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Nicole Kidman champions gender equality at star-studded Cannes party

Nicole Kidman champions gender equality at star-studded Cannes party

Mint18-05-2025

Kidman made 2017 pledge to work with more female directors
Brazilian filmmaker Brennand wins emerging talent award
'The Substance' auteur: Need big changes, not cosmetic ones
By Hanna Rantala and Miranda Murray
CANNES, France, May 18 (Reuters) - Australian actor Nicole Kidman vowed to keep pushing for gender equality in cinema at an exclusive party attended by celebrities like popstar Charli XCX and Irish actor Paul Mescal on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.
"I'm just an advocate and want to continue to keep moving forward with that, with my pledge from 2017, so it ain't over," said the Oscar-winning actor at the Women in Motion dinner at Cannes, part of a program set up by luxury group Kering in 2015.
Kidman, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in "The Hours" in 2002, has worked with many of the leading male directors of her generation, but she pledged in 2017 to shoot with a female director every 18 months.
She told journalists in the French Riviera resort town earlier on Sunday that in the eight years since, she's worked with 27 female directors, including projects in development.
"Part of it is protecting and surrounding the women with almost like a force field of protection and support," she said.
Other stars at the dinner included Dakota Johnson and Julianne Moore as well as Patrick Schwarzenegger of "The White Lotus." Director Guillermo del Toro was also in attendance.
Brazilian director Marianna Brennand received the initiative's emerging talent award, which includes a grant of 50,000 euros ($55,920.00) to work on a second feature project.
"If you look at the numbers, unfortunately, the numbers, they don't change," said French director Coralie Fargeat, whose Demi Moore-led body horror hit "The Substance" found widespread success after premiering at Cannes last year.
"We really need to keep making huge changes and not cosmetic changes," she said.
According to Women in Motion organisers, the share of women directors increased to only 13.6% from 7.5% among the top 100 box office films in the United States between 2015 and 2024.
Seven out of the 22 films in competition this year were made by women, including an entry from Julia Ducournau, one of only three women to have ever won the Palme d'Or top prize.
($1 = 0.8941 euros) (Reporting by Hanna Rantala and Miranda Murray; editing by Diane Craft)

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Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson dies at age 82
Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson dies at age 82

Mint

time2 hours ago

  • Mint

Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson dies at age 82

(Adds reaction paragraphs 17-20) By Mary Milliken and Bill Trott LOS ANGELES, June 11 (Reuters) - Beach Boys cofounder Brian Wilson, who created some of rock's most enduring songs such as "Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows" in a career that was marked by a decades-long battle between his musical genius, drug abuse and mental health issues, has died at the age of 82. Wilson's family announced his death in a statement on the singer's website. "We are at a loss for words right now," the statement said. "We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world." The statement did not disclose a cause of death. Wilson had suffered from dementia and was unable to care for himself after his wife Melinda Wilson died in early 2024, prompting his family to put him under conservatorship. Starting in 1961, the Beach Boys put out a string of sunny hits celebrating the touchstones of California youth culture - surfing, cars and romance. But what made the songs special were the ethereal harmonies that Wilson arranged and that would become the band's lasting trademark. Wilson formed the band with younger brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine in their hometown, the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne. They went on to have 36 Top 40 hits, with Wilson writing and composing most of the early works. Songs such as "Little Deuce Coupe", "Surfin' U.S.A.", "California Girls", "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Help Me, Rhonda" remain instantly recognizable and eminently danceable. But there were plenty of bad vibrations in Wilson's life: an abusive father, a cornucopia of drugs, a series of mental breakdowns, long periods of seclusion and depression and voices in his head that, even when he was on stage, told him he was no good. "I've lived a very, very difficult, haunted life," Wilson told the Washington Post in 2007. In May 2024, a judge ruled the 81-year-old Wilson should be put under a conservatorship after two longtime associates had petitioned the court at his family's request, saying he could not care for himself following the death of his wife, Melinda. By 1966 touring had already become an ordeal for Wilson, who suffered what would be his first mental breakdown. He remained the Beach Boys' mastermind but retreated to the studio to work, usually without his bandmates, on "Pet Sounds", a symphonic reflection on the loss of innocence. The landmark "Good Vibrations" was recorded during those sessions, though it did not make it on to the album. Though "Pet Sounds" included hits such as "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "Sloop John B" and "God Only Knows", it was not an immediate commercial success in the United States. There also was resistance to the album within the band, especially from singer Love, who wanted to stick with the proven money-making sound. 'IT'S LIKE FALLING IN LOVE' "Pet Sounds", which was released in 1966, later would come to be recognized as Wilson's magnum opus. Paul McCartney said it was an influence on the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". "No one's musical education is complete until they've heard 'Pet Sounds'," McCartney said. In 2012 Rolling Stone magazine ranked it second only to "Sgt. Pepper" on its list of the 500 greatest rock albums. "Hearing 'Pet Sounds' gave me the kind of feeling that raises the hairs on the back of your neck and you say, 'What is that? It's fantastic,'" George Martin, the Beatles' legendary producer, said in the liner notes of a reissued version of the album. "It's like falling in love." Released as a single that same year, "Good Vibrations" drew similar plaudits. On hearing the song, which would become the Beach Boys' greatest hit, Art Garfunkel called his musical partner Paul Simon to say: "I think I just heard the greatest, most creative record of them all." Stars of the music world paid tribute to Wilson on Wednesday. "Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson's genius magical touch!!," Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood said on social media. Nancy Sinatra, who recorded a cover of "California Girls" with Wilson in 2002, wrote on Instagram that Wilson's "cherished music will live forever." Sean Ono Lennon, a musician and son of John Lennon, called Wilson "our American Mozart" and "a one of a kind genius from another world." The Beach Boys sold more than 100 million records. Wilson's career would be derailed, though, as his use of LSD, cocaine and alcohol became untenable and his mental state, which would eventually be diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder with auditory hallucinations, grew shakier. He became a recluse, lying in bed for days, abandoning hygiene, growing obese and sometimes venturing out in a bathrobe and slippers. He had a sandbox installed in his dining room and put his piano there. 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WTC Final, Day 1: After Kagiso Radada's elite bowling and Steve Smith's gritty batting, Aussie quicks put South Africa on the backfoot
WTC Final, Day 1: After Kagiso Radada's elite bowling and Steve Smith's gritty batting, Aussie quicks put South Africa on the backfoot

Indian Express

time3 hours ago

  • Indian Express

WTC Final, Day 1: After Kagiso Radada's elite bowling and Steve Smith's gritty batting, Aussie quicks put South Africa on the backfoot

Under crisp sunshine, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and his partner David Bedingham retreated with relieved smiles to the pavilion. They would reflect on a day that was as satisfying as it was harrowing. If bowling out Australia for 212 was worthy of contentment, the score of 43/4 at stumps, and the shocking ineptitude of their top-order, would spook them. An Australian backlash was imminent. The deck still had enough juice to provoke the devils, even though the sun was blazing; South Africa's batting line-up is incredibly thin on grand-stage experience; and the trifecta of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood is as opportunistic as bowling cartels come. Starc removed the most gifted of them, Aiden Markram, with the last ball of the first over. The left-armer winkled out Ryan Rickleton, before Cummins and Hazlewood grabbed one apiece to leave South Africa reeling and anticipation already bubbling for another action-packed day. 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When power meets play: Where Trump supporters go to get a drink
When power meets play: Where Trump supporters go to get a drink

Time of India

time12 hours ago

  • Time of India

When power meets play: Where Trump supporters go to get a drink

When you work hard (?), you gotta play harder! Trump supporters – AKA – MAGA shouters, know the drill well. When the day job ends, they regroup and get ready for a huddle! And what can be a better place for a group huddle than a bar around the block? Hence, the rise of Butterworth's! Going by the name, it'd be a common mistake to assume that this particular establishment serves Butterbeer, a non-alcoholic drink popular in the Harry Potter universe. However, that hasn't come in the way of Butterworth's rising popularity. But what does Butterworth's offer that makes it a go-to hideaway of Trump supporters and MAGA elites? Read on to find out. In the heart of Washington, D.C., just two blocks from Capitol Hill, lies a bistro that has swiftly become the epicenter of MAGA social life: Butterworth's. Aesthetically, it might be a French-style café and bar, but at the core – Butterworth's 'claim to fame' has got to do with its very American attitude. Since its opening in October 2024, this bar has transformed from a quaint neighborhood spot into a power hub for Trump supporters, political influencers, and media personalities. The birth of Butterworth's: Butterworth's, named after its Australian-born majority investor Alex Butterworth, boasts an ambiance that melds Victorian charm with European café sophistication. The interior features plush seating, antique chandeliers, and a curated selection of art, including a nod to bullfighting culture—a symbol of risk and reward. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo As per Raheem Kassam, a former Breitbart editor and co-owner, who told EL PAÍS, Butterworth's is a tribute to traditions and a haven for the 'weirdos and freaks' of the MAGA movement. Over time, the establishment has become a favored spot for MAGA supporters and political figures. During inauguration weekend, notable attendees included Steve Bannon, Kash Patel, and Elon Musk. The restaurant's private rooms and curated atmosphere cater to high-profile gatherings, making it a central location for political discussions and celebrations. Beyond just a bar: The influence of Butterworth's extends beyond its walls. Butterworth's has hosted events celebrating political victories and ideological shifts. In fact, very recently, after the very public break-up between President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, the establishment became the site of a celebration among Trump supporters, marking what many saw as the end of Musk's influence in Trump's Washington. 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Fortunately, Washington, D.C., a city often associated with political power and influence, also serves as a backdrop for various social scenes, and Butterworth's is only one among many other establishments. Take a look. Harry's Bar at Hotel Harrington Located just five blocks from the White House, Harry's Bar has become a known hangout for Trump supporters and groups like the Proud Boys. The bar offers affordable drinks in a casual setting, making it a popular choice for those seeking a relaxed environment to discuss politics and socialize. During events like the "Million MAGA March," Harry's Bar has attracted large crowds of Trump supporters. Dirty Water (H Street NE) Dirty Water is a rare exception in a predominantly liberal city, openly supporting Trump. The H Street sports bar co-hosted debate and election night watch parties with the Washington, D.C. Young Republicans. The owner of this establishment, Luke Casey, a registered Republican, noted that the bar became a gathering spot for Republicans seeking a place aligned with their views in a city dominated by Democratic establishments. The Capital Grille (Capitol Hill) The Capital Grille is a Capitol Hill steakhouse where Republicans often gather. Politicians like Ted Cruz and Steve Scalise are among the regulars. The establishment is known for its upscale dining experience, making it a preferred spot for conservative gatherings. Bullfeathers (Capitol Hill) Bullfeathers, located near the Capitol, is a longstanding establishment frequented by Capitol Hill staffers, particularly Republicans. Its proximity to the legislative heart of the nation makes it a convenient spot for political discussions and casual drinks. The Capitol Hill Club The Capitol Hill Club is a private club for Republicans in Washington, D.C. Established in 1951, it serves as a gathering spot for lawmakers, government officials, and other members of the political establishment. Its proximity to the Capitol makes it a convenient location for political discussions and social events. 'It's Very Big': Trump Ups The NUCLEAR Ante, Orders Quadruple Nuke Output As China Watches | Watch

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