Latest news with #neo-Western
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Farah Khan recalls telling her kids ‘sharam aani chahiye' after seeing 14-year-old Rasha Thadani ‘dancing like a dream'
Adivi Sesh's "Dacoit" teaser draws comparisons to Sholay, featuring intense performances by Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, and Anurag Kashyap. The neo-Western film promises emotional depth and high-stakes drama, set for a December 25th release after casting changes.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Dacoit first review out: Adivi Sesh's film called ‘modern-day Sholay'; actor hopes it matches its success
Adivi Sesh, Mrunal Thakur, and Anurag Kashyap's Dacoit is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. The makers unveiled an intriguing teaser of the film on May 26, offering a glimpse into the fierce looks of the trio. Now, in an interview with Times Now, Adivi has expressed his hope that the film replicates the success of Sholay. (Also Read: Wamiqa Gabbi 'beyond excited' for return to Telugu cinema after 10 years with Adivi Sesh-Emraan Hashmi's G2) The actor revealed that he had been flooded with messages after the Dacoit teaser dropped. Reacting to someone calling it a modern-day Sholay—the iconic Dharmendra-Amitabh Bachchan film—he stated, 'It was going in that direction only, so let's hope it replicates the success of Sholay.' Speaking about what Dacoit would offer audiences, Adivi Sesh said, 'I think it's an extremely emotionally charged and angry story. Dacoit has laughter, there's anger, there are tears—there's every emotion that should be there in movies. The film is told from the perspective of a neo-Western.' The teaser shows Mrunal's Juliet character frightened and walking as fast as she can, while Adivi promises her that although she has been betrayed by everyone, he's not here to do the same—rather, to destroy her. The teaser also offers a glimpse of Anurag's intense look. Sharing the teaser, Adivi wrote, 'You better RUN @mrunalthakur #DACOIT Sab Kuch Jalaa Daalega (I'll burn down everything). Watch the film 👇🏼in theatres Worldwide December 25th 💥It's gonna be a DACOIT CHRISTMAS.' A post shared by Sesh Adivi (@adivisesh) Directed by debutant Shaneil Deo, the film stars Anurag as an inspector and is said to be the story of two former lovers who are forced to work together to commit a series of robberies that change their lives. Before Mrunal, the film was initially announced with Shruti Haasan in the lead role. However, she walked out due to the alleged over-involvement of her co-actor. A source told India Today Digital, 'Shruti Haasan shot the teaser of the film last year, and after that, the shoot dates kept getting pushed. The other actor was too involved in the script—just as he is for every film. Shruti, despite being interested in showcasing a new side of her acting, wasn't comfortable with the co-star's over-involvement. It made the workplace uncomfortable for her. Thus, she walked out of the project.'
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Fear is the way they…': Pedro Pascal urges Cannes to stand up to US political unrest
US actor Pedro Pascal, who stars in Ari Aster's new film Eddington, said on Saturday that storytelling and self-expression are powerful ways to respond to political unrest in the United States. Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Pascal said: 'Fear is the way that they win, for one. And so keep telling the stories and keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are,' according to Reuters. The actor, who was born in Chile, made the comments the day after the film's premiere. Eddington is a pandemic-era neo-Western set in a small New Mexico town. Pascal plays a mayor running against a struggling sheriff, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The story takes place during the Covid-19 pandemic, as local residents argue over mask rules and the Black Lives Matter movement. Actors Austin Butler and Emma Stone also appear in the film, which is scheduled to be released in the US on 18 July. Pascal, who also stars in The Last of Us, was asked about immigration policies under US President Donald Trump. He said the topic was too difficult to answer in full. 'I'm not informed enough,' he said, according to Reuters. 'I want people to be safe and to be protected.' Trump's policies on immigration have included actions against undocumented people and some legal residents. These measures have faced protests and legal challenges. Director Ari Aster, known for his earlier films Hereditary and Midsommar, said his aim with Eddington was to reflect how the United States felt during the pandemic and how it feels now. 'It feels bad and I'm very worried,' Aster said. 'We're on a dangerous road and I feel like we're living through an experiment that is going, it's gone wrong,' he told Reuters.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pedro Pascal tells Cannes to fight back against US political chaos
* Pedro Pascal, Joaquin Phoenix star in 'Eddington' * Film explores tensions over COVID-19, race in 2020 * Director Ari Aster wanted to capture state of US CANNES, France, - Pedro Pascal, star of indie director Ari Aster's new pandemic-era neo-Western "Eddington", said on Saturday that storytelling and self-expression were the perfect way to fight back against political turmoil in the United States. "Fear is the way that they win, for one. And so keep telling the stories and keep expressing yourself and keep fighting to be who you are," the Chilean-born actor told journalists at the Cannes Film Festival the day after the film's premiere. "Eddington" stars Pascal as a small-town mayor campaigning against a down-on-his-luck sheriff played by Joaquin Phoenix in a New Mexico town where tensions are simmering over COVID-19 mask policies and the Black Lives Matter protests. "Dune: Part Two" star Austin Butler and Emma Stone of "La La Land" also star in the film set to hit U.S. theatres on July 18. Pascal, known for his role in dystopian video-game adaptation "The Last of Us," added that it was "far too intimidating" for him to address a question about U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policy. "I'm not informed enough," Pascal said. "I want people to be safe and to be protected." Trump has launched a crackdown on illegal immigration and has also detained and moved to deport some legal permanent U.S. residents. His policies have triggered a rash of lawsuits and protests. Aster, who made his name with elevated horror films "Hereditary" and "Midsommar," said he wanted to capture how the U.S. felt during the pandemic, and now, with his latest film. "It feels bad and I'm very worried," said the U.S. director. "We're on a dangerous road and I feel like we're living through an experiment that is going, it's gone wrong."
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ari Aster's Eddington starring Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal falls flat at Cannes
Ari Aster's latest film Eddington made its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, featuring an ensemble cast including Joaquin Phoenix, Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone, and Austin Butler . Despite the high-profile names and the director's previous acclaim with Hereditary and Midsommar, Eddington has received mixed early reactions, with critics citing confusion, lack of coherence, and thematic overload. The neo-Western drama is set in a fictional New Mexico town during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Phoenix plays Joe Cross, a wheezy sheriff clashing with the town's pro-mask mayor Ted Garcia (Pascal), amid debates over AI developments, racial tensions, and government mandates. The film explores themes like political division, conspiracy theories, pandemic paranoia, and social unrest, but critics argue it spreads itself too thin. Eddington is Aster's fourth feature and shares the sprawling, personal tone of Beau Is Afraid. However, unlike his past psychological horror successes, this film has been described as rambling, bloated, and emotionally distant. While the performances by Phoenix, Stone, and Pascal are serviceable, no standout moments emerge, and the plot's many threads fail to converge meaningfully. Notably, Eddington touches on polarizing subjects like Black Lives Matter protests, mental health, and disinformation, but avoids taking clear positions. A mix of satire and drama, it includes viral conspiracies, local political races, and cult-like leaders, yet never sharpens its focus. Set for wide release on July 18, Eddington runs 2 hours and 29 minutes and is rated R. While visually competent and featuring an ominous score, the film may struggle to resonate with audiences looking for clarity or emotional depth. Early reviews suggest Eddington may be Aster's most polarizing film to date.
