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Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Cannes movies
Known for its glamour and prestige, the annual Cannes Film Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events on the film calendar. This week we are taking a look at everything that happened in Cannes where the biggest and most elite names in the film world gathered for premieres and awards. A film that caused a little bit of controversy is 'Eddington' by director Ari Aster. The film tells the tale of a town in Mexico during the early days of the Covid pandemic. With an ensemble cast that includes Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal and Deirdre O'Connell, the movie shows two sides of the Covid story. The two sides being the people who supported mask-wearing and vaccines and the people who didn't. Director-actor Harris Dickinson had previously been at Cannes after playing the lead Ruben Östlund's 'Triangle of Sadness.' This time he was back as a director with his movie 'Urchin' which receieved great reviews from audeinces and critics alike. The film stars actor Frank Dillane in the lead role and tells the story of a man who lives on the streets of London and the stuggles he endures. Despite the dark theme, critics have described the film as being 'energetic and filled with life.' In other news this week, turn to our Health pages to read some expert advice on how to handle chronic stress. There is no one who is immune to stress, especially in this fast-paced world we live in. Experts advise setting small and realistic goals as well as taming the voices in our heads.
Gulf Today
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Harris Dickinson's directorial debut born of gut feeling
Harris Dickinson is sitting on a rooftop terrace in Cannes, trying to find all the movie tattoos on his body. There's a little one for 2001's 'Donnie Darko,' but there's a much larger one on his arm for 'Kes,' Ken Loach's seminal British social realism drama from 1969. 'I'm sure there's a few more on my legs,' Dickinson says, smiling. 'I can't remember.' But the spirit of Loach runs strong in Dickinson's directorial debut, 'Urchin.' The film, which premiered the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, stars Frank Dillane as a homeless London addict. A sensitive and preceptive character study, 'Urchin' has been widely hailed as a standout at Cannes. Just as the 28-year-old Dickson, who starred in last year's 'Babygirl,' is emerging as a major movie star, he's revealed himself to be a filmmaker to watch, too. 'Before we screened, I was debilitated by nerves,' Dickinson said the day after the premiere. 'I felt so vulnerable - which I do normally with acting, but not as much. I suddenly realized what an exposing thing this is. Like you said, it's showing a different side of myself and putting that out there to be obliterated.' But Dickinson, who first emerged in Eliza Hitman's 2017 film 'Beach Rats,' only expanded audience's notions of him with 'Urchin.' As he explained in an interview, making it was important enough to him, even if it meant sacrificing parts at the very moment Hollywood won't stop calling. Next, Dickinson will star as John Lennon in Sam Mendes' four-film Beatles project. How did your artistic journey start? Was acting or directing first? I wanted to direct from a very young age. I wanted to make films. I was making these skateboard videos and I was doing a lot of short films on YouTube. I had a web series where I would release episodes weekly. It was like a sketch show. That was first love, just making things. Acting kind of kicked off a little bit once 'Beach Rats' came out at Sundance. It was weird. I had to earn my stripes, of course, as an actor. But I couldn't go to film school because I was acting. So I just carried on my own interest in it and thought: Hopefully someday I can do it. Then the short film happened and the BBC took a chance on me, commissioning 'Urchin.' Was it hard to juggle your priorities? Hard to figure out, yeah. And particularly when we're in a world where people don't always love someone trying to doing multiple things. And rightly so. There are times when you shouldn't be trying to be a basketball player, or whatever. A lot of people do go, 'Oh, I fancy doing that now,' particularly when they get to a more successful position. But this has always been a love of mine and I've just been waiting for the moment to do it. That must of required a lot of effort, especially after all the attention of 'Babygirl.' Did it mean saying no a lot? Yeah, for sure. But it's easy to say no to things. 'Urchin' was all I could think about it. It was pouring out of me. It was all that was on my mind. It's easy to say no when you've got something to take you away from that, you know? Nothing that came in would make me question my own film, which is a sign that I had to make it at this time. I don't know, maybe that sounds self-important. What was it about this character that compelled you? The discovery of Mike happened over a long time. I really started with the intention to create a very focused character study of someone who was ultimately battling against themselves. I wanted to show a full person in all of their ugliness and all of their humanity and their charm. And that was a hard process to get right. Associated Press
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kleber Mendonça Filho's Brazilian Epic ‘The Secret Agent' Wins Fipresci Award at Cannes: ‘A Rich, Strange and Deeply Troubling Story'
Bearing out Brazil's place as country of honor at this year's Cannes Film Festival, Kleber Mendonça Filho's 'The Secret Agent' ('O Agente Secreto') won the Fipresci Prize in the Official Selection – Competition category, granted by the International Federation of Film Critics . Set in Brazil under military rule in 1977 and starring Wagner Moura ('Narcos,' 'Dope Thief') , the film delves into themes of political repression, morality and resistance. Known for his earlier films 'Aquarius' and 'Bacurau,' both of which played in main comoetition at Cannes, Mendonça Filho continues his exploration of Brazil's sociopolitical landscape with a narrative praised for its depth and ambition. More from Variety Cannes Film Festival Power Restored After 5-Hour Outage Across South of France With Foul Play Suspected, Closing Ceremony to 'Proceed as Planned' Josh O'Connor Says 'There's a Kindness' to Working With 'Mastermind' Director Kelly Reichardt and Responds to Paul Mescal Calling Him 'Silly': 'I Am' 'Caravan' Review: Tender Debut Feature Focuses on a Single Mom's Experience with Her Disabled Son 'The Secret Agent' was hailed by Variety's Peter Debruge as a 'terrific '70s thriller' and 'dazzling period drama.' In its assessment of the film, the Fipresci jury explained: 'We chose a film that has a novelistic, epic generosity; a film that allows for digression, diversion, humor and character to evoke a time and place and a rich, strange and deeply troubling story of corruption and oppression. A film that makes its own rules, that is personal yet universal, that takes its time and immerses you in a world – the world of military-ruled Brazil in 1977 and the world of good people in bad times.' 'The Secret Agent,' an epic tale which runs nearly three hours, is a multinational co-production involving Brazil, France, Germany and the Netherlands. MK2 Films is selling internationally, and Neon just picked up North American distribution rights. Further Fipresci recognition went to actor-turned-director Harris Dickinson's debut 'Urchin,' which screened in the Un Certain Regard section. A two-time BAFTA-nominated actor, Dickinson is known for his performances in 'Babygirl,' 'Beach Rats' and 'Triangle of Sadness.' A harrowing character study of a homeless man named Mike who struggles with addiction, 'Urchin' has drawn acclaim for its visceral realism and emotional depth. Variety's Guy Lodge praises lead actor Frank Dillane for 'imbuing Mike with both the kind of wily charisma that makes people want to rescue him and a self-destructive volatility that keeps repelling such efforts.' According to the jury, Dickinson's debut is 'a powerful first feature that works as a complex character study of a homeless man struggling with addiction. We dive deeply into a cycle of self-destruction portrayed with sincerity, authenticity and genuine empathy.' From this year's Critics' Week, Directors' Fortnight and other parallel selections, the Fipresci jury selected Momoko Seto's animated feature 'Dandelion's Odyssey' for special recognition. The French-Belgian production, distributed internationally by Indie Sales, blends experimental storytelling with animation. Seto, is known for her artistic short films including 2015 Berlin Audi Short Film Award-winner 'Planet Sigma.' Next up for 'Dandelion's Odyssey' is a competition screening at Annecy in June. 'In these strange and dangerous times, we believe the most important thing is to find meaning in our choices and to allow ourselves to feel deeply through films that restore cinema's emotional essence,' the Fipresci jury said. 'We reward this film for its unique use of animation techniques blending classical and modern styles, for the quality of its editing and for the power of its message – love, salvation and companionship in the harshest circumstances. A universal message of life's triumph over the forces of death.' This year's Fipresci jury at Cannes was chaired by Australian critic C.J. Johnson and included Mariana Hristova (Bulgaria), Laurent Delmas (France), Eva Novrup Redvall (Denmark), Michael Ghennam (France), Hosam Fahmy (Egypt), Ioannis Rouzaios (Greece), Olga Ruin (Sweden) and Freddy Wong (Hong Kong). Awards come just hours before the Cannes Film Festival's main prize ceremony where 'The Secret Agent' is in the running for Cannes' Palme d'Or. 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
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Cannes 2025: Chilean AIDS drama ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' wins Un Certain Regard while India's ‘Homebound' leaves empty-handed
Chilean director Diego Céspedes' debut feature The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo has won the top award in the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, edging out several high-profile contenders. The character-driven drama set in a transgender commune during the early years of the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Chile, was praised by the jury for its bold and unconventional storytelling. The jury, chaired by British filmmaker Molly Manning Walker, described the film as 'raw and powerful and yet funny and wild.' Céspedes, receiving the award, said the film was inspired by 'all the angry lovers who just wanted to love like everybody else.' The Un Certain Regard section featured three debut works by well-known actors-turned-directors this year: Kristen Stewart (The Chronology of Water), Scarlett Johansson (Eleanor the Great), and Harris Dickinson (Urchin). None of the three walked away with a prize, with the jury opting instead for emerging voices from Latin America and the Middle East. The Jury Prize, the second-highest honor in the section, went to A Poet, directed by Colombia's Simón Mesa Soto. The film centers on a struggling poetry teacher and his misguided attempt to mentor a working-class teenage prodigy. Mesa Soto dedicated the award to fellow filmmakers, calling filmmaking 'a hard job' and stressing the difficulty of making art under uncertain conditions. Best Director went to Palestinian twin brothers Tarzan and Arab Nasser for Once Upon a Time in Gaza, which portrays two young men navigating life in the Gaza Strip in 2007. The brothers used their acceptance speech to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, relaying a message from their mother urging them to attend Cannes and 'tell them to stop the genocide.' They dedicated their award to Palestinians. Actor Cléo Diara won a performance award for her role in Portuguese director Pedro Pinho's three-and-a-half-hour film I Only Rest in the Storm, which explores the postcolonial legacy of Portugal through the lens of a multi-generational family. In her speech, Diara made a direct statement in support of Palestinian rights and also spoke against political developments in Portugal, where a new right-wing government recently took office. British actor Frank Dillane won a performance award for his role in Urchin, Harris Dickinson's social-realist film about a homeless addict. Dillane kept his remarks short, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to tell stories about people living on the margins of society. Harry Lighton of the UK won Best Screenplay for Pillion, a drama exploring a dom-sub relationship between two bikers. In his speech, Lighton thanked the kink community for allowing the story to be told with respect and humor. He also acknowledged his producers for discouraging a last-minute idea to relocate the film's setting to Ancient Rome. India's only entry in the Un Certain Regard section, Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, did not receive any awards. The film premiered to a nine-minute standing ovation earlier in the week. Homebound was seen as a potential contender, especially given the backing of both Bollywood producer Karan Johar and executive producer Martin Scorsese. Ghaywan had previously won acclaim at Cannes in 2015 with Masaan, which earned the FIPRESCI and Promising Future awards. Despite missing out on a prize, Homebound received strong critical response, and its presence at Cannes will likely transalte to potential award season contention later in the year, à la Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chilean drama on AIDS, ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo', takes home the title at the Un Regards Competition at Cannes
1 2 This year's Un Regard Competition had a lot of talent in terms of nominees. Amongst a sea of winners like 'Urchin', 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza,' and 'A Poet', the Chilean drama 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' also managed to bag the title at the competition. 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' wins big at the Un Regards festival Un Regard Competition is one of the most prestigious competitions at the Cannes Film Festival. As per reports from Variety, Chilean director Diego Céspedes managed to take home the title at the Un Regard competition this year. Typically, the competition nomination consists of films and projects that have not actively received a fan following or have been well heard of. This year saw an influence of actors turned directors. The likes of Kristen Stewart , Scarlett Johansson and Harris Dickinson all recently made their directorial debuts at the Cannes Film Festival. There were rumours in the air that since the competition this year was fierce, one of the actors who made their directorial debut may be winning the title; however, it all proved to be false as the Chilean drama on AIDS won the big title. Director Diego Céspedes shares a speech with the audience at Cannes During his acceptance speech for the Un Regard Competition, director Céspedes shared a few words as his film got the special title. During his speech, he cited that the feature project 'began with all the angry lovers who just wanted to love like everybody else.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 최저가 임플란트, 품질은 프리미엄 그대로. 추가금 일절 없습니다. 추가금 일절없음 더 알아보기 Undo During his speech, he continued, sharing that "This award doesn't celebrate perfection. It celebrates that fear, that stubbornness to exist just as we are, even when it makes others uncomfortable'. More on the feature that won big at Cannes, 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' The drama feature, which also marks the first feature project of Céspedes, 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo', is an ambitious project about the life of a transgender commune as they choose to stay in the Chilean desert. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1980s, when the AIDS epidemic was just at its beginning stages. The jury, right before handing over the titles, shared that the film is 'raw and powerful and yet funny and wild". More winners at the Cannes Film Festival Other than the ambitious project of 'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo', many other projects managed to win big at this year's Cannes festival. The film 'Once Upon a Time in Gaza' managed to bag the directing award for the Palestinian twin filmmakers, Arab and Tarzan Nasser, who were behind the beautiful project. On the other hand, Dickinson's directorial debut 'Urchin' was also awarded a title by the jury, as star Frank Dillane was awarded the best performance award. Cleo Diara also managed to bag the award for her role in 'I Only Rest in the Storm'. 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 .
