Latest news with #Cannes-winning
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iran summons French diplomat over praise of Palme d'Or-winning film 'It Was Just An Accident'
Iran has summoned France's representative in protest after the French foreign minister praised the Cannes-winning Iranian film as 'a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression.' French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had praised It Was Just An Accident after it won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film by famed dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi centres on a man, Vahid, who abducts his suspected captor after being tortured in prison. To satisfy pangs of doubt, he decides to confirm his suspicion by bringing the man, locked in his van, to other former prisoners for identification. Panahi, who was back in Cannes for the first time in 15 years due to a travel ban in Iran, drew on the experiences from his own imprisonment as well as the stories of detainees around him. Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our review of and our full debrief of Panahi's win in this week's . Iran's Foreign Ministry said the French minister was summoned over his 'interventionist, irresponsible and instigative allegations,' the state-run IRNA news agency reported. 'Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever,' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X, citing France's approach to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Last week, France threatened 'concrete action' against Israel if the country didn't halt the offensive in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. However, the statement was mostly dismissed as empty threats. Immediately following the award's announcement, the Iranian state news agency had announced a more muted celebration of the award, crediting the country's film industry for winning a second Palme d'Or after Abbas Kiarostami's 1997 drama, Taste of Cherry. In Iran, film productions need to receive script approval from the government to shoot in public. Panahi refuses to do that, knowing they won't allow him to make the films he wants to, and It Was Just an Accident was filmed without cooperation. Iranian state TV called the film a mixture of 'lie and smearing' as well as an 'underground' film produced without the required permits in Iran. State TV also chastised Panahi for not mentioning the plight of the Palestinians in his acceptance speech. The Mizan news agency, an arm of the country's judiciary, reported on the win as part of the 'Political Cannes Film Festival,' suggesting that the prize was given to Panahi because of his political leanings. However, pro-reform media outlets and activists praised Panahi. 'This victory is no accident — it is the result of a tireless dedication to exploring humanistic values and human rights,' said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was also previously imprisoned at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Panahi was banned from travelling out of Iran in 2009 for attending the funeral of a student killed in anti-government protests, a judgment later extended to two decades. But even when placed under house arrest, Panahi kept making movies, many of which are among the most lauded of the century. He made 2011's This Is Not a Film on an iPhone in his living room. Taxi (2015) was clandestinely shot almost entirely within a car - and ended up winning that year's Golden Bear at the Berlinale. Panahi was arrested in 2022 when he went to the Tehran prosecutor's office to inquire about the arrests of two other Iranian filmmakers. A judge later ruled that he must serve six years for an earlier sentence on charges of propagandising against the government from 2011 that had never been enforced. In early 2023, Panahi went on a hunger strike and was released from Evin Prison. Panahi said he would not seek asylum in another country, despite the risks of additional imprisonment. 'It's simple. I'm unable to live here,' he said last week in Cannes. 'I have no ability to adapt to a new country, a new culture. Some people have this ability, this strength. I don't.' On Monday, Panahi touched down in Tehran's international airport to cheers. One person was heard shouting "woman, life, freedom" as Panahi passed through the airport - a phrase that became the slogan for protests that broke out across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. In his acceptance speech at Cannes, Panahi said, "What's most important now is our country and the freedom of our country," and called for Iranians to "join forces". He added: "No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do."
Euronews
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Iran summons French diplomat over praise of Palme d'Or-winning film
Iran has summoned France's representative in protest after the French foreign minister praised the Cannes-winning Iranian film as 'a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression.' Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had praised It Was Just An Accident after it won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film by famed dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi centers on a man, Vahid, who abducts his suspected captor after being tortured in prison. To satisfy pangs of doubt, he decides to confirm his suspicion by bringing the man, locked in his van, to other former prisoners for identification. Panahi, who was back in Cannes for the first time in 15 years due to a travel ban in Iran, drew on the experiences from his own imprisonment as well as the stories of detainees around him. Stay tuned to Euronews Culture for our review of It Was Just An Accident and our full debrief of Panahi's win in this week's Culture Catch-Up. Iran's Foreign Ministry said the French minister was summoned over his 'interventionist, irresponsible and instigative allegations,' the state-run IRNA news agency reported. 'Spare us Iranians the lectures. You have no moral authority whatsoever,' Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X, citing France's approach to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Last week, France threatened 'concrete action' against Israel if the country didn't halt the offensive in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. However, the statement was mostly dismissed as empty threats. Immediately following the award's announcement, the Iranian state news agency had announced a more muted celebration of the award, crediting the country's film industry for winning a second Palme d'Or after Abbas Kiarostami's 1997 drama, Taste of Cherry. In Iran, film productions need to receive script approval from the government to shoot in public. Panahi refuses to do that, knowing they won't allow him to make the films he wants to, and It Was Just an Accident was filmed without cooperation. Iranian state TV called the film a mixture of 'lie and smearing' as well as an 'underground' film produced without required permits in Iran. State TV also chastised Panahi for not mentioning the plight of the Palestinians in his acceptance speech. The Mizan news agency, an arm of the country's judiciary, reported on the win as part of the 'Political Cannes Film Festival,' suggesting that the prize was given to Panahi because of his political leanings. However, pro-reform media outlets and activists praised Panahi. 'This victory is no accident — it is the result of a tireless dedication to exploring humanistic values and human rights,' said Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was also previously imprisoned at Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Panahi was banned from traveling out of Iran in 2009 for attending the funeral of a student killed in anti-government protests, a judgment later extended to two decades. But even when placed under house arrest, Panahi kept making movies, many of which are among the most lauded of the century. He made 2011's This Is Not a Film on an iPhone in his living room. Taxi (2015) was clandestinely shot almost entirely within a car - and ended up winning that year's Golden Bear at the Berlinale. Panahi was arrested in 2022 when he went to the Tehran prosecutor's office to inquire about the arrests of two other Iranian filmmakers. A judge later ruled that he must serve six years for an earlier sentence on charges of propagandizing against the government from 2011 that had never been enforced. In early 2023, Panahi went on a hunger strike and was released from Evin Prison. Panahi said he would not seek asylum in another country, despite the risks of additional imprisonment. 'It's simple. I'm unable to live here,' he said last week in Cannes. 'I have no ability to adapt to a new country, a new culture. Some people have this ability, this strength. I don't.' On Monday, Panahi touched down in Tehran's international airport to cheers. One person was heard shouting "woman, life, freedom" as Panahi passed through the airport - a phrase that became the slogan for protests that broke out across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. In his acceptance speech at Cannes, Panahi said, "What's most important now is our country and the freedom of our country," and called for Iranians to "join forces". He added: "No-one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do."
Korea Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Filmmaker Park Chan-wook to speak at Seoul International Book Fair
Cannes-winning director joins diverse lineup alongside author Bora Chung, actor Park Jeong-min, star chef Choi Kang-rok Filmmaker Park Chan-wook, renowned for his visually striking and psychologically complex films, will participate in the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair, the annual book fair's organizer announced Wednesday. Park has often drawn inspiration from literature, adapting several novels into screen productions including the HBO series "The Sympathizer" (2024) and the BBC series "The Little Drummer Girl" (2019). During his talk on June 20, titled Park Chan-wook's Literary Anchors, Park will discuss elements of novels that captivate him, the process of translating literature into cinema, and the books that have deeply influenced his creative vision, according to SIBF. The 2025 SIBF, organized by the Korean Publishers Association and held June 18-22 at Coex in Seoul, invites visitors to reflect on the idea of personal refuge in uncertain times under the theme, "The Last Resort." This year's fair will welcome over 530 publishers and literary organizations including 100 overseas publishers from 16 countries. A diverse lineup of Korean authors will be present, including Kim Ae-ran, Kim Cho-yeop, Kim Ho-yeon, Park Seo-lyeon, Sohn Won-pyung, Jang Ryu-jin, Cho Ye-eun, Cheon Seon-ran and Choi Jin-young. International Booker-shortlisted author Bora Chung of "Cursed Bunny," will debut her new release, "The Children's House," while Korean American author Kim Ju-hye of "Beasts of a Little Land" will discuss her latest novel, "City of Night Birds." Actor and publisher Park Jeong-min will also join the lineup, and star chef Choi Kang-rok from "Culinary Class Wars" will unveil his new book. Taiwan has been selected as this year's Guest of Honor. Featured events will include a conversation between Rex How, writer and publisher at Locus Publishing Company, and picture book artist Lee Suzy. Illustrator Bei Lynn and graphic novel artist Keum Suk Gendry-Kim will also have a book talk. Tickets are available at a 50 percent early bird discount (6,000 won) until May 27. From May 28 to June 17, a 30 percent discount (8,000 won) will apply. Standard adult admission is 12,000 won.
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Dad (and Daughter) Jokes: Irish comedians Pat and Faye Shortt
Pat Shortt first made it in comedy in Ireland young, back in the late 1980s before there was even a comedy scene, He was one half of a beloved comedy duo D'Unbelievables. But it was a celebrated TV programme that first aired 30 years ago last month, Father Ted, which Kiwis will remember him from. Shortt played Tom, the psychotic Craggy Island village idiot, identifiable by a t-shirt reading 'I shot JR'. A show that dared to laugh at every Irish sacred cultural cow. Pat has gone on to a celebrated career in stand-up and as an actor. He was the lead in 2007 Cannes-winning film Garage as a rural petrol station attendant - so beloved it got him onto an Irish postal stamp - and stage highlights have included the 2013 West End and Broadway revival of The Cripple of Inishmaan alongside Daniel Ratcliffe. While the film work continues, in the last few years Pat has entered into a new popular comedic partnership, on stage and social media. With his daughter, Faye Shortt. Faye doesn't play second fiddle. Still in her 20s, since attending drama school she has started carving out her own career on stage and screen and as a radio presenter Pat and Faye are in Australia touring their latest show Knuckle Down and it comes to Tamaki Makaurau Auckland for one show only next Sunday before they head home to Limerick. They join Culture 101 from Sydney.
