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☆ Wild comedy 'Poor Things' wins top prize at Venice Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/8] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Awards Ceremony - Venice, Italy, September 9, 2023. Director Yorgos Lanthimos poses with Golden Lion Award for Best Film for the movie 'Poor Things'. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Oscar favourites regularly emerge from VeniceActors strike loomed large over festivalTop actors' awards go to U.S. starsVENICE, Sept 9 (Reuters) - "Poor Things", a gothic, sex-charged comedy directed by Greece's Yorgos Lanthimos, won the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The runner-up Silver Lion award went to "Evil Does Not Exist", an enigmatic, rural drama directed by Japan's Ryusuke Hamaguchi -- the only Asian entry among the 23 films competing for the main prize. Collecting his award, Sarsgaard said AI had to be curbed, warning that the issue had implications that went far beyond Hollywood.

Persons: Yorgos, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Greece's Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Bella Baxter, Spaeny, Elvis Presley, Priscilla, Peter Sarsgaard, Japan's Ryusuke, Sarsgaard, Poland's Agnieszka Holland, Italy's Matteo Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Guillermo Calderon, Pablo Larrain, Conde, General Augusto Pinochet, Crispian Balmer, Roberto Mignucci, Clelia Organizations: REUTERS, Venice Actors, Golden Lion, Lion, ACTION, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, U.S, VENICE, British, Hollywood, Polish, Belarus, Senegal, Africa, Europe

☆ ‘Poor Things’ Takes Top Prize at Venice Film Festival
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Nicolas Rapold | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, was awarded the Golden Lion for best film at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on Saturday by a competition jury led by Damien Chazelle. The film stars Emma Stone in a virtuoso performance as a woman with an initially childlike understanding of the world who comes into her own through a sexual and philosophical journey. Bella Baxter, the main character in the film, “wouldn’t exist without Emma Stone,” Lanthimos said. Like many other actors in films screened at the festival, Stone was not in attendance, as the strike by SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents television and movie actors, continued. Set in a partly fantastical 19th-century Europe, “Poor Things” follows Bella (Stone) on her eye-opening adventures in Tony McNamara’s adaptation of the 1992 Alasdair Gray novel.

Persons: ”, Yorgos Lanthimos, Damien Chazelle, Emma Stone, Bella Baxter, ” Lanthimos, ” Stone, Lanthimos, Stone, Tony McNamara’s, Alasdair Gray, Willem Dafoe, Bella’s, Ramy Youssef, Mark Ruffalo Organizations: Lion, SAG Locations: Venice, Europe, Bella

Julien Farel puts the finishing touches on tennis player Austin Krajicek's hair at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on August 30. Will Lanzoni/CNNA tennis ball sits in a display case at Farel's salon inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. Video Ad Feedback He usually charges $1250, but US Open players get this little known perk for free 02:28 - Source: CNNFarel’s salon at Arthur Ashe does not take appointments. Zverev, in particular, has earned a nickname for his mane: the “Lion.”“For women, I always love bangs, and layers on long hair,” Farel continued. Tennis player Austin Krajicek shows off a fresh haircut at Julien Farel's salon inside of Arthur Ashe stadium in New York on August 30.

Persons: Borna Gojo, Novak Djokovic, Novak, He’s, Gojo, Venus Williams, Andre, Roger Federer’s, Billie Jean King’s, Julien Farel, Austin Krajicek's, Arthur, Will Lanzoni, Arthur Ashe, ”, ” Julien Farel, Austin Krajicek, Jessica Pegula, Magdalena Fręch, Farel, “, Rafael, Nadal’s, ” Farel, Nadal, he’s, Julien Farel's, Sascha Zverev’s, Zverev, Gabriela Sabatini’s, Caroline, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Gauff, “ I’ve, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova’s Organizations: York, York City CNN —, verve, Gojo, Wimbledon, CNN, Farel, “, Tennis, August’s, Washington , D.C Locations: York City, Flushing , New York, New York, France, Farel, New York City, Palm Beach , Florida, Manhattan, Farel's, Washington ,

☆ Transgender film looks to win hearts and minds in conservative Poland
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Gosia Wojtunik | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Premiere for the film "Kobieta Z..." (Woman Of) in competition - Red Carpet - Venice, Italy, September 8, 2023 - Directors Malgorzata Szumowska and Michal Englert pose with Agnieszka Holland, director of "Zielona Granica" (Green Border). REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Acquire Licensing RightsVENICE, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The makers of "Woman Of", which follows a man transitioning to a woman in socially conservative Poland, hope their film will help ease deep-rooted prejudices in the Roman Catholic nation. Critics have accused the party of fanning anti-LGBTQ sentiment, but Szumowska said she wanted "Woman Of" to change the debate around transgender issues. What we've been trying to do, we've been trying to unite," Szumowska told Reuters TV. "Woman Of" is one of 23 films competing for Venice's Golden Lion award which will be announced on Saturday.

Persons: Malgorzata Szumowska, Michal Englert, Agnieszka Holland, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Szumowska, we've, We've, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Malgorzata Hajewska, Alan Charlish, Crispian Balmer, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: REUTERS, Roman Catholic, Law and Justice, Reuters, Venice's, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, Zielona, Poland, Roman

☆ Migrants not just numbers, Italian director says in Venice film
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Hanna Rantala | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VENICE, Sept 7 (Reuters) - With migrant arrivals once again surging in Italy, director Matteo Garrone has brought a film to Venice showing the perilous journey from Africa to Europe through the eyes of two naive, but plucky Senegalese teenagers. "In these years we have got used to the idea that they are only numbers and we forget that behind these numbers there are people, there are families, there are dreams, there are souls," Garrone told Reuters following the premiere of "Me Captain". "(The film) was born out the idea of wanting to change the point of view," said Garrone, whose previous movies include the crime dramas "Gomorrah" and "Dogman". Almost 115,300 boat migrants have reached Italy so far this year against 61,870 at the same point in 2022. "Me Captain" is the second film tackling the theme of immigration at this year's Venice Film Festival, following "Green Border", which depicted the nightmares awaiting migrants at the crossing between Poland and Belarus.

Persons: Matteo Garrone, Garrone, Seydou Sarr, Crispian Balmer, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, Golden Lion, Thomson Locations: VENICE, Italy, Venice, Africa, Europe, Libya, France, Senegal, Morocco, Poland, Belarus

☆ A viral rant about a grocery store customer who tried to buy over $1,000 of stuff using food stamps is dividing TikTok
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Someone tried to buy over $1,000 of groceries with food stamps at the supermarket chain Food Lion. A Food Lion worker posted on TikTok, saying the customer abandoned their carts and didn't end up paying. Insider was not able to independently confirm which branch of Food Lion Malik works at, or their position at the store. Food stamps are a blessing," read one comment. Representatives for Malik and Food Lion did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: Malik, Food Lion Malik Organizations: Food, Service, Food Lion, Apple, ppl, FS, Pew Research Center, SNAP, US Department of Agriculture Locations: Wall, Silicon, American

☆ Europe faces dirtier inflation fight than US
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Francesco Guerrera | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The euro zone’s export-led economy is weak, consumers and businesses are borrowing less, and higher borrowing costs mean there’s further pain to come. The contrasting fortunes of Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, and Jerome Powell, chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve, can be summed up in two numbers. The equivalent figures for the euro zone were 5.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Euro zone inflation has halved from the 10.6% peak it reached in October 2022. Europe faces a longer and dirtier fight to tame rising prices.

Persons: Kai Pfaffenbach, Christine Lagarde, Jerome Powell, That’s, Lagarde, Peter Thal Larsen, Streisand Neto, Thomas Shum Organizations: European Central Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Federal, P, International Monetary Fund, ECB, Economics, Labour, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, Germany, Europe, United States, U.S, China

☆ Ava DuVernay makes history with Venice premiere of 'Origin'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

VENICE, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Award-winning director Ava DuVernay on Wednesday became the first African American woman to present a movie in competition at the Venice Film Festival, overcoming sceptics who had tried to talk her out of applying. "I can't tell you how many times I have been told: 'Don't apply for Venice, you won't get in'. Something happened that hadn't happened in eight decades before, an African American women in competition." DuVernay said it would have been impossible to put together such a cast with a studio in charge. "Origin" is one of 23 movie competing for the coveted Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which ends on Sept. 9.

Persons: Ava DuVernay, sceptics, DuVernay, Isabel Wilkerson, Jim Crow, Wilkerson, Suraj Yengde, Selma, Martin Luther King's, Aunjanue Ellis, Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Crispian Balmer, Nick Macfie Organizations: Venice Film, Blacks, Golden, Thomson Locations: VENICE, American, Venice, African American, Nazi Germany, United States, India, Indian

☆ Christie’s cancels auction of jewelry linked to Nazi-era fortune
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Christy Choi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The sale of over 400 pieces of jewelry once owned by late art collector Heidi Horten broke records at a series of auctions earlier this year. But amid ongoing criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and human rights organizations over the source of the Austrian billionaire’s wealth, Christie’s auction house announced Thursday that it has canceled the final part of the controversial sale. (Christie’s had initially predicted that Horten’s entire collection, featuring over 700 jewels, would sell for over $150 million.) Prior to May’s sales, the American Jewish Committee had called for the auction to be put on hold until “a serious effort” was made to investigate the Hortens’ wealth. The Heidi Horten Collection did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Persons: Heidi Horten, Helmut, ” Christie’s, ”, ” Anthea Peers, Christie’s, Van, Helmut Horten, Forbes Organizations: CNN, American Jewish Committee, Twitter, Washington D.C, ” Locations: Austrian, Nazi Germany, German, Europe, East, Africa, Geneva, Switzerland, Nazi, Washington, Vienna, Austria

☆ Harrowing migrant drama puts spotlight on Europe border cruelty
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Premiere for the film "Zielona Granica" (Green Border) in competition - Red Carpet - Venice, Italy, September 5, 2023. "Green Border", which premieres at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, tells the story of refugees, charity workers, activists and border guards, whose lives intersect in the cold, swampy forests between the two east European countries. Migrants started flocking to the border in 2021, after Belarus, a close Russian ally, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering a new unofficial route into Europe - a move the European Union said was designed to create a crisis. "If we go further on this road ... the European Union, Europe, the continent of freedom, democracy (and) human rights will disappear. "Green Border" is one of 23 movies competing for the Golden Lion award at the Venice festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Jalal Altawil, Dalia Naous, Mohamad Al Rashi, Maja Ostaszewska, Agnieszka Holland, Behi Djanati Atai, Tomasz Wlosok, Marcin Wierzchoslawski, Fred, Holland, Crispian Balmer, Nick Macfie Organizations: Migrants, European Union, Nazi Holocaust, Golden, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, VENICE, Polish, Belarus, Russian, Europe, Poland, Syria, Afghanistan, Holland, East, Africa, Ukraine

☆ Hemingway Survived Two Plane Crashes. A Letter About Them Just Sold for Over $237,000.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Claire Moses | More About Claire Moses | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Dr. Farah has theorized that Hemingway suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which in later years would be linked to the suicides of former N.F.L. players who suffered the brain disease because of repeated concussions and other injuries. In Philadelphia in February, a first edition of Hemingway’s “In Our Time” from 1924 was auctioned for $277,000. Another signed letter was auctioned off last month at Nate Sanders Auctions, but went for much less: $6,875 after only one bid. In the crash letter — which was written on April 17, 1954, but was misdated as 1953 — Hemingway recounted the crashes and their effect on him, and told his lawyer Alfred Rice that he needed money.

Persons: Farah, Hemingway, Nate Sanders, ”, Kobe Bryant, — Hemingway, Alfred Rice, Abercrombie &, “, ” Hemingway Organizations: Abercrombie, Abercrombie & Fitch Locations: Philadelphia, Venice

☆ Christie lets Fed off the hook for inflation, blames Trump and Biden for overspending
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Americans dogged by persistently high prices are finally getting signs of relief as inflation has slowly but steadily cooled over the past year — but that's no thanks to President Joe Biden, according to Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie. "Inflation has started to retreat, I think almost exclusively because of [Federal Reserve] policy," Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, said Tuesday on CNBC's "Last Call." "We're certainly not seeing any reduction in spending by the Biden administration, and they're still printing lots of free money," Christie said. But Biden and his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, both deserve the lion's share of the blame due to their profligate spending, the former governor argued. "In the end, the cause of this is Joe Biden and his spending and Donald Trump and his spending during his time in the White House," said Christie, whose presidential primary campaign has been aggressively critical of Trump.

Persons: Joe Biden, Chris Christie, Christie, Biden, Donald Trump Organizations: Republican, Federal, Trump Locations: New Jersey

☆ Invasive species cost the world $423 billion every year and are causing environmental chaos, UN report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Helen Regan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Scroll through the gallery to see more of the planet's most problematic invasive species. Sarefo / Wikimedia Commons In pictures: Invasive species around the world Prev Next‘Prevention, prevention, prevention’Along with invasive species, other key drivers of biodiversity loss include destruction of land and sea habitats, exploitation of organisms, climate change and pollution. As well as flammable invasive plants sparking and spreading wildfires, climate change is enabling invasive species to move north – even to remote areas such as high mountains, deserts and frozen tundra. Preventing the arrival of new species into new regions is the best way to manage threats from invasive species, according to the report. For invasive species that have already taken hold, eradication has been a useful tool, especially on islands, according to the report.

Persons: ”, Helen Roy, ” Roy, David Gray, Peter Stoett, Anibal Pauchard, Ian Hitchcock, Starling, MENAHEM KAHANA, Phil Mislinski, Jeff J Mitchell, SANJAY KANOJIA, MUNIR UZ ZAMAN, ” Stoett, Stoett, –, ” Pauchard Organizations: CNN, United Nations, UN, Services, billabong, Nile Virus, Ontario Tech University, Chile’s Institute of Ecology, Pacific, World Wildlife Fund, US Department of Agriculture, USA, Studies, New Zealand Government, European, Starlings, AFP, Getty, North, Wikimedia Locations: Darwin, Australia, Africa, Caribbean, Guam, North America, Hawaii, Maui, Antarctica, Pacific, North, South America, Azov, China, Japan, Europe, Bermuda, New Zealand, New York, USA, Australasia, South Africa, United States, AFP, East Africa, Western Asia, Americas, Kenya, India, Puerto Rico, Kunming, Montreal

☆ Disney Treasure: Sixth ship coming to company’s cruise line
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Disney is adding a sixth ship to its growing cruise line, the entertainment giant announced late Tuesday morning in a video presentation. It will leave Port Canaveral, Florida, for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, Disney said in a news release. Bookings for Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members start September 12 this year. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:Upper deck adventuresWater rides are becoming a must on cruise ships. Disney Cruise LineFancy water rides are becoming a family cruise ship staple.

Persons: ”, Disney, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Mickey, King ”, “ Coco Organizations: CNN, Disney, ” Marvel, Disney Cruise, Castaway, Street, EPCOT, Pixar, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation Studios Locations: Port Canaveral , Florida, Western Caribbean, Port Canaveral, ”, Asia, Africa, Mexican

They are buoyed by experts who say the arsenic risk is overblown, the mounts nothing short of art. The Endangered Species Act protects animals even in death, so the collection can’t be sold. But by the time he died in 1978, international laws and the Endangered Species Act were cracking down. In August, the results came back: 79% of specimens tested positive for detectable levels of arsenic, the city said. With protective gear, taxidermy can be moved safely despite arsenic, said Jennifer Menken, the public collections manager at the Bell Museum of Natural History.

Persons: “, ”, John Janelli, Fran Ritchie, Gretchen Anderson, Dave Pfeifle, Henry Brockhouse, ’, Becky Dewitz, Jennifer Menken, Paul, encasing, Christina Meister, Dewitz, she's, Paul TenHaken, Barbara Philips, Jason Haack, Abby Normal’s, ” Haack Organizations: Sioux Falls City Council, National Taxidermists Association, Society for, Carnegie Museum of, Sioux Falls, West Sioux Hardware, Plains, The Associated Press, Bell Museum of, University of Minnesota’s, National Wildlife, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, City, Abby Normal’s Museum, City Council Locations: South, Sioux Falls, Pittsburgh, China, University of Minnesota’s St, Denver, U.S

☆ Elvis was 'the love of my life', Priscilla tells Venice
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VENICE, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Elvis Presley's former wife Priscilla said the legendary rock star had been the love of her life, despite eventually leaving him, as a film about their turbulent relationship hit the Venice Film Festival. "Priscilla", directed by Sofia Coppola, is based on her 1985 autobiography, "Elvis and Me", depicting her roller-coaster life with one of the most famous figures of the 20th century. He was the love of my life, but it was the lifestyle that was so difficult for me," Priscilla told reporters in Venice ahead of the world premiere of the movie, which stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi. Priscilla Beaulieu met Elvis Presley in 1959 when she was just 14 and he was deeply homesick, stationed with the U.S. army in West Germany. "Priscilla" is one of 23 movies competing for the Golden Lion award at the Venice festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Elvis Presley's, Priscilla, Sofia Coppola, Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Priscilla Beaulieu, Elvis Presley, Elvis, Lisa Marie, Sophia, Coppola, Spaeny, Crispian Balmer, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Venice Film, U.S, Golden, Thomson Locations: VENICE, Venice, West Germany, Germany, United States, Memphis, U.S

☆ Polanski film 'The Palace' can't find distributors in US, Britain or France, producer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Photocall for the film "The Palace" out of competition - Venice, Italy, September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi Acquire Licensing RightsVENICE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The producer of Roman Polanski's latest movie, "The Palace", bemoaned the fact that no one wanted the distribution rights for the film in the United States, Britain and France, saying morality should not weigh on art. One of the most successful directors of his generation, Polanski fled the United States over a conviction for raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977, a crime he admitted. After the #MeToo movement gained global traction in 2017 following sexual abuse allegations against U.S. film producer Harvey Weinstein, a number of women alleged that Polanski had sexually assaulted them as teenagers as well. The producer Luca Barbareschi said he had sold distribution rights across continental Europe, but not in France, Britain or the United States, despite the fact well-known actors from all three countries appeared in the film.

Persons: Milan Peschel, Fortunato Cerlino, Fanny Ardant, Luca Barbareschi, Oliver Masucci, Joaquim de Almeida, Yara, Roman, Polanski, Harvey Weinstein, Mickey Rourke, John Cleese, Joaquim De Almeida, Barbareschi, Polanski's, Polanksi, Crispian Balmer, Ros Russell Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Venice Film, Netflix, Golden, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, United States, Britain, France, Polish, Swiss, Europe, Australia, New Zealand

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni Acquire Licensing RightsVENICE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - The make-up artist for Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein biopic "Maestro" apologised on Saturday for offending people by giving the lead character a prosthetic nose, but said he only wanted authenticity. When the first trailer of the film surfaced last month, some critics complained that the nose pandered to Jewish stereotypes. Bernstein died in 1990 but his adult children have defended the make-up in the film, saying their father had had a "nice, big nose". But his make-up designer Kazu Hiro met the press and said he was surprised by the nose criticism. It is one of 23 movies competing for the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Bradley Cooper, Mario Anzuoni, Bradley Cooper's Leonard Bernstein, Maestro, Bernstein, Cooper, Kazu Hiro, Lenny, Hiro, Jamie, Carey Mulligan, Jamie Bernstein, Mike Davidson, Crispian Balmer, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Guardians, REUTERS, Netflix, Hollywood, Golden, Venice Film, Thomson Locations: Los Angeles , California, U.S, United States, Venice, British

☆ Emotional Tony Leung wins lifetime award at Venice
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Award Ceremony for Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement - Venice, Italy September 2, 2023. Actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai reacts as he receives the Golden Lion award for lifetime achievement. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Acquire Licensing RightsVENICE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai received a Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, brushing away his tears as he was given a prolonged standing ovation. He also appeared in a trio of movies that won the top Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival -- "A City of Sadness" (1989), "Cyclo" (1995) and "Lust, Caution" (2007), directed by Ang Lee, who handed him his award on Saturday. In another major challenge, Leung said he was about to make his first European film, "Silent Friend", directed by Hungary's Ildikó Enyedi.

Persons: Tony Leung Chiu, Wai, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Leung, Wong Kar, Ang Lee, Andy Lau, Lau, Hungary's Ildikó, I'm, Hanna Rantala, Crispian Balmer, Ros Russell Organizations: Reuters, Golden, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, Hong Kong

☆ Venice shows small films can make it, Danish director says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Malgorzata Wojtunik | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VENICE, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The warm reception given to Danish film "The Promised Land" at the Venice Film Festival on Friday showed that small-budget, independent films can flourish as a strike brings much of Hollywood to a standstill, its director said. You don't have to do the studio system," director Nikolaj Arcel told Reuters. "Obviously as a writer, director, I'm in full support of the strike, and I really hope they will get everything they want," Arcel said. So it was it was it was quite a joyful experience to do this film," Arcel said. "The Promised Land" is one of 23 movies competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Arcel, Arcel, Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, Mikkelsen, Crispian Balmer, Alison Williams Organizations: Reuters, U.S ., Golden Lion, Venice Film, Thomson Locations: VENICE, Danish, Venice, Hollywood, Jutland

☆ 'Why is there no sex in movies anymore?' asks Yorgos Lanthimos
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] The 80th Venice Film Festival - Premiere for the film "Poor Things" in competition - Red Carpet - Venice, Italy, September 1, 2023 - Director Yorgos Lanthimos poses. The picture was made by Yorgos Lanthimos and stars Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life after committing suicide in Victorian London. So you can understand that there is a shorthand," Lanthimos said, adding this meant the actor understood why the myriad sex scenes were needed. Stone also produced "Poor Things", which meant she was involved in the decision-making from the word go. "Poor Things" is one of 23 movies competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Yorgos Lanthimos, Yara, Emma Stone, Bella Baxter, Mark Ruffalo, Stone, Lanthimos, Emma, Alasdair Gray, Elle McAlpine, it's Bella, Mike Davidson, Crispian Balmer, Alison Williams Organizations: REUTERS, Hollywood, Golden Lion, Venice Film, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, Victorian London, Paris

A man walks in front of the headquarters of Bank of Japan in Tokyo, Japan, January 18, 2023. For years, the government has kept borrowing costs, as measured by assumed interest rates, low, effectively allowing the Bank of Japan (BOJ) to bankroll debt. That is up from 25.25 trillion yen this year, the sources said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak publicly. For the current fiscal year, the annual budget hit a record 114 trillion yen, boosted by steps to cope with COVID. Social security accounts for nearly one-third of budget spending, making it the lion's share of the overall budget, followed by debt-servicing costs, which make up more than a fifth of the budget.

Persons: Issei Kato, Izuru Kato, Tetsushi Kajimoto, Takaya Yamaguchi, Sam Holmes, Alex Richardson Organizations: Bank of Japan, REUTERS, Rights, Totan, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, China, North Korea

☆ Adam Driver not allowed to drive a Ferrari in his 'Ferrari' film
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VENICE, Aug 31 (Reuters) - Adam Driver, star of the latest film to hit Venice, "Ferrari", revealed on Thursday that he wasn't allowed to drive any of the eponymous race cars that feature in a biopic of famed Italian carmaker Enzo Ferrari. "They were the scariest things on set, but they wouldn't let me drive the cars for insurance reasons," Driver told reporters. Directed by veteran filmmaker Michael Mann, "Ferrari" features adrenalin-fuelled sequences of the red sports cars competing in the legendary Mille Miglia road race across Italy that often proved fatal for drivers and onlookers alike. While Driver was not allowed in a Ferrari, one of his co-stars, U.S. actor Patrick Dempsey, did take the wheel of exact replicas of the iconic, open-topped cars, which offered no protection to the exposed drivers. "Ferrari" is one of 23 movies competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Adam Driver, Ferrari, Enzo Ferrari, Driver, Michael Mann, Patrick Dempsey, Dempsey, Mann, Nick Mason, Pink Floyd, Crispian Balmer, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: VENICE, Maserati, Golden Lion, Venice Film, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italian, Mille, Italy

☆ Luc Besson makes emotional return to Venice with 'Dogman' movie
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Crispian Balmer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, Aug 31 (Reuters) - An emotional Luc Besson brought his latest film "Dogman" to the Venice Film Festival on Thursday, returning to the limelight two months after France's top appeals court rejected a request to reopen a rape claim against him. Besson had always denied the accusation, which had threatened to turn him into a pariah in the movie industry, and he did not mention the case as he spoke to reporters ahead of the Venice premiere. When you have both you're lucky," said the French filmmaker, who was applauded by many of the journalists. You just have to work and work and keep what's good and work on what's not good and work on it again." "Dogman" is one of 23 movies competing for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, which runs until Sept. 9.

Persons: Luc Besson, Besson, Caleb Landry, Jones, Jojo T, Gibbs, Virginie Besson, Silla, Nikita, Lucy, Teresa, Crispian Balmer, Mark Potter Organizations: Venice, Landry, Golden Lion, Venice Film, Thomson Locations: Venice, France

[1/3] A man walks past a poster for the film "The Killer" on the eve of the opening ceremony of 80th Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, August 29, 2023. But some others will come because they are working in the independent films," Barbera told Reuters Television. Polanski, 90, fled the United States over a conviction for raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977, a crime he admitted. Besson's picture "Dogman" is in the main draw, while Allen's first French-language film "Coup de Chance" and Polanski's comedy "The Palace" are being shown out of competition. Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Hanna Rantala; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yara, Alberto Barbera, Barbera, Bradley Cooper, Yorgos Lanthimos, David Fincher, Michael Mann, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, Ryusuke, Damien Chazelle, Fincher, Michael Fassbender, Cooper, Maestro, Leonard Bernstein, Coppola, Priscilla, Elvis Presley's, Cailee Spaeny, Ferrari, Mann, Adam Driver, Enzo Ferrari, Penelope Cruz, Cruz, Jessica Chastain, Michel Franco's, Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Arcel's, Woody Allen, Luc Besson, Roman Polanski, MeToo, Besson, Allen, Polanski, He's, Allen's, Chance, Crispian Balmer, Hanna Rantala, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Venice Film, REUTERS, Reuters Television, Lion, Hollywood, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, VENICE, U.S, Italian, United States

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