Latest news with #Souvenir
Metro
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
5 of the best Eurovision films to stream before the Grand Final
After 12 months of waiting, the Eurovision Grand Final is almost upon us – 26 countries have now qualified for the big show on Saturday, May 17. The legendary singing contest is back for another year and this time it's being hosted by last year's winners Switzerland, who were represented by singer Nemo. Taking place in Basel for 2025, the Eurovision party has already started with both semi-finals now done and dusted, with the final line-up settled. Representing the UK are vocal trio Remember Monday and their song What the Hell Just Happened?, which went down very well during a rehearsal performance during Thursday's semi-final. To get you in the mood for all the pageantry and performances, here are five Eurovision-themed films to start your weekend off with in preparation for the Grand Final. If you start watching them on Saturday morning, you should finish the last one in the list just before the BBC's coverage, hosted by Graham Norton, begins. Released in June 2020 on Netflix, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as Icelandic Eurovision hopefuls. From the small fishing town of Husavik, which is situated on the northern coast of Iceland, Will's character Lars and Rachel's character Sigrit journey to Edinburgh to take part. The film is best remembered for Lars and Sigrit's song suggestive nonsense song Ja Ja Ding Dong, which isn't even the song they perform at the contest. While the film only received a lukewarm reaction from critics – the film has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 63% – fans of Eurovision come back to it every year. The Story of Fire Saga also features cameos from major Eurovision stars from down the years, including Sweden's double champion Loreen, 2018 Israeli winner Netta, and 2016 Ukraine winner Jamala. Will came to love Eurovision after being introduced to the contest in 1999 by his Swedish wife Viveca Paulin, 25 years after Abba famously won the competition. Watch Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix. Released in 2016 and directed by Bavo Defurne, French film Souvenir tells the story of a fictional forgotten singer who once competed for France at the Eurovison Song Contest. The film stars legendary French actress Isabelle Huppert, who has starred in movies like The Piano Teacher, Amour, Elle, Greta, and Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. She's also been the recipient of three Baftas, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination after starring in Paul Verhoeven's 2016 film Elle. Souvenir follows Isabelle's character Liliane, who meets a young, aspiring boxer and falls in love, resulting in her trying to make a music industry comeback. Strangely, the film was given a Christmas release in France, five months before the Eurovision Song Contest usually comes around each year. Critics were similarly lukewarm on Souvenir as they were on The Story of Fire Saga, with the film's Rotten Tomatoes rating currently sitting at 52%, however, the site's top critics see its rating jump to 64%. Watch Souvenir on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video. The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest was marred by controversy in the build-up to the Grand Final, with calls for some to boycott the competition that year. Israel hosted the contest that year after Netta won in 2018 with her song Toy, and pro-Palestine activists staged protests during the qualifying rounds. In the middle of this controversy were Iceland band Hatari, who were known for their predominantly left-wing values and provocative stage displays. A Song Called Hate follows the members of Hatari as they decide whether to boycott Eurovision altogether or use the opportunity to spread their beliefs across Europe. On Letterboxd, user Oliver compared it to The Story of Fire Saga, saying: 'Of the movies released in 2020 about Iceland participating in Eurovision Song Contest, this was far superior.' Spoiler warning: Hatari performed their song Hatrið mun sigra (Hatred Will Prevail) and eventually finished third that year, wowing viewers with their intense display. Watch A Song Called Hate on OutTV, via Amazon Prime Video. 2006 was another fantastic year for Nordic countries at Eurovision, with Finland's heavy metal band Lordi reigning supreme over the continent with their song Hard Rock Hallelujah. Dressed in freakish costumes, Lordi played their hearts out and stormed to victory, finishing almost 50 points ahead of runners-up Russia in the Grand Final and landing Finland's first Eurovision title. Hard Rock Hallelujah promised an 'a-rock-alypse' and a 'day of rock-ening' and that's exactly what Europe got, with the song charting in 13 European countries after the competition concluded. Coming eight years after Lordi's triumph, Monsterman told quite a different story about Lordi's lead singer, Tomi Putaansuu, better known by his stage name Mr Lordi. A description of the film reveals Monsterman to be 'a film about the monster of Lapland, Mr. Lordi, who, after winning the Eurovision Song Contest loses everything, almost everything'. The documentary follows what happens to a band who reach the top of the world (well, a continent) and have only got one place left to go: downwards. Watch Monsterman on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Sounds Like Teen Spirit – or to give the film its full title, Sounds Like Teen Spirit: A Popumentary – a documentary about the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Ever year since 2003, Junior Eurovision has taken place in either November or December – the current champions are Georgia after their entrant Andria Putkaradze won in 2024. Four years into the competition's history, Bafta-nominated director Jay Johnson decided to follow the lives of the singing hopefuls during the 2007 contest. More Trending Specifically focusing on the fortunes of Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Georgia, Sounds Like Tike Teen Spirit was a winner with critics. The winners in 2007 were Belarus, with singer Alexey Zhigalkovich taking home the title with his song S Druz'yami, which translates to With Friends. The film currently has a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 87%, making it the highest-regarded film in this list, and has won awards in France and Denmark. Watch Sounds Like Teen Spirit on Apple TV. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Graham Norton 'on many medications' after surgery before Eurovision Grand Final MORE: Mae Muller says she was 'thrown to the lions' at Eurovision 2023 MORE: Katie Price reveals her biggest regret over failed Eurovision Song Contest bid
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Blackfriars Theatre announces 2025-2026 season
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – Blackfriars Theatre has announced its line-up for the 76th season. Officials tell News 8 that the lineup features a mix of titles as it packs a punch, makes strong statements all while having an abundance of humor and spirit. The seven show lineup kicks off with 'Shrek the Musical' and also includes 'Souvenir', 'In the Next Room, Rumors', 'The Grown Ups', 'The White Chip', and 'Parade'! Blackfriars Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre and is one of the longest running theatres in the Rochester Area! For more information on both the upcoming season and Blackfriars Theatre you can visit this website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
04-02-2025
- CBS News
Deadly Miramar Walgreens shooting was case of mistaken conversation, police say
MIRAMAR - A case of mistaken conversation may have led to a deadly shooting at a drug store in Miramar on Monday. The shooting occurred just before noon at the Walgreens in the 2400 block of S.W. 101st Avenue, near Miramar Boulevard and Palm Avenue. Miramar Police Chief Delrish Moss said the incident stemmed from an argument between the two men inside the store. "This was a dispute between two customers, and they got into an argument," Moss said. "One of those customers pulled out a gun and shot the other person." Anthony Souvenir, 27, who was transported to Memorial Regional Hospital in critical condition, and later died from his injuries. According to Souvenir's family, Monday was his birthday. His father said the day began with joy, as the family sang "Happy Birthday" and celebrated. Souvenir later went to Walgreens to withdraw money but never returned. According to Miramar police, surveillance video from the store shows accused gunman Jaime Taylor, 28, walk in around 11:20 a.m. He was on his phone as he went to the front register. A few minutes later, a woman later identified as Souvenir's girlfriend and the father of her child walked in carrying their baby. About a minute later Souvenir walked in. Souvenir's girlfriend told police she heard him arguing with Taylor. She said at one point she heard Taylor say "I'm not even (expletive) talking to you, I'm on the (expletive) phone." She said as they continued to exchange words Souvenir walked toward Taylor. She told police she tried to get him to back down. As the two men argued, she said Taylor pulled out a gun, pointed it at Souvenir and began shooting. He then ran out of the store. The woman said Souvenir then pulled out his own gun and tried to go after Taylor. She said he collapsed on the ground before he reached the front door. According to the store manager, while she was helping Taylor at the front desk area, he was on the phone. When Souvenir walked in, she said, he believed that Taylor was talking to him when he was actually talking to someone on the phone. She said that's when they began to exchange words and then Taylor shot at Souvenir. According to police, while Souvenir ran out of the store after the shooting, he did return and turn himself in. During questioning, Taylor said he had gone to the store to load money onto a CashApp. He said he noticed Souvenir's girlfriend walk in, but didn't pay too much attention to her. A short time later, Souvenir walked in and said to him, "You're looking too hard," according to Taylor. Taylor told investigators that Souvenir then walked away but turned around when he heard comments he made to his cousin on the phone. He said that's when they started exchanging words. When Taylor told Souvenir that he had a gun, he said Souvenir replied "I see you got one, I got one too." Taylor told police at that point he feared that Souvenir was either going to fight him or shoot him, so he pulled his gun and pointed it to the side. He said when he saw Souvenir reach into his backpack, reportedly for the gun, he shot at the bag and ran away. He said he returned to the store a short time later and informed officers that he was involved in the shooting. He was arrested and has been charged with murder without premeditation.
