Latest news with #Kiss
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Varun Grover's short film Kiss turns cinema into a mirror for introspection
Directorial debuts are special, where you have an artist finally getting a chance to say something close and important to them as a person. That Kiss is lyricist and writer Varun Grover's first film (he made this before All India Rank) informs the viewer of the subject matter that has mattered to him at some point. (Also read: All India Rank movie review: Varun Grover makes a tender, crowd-pleasing directorial debut) The titular kiss here is between two men. At first, we only hear the sound of the sloppy lips against one another. This is unnecessary, as per the members of the censor board (Shubhrajyoti Barat and Swanand Kirkire). These two middle-aged men discuss with the young director Sam (Adarsh Gourav) about the point of keeping this scene. 'Kyu ka jawab koi artist kya dega, sir (Why will artists explain why)?' he asks. A post shared by MUBI India (@mubiindia) But there's a catch, as the three men rewatch the scene again to record how long this kiss lasts. For each one of them, the time stamp is different, ranging from 28 seconds to above 2 minutes. Why is this happening? Kiss then takes the opportunity to seek an answer to this very question, revealing how each one of them is bringing their own subjectivity into the way they observe, process, and express. Kiss is a film about censorship, which wants to interrogate the faces behind the regressive and draconian rules that curtail artistic expression. The ones which infantilise the audience with huge 'smoking kills' warnings and cutting scenes of films that are meant for adults. Kiss is also about cinema becoming a sort of medium for catharsis and introspection. We come to films with our own prejudices and opinions. The point is whether the darkness in the room allows us the space to unlearn and unpack some of those deep-seated notions of love and life. Packed within 15 minutes, Kiss pulsates with ideas and questions that might feel a little overpowering for its own sake, but the sincerity sticks. It is this sincerity and concern that makes Kiss stand out amid the disarray of the current crop of films that is being produced by the Hindi film industry at large. Take, for instance, the emergence of the hypermasculine figure in all his casual rage and unchecked violence. It is all in the service of rage, sidestepping nuance and empathy so casually. The man will kiss and the man will kill. That a short film like Kiss is about men making love is a step taken ahead, daring to ask (and yield) what might be the dichotomy after all. I have a feeling Varun Grover has more stories to tell. Kiss is available to watch on Mubi India.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Anger As 4-Week-Old Husky Puppy Found in Trash Can 'Barely Hanging On'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a kind stranger heard faint cries coming from a trash can in Austin, Texas, they stopped to investigate. Inside, they found a tiny, four-week-old husky puppy—"cold, weak", and "barely hanging on". Without hesitation, the good Samaritan rushed the puppy to a local emergency veterinary clinic where the dog, now named Kiss, was in a critical condition. His blood sugar was too low to read and he was too weak to eat, but veterinary staff worked through the night to stabilize him, warming his tiny body, administering fluids, and doing everything they could to give him a fighting chance. Despite being so fragile he could barely lift his head, staff could tell Kiss wanted to hold on, and by the next morning he was transferred to Austin Animal Center to finish his treatment, but when he still needed more help, Austin Pets Alive! (APA) stepped in. Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). Pictures of husky puppy Kiss who is now in the care of Austin Pets Alive! (APA!). Austin Pets Alive! APA! At APA!, Kiss received more urgent medical intervention. The team worked quickly to regulate his blood glucose, rehydrate him, and start him on antibiotics—just in time. "Care like this would cost over $1,000 at a private clinic," APA! told Newsweek. "We do everything we can to keep that cost lower for pets like Kiss—but it's still a heavy lift." In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited. Stray dog and cat intakes decreased slightly in 2024 compared to 2023, but strays still made up 60 percent of all community intakes. Now he is on the mend, Kiss's story was shared on APA!'s Instagram account, @austinpetsalive, last week, where his little face has captured hearts, racking up nearly 2,000 likes. "Precious baby! Thank you to all who helped save this pup!" said one viewer on Instagram. While another wrote: "Prayers for this sweet puppy." "That tiny baby," said @modernalchemytx. "Who is throwing an angel like that out like garbage." Now, Kiss is searching for a foster home where he can continue to heal and grow. Anyone interested in Kiss should contact Austin Pets Alive! directly for more information. "This little pup would be lucky to have you and you would be lucky to have him," APA! said. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music Legends Share Heartfelt Memories of Iconic Guitarist Who Died at 77
Music Legends Share Heartfelt Memories of Iconic Guitarist Who Died at 77 originally appeared on Parade. Guitarist , known for his work with The McCoy's and hit song 'Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,' died in Ormond Beach Florida on Monday, May 26. Shooting to fame at just 17 years old when The McCoy's dropped 'Hang On Sloopy" in 1965, the legendary rocker collected a Grammy Award for producing 'Weird Al ' Yankovic's debut album over his decades long career. Derringer worked with several other iconic artists in various capacities serving as a producer for Cyndi Lauper, rocked the solo on 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler, and even did session work for Steely Dan. Fellow artist and alleged caretaker Tony Wilson made the heartbreaking announcement on Facebook the morning after his passing."To my rocking best friend Rick Derringer it was my pleasure to be with your caretaker was a natural thing..." Derringer had a remarkable "behind the scenes" resume. He had a hand in several beloved albums playing guitar with artists spanning genres from Barbera Streisand to Kiss. Derringer even left a mark on the World Wrestling Federation, producing their 'The Wrestling Album,' comprised of wrestler's theme songs that he also happened to work on. In fact, his hit "Real American" served as Hulk Hogan's iconic song. Many artists flooded social media with adoring memories of the late artist amid the news of his passing. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cyndi Lauper recalled some of the incredible work they did together: "He was one of the great guitarists," she stated. "I co-wrote with him on my Blue Angel album. And we did wrestling music together which was so much fun. He played for me when I sang with Patti LaBelle on her special. He was in the band when I toured for True Colors in 86. And he's is also in the live at Le Zénith Paris video. We shared a lot of special moments together. Rest easy my friend." Beatles legend Ringo Starr also paid a beautiful homage to his fallen friend. "God bless Rick Derringer," he wrote on Instagram. "It was great playing with him in the All Starrs. I send peace and love to his family." And the love for Derringer doesn't stop there. In a recent Facebook post, Wilson noted his intention to honor the late artist on his birthday, August 5th, with a tribute show in Florida. Nothing has officially been scheduled as of yet. Music Legends Share Heartfelt Memories of Iconic Guitarist Who Died at 77 first appeared on Parade on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
Kiss admits NZ sides have the edge as Super Rugby playoffs begin
Four New Zealand teams finished in the top six, who will contest the playoffs starting next weekend. Wellington Hurricanes, the Reds and the defending champion Auckland Blues recorded big wins to secure positions four, five and six respectively. The Hurricanes crushed Moana Pasifika 64-12 to deny their opponents a first trip to the knockout stage. They will meet the third-placed ACT Brumbies in Canberra while the Reds, who outclassed Fijian Drua 52-7, have to travel to New Zealand to face second-ranked Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch. The Blues kept their title defence alive by beating the New South Wales Waratahs 46-6, setting up a clash with the table-topping Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton. New Zealand teams have dominated Super Rugby Pacific since it relaunched post-Covid in 2022, providing both teams in all three finals. The last time a non-New Zealand side won a full edition of the championship was 2014 when the Waratahs triumphed. Kiss, who will take over as head coach of the Wallabies next year, conceded it would be a tall order for the Reds or Brumbies to upset the traditional pecking order. "A couple of them have found their mojo, haven't they?" Kiss said of the New Zealand teams. "When you see the way Chiefs are playing at the moment, anyone would be worried around the world. "They're all in form so we've just got to go and do our best, haven't we? "That's the deal we have. We've just got to make sure we control what we can control and let's see what happens." Under a new finals format, the three winners next week will advance to the semi-finals, along with the highest-ranked loser. While the Reds lost heavily to the Crusaders in March, Kiss was buoyed by last year's upset victory in Christchurch, breaking a 25-year hoodoo in New Zealand for his side. "I think last year should give us confidence that we can go there and do it," he said. "It was a long drought before we got that one. They're a very, very good side, particularly at home." Kiss said the big win over the Drua in wet conditions was one of their best performances of the year, highlighted by four tries to winger Lachie Anderson, all scored in the first half. Wallabies captain Harry Wilson is in doubt for the Crusaders clash after the loose forward suffered a wrist injury which Kiss said would require scans.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Indigenous rights 'under attack' in youth crime reforms
The rights of Indigenous Australians are under attack and children have been subjected to "egregious breaches" of human rights, a leading advocate says. Katie Kiss, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, made the remarks in delivering the Mabo Oration in Cairns on Friday. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can often feel overwhelmed with the blatant attack on our rights, but we are not in isolation - this is a global phenomenon," Ms Kiss said in her speech, named in honour of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo. "Indigenous peoples the world over and our rights are under attack. "We are in an invisible war for our survival, dignity and wellbeing." Ms Kiss said the attack on rights was not reflected "from our perspective" in media but instead being lived out in homes, communities and impacting the most vulnerable. She hit out at the "disregard and the wilful breach of children's rights proceeding unchecked and unchallenged in Queensland and the Northern Territory", two jurisdictions where governments were elected after taking 'tough on youth crime' approaches in election campaigns. Queensland is in the process of adding 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, while Northern Territory dropped the age of criminal responsibility to ten in addition to strengthening bail laws. "What is happening in Queensland are egregious breaches of human rights against children," Ms Kiss told the audience. She said it "speaks volumes" that Northern Territory chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and Queensland premier David Crisafulli were unfazed by rebukes from the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton. "The story of this land since colonisation is a tale of two worlds colliding that has continued for more than eight generations," Ms Kiss said. The rights of Indigenous Australians are under attack and children have been subjected to "egregious breaches" of human rights, a leading advocate says. Katie Kiss, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, made the remarks in delivering the Mabo Oration in Cairns on Friday. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can often feel overwhelmed with the blatant attack on our rights, but we are not in isolation - this is a global phenomenon," Ms Kiss said in her speech, named in honour of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo. "Indigenous peoples the world over and our rights are under attack. "We are in an invisible war for our survival, dignity and wellbeing." Ms Kiss said the attack on rights was not reflected "from our perspective" in media but instead being lived out in homes, communities and impacting the most vulnerable. She hit out at the "disregard and the wilful breach of children's rights proceeding unchecked and unchallenged in Queensland and the Northern Territory", two jurisdictions where governments were elected after taking 'tough on youth crime' approaches in election campaigns. Queensland is in the process of adding 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, while Northern Territory dropped the age of criminal responsibility to ten in addition to strengthening bail laws. "What is happening in Queensland are egregious breaches of human rights against children," Ms Kiss told the audience. She said it "speaks volumes" that Northern Territory chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and Queensland premier David Crisafulli were unfazed by rebukes from the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton. "The story of this land since colonisation is a tale of two worlds colliding that has continued for more than eight generations," Ms Kiss said. The rights of Indigenous Australians are under attack and children have been subjected to "egregious breaches" of human rights, a leading advocate says. Katie Kiss, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, made the remarks in delivering the Mabo Oration in Cairns on Friday. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can often feel overwhelmed with the blatant attack on our rights, but we are not in isolation - this is a global phenomenon," Ms Kiss said in her speech, named in honour of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo. "Indigenous peoples the world over and our rights are under attack. "We are in an invisible war for our survival, dignity and wellbeing." Ms Kiss said the attack on rights was not reflected "from our perspective" in media but instead being lived out in homes, communities and impacting the most vulnerable. She hit out at the "disregard and the wilful breach of children's rights proceeding unchecked and unchallenged in Queensland and the Northern Territory", two jurisdictions where governments were elected after taking 'tough on youth crime' approaches in election campaigns. Queensland is in the process of adding 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, while Northern Territory dropped the age of criminal responsibility to ten in addition to strengthening bail laws. "What is happening in Queensland are egregious breaches of human rights against children," Ms Kiss told the audience. She said it "speaks volumes" that Northern Territory chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and Queensland premier David Crisafulli were unfazed by rebukes from the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton. "The story of this land since colonisation is a tale of two worlds colliding that has continued for more than eight generations," Ms Kiss said. The rights of Indigenous Australians are under attack and children have been subjected to "egregious breaches" of human rights, a leading advocate says. Katie Kiss, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, made the remarks in delivering the Mabo Oration in Cairns on Friday. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can often feel overwhelmed with the blatant attack on our rights, but we are not in isolation - this is a global phenomenon," Ms Kiss said in her speech, named in honour of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo. "Indigenous peoples the world over and our rights are under attack. "We are in an invisible war for our survival, dignity and wellbeing." Ms Kiss said the attack on rights was not reflected "from our perspective" in media but instead being lived out in homes, communities and impacting the most vulnerable. She hit out at the "disregard and the wilful breach of children's rights proceeding unchecked and unchallenged in Queensland and the Northern Territory", two jurisdictions where governments were elected after taking 'tough on youth crime' approaches in election campaigns. Queensland is in the process of adding 20 more offences to its landmark "adult crime, adult time" laws, while Northern Territory dropped the age of criminal responsibility to ten in addition to strengthening bail laws. "What is happening in Queensland are egregious breaches of human rights against children," Ms Kiss told the audience. She said it "speaks volumes" that Northern Territory chief minister Lia Finocchiaro and Queensland premier David Crisafulli were unfazed by rebukes from the chair of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Ann Skelton. "The story of this land since colonisation is a tale of two worlds colliding that has continued for more than eight generations," Ms Kiss said.
