
Leonardo DiCaprio spotted at amfAR Cannes Gala with Adrien Brody and more auctioning art ranging up to $300,000
Cannes Film Festival is more than just the film premieres and red carpet events. Every year during the last few days of the Cannes Film Festival, hundreds of celebrities and philanthropists come down to the palatial Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc for the amfAR gala. Here, they join to host and facilitate a event that raises millions for biomedical research and other important causes.
This year, a host of Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeff Bezos, Adrien Brody, Heidi Klum, Colman Domingo, and Michelle Rodriguez attended the event for the auction. (Also read: Alia Bhatt channels vintage glamour for her debut at the Cannes Film Festival. See pics)
As per a report in Variety, this year's Best Actor Oscar-winner Adrien Brody made a case for his mixed media piece he created of iconic star Marilyn Monroe. In his speech, he added, 'Please, for a moment, I know it's a big room. To live a life fully and to cherish all the moments and the imperfections in life. Women are so often objectified in the media and on social media. They have to look beautiful and they are beautiful, but what is within them is what's most important in this world. And I want to honor that.' The piece was sold for $425,000.
Meanwhile, actor James Franco was also present at the gala, where he donated a painting to the auction. The report added that James was called on stage by auctioneer Simon du Pury, who even addressed him as an 'outstanding human being.' James' art piece sold for $368,000. Another item which was sold at the auction was presented by Robin Thicke. It was staycation for 16 people at the mansion featured in the film Glass Onion. The bid ended at $368,000.
Taraji P. Henson was present as well. She took to stage and advocated for the research of AIDS at the gala.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
"I think I've done enough": Director Ridley Scott on his return to 'Alien' franchise
Filmmaker Ridley Scott, who is best known for directing the 'Alien', was amazed at how far the franchise came after it was joined by several directors, including James Cameron and David Fincher. Filmmaker Ridley Scott , who is best known for directing the 'Alien', was amazed at how far the franchise came after several directors, including James Cameron and David Fincher, joined it. Despite the enormous success, the director believes that he has done "enough" for the franchise, signalling no potential return to the 'Alien' franchise, reported Variety. In an interview with ScreenRant, as quoted by Variety, the actor said that "I've done enough" when it comes to the "Alien" franchise, which he started 46 years ago. Scott produced last year's well-reviewed 'Alien: Romulus' movie, and is currently serving as an executive producer on Noah Hawley's upcoming FX series 'Alien: Earth.' But it appears Scott's days of directing "Alien" projects are over. As he summed up: "Where it's going now, I think I've done enough, and I just hope it goes further," quoted Variety. While sharing his views on the 'Alien' franchise, the director said there was a time when he thought the series was as good as dead. Scott directed 1979's 'Alien' before handing the franchise to James Cameron for 1986's 'Aliens.' The series then took stumbles with divisive entries from the likes of David Fincher ("Alien 3") and Jean-Pierre Jeunet ("Alien Resurrection"). "I think I felt it was deadened after 4. I think mine was pretty damn good, and I think Jim's was good, and I have to say the rest were not very good. And I thought, 'F***, that's the end of a franchise which should be as important as bloody 'Star Trek' or 'Star Wars,' which I think is phenomenal. At least, I think the first one by George is seminal. It was as seminal as '2001.' To me, it was that important in terms of film language and where you go next," said Ridley Scott as quoted by Variety. After directing 'Alien', the director returned to direct 'Prometheus', which marked his return to the franchise. "A number of years after, I said, 'I'm going to resurrect this,' [and wrote] 'Prometheus' from scratch - a blank sheet of paper. Damon Lindelof and I sat then hammered out 'Prometheus,'" Scott said of reviving the franchise in 2012 after a 15-year hiatus as quoted by Variety. He continued, "It was very present and very welcome. The audience really wanted more. I said, 'It needs to fly.' No one was coming for it, [and] I went once again [and made] 'Alien: Covenant,' and it worked too. Where it's going now, I think I've done enough, and I just hope it goes further," as quoted by Variety. As per the outlet, next up for the 'Alien' franchise is the debut of 'Alien Earth' on August 12 and an undated film sequel to 'Alien: Romulus' that will likely feature the return of director Fede Alvarez . Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Edmund White – the ‘godfather of gay literature'– is no more: 6 books you should read
Edmund White, the author who redefined queer literature, passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 85. A prolific writer, White penned over 30 books, including autobiographical novels and biographies, that captured the complexities of gay life with wit, sensuality, and emotional depth. His work chronicled everything from the liberating hedonism of pre-AIDS New York to the devastating losses of the epidemic, cementing his legacy as one of the most important gay writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. White wrote fearlessly, blending high literary style with raw, often explicit accounts of desire and identity. Below is a guide to some of his most essential books. 1. A Boy's Own Story (1982) A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel that became a cornerstone of gay literature. Set in 1950s America, A Boy's Own Story follows an unnamed teenager grappling with his homosexuality in a repressive, homophobic society. White's protagonist is introspective and conflicted, simultaneously drawn to and ashamed of his desires. The novel captures the loneliness of adolescence as the boy navigates fraught relationships with his distant father, troubled mother, and a series of older men who both fascinate and confuse him. What makes this novel canonical is its refusal to sanitise the queer experience. The protagonist is neither a victim nor a hero but a complex, sometimes selfish young man trying to understand himself. White turns personal memory into something universally resonant. A Boy's Own Story remains one of the most influential coming-out novels ever written. 2. The Farewell Symphony (1997) An elegiac novel about gay life before and during the AIDS crisis. Named after Haydn's symphony (in which musicians leave the stage one by one until only silence remains), The Farewell Symphony is the final installment in White's autobiographical trilogy. It follows an unnamed narrator—a stand-in for White—through the sexual liberation of the 1970s and the devastation of AIDS in the 1980s and '90s. The novel is both a celebration and a eulogy, capturing the hedonistic freedom of pre-AIDS New York and Fire Island, where sex and art intertwined effortlessly. But as friends and lovers begin to die, the tone shifts to one of mourning and survivor's guilt. White's ability to balance humor, eroticism, and grief makes this one of his most powerful works—a definitive account of a generation lost. 3. My Lives (2005) A memoir structured thematically rather than chronologically, offering intimate glimpses into White's psyche. Instead of a linear life story, My Lives is divided into chapters such as 'My Shrinks,' 'My Hustlers,' and 'My Blonds,' each exploring a different facet of White's identity. The result is a kaleidoscopic self-portrait that is funny, self-deprecating, and unflinchingly honest. Highlights include his hilarious yet painful recollections of therapy (where psychiatrists tried to 'cure' his homosexuality), his complicated relationship with his abusive father, and his candid accounts of sexual escapades. What makes My Lives so compelling is White's refusal to conform to conventional memoir tropes. 4. Genet: A Biography (1993) A masterful biography of the infamous French writer and criminal-turned-literary-icon. White spent seven years researching Jean Genet, the gay outlaw whose novels (Our Lady of the Flowers, The Thief's Journal) glorified theft, betrayal, and queer desire. The biography is both a meticulous study of Genet's life and a meditation on the intersections of art, transgression, and politics. White's deep empathy for his subject shines through, particularly in passages about Genet's impoverished childhood and later activism for the Black Panthers and Palestinians. The book won critical acclaim and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, solidifying White's reputation as a formidable biographer. 5. The Joy of Gay Sex (1977, co-authored with Charles Silverstein) A sex manual that celebrated gay desire without shame. Written before the AIDS crisis, The Joy of Gay Sex was an affirming guide that treated homosexuality not as a pathology but as a source of pleasure and connection. Covering everything from cruising to BDSM, it combined practical advice with White's elegant prose, making it both useful and literary. Though some sections are dated (particularly in light of HIV), the book remains a fascinating artifact of a freer era. It was one of the first mainstream books to discuss gay sexuality openly, paving the way for future queer writers. 6. The Married Man (2000) A heartbreaking novel about love, mortality, and the lingering scars of AIDS. Loosely based on White's relationship with his partner Hubert Sorin (who died of AIDS in 1994), The Married Man follows Austin, an American writer in Paris, as he falls for Julien, a married French architect. Their romance is sadly shadowed by Julien's declining health. White's novel, unlike most AIDS narratives, is unsentimental yet deeply moving. He captures the small, everyday intimacies of love alongside the bureaucratic horrors of illness such as hospital visits, insurance battles, the slow erosion of a body. It is one of his most emotionally resonant works.


Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
F1 first reactions: Brad Pitt's film hailed as high-octane crowd-pleaser; comparisons drawn to Top Gun Maverick
Brad Pitt's F1 got a mixed response at Comic-Con after dropping a high-octane 10-minute clip. But its first official press screening seems to have flipped the narrative; critics are calling it a full-throttle summer blockbuster with brilliant visuals and addictive energy. Except for a few concerns about whether the film can pull in non-racing fans, it is racking up rave reviews. Critics are praising Joseph Kosinski's film for its technical brilliance. Variety's Clayton Davis gave a shoutout to cinematographer Claudio Miranda and urged the Oscars to 'not do dirty with him again.' Miranda had also worked with Kosinski on Top Gun: Maverick and even earned a BAFTA nomination for it. Some critics are drawing comparisons between the visuals of F1 and Maverick. 'It's Pearce, down the insideeeee' — WOW! @F1Movie is an action-packed, thrilling look at the world of F1 racing, with lots of grit. The sound, score, and cinematography are flawless. Damson Idris and Brad Pitt are great! Absolutely Obsessedddddd,' wrote Jazz Tangcay. Tim Chan wrote, 'Just got out of #F1TheMovie screening: film was more emotional than I had anticipated, Brad Pitt is hotter than ever, soundtrack (with Tate! Roddy! Rosé!) is perfect accompaniment to the race scenes.' Maude Garrett, a journalist with Nerdist and Breakroom, called the movie 'so freaking good' and even wondered if she might've enjoyed it even more had she actually been an F1 fan. Also read: F1 trailer: Brad Pitt plays 'oldtimer' who needs to deal with both his past and a rookie to save his friend's struggling APXGP team In the film, Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a once-celebrated Formula 1 driver who stepped away from racing after a tragic accident. Years later, he's approached to mentor a young racer, played by Damson Idris, who's gearing up for the fictional Apex Grand Prix. The cast also includes Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon. Earlier, in his GQ interview, Pitt opened up about the pressure Formula 1 drivers face, comparing it to the kind of scrutiny movie stars deal with. 'Those guys are so scrutinised, and that sport is so revered, and there are so many of us that think we could do it too, just because we drive a car fast down the freeway or something. They get so much s**t. It is shocking to me. They've got to have thicker skin than even us.' The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, who joined the project as a producer and has been promoting the film alongside Pitt. During a press conference earlier this year, Bruckheimer opened up about how the idea crossed his mind. Kosinski said he became a fan of the sport after watching Netflix's Drive to Survive during the pandemic. 'I loved how the first season of the show focused on the last-place teams, the underdogs, rather than Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, the teams you usually see at the front of the pack,' he said. 'I thought there was an interesting story to be told about an underdog team,' he added. To shoot F1, the team actually followed the real F1 circuit for a year and even received permission to film during actual race weekends, within a tiny window of just 10–15 minutes. They set up over 20 cameras and had to capture everything in a rush before the track opened again. Kosinski added that the crowd is also real, and that they used advanced IMAX cameras, some of which were previously used in Tom Cruise's films. Also read: Brad Pitt's F1 unleashes 10 minutes of adrenaline-fueled Daytona racing footage at CinemaCon F1 will be released in theatres globally on June 25, 2025.