Latest news with #BahrainPavilion
Euronews
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Gérard Depardieu found guilty of sexual assault on a 2021 film set
The Venice Architecture Biennale, one of the most prestigious events in the world of architecture, has officially launched. Taking place every two years, countries from around the globe are invited to showcase their most innovative and thought-provoking ideas about architecture in national pavilions - this time around the theme of 'Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective.' This year, the Bahrain Pavilion, located in the historic Artiglierie of the Arsenale, has won the coveted Golden Lion award for Best National Participation with its installation titled "Heatwave". Suspended above a relaxed public seating area, Heatwave features a hovering square-shaped ceiling supported by chains from a central column. More than just a visual spectacle, the structure offers climate-responsive cooling, designed to make public space more habitable in a period of intensifying heatwaves. Engineered by Mario Monotti with thermomechanical input from Alexander Puzrin, the installation explores modular climate infrastructure. While a geothermal well and solar chimney were originally proposed to create a self-sustaining microclimate, excavation wasn't feasible at the Biennale site - so mechanical ventilation was used instead to simulate the architect's intended cooling effect. Accepting the award, pavilion commissioner Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa noted, "The term heatwave is a very common term we hear in the media, in news and even amongst our conversations at home. It is a stress to our urban centres and local communities, and the pavilion aimed to address those issues through an innovative technique." Two other standout pavilions were also acknowledged by the jury. The Holy See's 'Opera aperta' showcase, housed in a deconsecrated Venetian church in the Castello district, received a special mention for transforming the space into an evolving site of collective care, restoration, and dialogue, inspired by Italian philospher Umberto Eco's 1962 book "Open Work (Opera aperta)". Part construction site, part community centre - over seven months, it will host restoration workshops, shared meals, and music rehearsals, bringing together international architects, local artisans, students, and social collectives. And rather than concealing damage, the team will carefully trace the building's cracks, mold, and weathering - viewing them not as flaws, but as evidence of life, history, and possibility. The British Pavilion also earned a special mention for its powerful examination of architecture and its links to colonisation. Titled 'GBR: Geology of Britannic Repair', the exhibition is a UK-Kenya collaboration led by curators Kabage Karanja and Stella Mutegi (Cave_bureau, Nairobi), Owen Hopkins, and Professor Kathryn Yusoff, and seeks to explore whether architecture can shift from being an extractive force to one of repair and restitution. "With the Great Rift Valley as the exhibition's geological and conceptual focus, we have brought together a series of installations that propose 'other architectures' defined by their relationship to the ground, their resistance to conventional, extractive ways of working, and that are resilient in the face of climate breakdown and social and political upheaval" says the curatorial team. The Venice Architecture Biennale runs until 23 November 2025. A Paris court today has found actor Gérard Depardieu guilty of having sexually assaulted two women on a 2021 film set, giving him an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The actor, 76, has been convicted of having groped a 54-year-old costume designer and a 34-year-old assistant during the filming of Jean Becker's Les Volets Verts. Depardieu, who has denied the accusations, didn't attend today's hearing. The actor was also slapped with the additional penalty of a two-year disqualification from standing for election, as well as registration in the national automated database of sexual offenders. In addition to non-material damages, Depardieu has been ordered to pay both women the sums of €1,000 and €2,000 for secondary victimisation. No fine of €20,000 as requested by the public prosecutor, however. "I hope this is the end of impunity for an artist in the film industry," stated Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, the lawyer of one of the victims. "With this decision, we can no longer say (that Gérard Depardieu) is not a sexual abuser," she added. "My thoughts are with the other victims who are under the statute of limitations and with the four victims who took the stand." Depardieu will appeal against his conviction for sexual assault, his lawyer Jérémie Assous announced after the hearing. The case is widely seen as a key post- #MeToo test of how French society and its film industry address allegations of sexual misconduct involving prominent figures. During the four-day trial in March, Depardieu rejected the accusations, saying he's 'not like that.' He acknowledged that he had used vulgar and sexualized language on the film set and that he grabbed the set designer's hips during an argument, but denied that his behavior was sexual. Paris' public prosecutor had requested that Depardieu be found guilty and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €20,000. The prosecutor denounced the actor's 'total denial and failure to question himself.' Some figures in the French cinema world have expressed their support for Depardieu. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant were among those who took seats on his side of the courtroom. Depardieu has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court. Some other cases were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations. The actor may have to face other legal proceedings soon. In 2018, actor Charlotte Arnould accused him of raping her at his home. That case is still active, and in August 2024 prosecutors requested that it go to trial. The 78th Cannes Film Festival kicks off today and every year, the world has its eyes on the red carpet, which is perhaps one of the most rigidly controlled red carpets in the world. This year, there's some change, as the festival has added a new stipulation: no nudity. While nudity was never previously endorsed at the festival, Cannes updated its dress policy to read that 'nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival.' While a no-shirt-no-service policy is standard in places far less glamorous than Cannes, the policy tweak has sparked widespread attention because of the recent trend of sheer and "nude dresses", much like Bianca Censori's controversial outfit at this year's Grammys. Asked for clarity on the policy, Cannes press officers said the festival 'made explicit in its charter certain rules that have long been in effect.' 'The aim is not to regulate attire per se, but to prohibit full nudity on the red carpet, in accordance with the institutional framework of the event and French law,' it said. Cannes also noted that 'voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted.' Still, skin has often been flashed at the French Riviera festival by celebrities like Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell and Kendall Jenner, and dress policies have long been flouted by celebrities. For evening premieres at the Palais' Grand Théâtre Lumière, black tie and evening wear is required. Though not in recent years, Cannes security officials have sometimes turned away women for not wearing heels. The festival also banned selfies in 2018, as Cannes director Thierry Frémaux called them 'grotesque'. However, A-listers sometimes snap a quick photo on the Palais steps.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bahrain wins top prize at Venice Architecture Biennale with a pavilion tackling extreme heat
The Venice Architecture Biennale, one of the most prestigious events in the world of architecture, has officially launched. Taking place every two years, countries from around the globe are invited to showcase their most innovative and thought-provoking ideas about architecture in national pavilions - this time around the theme of 'Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective.' This year, the Bahrain Pavilion, located in the historic Artiglierie of the Arsenale, has won the coveted Golden Lion award for Best National Participation with its installation titled "Heatwave". Suspended above a relaxed public seating area, Heatwave features a hovering square-shaped ceiling supported by chains from a central column. More than just a visual spectacle, the structure offers climate-responsive cooling, designed to make public space more habitable in a period of intensifying heatwaves. Engineered by Mario Monotti with thermomechanical input from Alexander Puzrin, the installation explores modular climate infrastructure. While a geothermal well and solar chimney were originally proposed to create a self-sustaining microclimate, excavation wasn't feasible at the Biennale site - so mechanical ventilation was used instead to simulate the architect's intended cooling effect. Accepting the award, pavilion commissioner Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa noted, "The term heatwave is a very common term we hear in the media, in news and even amongst our conversations at home. It is a stress to our urban centres and local communities, and the pavilion aimed to address those issues through an innovative technique." Two other standout pavilions were also acknowledged by the jury. The Holy See's 'Opera aperta' showcase, housed in a deconsecrated Venetian church in the Castello district, received a special mention for transforming the space into an evolving site of collective care, restoration, and dialogue, inspired by Italian philospher Umberto Eco's 1962 book "Open Work (Opera aperta)". Part construction site, part community centre - over seven months, it will host restoration workshops, shared meals, and music rehearsals, bringing together international architects, local artisans, students, and social collectives. And rather than concealing damage, the team will carefully trace the building's cracks, mold, and weathering - viewing them not as flaws, but as evidence of life, history, and possibility. The British Pavilion also earned a special mention for its powerful examination of architecture and its links to colonisation. Titled 'GBR: Geology of Britannic Repair', the exhibition is a UK-Kenya collaboration led by curators Kabage Karanja and Stella Mutegi (Cave_bureau, Nairobi), Owen Hopkins, and Professor Kathryn Yusoff, and seeks to explore whether architecture can shift from being an extractive force to one of repair and restitution. "With the Great Rift Valley as the exhibition's geological and conceptual focus, we have brought together a series of installations that propose 'other architectures' defined by their relationship to the ground, their resistance to conventional, extractive ways of working, and that are resilient in the face of climate breakdown and social and political upheaval" says the curatorial team. The Venice Architecture Biennale runs until 23 November 2025.
Euronews
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Bahrain wins top prize at the Venice Architecture Biennale
The Venice Architecture Biennale, one of the most prestigious events in the world of architecture, has officially launched. Taking place every two years, countries from around the globe are invited to showcase their most innovative and thought-provoking ideas about architecture in national pavilions - this time around the theme of 'Intelligens: Natural. Artificial. Collective.' This year, the Bahrain Pavilion, located in the historic Artiglierie of the Arsenale, has won the coveted Golden Lion award for Best National Participation with its installation titled "Heatwave". Suspended above a relaxed public seating area, Heatwave features a hovering square-shaped ceiling supported by chains from a central column. More than just a visual spectacle, the structure offers climate-responsive cooling, designed to make public space more habitable in a period of intensifying heatwaves. Engineered by Mario Monotti with thermomechanical input from Alexander Puzrin, the installation explores modular climate infrastructure. While a geothermal well and solar chimney were originally proposed to create a self-sustaining microclimate, excavation wasn't feasible at the Biennale site - so mechanical ventilation was used instead to simulate the architect's intended cooling effect. Accepting the award, pavilion commissioner Shaikh Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa noted, "The term heatwave is a very common term we hear in the media, in news and even amongst our conversations at home. It is a stress to our urban centres and local communities, and the pavilion aimed to address those issues through an innovative technique." Two other standout pavilions were also acknowledged by the jury. The Holy See's 'Opera aperta' showcase, housed in a deconsecrated Venetian church in the Castello district, received a special mention for transforming the space into an evolving site of collective care, restoration, and dialogue, inspired by Italian philospher Umberto Eco's 1962 book "Open Work (Opera aperta)". Part construction site, part community centre - over seven months, it will host restoration workshops, shared meals, and music rehearsals, bringing together international architects, local artisans, students, and social collectives. And rather than concealing damage, the team will carefully trace the building's cracks, mold, and weathering - viewing them not as flaws, but as evidence of life, history, and possibility. The British Pavilion also earned a special mention for its powerful examination of architecture and its links to colonisation. Titled 'GBR: Geology of Britannic Repair', the exhibition is a UK-Kenya collaboration led by curators Kabage Karanja and Stella Mutegi (Cave_bureau, Nairobi), Owen Hopkins, and Professor Kathryn Yusoff, and seeks to explore whether architecture can shift from being an extractive force to one of repair and restitution. "With the Great Rift Valley as the exhibition's geological and conceptual focus, we have brought together a series of installations that propose 'other architectures' defined by their relationship to the ground, their resistance to conventional, extractive ways of working, and that are resilient in the face of climate breakdown and social and political upheaval" says the curatorial team. The Venice Architecture Biennale runs until 23 November 2025. A Paris court today has found actor Gérard Depardieu guilty of having sexually assaulted two women on a 2021 film set, giving him an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The actor, 76, has been convicted of having groped a 54-year-old costume designer and a 34-year-old assistant during the filming of Jean Becker's Les Volets Verts. Depardieu, who has denied the accusations, didn't attend today's hearing. The actor was also slapped with the additional penalty of a two-year disqualification from standing for election, as well as registration in the national automated database of sexual offenders. In addition to non-material damages, Depardieu has been ordered to pay both women the sums of €1,000 and €2,000 for secondary victimisation. No fine of €20,000 as requested by the public prosecutor, however. "I hope this is the end of impunity for an artist in the film industry," stated Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, the lawyer of one of the victims. "With this decision, we can no longer say (that Gérard Depardieu) is not a sexual abuser," she added. "My thoughts are with the other victims who are under the statute of limitations and with the four victims who took the stand." Depardieu will appeal against his conviction for sexual assault, his lawyer Jérémie Assous announced after the hearing. The case is widely seen as a key post- #MeToo test of how French society and its film industry address allegations of sexual misconduct involving prominent figures. During the four-day trial in March, Depardieu rejected the accusations, saying he's 'not like that.' He acknowledged that he had used vulgar and sexualized language on the film set and that he grabbed the set designer's hips during an argument, but denied that his behavior was sexual. Paris' public prosecutor had requested that Depardieu be found guilty and given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €20,000. The prosecutor denounced the actor's 'total denial and failure to question himself.' Some figures in the French cinema world have expressed their support for Depardieu. Actors Vincent Perez and Fanny Ardant were among those who took seats on his side of the courtroom. Depardieu has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court. Some other cases were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations. The actor may have to face other legal proceedings soon. In 2018, actor Charlotte Arnould accused him of raping her at his home. That case is still active, and in August 2024 prosecutors requested that it go to trial.
Biz Bahrain
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Biz Bahrain
NatsumeAtari and Bahrain EDB to develop landmark game for Expo 2025
NatsumeAtari, a leading video game developer with over 30 years of experience, has partnered with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) to provide a casual mobile game to be showcased at the Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The game was developed by three aspiring Bahraini game developers who are currently training at NatsumeAtari, as part of the company's broader initiative to strengthen ties with the growing video game market in the Middle east. The three developers, who are training for one year in game development, production and marketing, worked on a game designed to highlight Bahrain's economic and tourism potential. Hiro Koide, NatsumeAtari's CEO, said, 'The showcasing of 'Ship of Time' at the Bahrain Pavilion at Expo 2025 developed by three trainees from Bahrain, is a significant milestone of our training program and shines a bright light on the future of the video game market in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We look forward to seeing their continued growth as game developers. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at the EDB who provided invaluable support for this project.' Mohammed Al Alawi, Chief of Marketing and Communications at the Bahrain Economic Development Board added, 'our collaboration with NatsumeAtari reflects Bahrain's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging talent in the gaming industry. Ship of Time is a creative showcase of the Kingdom's economic and tourism potential, blending rich history with future ambitions. We are proud to see young Bahraini developers play a key role in bringing this vision to life at EXPO 2025 Osaka, highlighting Bahrain's growing position as a hub for digital content'. The Kingdom of Bahrain's Pavilion is organised by the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA). Spanning across four levels and offering a scenic view of the sea, the pavilion offers guests a comprehensive experience, introducing them to Bahrain's unique culture, lifestyle, and business offering. The Bahrain Economic Development Board, overseeing the business exhibition, has worked closely with stakeholders across Bahrain to highlight the Kingdom's numerous competitive advantages, including a strategic location at the heart of the Gulf, the region's best value-operating costs, a highly skilled bilingual workforce, and a competitive taxation system. The mobile game provided by NatsumeAtari will be available to play for the duration of EXPO. The game, Ship of Time, blends themes of tradition with forward-looking development. Through an engaging, interactive experience, players navigate a traditional Bahraini boat (dhow) through a re-imagined Bahrain Bay, discovering iconic landmarks while learning about the country's investment and business opportunities. With the support of NatsumeAtari, the game offers an immersive and educational experience that highlights the Kingdom's rich heritage of the past and ambitions and opportunities of the future. Project Manager Hasan Al Barri, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting: 'We're incredibly grateful to NatsumeAtari for providing us with the tools and invaluable guidance that made it possible for us to take on this unique project so early in our game development journey. We also sincerely appreciate both, Bahrain EDB and Tamkeen, for their continued support in empowering Bahraini youth in emerging industries. The team is excited to showcase this game on a global stage like EXPO.' EXPO 2025 Osaka will run from April 13th to October 13th, and Ship of Time will be displayed within the business exhibition of the Bahrain Pavillion for the duration of the programme. BNA(R)
Biz Bahrain
20-02-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Amalfi Foods Signs Agreement with Masdar Al Hayat for Food Industries (Tamimi Group) at Tamkeen Supported Bahrain Pavilion at Gulfood 2025
Amalfi Foods, a Bahraini factory specialized in baked goods and confectionery, announced the signing of an agreement with Masdar Al Hayat for Food Industries (Tamimi Group), a Saudi company that specializes in the production and distribution of packaged consumer goods. The signing came during Amalfi Food's participation in Gulfood 2025 as part of the Bahrain Pavilion supported by the Labour Fund (Tamkeen). This agreement highlights the crucial role played by these international events in bolstering opportunities for Bahraini enterprises and unlocking avenues for them to expand their operations beyond the Kingdom of Bahrain. Specifically, it facilitates the export of Bahraini products to overseas markets and empowers Bahraini businesses to realize their growth and development objectives. Tamkeen supported the participation of seven Bahraini enterprises in the Bahrain Pavilion at Gulfood 2025 with the purpose of providing them with the opportunity to showcase their products to an international audience, expand their business, foster fruitful relations with potential customers and investors and exchange knowledge and expertise. Tamkeen's support for Bahraini enterprises to participate in Gulfood 2025 aligns with its strategic priorities for 2025, which focuses on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping Bahrainis with suitable skills for career development in the private sector, and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization, and sustainability, and supporting the development of the ecosystem surrounding the labor market and private sector.
