Colin Farrell stars as gambling addict in new film from Conclave director
Released on Tuesday (19 August), the preview for 'Ballad of a Small Player' shows Farrell's character, Lord Doyle, getting ready for a night out in Macau, often dubbed the 'Las Vegas of Asia', before he hits the casinos.
A synopsis of the film, directed by Edward Berger, reads: 'When his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.'
The thriller will be released in select US theatres on 15 October, hitting the UK two days later and dropping on the streaming giant on 29 October.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Playing politics gets dangerous for Julie Delpy and Suranne Jones in ‘Hostage'
Only a few people know what it's like to stand outside 10 Downing Street and address the world's media. Suranne Jones and Julie Delpy aren't politicians, but they got that opportunity playing rival stateswomen in thriller miniseries 'Hostage.' No. 10 is where the British prime minister lives and works and it's at the heart of Matt Charman's new Netflixshow releasing Thursday. During a tense Anglo- French summit, Jones power-dresses as Prime Minister Abigail Dalton, while Delpy wears the red lipstick of the pristinely presented French President Vivienne Toussaint. Also starring Ashley Thomas, Corey Mylchreest and Lucian Msamati, both women wrestle with power and their personal lives when Dalton's husband is kidnapped and Toussaint is threatened with a career-ruining scandal. 'The speeches is the hardest thing to do in the show,' says Delpy, who stood at a podium on the set of an impressive recreation of Downing Street. 'I had the same anxiety as if I was doing it for real.' Jones also had to address the House of Commons, with everyone shouting at her. It's a common sight in British politics, with politicians yelling and making noise over the top of a rival to drown them out in Parliament. Once everyone started braying at her, Jones 'couldn't remember anything' she was saying. Then they'd retake it without the extras shouting, which threw her after she'd got used to the all the noise. And words are weapons in this thriller, as negotiations veer between solidarity and betrayal. 'Every word is being scrutinized, like if you use a term instead of another, it's going to be judged by the press. And I mean, it happens a little bit in our business, but nothing compared to a politician,' adds Delpy. Delpy and Jones sat down with The Associated Press to talk about politicians and power pants. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity. AP: How do you think France will feel about you being president? DELPY: I think they might get upset, I don't know, at my representation — no I'm joking — of a French president with a sex scandal and all that. I don't know, French are not very big on judging sex scandals with people. I don't think it works in France, like it works everywhere else, but not in France so much. Like they don't care when a president has an affair. It's more the politics. AP: These aren't specific politicians, but you did research and speak to female politicians. What did you learn? JONES: I wanted to talk to loads of women that were in it and from lots of different parties as well. So some on the phone, some were in person. I interviewed a couple of people high in power. We went to the Commons, watched the PMQs (Prime Minister's Questions), felt the atmosphere, walked the halls, talked to the speaker. And it was all, it was all so ... to be in the world that I know nothing about. I've been invited as a creative or a celebrity, but to actually talk to people about the balance and the cost of what it takes and what it does to your kids ... that was really helpful. DELPY: I've listened to a lot of politicians about their life, about what it's been like after they were in power and stuff and the pressure and stuff, but I didn't want to inspire myself on someone specific so there's no reference. It's like, 'Oh, she's like the blah blah blah or she's like so.' I made her different than some French women politician that would be the obvious persons to be inspired by. AP: These characters are in power and they are holding on to it. How do you use your own power in your life? JONES: I feel like I sometimes put power pants on, do you know what I mean? Because actually I also quite like to hide away. So I like the duality of power, which Abigail doesn't have that choice really. But, so I like to go, 'Right today. ... I'm going to use it for good.' Or I need it as energy, so I have power pants, but I like to take them on and off. AP: Can I establish, when you say pants — do you mean English pants (underwear) or American pants (trousers)? JONES: Big knickers. Yeah, power knickers, what about you? You got any power pants? DELPY: No, I don't know. It's funny. I was thinking of a joke I made years ago about like how when women are directors, they have to wear fatigues, not like literal, you know. If you go direct a movie wearing a dress, people don't take you as seriously. But it's kind of a joke on, you know, the power thing. JONES: But it's the same thing, isn't it? DELPY: Yeah and I think I've noticed that ... if you give a vibe that's more in charge, I think people have a certain respect. AP: So you both, like your characters, put a lot of thought into what you are wearing? JONES: What you're wearing emotionally that day, what you're giving out, what you're putting on. … And wearing the heels to make yourself taller, wearing the shoulders to not feminize yourself in that historically masculine situation. So yeah, all of that comes into play. DELPY: Toussaint, for me, it was important that she was really pristine all the time. And we talk about the white coat, that she has never put lipstick on a white coat. I would put lipstick on my white coat in 10 seconds. But she's like really the kind of person they will never be, you know, she'll never be walking like this (folds over her lapel) into a room… JONES: With a lapel up! Julie on the other hand, definitely. DELPY: And I'll step in a hole and fall.
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
I visited the $170 million ‘American' town in the middle of China – it has French fries and freedom with a cowboy flair
COPY CATTLE A developer revealed a secret that's hidden in the town AN ADVENTUROUS traveler has rediscovered a little-known $170 million Chinese town that's nearly a carbon copy of a US city. The resort town that lies just two hours outside Beijing is filled with kitschy slices of American culture, from cowboy decor to fast food. 3 3 3 In a now-viral video, YouTuber Drew Binksy got a first-hand look at the bizarre gated community that's directly based on Jackson Hole, Wyoming. At first, he was left stunned by the lack of foot traffic as he noticed that many businesses and restaurants were closed, despite open signs hanging prominently in the windows. After he struck up a conversation with locals, he learned that many residents worked in the city during the week, and enjoyed their properties over the weekend. Despite coming in off hours, Binksy still managed to enjoy the America-themed offerings, like a sizzling steak, with corn, pepper steak sauce, and fries. Binksy recorded the wild architecture, which mirrors Western ranch homes. There are even American-style churches and Tesla chargers sprinkled throughout the community. The streets exude wild west themes by showing off faux log cabins, saloon-style bars, and wagon wheels. Binksy interviewed a resident who says houses are reselling for up to one million dollars now that properties are sold out. For many residents, Jackson Hole, China, is less about mimicking the American West in detail and more about capturing escape, the resident said. Binksy's video also mentions that not every person can afford to travel abroad, and this is a way to experience that. CREATION OF THE COWBOY TOWN When the gated community was being developed, planners knew they wanted to base it on an idyllic American town. They considered Martha's Vineyard, a Massachusetts island where elite families like the Obamas have homes, and the ski resort town of Vail, Colorado. However, developers eventually settled on Jackson Hole - a recently booming valley town positioned at the foothills of the majestic Teton Mountains. In the bizarre Chinese town, visitors will be greeted with uncanny cowboy imagery and aesthetics that highlight the small-town American dream. This town also replicates venues like Jackson Hole's Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a Western stage for 'cowboy stunts,' and even a gold-panning area for kids. But one of the community's most important features can't be seen by visitors. According to builders, they wanted to establish a feeling of faith among every resident who buys property. Liu Xiangyang, the developer of Jackson Hole, China, said that he wanted to give buyers "freedom and spirituality" if they become a part of the community, Cowboy State Daily reported. He said that they hope to achieve this, in part, by building a small chapel that fits the "heartland America" vibe. PROPERTY BREAKDOWN In 2014, about 1,000 to 1,500 homes were built, at initial prices of roughly $180,000 to $330,000, according to The Atlantic. Since then, it has tripled, making it a refuge for affluent buyers who need a respite from bustling Beijing. Today, the suburb boasts up to 3,000 homes and is nearly sold out. Cui Zhongtao, who bought his weekend home for about $145,000, described the place as a sanctuary. 'Reality keeps me from living in America [...] but when I saw the lifestyle there, I wished one day I could live the same way," he told CBS News. Jackson Hole isn't the only replica city in China. The country has uncanny versions of Paris, Venice, and a small English town.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Humanoid robot seen roaming the streets of China
A humanoid robot was observed independently patrolling the streets of Hangzhou, China, attracting attention from passers-by. The robot, equipped with headphones and a gold chain, was filmed interacting with the public, including waving at cameras and pausing for a video call. This sighting follows the recent inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games held in Beijing from 15 to 17 August. The games featured over 500 robots from more than 20 countries competing in various sports. Watch the video in full above.
