Kevin Costner has poured his heart and $38 million into ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ a sprawling Western epic spanning four films. The project, a long-held passion for Costner, is set to release in two parts this summer, but faces an uphill battle to attract audiences in a crowded cinematic landscape.
Supermodel Bella Hadid made a bold fashion statement at the Cannes Film Festival, honoring her Palestinian heritage with a striking dress made from traditional keffiyehs. The intricate garment, designed by Michael and Hushi, showcased the cultural significance of the keffiyeh, symbolizing Palestinian identity, resilience, and the enduring ties to the Mediterranean Sea and olive trees. Hadid’s accessories, including Gucci mules and a white scrunchy, complemented the dress seamlessly.
Following the historic win of Karla Sofía Gascón as the first transgender woman to win the Best Actress prize at Cannes, far-right politician Marion Maréchal made hateful comments targeting Gascón’s gender identity. In response, Gascón has filed a legal complaint for “sexist insult on the basis of gender identity.”
The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival was filled with thought-provoking moments, red carpet glamour, and its fair share of controversy. The festival kicked off with a poster featuring a still from Akira Kurosawa’s 1991 drama Dreams, signaling a somber tone in light of current global crises. Women directors made a significant impact, with their films earning critical acclaim and awards, including Andrea Arnold’s Emily and Payal Kapadia’s All That Breathes.
Six LGBTQ+ associations have filed a complaint against French far-right politician Marion Maréchal for her comments about transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who won the Best Actress prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Maréchal’s remarks, which she made on social media, were condemned by the associations as “transphobic insults” that deny the existence of transgender people and reinforce the climate of violence in which they live. The complaint highlights the alarming rate of discrimination and violence faced by transgender individuals in France, with statistics showing a significant increase in crimes and offenses against LGBTQ+ people in recent years.
Supermodel Bella Hadid has made a striking appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, attracting attention with her elegant and glamorous style. Today, she stepped out in a gold halter-style mini dress with a subtle floral print and accessorized it with delicate nude pumps, diamond earrings, and tiny rectangular sunglasses. This sophisticated outfit showcased her status as a fashion icon and set the tone for her future appearances at the prestigious event.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has called upon the BJP-led government to withdraw cases against filmmaker Payal Kapadia and other Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students who protested against the government’s arbitrary appointment of an unqualified chairman in 2015. Tharoor’s remarks came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commendation of Kapadia’s victory at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where she won the Grand Prix for her debut feature film ‘All We Imagine as Light’, making her the first Indian to win the prestigious award.
The 77th Cannes Film Festival concluded, unveiling an array of cinematic highlights and important discussions. Despite initial anticipation of political disruptions, the festival proceeded smoothly, with muted protests and ongoing recognition of social issues. Sean Baker’s ‘Red Rocket’ emerged as the Palme d’Or winner, while Jacques Audiard’s ‘Paris, 13th District’ garnered critical acclaim and multiple awards, showcasing the festival’s diverse and thought-provoking offerings. The article analyzes key talking points, including the absence of an age limit for veteran filmmakers, the endorsement of Hollywood’s streaming evolution, and the rise of A24 as a Palme d’Or whisperer. Additionally, the improved online booking system and the celebration of music in the Competition films are highlighted.
The Cannes Film Festival has been the launchpad for numerous successful artists, and the 2024 edition is no exception. Here are eight rising actors who made their mark on the Croisette this year:
1. Mark Eydelshteyn (Anora): The Russian actor impressed with his performance as a scrappy Russian oligarch’s son.
2. Pascale Kann and Mia Tharia (September Says): The two young actresses deliver compelling performances as sisters in this strange and unsettling film.
3. Mahmood Bakri (To a Land Unknown): Bakri gives a magnetic performance as a Palestinian refugee in Athens.
4. Malou Khebizi (Wild Diamond): The French actress of Middle Eastern heritage brings spunk and energy to her role as a reality star hopeful.
5. Celeste Dalla Porta (Parthenope): The model-turned-actor commands the screen in this visually stunning film inspired by Greek mythology.
6. Ariella Mastroianni (Gazer): Mastroianni stars and debuts as a director in this trippy psycho-thriller.
7. Setareh Maleki (The Seed of the Sacred Fig): Maleki delivers a bold and assured performance in this powerful drama about the Iranian protests.
8. Mikey Madison (Anora): Madison gives a magnetic performance as a sex worker in Brooklyn who falls for one of her clients.
Payal Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine as Light’ won the Grand Prix at Cannes, making her the first Indian filmmaker to achieve this honor. Additionally, two other Indian films received recognition: ‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’ won first prize and ‘Bunnyhood’ won third prize in the La Cinef Selection.
‘Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know’, by Chidananda S. Naik, is based on a Kannada folktale and explores themes of fate and desperation. ‘Bunnyhood’, by Mansi Maheshwari, is an animated film that tackles issues of trust and the consequences of lies.
These films, along with several other Indian productions, showcased the diversity and talent of Indian cinema at Cannes 2024.
