piccadilly Tap have unveiled plans for a new pub in the city centre. The new spot will be located at Oxford Road station, and follows the launch of Victoria Tap at Victoria Station last October.
Berlinale. They followed a red carpet that mixed demonstrations and high style over a more than two-hour stretch. Festival co-chief Mariëtte Rissenbeek felt it necessary to address head on the festival’s recent controversy over invitations to five far-right (AfD) members of the German parliament.
The Berlin Film Festival officially kicked off this evening with an eventful opening ceremony at the Berlinale Palast theater in the German capital.