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Egypt Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Egypt Today
AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY continues to soar with glowing reviews following its Cannes premiere
Following its powerful world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard section, AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY by Egyptian director Morad Mostafa is earning widespread critical acclaim from international film critics and audiences alike. The film, which received a standing ovation and multiple sold-out screenings at Cannes, is now being hailed as a poignant and visually arresting debut feature that cements Mostafa's place as one of the most vital voices in contemporary Arab cinema. Critics have praised the film's emotional depth, political resonance, and standout performances. Allan Hunter of ScreenDaily described it as 'an involving human drama focusing on the plight of the vulnerable caught in a world that seeks to exploit them,' drawing comparisons to CITY OF GOD for its raw depiction of Cairo's underbelly and its 'feeling of a lawless frontier.' He also commended Mostafa's ability to weave a broader political narrative into the film's backdrop through 'background news bulletins and the ongoing gang wars.' Sara Clements of Next Best Picture lauded the film's lead, Buliana Simon, for her 'haunting performance,' noting that 'she communicates so much with her eyes alone that this could be a silent film, and we would be able to understand everything.' Clements also highlighted Mostafa's unique directorial voice, stating, 'Mostafa blends magical realism with naturalism and fantastical elements, transforming Aisha's quiet suffering into something almost mythic,' and called the film 'a quiet storm – a slow-burning, relentless elegy to the women who live in the margins and walk among us unseen.' Additionally, Egyptian critic Ahmed Shawky wrote in Fasla about the film's importance in the Egyptian cinematic landscape, stating that 'At a time when Egyptian filmmakers are imposing the highest levels of self-censorship on themselves — fearing bans on the one hand and the guillotine of public backlash on the other — a young artist has come along to disrupt this sickly, safe balance and throw a stone into stagnant waters. A bloody, violent stone named AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY.' The film's success at Cannes marks a significant milestone for Egyptian cinema, being the first Egyptian film selected for Un Certain Regard since Clash in 2016. With its compelling narrative, international co-production backing, and a creative team of acclaimed talents, AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY is poised to continue its festival journey with momentum and meaning. As the film continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike, AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY is not just a cinematic achievement — it's a powerful statement on identity, resilience, and the invisible lives that shape our cities. AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY follows the titular Aisha, a 26-year-old Sudanese caregiver living in a neighborhood in the heart of Cairo where she witnesses the tension between her fellow African migrants and other groups. Unwittingly, she becomes involved with an Egyptian gang that blackmails her into stealing her patients' keys so that they can rob them. A co-production between Egypt, France, Germany, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Sudan, the film has garnered significant support, including grants from the Doha Film Institute, Cultural Resource Fund, El Gouna Film Festival, Locarno Academy, Cannes' Cinéfondation and La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde, and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. It also notably swept a top award at Red Sea Lodge, five at Venice's Final Cut, as well as the Atlas Award at Marrakech International Film Festival. The creative team behind AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY features several returning faces from Mostafa's I PROMISE YOU PARADISE, including cinematographer Mostafa El Kashef, who also worked on last year's Cannes entry THE VILLAGE NEXT TO PARADISE, which also made its way to Toronto; production designer Eman Elelaby, who earned a FIPRESCI Prize for her work on FEATHERS; costume designer Nayera Eldahshoury; sound engineer Mostafa Shaban; and editor Mohamed Mamdouh. Produced by Sawsan Yusuf's Bonanza Films, the film is co-produced alongside Dora Bouchoucha and Lina Shaban of Tunisia's Nomadis Images, Sherif Fathy of Shift Studios, Ahmed Amer of A. A. Films, Faisal Baltayour from Cinewaves, May Odeh and Zorana Musikic of Mayana Films, Laura Nikolov of Coorigins, Abellelah Al Ahmary of Arabia Pictures, and associate producer Amjad Abu Alala. AISHA CAN'T FLY AWAY boasts a stellar cast, with Buliana Simon taking on the lead role of Aisha alongside Egyptian rapper Ziad Zaza — in his first feature-length appearance — Emad Ghoniem, and Mamdouh Saleh.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Glow Up is back, and Thunderbolts* hits cinemas: What's coming up this week
This week, BBC Three's Glow Up returns, with a new set of artists competing to become Britain's next make-up that's not all the week has in hits cinemas, Another Simple Favour starring Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively is coming out, and Samantha Crain drops her new on for what's coming up this week... Get ready for a Glow Up From catwalk-ready looks to gory TV special effects, BBC Three's Glow Up has seen it reality television show, hosted by model Leomie Anderson, sees aspiring make-up artists compete on various creative briefs and in challenges as they try to impress judges Dominic Skinner and Val Garland.I've had a sneak preview of the new series, which starts on Wednesday, and can tell you that the contestants are thrown in at the deep end from the include assisting on the set of HBO fantasy drama series House of The Dragon and working on a music video set with Nova told me the talent this series "really takes makeup to another level", and said people should "expect the unexpected".And there's a career-making prize awaiting the winner: a contract assisting some of the world's leading make-up artists. Thunderbolts* hits cinemas It's a big week for Marvel fans, with Thunderbolts* landing in cinemas on reactions on social media have been positive, with many praising actress Florence Pugh for her role as assassin Yelena Neglia of Next Best Picture calls it "some of Marvel's darkest material to date", adding: "It very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back."Film writer Mia Pflüger also praised the 29-year-old, writing on X that "the future of the new superhero generation is in good hands with her".Pugh previously appeared as Yelena in Black Widow in the new film, her character embarks on a dangerous mission to confront the darkest corners of her past, alongside a team comprising Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John everyone really wants to know, however, is what the asterisk is all about... Another Simple Favour On Thursday, black comedy mystery sequel Another Simple Favour is released on Prime sees Stephanie Smothers (played by Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the island of Capri for Emily's extravagant wedding to a rich Italian far, so good - but alongside the beautiful scenery and glamorous guests, murder and betrayal lie in have been months of speculation about a feud bubbling between the film's A-list co-stars but recently, the pair were seen posing and laughing together at the London screening, which went some way to dispelling the of Gossip Girl fame, is separately locked in a dispute with her former It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni, with both sides denying allegations made in lawsuits they have filed against each other. Samantha Crain's new album By Mark Savage, music correspondent Contentment and creativity are awkward bedfellows. Conflict is a more reliable catalyst for don't tell Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, who's about to release her seventh album, of bewildering beauty and life-affirming anthems, it was written over the last three years, as she unexpectedly fell in love."I spent much of my life as a lone wolf," she tells BBC News, "so hyper-independent that it became a defining trait.""But as I explored vulnerability and reciprocity in my relationships, I realised… we can change by the minute, and that's okay."In my ancestors' Choctaw language, there are no words for 'is' or 'are,' reflecting their belief that people, animals, and plants are not permanent or static. That's the biggest lesson of the past few years: I can be a lone wolf sometimes and still belong to a community."That realisation manifests in the lovestruck slacker rock of Dragonfly, and the finger-plucked Neptune Baby, with its refrain, "I'm a boat, and you are the water".Not that Crain's relationship was all plain sailing. Her new partner struggles with addiction, and a track called Melatonin finds her listing the items she brought them in rehab – "mint choc-chip ice cream, cigarettes, a watch"."You got it bad, but you got me," she an album of stunning poetic clarity and emotion – typified by the title track, an old-time country-rock ballad inspired by her love of detective novels."The word 'Gumshoe' has been in every writing notebook since I was a teenager," she says. "After watching The Maltese Falcon, I considered how detached detective characters are and imagined two loners finding love."Instantly, gumshoe came to mind—the perfect word for a song about unravelling the mystery of relationships." Other highlights this week Trump: The First 100 Days is out on BBC One and iPlayer on MondayP Diddy: The Rise and Fall is out on BBC Three and iPlayer on MondayMy Next Breath, a memoir by Jeremy Renner, is out on TuesdayGenius Game, with David Tennant, starts on ITV on WednesdaySuspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes drops on Disney+ on WednesdayMan Like Mobeen returns on Thursday on BBC Three and iPlayerTaskmaster returns on Channel 4 on ThursdayThe Last Journey hits cinemas on Thursday
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Thunderbolts*' wins critics over
Most fans may have to wait just a few days more to decide if the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 5 ends with a bang, but critics have already given their verdict. Thunderbolts* was unveiled to members of the film press ahead of its theatrical release on May 2. The worldwide premiere of the superhero tentpole took place on Tuesday, just 10 days before its US release. Reactions poured in on social media soon after, with many describing the film as the expansive franchise's saving grace. A story for the broken The film, which makes a team out of some of the MCU's most disgraced characters, boasts a star-studded cast of Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, and others previously involved in the MCU, all the while introducing new faces to the superhero multiverse. Matt Neglia, Next Best Picture's editor in chief, wrote on X, "Thunderbolts* is, in many ways, different from other MCU films that have come before it, and that freshness couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time, when the franchise is in need of new blood and direction. It's some of Marvel's darkest material to date, dealing with the emotional wreckage of broken individuals grappling with their past choices and finding camaraderie amidst the emptiness of their lives." Critics including Neglia seem to agree that amongst this stellar cast, Pugh delivered a standout performance with her role as Yelena Belova - the new keeper of the Black Widow mantle - along with newcomer Lewis Pullman, who left a lasting impression on his new fans. "This may be a team-up film, but it very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back, while Lewis Pullman delivers a complex performance as a sympathetic character at war with himself," Neglia said in the review. "It may not be the flashiest, funniest, or strongest Marvel film, but its rough edges and imperfections somehow all feel fitting for this anti-hero team of misfits." Correcting past mistakes Some even described the film as a love letter to the unsung heroes due to its tonal gravitas. Sean Chandler said on X, "I really dug Thunderbolts*! It's overtly about depression, loneliness, and purpose. The whole point is that they're reject characters. Two-third of it is mostly ground action and one-third a horror-influenced nightmare. Feels like the MCU is coming together and building towards something again." Film writer Emily Murray echoed Chandler's sentiments about this redemptive track for the MCU. "Well, Thunderbolts* is easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time (and maybe one of my new personal favourites). It has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with. A tear was shed." Qualms about the MCU's misplaced sense of levity have been raging on since the flawed treatment of Thor's downward spiral post Avengers: Infinity War. While there might still be a long way to go, some critics believe that Thunderbolts* remedies some of the MCU's past mistakes with its much-needed sensitivity towards mental health. "Finally, a Marvel movie that treats mental health and depression as a serious matter and not like undercutting it for the sake of a quip," wrote Rendy Jones on X. "A legit good character ensemble piece with a compelling Florence Pugh and Lewis Pullman performance in the centre. Yay. I liked it." At the heart of it, critics acknowledged that superheroes and their films are for the masses to connect with, to take something good from, and Thunderbolts* seems to triumph in that regard. "For me, Thunderbolts* worked because it peeled back layers on a subject I have long fought with. Florence Pugh continues to be a stand out. I laughed, but I also cried at a story I think people will relate to. Weird in places, in the best way. I can't wait to see it again," said FILMHOUND Magazine's Paul Klein. Empire Magazine's Amon Warmann summed it for those wondering whether or not they should give Thunderbolts* a shot. "That was pretty great! A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront. Florence Pugh brings the heart, David Harbour is consistently funny, and Lewis Pullman might be the stealth MVP. Best MCU film in a long while!" Finding a way together Marvel Studios released the film's final trailer last Thursday, paying homage to old characters by letting their successors shine. The catch is, our new heroes don't have the brightest track records. "The past doesn't go away," Stan's Bucky asserts, as a cinematic rendition of Queen's Under Pressure builds in the background. "So you can either live with it forever, or you can do something about it." The trailer's message of healing and forgiving oneself resonated with fans in the comments section. From expressing curiosity over the shift in tone to praising the emotional depth of the dialogues, many opened their hearts to the story's redemptive nature. Elated over this new turn for the MCU, a user wrote, "A whole film about supporting Marvel characters that deserved to be treated better? I'm so excited!"
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Thunderbolts' First Reactions: Florence Pugh Is ‘Superb' in ‘Some of Marvel's Darkest Material to Date'
Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' has been revealed to members of the film press, and the first reactions are calling the superhero tentpole a 'bold dive into trauma, healing and redemption.' Cast member Florence Pugh, who made her Marvel debut in 'Black Widow' as Yelena and is now headlining her first MCU movie after popping up in shows like 'Hawkeye,' appears to have the standout performance. The Oscar nominee's performance is being called 'superb' and the one that 'shines the brightest' among the cast. Next Best Picture editor in chief Matt Neglia writes that 'Thunderbolts' is 'some of Marvel's darkest material to date' and 'very much belongs to Florence Pugh, who carries much of the dramatic weight of the movie on her back, while Lewis Pullman delivers a complex performance as a sympathetic character at war with himself. It may not be the flashiest, funniest, or strongest Marvel film, but its rough edges and imperfections somehow all feel fitting for this anti-hero team of misfits.' More from Variety Sebastian Stan Got Marvel Role After Manager Said the Only Thing Saving His Career Was '$65,000 in Residuals' From 'Hot Tub Time Machine' Delroy Lindo Says Marvel Was 'Really Interested' In His Input For the 'Blade' Reboot Until the Film 'Went Off the Rails' Jon Bernthal Says He 'Made' Tom Holland's Audition Tape for 'Captain America: Civil War,' Takes 'a Little' Credit For Him Becoming Spider-Man THUNDERBOLTS* is, in many ways, different from other MCU films that have come before it, and that freshness couldn't have arrived at a more opportune time, when the franchise is in need of new blood and direction. It's some of Marvel's darkest material to date, dealing with the… — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 22, 2025 Film writer Emily Murray called 'Thunderbolts' easily 'one of the best MCU movies in a long time,' adding: 'Has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with. A tear was shed. Florence Pugh in particular superb, just walks away with it.' Well #Thunderbolts is easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time (and maybe one of my new personal faves). Has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with. A tear was shed. Florence Pugh in particular superb, just walks away with it — Emily Murray (@EmilyVMurray) April 22, 2025 'Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel,' critic Brandon Norwood adds. 'Wish we'd gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry, too.' Shocked how good THUNDERBOLTS* is. Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel that has us for a decade plus. Wish we'd gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry too.#Thunderbolts* #ThunderboltsMovie — Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets) April 22, 2025 Following a group of mouthy anti-heroes teaming up against a common threat, the film stars Pugh (Yelena Belova), Pullman (Sentry), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barns), David Harbour (Red Gaurdian) and Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster). Jake Schreier serves as director while Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo penned the script. Marvel is hoping for a win with 'Thunderbolts' after February's 'Captain America: Brave New World' failed to achieve commercial and critical success. However, if 'Thunderbolts' fizzles, MCU fans have 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' to look forward to in July. The studio also has the highly anticipated 'Avengers' sequels, 'Doomsday' and 'Secret Wars,' set to release on May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively. In the lead up to the premiere, Marvel promised a different kind of superhero movie with 'Thunderbolts.' Back in March, a trailer ran in theaters boasting the film's lineup of cast and crew who have worked on A24 films. Even before the trailer debuted, director Schreier touted the film as distinct from Marvel's usual fare. 'The goal that Kevin [Feige, head of Marvel Studios] set at the beginning was to go in and try to make this different,' Schreier said at Comic-Con 2024. 'If you can imagine a Marvel movie from people who make that kind of work, and imagine where those tones could meet, then I feel like that's what we hope we've made.' 'Thunderbolts' opens in theaters May 2 from Disney and Marvel Studios. #Thunderbolts is one of Marvel's most enjoyable films in a while. It feels different than most of the studio's projects. Its bold, funny, filled with great action and an unexpected emotional Pugh is the star that shines the brightest. There's a lot to love here.… — The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 22, 2025 #Thunderbolts is raw, hilarious, and deeply human. It's a bold dive into trauma, healing, and redemption. Proof that even the so-called defective losers and disposable delinquents can rise above their past and become the heroes no one expected. It's gritty, emotional, and unlike… — Big Gold Belt Media (@BigGoldBelt) April 22, 2025 Taps mic: #Thunderbolts was awesome. Tons of implications on how the MCU is moving forward. The team works well together, plenty of emotion. Yelena is my MVP. Definitely a super fun movie. Definitely stick around after the credits 😉. — B E A N Z The Gamer Dad( (@BeanzGotGamez) April 22, 2025 #Thunderbolts* introduces a new era for Marvel, the most humane film filled with allowing their anti hero being flawed, broken and regretful. Sebastian Stan has an absolute scene stealing moment, yet Florence Pugh shows she is the true lead of the new generation and team. — Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) April 22, 2025 #Thunderbolts*: That was pretty great! A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront. Florence Pugh brings the heart, David Harbour is consistently funny, & Lewis Pullman might be the stealth MVP. Best MCU film in a long while! — Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) April 22, 2025 Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
