Latest news with #Taormina
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Olivia Wilde to receive Taormina Film Festival Creativity Award
Actress, director and producer Olivia Wilde will receive the Taormina Film Festival's Creativity Award at the 71st edition of the event, which runs June 10-14 in the hilltop Sicilian town. Actress, director and producer Olivia Wilde will receive the Taormina Film Festival's Creativity Award at the 71st edition of the event, which runs June 10-14 in the hilltop Sicilian town. Wilde, who started out as an assistant casting director and moved into acting on such series as The O.C. and House, made her feature directing debut with 2019's Booksmart, following it up with 2022's Don't Worry Darling, reported Deadline. Wilde is also preparing to helm the comedy The Invite, based on a script by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack. She stars with Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz. She's also set to helm Avengelyne, a film adaptation of the 1990s comic book heroine for Warner Bros, and Universal's Christmas comedy Naughty, both of which will be produced by Margot Robbie and Tom Ackerley's LuckyChap. Taormina Artistic Director, Tiziana Rocca, commented, "We are honored to welcome Olivia Wilde to the 71st edition of the Taormina Film Festival. Olivia represents a shining example of female creative power, combining elegance, intelligence and determination. Her presence will greatly enrich this year's program and offer the audience a unique opportunity to engage with one of the key figures in contemporary cinema," according to Deadline. Wilde's addition to the program further expands a starry list of attendees and honorees in Taormina, which includes Martin Scorsese, Michael Douglas , Catherine Deneuve and Helen Hunt. The international jury will be led by Oscar-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph, with panel support from British actor Rupert Everett, three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell and more. Lionsgate's John Wick spinoff Ballerina will open Taormina with director Len Wiseman and actor Norman Reedus presenting, reported Deadline. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard chart new lives three years after courtroom drama
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have both moved on since their defamation trial grabbed headlines three years ago, causing fans to take sides in the bombshell-filled courtroom trial. Following her loss when she was ordered by the court to pay Depp $15 million for defaming him with her Washington Post op-ed in which she claimed domestic abuse, Heard sold her California home and left the country for Spain in late 2022. The 39-year-old wrapped filming on "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" months before the defamation trail began in April 2022, which to date is her last film. A year after the verdict, Heard went to the Taormina Film Festival in Italy to promote her 2023 independent film "In the Fire," which she filmed after the trial, but she doesn't have any upcoming projects, according to IMDb. A source told People magazine at the time that the actress was "excited about working and filming again. She was exhausted and disappointed about the trial. She felt she was mistreated." But despite not having any projects on the horizon, the "Aquaman" star appears to be thriving in Spain, where she is focused on motherhood. Heard announced on Mother's Day earlier this month that she recently welcomed twins Ocean and Agnes, sharing a photo on Instagram of their little feet. "This year I am elated beyond words to celebrate the completion of the family I've strived to build for years," she wrote in the post. "Today I officially share the news that I welcomed twins into the Heard gang. My daughter Agnes and my son Ocean are keeping my hands (and my heart) full." Heard welcomed her first daughter, Oonagh, in 2021, four years after she and Depp finalized their divorce following a two-year marriage. Heard said she didn't think she could possibly "burst with more joy" after the birth of her oldest daughter, whose feet can also be seen in the photo of the newborns, but she added she is now "bursting times three!!!" She continued, "Becoming a mother by myself and on my own terms despite my own fertility challenges has been the most humbling experience of my life. I am eternally grateful that I was able to choose this responsibly and thoughtfully. To all the moms, wherever you are today and however you got here, my dream family and I are celebrating with you. Love always, A." On her 38th birthday last year, Heard posted a photo of herself sipping a drink at a winery, calling it a "Champagne kind of birthday." In January of last year, she also posted a photo of herself sporting her character Mera's fire engine red hair, writing, "After all this time, Aquaman 2 made its splash (sorry, it's too easy) Thank you to all of my fans for the overwhelming support and love in Mera's AQ return. Thank you so much." Heard had claimed during the trial that her role in the film was downsized because of the scandal, but the producers said it was because of a lack of chemistry with star Jason Momoa, her agent testified. Meanwhile, Depp, who said that Hollywood executives "stopped calling" amid the scandal which he referred to as a "soap opera" that was "literally televised," appears poised for his own comeback, a term with which the actor has taken umbrage. "I keep wondering about the word 'comeback' because I didn't go anywhere, matter of fact I live 45 minutes away," Depp said in May 2023 at the Cannes Film Festival while promoting his new film "Day Drinker" with Penelope Cruz. "Maybe people stopped calling out of whatever their fear was at the time." He added, "But no, I didn't go nowhere I've been sitting around so comeback is sort of like you know it's almost like I'm gonna come out and do a tap dance." Depp shared the "first look" at the film last month, in which he appears dapper, pairing an open-collared Navy suit with a graying beard while holding a drink. The actor teased that the movie was "coming soon." Interestingly, the movie was filmed in Spain, according to Deadline. The film is "in production," according to Depp's IMDb page, which describes it as a story in which an "enigmatic stranger forms an unlikely bond with a grieving bartender who lost her lover, their lives intertwining in unexpected ways." Adam Fogelson, Lionsgate's Motion Picture Group chair, recently said "there is no better filmmaker than [director] Marc [Webb], or two more perfectly cast actors than Johnny and Penélope to bring that world to life," according to Variety. Before "Day Drinker," which marks Depp's return to Hollywood, the actor was cast in the 2023 independent film "Jeanne du Barry" and directed "Modi, Three Days on the Wing of Madness." Depp received a seven-minute standing ovation at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival for "Jeanne du Barry." Depp is also set to play Satan in Terry Gilliam's comedy "The Carnival at the End of Days," according to his IMDb, which could start filming sometime this year, Deadline reported. Last year, Depp returned to voice work, playing the title role in the animated comedy "Johnny Puff: Secret Mission." The film has a limited release in theaters before heading to streaming services. Depp, who was dropped from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the "Fantastic Beasts" franchises because of the accusations, reflected in 2023 about whether he felt boycotted by Hollywood. "You'd have to not have a pulse to feel like, 'No. None of this is happening. It's a weird joke. When you're asked to resign from a film you're doing because of something that is merely a function of vowels and consonants floating in the air, yes, you feel boycotted." In March of this year, Depp also shared a photo of an art collaboration with Paris' Deyrolle, a curiosity museum founded in the 19th century. "Like so many before me, I've been drawn to the world of Deyrolle, a place that celebrates the strange, the beautiful, and the often-overlooked wonders of nature," Depp wrote in an Instagram post along with a photo of him looking at his drawing of an elephant. "It's been an endless source of inspiration, and I'm deeply grateful for the chance to collaborate with them. It's an honor, and a bit surreal, to now be part of their story, especially with a creature so close to my heart: the elephant." His oldest daughter, actress Lili-Rose Depp told Entertainment Tonight in 2023 that she was "super happy for him. I'm super excited" after his standing ovation for "Jeanne du Barry." Depp incorporated the elephant into his art in the 1990s when he was a new father and saw the animal as protective, according to Sortir a Paris. Depp told the jury during the trial, he wanted to clear his name for the sake of his children who are now 26 and 23, but were teenagers when the allegations broke. Depp sued his ex-wife for $50 million for defaming him in a December 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she claimed to be a domestic abuse victim, although she didn't name him in the story. Heard countersued for $100 million and the former couple accused each other of abuse in the televised six-week-long trial that riveted fans in the spring of 2022. When the trial ended in June of that year, Heard was initially ordered to pay $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages to Depp, but that was lowered to $10.35 million because of a statutory cap on punitive damages in the state of Virginia after a jury ruled in favor of Depp on three separate claims of defamation. Depp was also ordered to pay Heard $2 million after his lawyer called her claims a "hoax." The two eventually settled with Heard paying Depp $1 million.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Baby joy! Millionaire chicken heir Johnny Ingham and wife Rey Vakili welcome their first child
Millionaire chicken heir Johnny Ingham has welcomed his first child with his wife Rey Vakili. The couple are spending a lot of time with their newborn daughter, who they named Isla. Johnny and Rey are currently in the newborn love bubble and are enjoying the arrival of their baby girl, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday. The couple announced they were expecting a baby back in January with Rey sharing the news to Instagram alongside photos where she showed off her baby bump. 'A little bit of sun baking and a whole lot of bun baking,' she wrote beside the gallery of images. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She was quickly inundated with congratulations from her famous friends. 'Officially THE HOTTEST pregnant woman,' commented Lisa Wipfli, wife of radio star Wippa. 'Omg wow love!! Congrats!!' wrote designer Rebecca Vallance while Elle Ferguson added, 'Congratulations beautiful'. 'The biggest congratulations huni such beautiful news,' said Nikki Phillips while Kate Waterhouse chimed in, 'So good'. 'Congratulations,' television star Abbey Gelmi wrote, with Nicole Warne adding, 'Congrats beautiful girl!!! Ahh'. The happy couple were married in a stunning wedding in Italy in January last year and announced their pregnancy exactly a year later. The pair tied the knot in an outdoor garden ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Sicilian town of Taormina. The newlyweds then danced the night away in a no-expense-spared dinner and party by wedding planner Sugokuii Events. The couple announced they were expecting a baby back in January with Rey sharing the news to Instagram alongside photos where she showed off her baby bump Rey stunned in an off-the-shoulder tulle gown while her new husband looked dapper in a black tuxedo. The outdoor garden venue was surrounded by purple flowers, while the bridal table featured an extravagant purple floral centrepiece. Guests included Andy Lee and his girlfriend Rebecca Harding as well as Montarna Pitt and Charlotte Heinrich. Racing royalty Gai and Kate Waterhouse were also in attendance. Johnny and Rey have been a couple since 2018. After a brief split, they revived their romance in 2021 and have lived happily ever after. Rey studied Political Science at Yale in the US, before completing a Master of Business Administration at Stanford. She rose to fame in fashion circles after a stint as personal assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.
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21-05-2025
This Hotel on One of Sicily's Best Beaches Has Newly Renovated Plunge Pool Suites—and Michelin Guide Dining
'It's an unforgettable arrival,' Marilena Calabrò, hotel manager at Mazzarò Sea Palace, said with a smile, catching me staring out at the perfect blue bay from the lobby. The beautiful beaches, rich history, and generous people of Taormina, Sicily, stole my heart years before the town's White Lotus fame, and I've been returning almost annually ever since. But while I'd long heard about the Sea Palace, this was my first time checking in. It was nearing the end of the 2024 season, and Calabrò was busy preparing the property for a renovation, which just debuted in March 2025. Still, she slowed down and took her time to show me all the ways in which the seafront property, revered for its relaxed approach to luxury, embodies what she affectionately referred to as the 'Sicilian spirit.' A first-time visitor might think they see Sicilian spirit in the turquoise Moorish heads and ceramic sea creatures dotting the lounge and outdoor bar, or in the rounded cacti and stone walls lining the plunge-pool balconies. They wouldn't be incorrect, but the Sicilian spirit is much more than that. To me, it's a feeling you get when you are warmly welcomed into a place by people who love their home and genuinely want to share it with you. For me and my now-husband, the day we checked in represented the calm before the storm in every sense of the phrase. We left all of our relatives up in the center of Taormina, a few miles away. The sun was shining, the bay of Mazzarò was glistening, our lounge chairs were waiting for us in the sand, and cocktails were flowing. The next morning, we'd wake up on the day of our civil wedding to the type of torrential rain Taormina rarely sees; the kind that halts traffic and causes rivers to run down the dramatic hillside. But down at sea level, wrapped in the comforting cocoon of Mazzarò Sea Palace, we didn't really mind. I took my time enjoying a pistachio granita and brioche from the breakfast buffet, because I believe no day can go wrong when you've had ice cream for breakfast. Sure enough, the rain stopped just in time for our little ceremony in town. We were able to fold away the white umbrellas that had been kindly loaned to us at the hotel and spend the rest of the day strolling Taormina's charming main drag, Corso Umberto, soaking in streams of well wishes from strangers passing by. Surely it was that Sicilian spirit working in our favor once again. Here, my review of VRetreats' Mazzarò Sea Palace. Mazzarò Sea Palace sits directly overlooking the beautiful bay for which it's named, with loungers in the sand and an expansive deck offering outdoor cocktails, bites, and a sea-view swimming pool. A fresh renovation debuted in March 2025, bringing modern updates to already charming rooms and suites. The hotel has six private pool suites, kept secluded with picturesque stone walls that block out other guests but leave views of the bay unobstructed. Chef Riccardo Fazio's two restaurants, Blum (2025 Michelin Guide) and Armònia, and the Almarè Bar, all make the most of the hotel's scenic surroundings and Sicily's natural ingredients. After undergoing renovations between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Mazzarò Sea Palace has a total of 68 rooms, including six suites. Every key comes with a sea view, and every suite comes with a private plunge pool. The team at Milan-based architecture and design studio made the rooms lighter and noticeably more contemporary than before, without erasing the Mediterranean design influences that lend it its signature Sicilian charm. We stayed in a deluxe room with sea view and found it to be the perfect mix of cozy and modern, with gently arched ceilings, a marble bathroom with a spa shower, and a marble balcony with two lounge chairs pointed toward the coast. Playful touches like the ceramic octopus guarding our Nespresso machine made it feel like home. Scenic views from the Bar Mazzarò terrace. Like the island it sits on, Mazzarò Sea Palace is a destination for gastronomes, with two restaurants by young, experimental Sicilian chef Riccardo Fazio. At the fine dining concept Blum, recognized in the 2025 Michelin Guide, he uses rare local ingredients, like Tuma Persa cheese, almost a lost Sicilian art, and blends unexpected flavors within traditional Italian dishes like ravioli. Though there are only 12 seatings per night, the ambiance is relaxed and intimate, not pretentious. The seafront terrace is the initial attraction for many at Armònia, but Fazio doesn't sit back and rely on the view. The menu here is more traditional, with fresh crudos, seafood pastas and risotto, raviolo alla norma (the famous Sicilian dish with eggplant), octopus in a marsala sauce, and lasagna bolognese. Still, you'll spot Fazio's inventive touches throughout. Finally, at Almarè Bar, sip volcanic wines from the neighboring Etna region and taste cocktails made with seasonal, locally grown fruits, herbs, and spirits. A sunny afternoon in Taormina is best spent lounging or paddle boarding on the calm Bay of Mazzarò, and the hotel offers direct access. Of course, both kids and adults also enjoy the panoramic pool, on a wooden deck above the beach. Between the modern gym, spa, and wellness center, it's easy to turn your stay into a health retreat, until aperitivo time, at least. A dedicated concierge team makes booking excursions nearby and across Sicily's east coast easy, from boat rides and scenic treks to history tours and ceramics classes. Families and couples also love the cooking classes offered on-site. The Hyd'Or Spa offers tailored treatments, from facials to massages to lymphatic drainage, and prioritizes using aromatic, locally sourced ingredients, like fresh citrus. I visited for a manicure and pedicure and found attentive, personalized service in a serene setting. The hotel encompasses four floors that are accessible via two elevators. Armonia restaurant and Almarè Bar are both on the ground floor. All rooms except for two have walk-in showers. VRetreats prides itself on its commitment to sustainable tourism and practices the Gabbiani Verdi protocol, which follows 17 sustainability goals set by the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Located on the Bay of Mazzarò, less than three miles from the hilltop historic center of Taormina, the hotel offers direct beach access and a quiet atmosphere by nightfall. The best way to get into Taormina proper is via a scenic cable car (called the funivia), which runs every 15 minutes and is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. Tickets are €10 round-trip. Taxis are also easy to come by and take about 15 minutes to drive into town. The nearest airport is Catania–Fontanarossa, about an hour's drive away. Nightly rates at Mazzarò Sea Palace start from €900 per night. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Da'Vine Joy Randolph to Preside Over Jury at Italy's Taormina Film Festival That Will Open With ‘John Wick' Spinoff ‘Ballerina'
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, who won an Oscar for her role in 'The Holdovers,' will preside over the jury of Italy's upcoming Taormina Film Festival that will run June 10-14 in the Sicilian sea resort. This year's other Taormina jurors are Rupert Everett, multiple Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell, former Variety editor Steven Gaydos and Italian actors Ilenia Pastorelli ('They Call Me Jeeg') and Alessandra Mastronardi ('Medici'). More from Variety Cannes Critics' Week: Thai Director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke on Possessed Vacuum Cleaners and Dust Pollution in 'A Useful Ghost' 'Miroirs No. 3' Review: Christian Petzold and Paula Beer Team Up Once More for an Elegant Sliver of a Psychodrama 'Thank You for Banking With Us!' Wins Best Film at Critics Awards for Arab Films The Sicilian cinema event, being headed once again by marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, has also announced John Wick' spinoff 'Ballerina' as its out-of-competition opening film with director Len Wiseman and actor Norman Reedus in tow. 'I am very enthusiastic about returning to Taormina,' Rocca said at a Cannes press conference. 'This year's biggest challenge will be to relaunch it and place it once again in the international festival sphere,' she added. Taormina starting this year will be divided into four sections: international feature film competition; out of competition; special events at the ancient Greek theatre, and a new section dedicated to short flms. The first Taormina title announced in competition is Alex Garland's 'Civil War' follow-up 'Warfare.' Italy's I Wonder Pictures, which has a partnership with A24, will release the film in Italy on Aug. 21. As previously announced, Taormina this year will honor Martin Scorsese with a career award. The storied Sicilian event will host a screening of a restored copy of Scorsese's 1976 classic 'Taxi Driver' in the fest's 8,000-seat open-air ancient Greek amphitheater in the shadow of Sicily's active Mount Etna volcano. Fest guests over the past decades have included Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Steven Spielberg, Federico Fellini, Pedro Almodóvar and Tom Cruise. The 71st edition of Taormina will run June 10-14. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
