Latest news with #BerlinInternationalFilmFestival
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Dahaad' renewed for season 2, confirm Sonakshi Sinha and Gulshan Devaiah
Prime Video's critically acclaimed police procedural drama Dahaadhas been renewed for a second season. The series' lead actors, Sonakshi Sinha and Gulshan Devaiah, confirmed the news on Friday. The actors shared a news report on their Instagram stories and expressed their excitement. 'Finally!!! Can't wait to get back in that uniform,' wrote Sinha. 'Now... where did I keep that uniform...' read Devaiah's story. THR India quoted a source that said that the makers are currently working on the script for the returning season. 'Prime Video is aiming to mount the show on a big scale, as the first season did extremely well, garnering immense praise. The work is underway, and the team will figure out a shooting timeline soon,' the source said. Other details regarding the returning season are unknown as of now. The first season, which premiered on Prime Video on May 12, 2023, was created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar. Set in Rajasthan, it told a story based on the real-life serial killer Cyanide Mohan, who killed 20 women with cyanide pills. The series showed Sinha's cop character, Anjaali Bhaati, investigate a mysterious case of the suicides of 27 young women, all of whom were runaways who died by consuming poison. The story zeroed in on actor Vijay Varma's Anand Swarnakar, a college professor revealed to be the serial killer. Devaiah played Inspector Devi Lal Singh in the series that also featured Sohum Shah and Sanghmitra Hitaishi in pivotal roles. Notably, Dahaad became the first-ever Indian streaming series to premiere at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival.
NDTV
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Sonakshi Sinha And Gulshan Devaiah Has This To Say About Dahaad Getting Renewed For Season 2
New Delhi: The police procedural crime thriller Dahaad led by Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma, and Sohum Shah received positive reviews from critics and viewers. It was created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar. To the delight of the fans, the show has been renewed for a second season, and Sonakshi Sinha and Gulshan Devaiah took to social media to announce the happy news. A source had told The Hollywood Reporter, " Dahaad 2 is on, and the team is working on the script. Prime Video is aiming to mount the show on a big scale, as the first season did extremely well, garnering immense praise. The work is underway, and the team will figure out a shooting timeline soon." Sonakshi Sinha shared the news on her Instagram story, and captioned it, "Finally!!! Can't wait to get back in that uniform." Gulshan Devaiah also expressed his joy, as he put up an Instagram story, "Now... where did I keep that uniform..." Instagram/Gulshan Devaiah Dahaad was also the first Indian show to have its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. It was released on Amazon Prime on May 12, 2023. It has been directed by Reema and Ruchika Oberoi. On the work front, Sonakshi was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. She is gearing up for her Telugu debut Jatadhara. Gulshan Devaiah was last seen in Ulajh with Janhvi Kapoor, Roshan Mathew, and Adil Hussain.
Korea Herald
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Interview: A legend contemplates usefulness
At 62, veteran actor Lee Hye-young slays in her boldest role yet "I'm constantly thinking about uselessness," actor Lee Hye-young says in a cafe in Seoul's Samcheong-dong Monday. Her raspy voice projects an unmistakable charisma that commands attention. It's not exactly a confession that shakes the foundation of her stature -- a 62-year-old veteran actor whose four-decade career spans theater, classic films and TV dramas. But Lee, who has established herself as Korean cinema's symbol of resilient womanhood, now finds herself contemplating obsolescence. And this preoccupation with relevance saturates her latest film, "The Old Woman with the Knife," directed by Min Kyu-dong, which hit theaters today after a surprise run at the Berlin International Film Festival earlier this year. Lee plays a 65-year-old assassin nicknamed Hornclaw, whose deadly precision begins to falter as age catches up with her body. When a mysterious young killer called Bullfight (Kim Sung-cheol) enters her orbit, the film pivots into a high-octane, blood-soaked meditation on aging, revenge and the search for connection. Hornclaw must not only confront her deadly rival who hounds her day and night, but also the open contempt and betrayal of fellow hitmen who increasingly see her presence as a liability. "When I first read the novel, I couldn't picture myself as Hornclaw at all," Lee says. "She seemed too much like an old woman. I kept wondering why fans of the book wanted me for the role." That initial hesitation gave way to curiosity about the character's inner resources. "What made me finally say yes was wanting to understand her mysterious power. How does someone with a fading body still command such fear and respect? That question felt worth exploring." The film premiered at the Berlinale in February, where it received rave reviews. The experience has left Lee both buoyed and nervous. "Getting such positive feedback in Berlin was incredible -- I came home feeling unstoppable. But now that we're close to opening, I'm incredibly nervous." Min's adaptation transposes Gu Byeong-mo's best-selling novel into a stylish action-thriller punctuated by extravagant brutality. The film's fight sequences showcase Lee in remarkably physical performances, a challenge that took its toll. "I literally put my body on the line," Lee recalls. "On the first day of shooting, I cracked a rib against a sink during a fight scene. We kept going, and by the end, I'd broken three ribs total. Every day after filming, straight to the hospital." Equally demanding was Min's uncompromising approach. "Min has this iron-clad vision. He works from precise storyboards and rarely deviates," Lee says. "I'm used to a more intuitive approach, feeling my way through performances. Having to fit into such a controlled template opened up a whole new world." The film's visual aesthetic matches the director's precision -- crisp cinematography capturing both the blood-spattered violence and the sleek flashbacks that connect plot points. Lee's performance grounds the fantastical elements with a weathered dignity that makes Hornclaw's lethal capabilities credible, despite occasional seams showing in the stunt work. It is only in the final 30 minutes that the film jumps the rails, where the narrative strains to accommodate an increasingly convoluted, and brazenly sentimental, backstory. At the end of the day, Lee's steely-eyed commitment is the glue that keeps it from falling apart entirely. While critics have celebrated the film as a kind of feminist breakthrough -- an older woman stepping into territory usually reserved for men -- Lee seems decidedly uninterested in such framing. "I hadn't thought about the gender aspect. I just see Hornclaw as a human being with a particular history and set of skills," she says. Lee does credit her longevity in the industry partly to her refusal to be limited by conventional feminine roles, though. "I was never suitable for romantic leads," she says. "In the past, actresses who didn't fit the mold for love stories got pushed aside. But I survived because I could portray these strong, independent women. Now the industry has expanded to include so many different types of female roles." Her praise for co-star Kim Sung-cheol comes with a characteristic flirtatiousness. "Any appeal Hornclaw has as a character -- any hint of sensuality in our scenes together -- is entirely thanks to Kim's talent," she says, visibly animated. "He has this youthful earnestness that's irresistible. I was blessed to have such a beautiful boy as my scene partner," she laughs. Next month, Lee returns to the stage in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler," reprising a role that won her critical acclaim in 2012. For Lee, the project represents a full-circle moment in her evolution as an artist. "Theater is where everything feels most alive for me," she says. "In film, everything is chopped up into fragments, but on stage, you experience the whole journey each night." As the conversation winds down, the actor's thoughts circle back once more to the idea of utility. After decades in the industry, what keeps her going? What allows her to remain relevant when so many of her contemporaries have receded from view? Lee considers the question carefully, her gaze drifting momentarily. "When I first performed Hedda Gabler, I thought it was exclusively mine. I was so certain of my unique connection to the character. Then, when I heard another actress would be performing it simultaneously, I was shocked -- 'What happened to my uniqueness?'" "Later I discovered many other actors had already performed it after me, but I'd never bothered to check. I was only thinking about Ibsen and myself, completely uninterested in what others were doing." Then she exclaims, almost bemused by her own insight: "I think it's my ignorance! I'm still so unaware of many things, still curious. Maybe that's what keeps me going forward." Ignorance, not quite; one-of-a-kind flair, truly.
Leaders
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leaders
Saudi Film Commission Participates at Beijing International Film Festival
Saudi Arabia's Film Commission is currently taking part at the Beijing International Film Festival, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Set to run from April 19 to 22, the festival represents one of the most remarkable events in Asia and beyond. The event provides a valuable platform for fostering cultural exchange and expanding cinematic dialogue between nations. The Kingdom's participation at the festival stands as a testament to the commission's dedication to expanding the international presence of Saudi cinema. The commission's pavilion at the festival serves as a capturing hub for visitors and filmmakers from around the world, showcasing promising investment opportunities within the Kingdom. Through its participation, Saudi Arabia seeks to promote Saudi films and outstanding local talents. Moreover, it highlights the noticeable growth of Saudi Arabia's film industry and enhances collaboration with the Chinese and Asian film sectors. By emphasizing the significance of cinematic collaboration, the Film Commission aims to strengthen the Kingdom's position on the global cinema map. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Joins Berlin International Film Festival 2025 Saudi Arabia Takes Part in Busan International Film Festival 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival Opens Fourth Edition in Historic Jeddah Short link : Post Views: 165 Related Stories
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Top 10 films of Nora Aunor: Philippine cinema icon
Films highlight her unmatched versatility, reflect deep truths about Filipino society Last updated: 'Superstar' Nora Aunor, one of the most beloved figures in Philippine cinema, has passed away. Her death was confirmed by her children in posts on social media. She was 71. She appeared in over 200 film and television projects — many of them now considered classics - and earned dozens of acting awards throughout her career. Here's a list of 10 of Nora Aunor's top films, showcasing her legendary range and impact on Philippine cinema. Himala (1982) Theme: Faith, fanaticism, and social hysteria Aunor plays Elsa, a woman who claims to have seen the Virgin Mary in a poverty-stricken village. It won Best Film and Best Actress for Aunor, among other awards, and became the first Filipino film to be included in the Berlin International Film Festival's competition. Bona (1980) Theme: Obsession, class disparity As the devoted fan of a struggling actor, Aunor delivers a raw performance in this story of unreciprocated love and social exploitation. Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976) Theme: War, survival, morality Set during the Japanese occupation, Aunor plays a schoolteacher torn by war, personal trauma, and complex loyalties. Thy Womb (2012) Theme: Motherhood, sacrifice, indigenous culture Set in the Badjao community, Aunor is a barren midwife who selflessly seeks a second wife for her husband to bear a child. The film earned three prizes by Italian film groups — La Navicella Venezia Cinema Award, the P. Nazareno Taddei Award and the Bisato d' Oro Award for Best Actress (for Aunor). Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976) Theme: Colonialism, family, identity Aunor portrays a Filipina nurse dreaming of the American life, only to face tragedy and cultural reckoning when her brother is killed by U.S. soldiers. The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) Theme: Justice, diaspora, national trauma A heartbreaking retelling of the real-life case of a Filipino domestic worker executed in Singapore. Aunor's powerful performance made it a landmark political drama.
