Entertainment
Berlin festival seeks to bury Gaza row with Israeli hostage film
The Berlin film festival premiered a documentary about an Israeli hostage held by Hamas on Friday as it seeks to move on from controversy over its stance on Gaza at last year's edition. "A Letter to David" by Israeli filmmaker Tom Shoval is a tribute to David Cunio, who was… Read
Swinton lashes out as she receives Berlin festival award
British movie star Tilda Swinton lashed out at the "state-operated" crimes of "greed-addicted governments" as she received a special award on the first day of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday. The veteran Oscar winner did not name any country but made a fiery 15-minute speech highlighting conflicts and scandals… Read
Paul McCartney rocks the Bowery in New York with surprise concert
Paul McCartney’s previous New York-area performance took place three years ago at MetLife Stadium, capacity 82,500. His surprise show Tuesday night at the Bowery Ballroom fit, at most, 575. It was probably less than that since McCartney’s sound board and gear — too much to fit backstage — occupied a… Read
Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish get Rock Hall nominations
Mariah Carey, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, OutKast and Phish are some the 2025 nominees for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a list that also includes two sets of musical brothers who have had public feuds and recent reunions — the Black Crowes and Oasis. The Hall… Read
Cinema can be a 'refuge', Berlin film festival director says
The new director of the Berlin film festival, Tricia Tuttle, spoke to AFP ahead of the opening, saying it would be an artistic "refuge" in the alarming age of Donald Trump. She spoke about this year's selection of films competing for the Golden Bear, Germany's national election which falls on… Read
New 'Captain America' film flies into Trumpian headwinds
The latest in the Captain America film franchise which premiered in Hollywood Tuesday presents a vision of the United States out of step with the Trump era, with a diverse cast, a core message about unity and an endorsement of international diplomacy. Written and filmed before Donald Trump's return as… Read
Chinese animated blockbuster breaks records, prompts patriotism
Animated Chinese blockbuster "Ne Zha 2", based on traditional mythology, has smashed multiple box office records on its way to becoming the country's most successful movie ever. The tale of a rebellious young deity who battles dragons is the first movie to earn over $1 billion in a single market,… Read
Federal appeals court upholds singer R. Kelly's convictions and 30-year prison term
R. Kelly’s racketeering and sex trafficking convictions, along with a 30-year prison sentence, were upheld Wednesday by a federal appeals court that concluded the singer exploited his fame for over a quarter century to sexually abuse girls and young women. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled… Read
Shakira kicks off first world tour in seven years
Shakira launched her first worldwide tour in seven years from Rio de Janeiro this week for her latest Grammy-winning album "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women Don't Cry Anymore). The Colombian singer-songwriter treated fans at the 46,000-capacity Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium to the top hits from her 12th album on… Read
Paris workshop delivers ultra-realistic film prop babies
In a workshop outside Paris, Celine Lallement stitched hairs into a silicone baby's skull -- the latest creation from a studio specialised in making ultra-realistic infants for the film and TV industries. Founded in 2008 and based in a north Paris suburb, "Cinebebe" produces props that can take more than… Read
