Latest news with #HolySmoke
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rajasthan govt to soon bring out a policy to boost film production
Rajasthan is planning to come out with a policy soon in a bid to boost film and television production in the state. Diya Kumari, the state's deputy chief minister who also holds the tourism portfolio, has directed officials to finalise the policy, alongside working on plans to boost adventure tourism in the state. This will be the second attempt at such a policy — according to a tourism department official, the first dedicated policy for film tourism had been issued in 2022 to attract film shootings and production. The new policy will include ways of easing the processes involved in obtaining approvals for shooting and disbursement of subsidies. The state has consistently attracted filmmakers from around the world due to its scenic locales like forts, palaces and sand dunes. 'Classics like Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Guide (1965) were shot in the state. Endless scenes of dunes, drying chillies and village locations are commonplace for films with a rural setting. Even some of the blockbuster television serials and advertisements have Rajasthan as their backdrop,' a tourism department official said. He added that Hollywood has also utilised Rajasthan's locations, with films like Octopussy (1983) and Holy Smoke (1999). Globally renowned director Satyajit Ray also shot a large portion of Sonar Kella (1971) in the state. The tourism department is also planning to map the potential of adventure tourism activities (water-based, air-based, and land-based), in consultation with concerned departments and prepare a dedicated policy to provide a framework to entrepreneurs to set up relevant projects in the state. According to an initial plan, the department will work closely with the forest department, the Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation, local bodies, and the irrigation department for the development of adventure tourism activities. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) will be the implementing agency for these activities.
Spectator
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Finding spiritual treasure in César Franck
The Belgian composer César Franck – unfairly associated with kitsch and sentimentality by certain cultural sophisticates – wrote some of the most spiritually inspiring music of the late 19th century. In this episode of Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson talks to the British-Israeli pianist Ariel Lanyi, who has just recorded Franck's late masterpiece Prélude, Aria et Final on the Linn label. Ariel discusses the influence of Catholicism and the anti-Catholic Richard Wagner on the devout Franck, who was organist of a church in Paris for 30 years – but reserved his most profound thoughts for ostensibly secular works. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Damian Thompson.
Spectator
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Does Pope Leo XIV represent continuity or change?
From Rome Fr Benedict Kiely and Damian Thompson react to the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the successor to Pope Francis. The first American Pope, Prevost is also a citizen of Peru, having spent years working as first a parish pastor and teacher, and later as a bishop. The 267th Bishop of Rome is also the first native English-speaking pope for almost 900 years. The election of Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is seen as a surprise but is being heralded by both liberal and conservative factions of the Catholic Church. Does he represent continuity or change with his predecessor? On this episode of Holy Smoke, Fr Benedict and Damian take us through what clues are available to understand what we can expect from the new Pope, from his choice of clothes and papal name to his views on issues like homosexuality and the traditional mass. Could Leo XIV surprise us? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
Spectator
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
What can we expect from the papal conclave?
Earlier this year Dr Kurt Martens, Professor of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America, joined Damian Thompson on Holy Smoke to unpack what happens during a papal conclave. There was heightened interest in the process due to the film Conclave, which swept the awards season, but also because Pope Francis was hospitalised at the time. Despite showing some signs of recovery – including being able to meet world leaders such as King Charles III and J.D. Vance – Pope Francis died on Easter Monday. Here we reissue the episode with Dr Martens, looking at what happens when a pope dies, with a new introduction from Damian. Writing the cover article for the Spectator this week, Damian writes: 'the next Vicar of Christ will face challenges that dwarf those that confronted any incoming pope in living memory. The Church is mired in doctrinal confusion; its structures of government are fragmented; sexual scandals have been hushed up at the highest level; and it is staring into a financial abyss'. What can we expect from the upcoming conclave? Produced by Patrick Gibbons.
