War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards

War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards
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Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take part in a protest near the perimeter of the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 10, 2024. (REUTERS)
War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards
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Hundreds of protesters demonstrate in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza behind a fence next to the Dolby Theatre as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby on Sunday, March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP)
War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards
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Protesters gather during a demonstration in support of Palestinians calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as the 96th Academy Awards Oscars ceremony is held nearby on March 10, 2024, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP)
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Updated 11 March 2024
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War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards

War in Gaza, Ukraine cast shadow over Academy Awards
  • Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards on Sunday, slowing stars’ arrival on the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict

LOS ANGELES: Protest and politics intruded on an election-year Academy Awards on Sunday, where demonstrations for Gaza raged outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and early awards went to “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” and “The Boy and the Heron.”

Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards on Sunday, slowing stars’ arrival on the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict. Some protesters shouted “Shame!” at those trying to reach the Dolby Theatre.
Jonathan Glazer, the British filmmaker whose chilling Auschwitz drama “The Zone of Interest” won best international film, drew connections between the dehumanization depicted in his film and today.
“Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel, or the the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims, this humanization, how do we resist?”




A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator speaks to members of security during a protest near the perimeter of the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on March 10, 2024. (REUTERS)

The war in Gaza was on the minds of many attendees, as was the war in Ukraine. A year after “Navalny” won the same award, Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol,” a harrowing chronicle of the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, won best documentary. The win, a first for The Associated Press and PBS’ “Frontline,” came as the war in Ukraine passed the two-year mark with no signs of abating.
Mstyslav Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker and AP journalist whose hometown was bombed the day he learned of his Oscar nomination, spoke forcefully about Russia’s invasion.
“This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history,” said Chernov. “And I’m honored. But probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I had never made this film.”
“Oppenheimer,” the blockbuster biopic, was widely expected to overpower all competition — including its release-date companion, “Barbie” — at an Oscars that could turn into a coronation for Christopher Nolan.
But it took more than 90 minutes into the show for “Oppenheimer” to win an award. Instead, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Frankenstein-riff “Poor Things” ran away with three prizes for its sumptuous craft, including awards for production design, makeup and hairstyling and costume design.
Robert Downey Jr. won best supporting actor at the Academy Awards, notching his first Oscar and handing the 58-year-old actor a crowning moment in an up-and-down career.
Downey’s illustrious second act culminated Sunday with a win for his supporting turn in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Downey Jr., 58, had been nominated twice before (for “Chaplin” and “Tropic Thunder”).
“I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the academy, in that order,” said Downey, the son of filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.
Jimmy Kimmel, hosting the ABC telecast for the fourth time, opened the 96th Academy Awards with a monologue that drew a few cold looks (from Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Hüller and Messi, the dog from best-picture nominee “Anatomy of a Fall”). But Kimmel, emphasizing Hollywood as “a union town” following 2023’s actor and writer strikes, drew a standing ovation for bringing out teamsters and behind-the-scenes workers — who are now entering their own labor negotiations.




TV host Jimmy Kimmel speaks onstage during the 96th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 10, 2024. (AFP)

The night’s first award was one of its most predictable: Da’Vine Joy Randolph for best supporting actress, for her performance in Alexander Payne’s “The Holdovers.” An emotional Randolph was accompanied to the stage by her “Holdovers” co-star Paul Giamatti.
“For so long I’ve always wanted to be different,” said Randolph. “And now I realize I just need to be myself.”
Though Randolph’s win was widely expected, an upset quickly followed. Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” won for best animated feature, a surprise over the slightly favored “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Miyazaki, the 83-year-old Japanese anime master who came out of retirement to make “The Boy and the Heron,” didn’t attend the ceremony. He also didn’t attend the 2003 Oscars when his “Spirited Away” won the same award.
Best original screenplay went to “Anatomy of a Fall,” which, like “Barbie,” was penned by a couple: director Justine Triet and Arthur Harari. “This will help me through my midlife crisis, I think,” said Triet.
In adapted screenplay, where “Barbie” was nominated — and where some suspected Greta Gerwig would win after being overlooked for director — the Oscar went to Cord Jefferson, who wrote and directed his feature film debut “American Fiction.” He pleaded for executives to take risks on young filmmakers like himself.
“Instead of making a $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies,” said Jefferson, previously an award-winning TV writer.
The Oscars kicked off an hour early, due to daylight saving time. But aside from the time shift, this year’s show went for tried-and-true Academy Awards traditions. Kimmel is back as host. Past winners flocked back as presenters. And a big studio epic was poised for a major awards haul.
Yet Hollywood also has plenty of its own storm clouds to concern itself with.
The 2023 movie year was defined by a prolonged strike over the future of an industry that’s reckoning with the onset of streaming, artificial intelligence and shifting moviegoer tastes that have tested even the most bankable brands. The academy, while also widely nominating films like “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Poor Things,” embraced both “Oppenheimer,” the lead nominee with 13 nods, and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” the year’s biggest hit with more than $1.4 billion in ticket sales and eight nominations.
With the forecasted “Oppenheimer” romp, the night’s biggest drama is in the best actress category. Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) and Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”) are nearly even-odds to win. While an Oscar for Stone, who won for her performance “La La Land,” would be her second statuette, an win for Gladstone would make Academy Awards history. No Native American has ever won a competitive Oscar.
While “Barbie” bested (and helped lift) “Oppenheimer” at the box office, it appears likely it will take a back seat to Nolan’s film at the Oscars. Gerwig was notably overlooked for best director, sparking an outcry that some, even Hillary Clinton, said mimicked the patriarchy parodied in the film.
Historically, having big movies in the mix for the Oscars’ top awards has been good for broadcast ratings. The Academy Awards’ largest audience ever came when James Cameron’s “Titanic” swept the 1998 Oscars.
Last year’s ceremony, where a very different best-picture contender in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” triumphed, was watched by 18.7 million people, up 12 percent from the year prior. ABC and the academy are hoping to continue the upward trend after a nadir in 2021, when 9.85 million watched a pandemic-diminished telecast relocated to Los Angeles’ Union Station.
 


Review: ‘A Man on the Inside’ – comedy series on Netflix

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Updated 19 January 2025
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Review: ‘A Man on the Inside’ – comedy series on Netflix

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  • Dressed in impeccably pressed suits and armed with plenty of trivia about architecture, he saunters in, shyly at first, then begins to find his footing

“A Man on the Inside” is an eight-episode comedy series that premiered on Netflix in 2024, blending humor, heartfelt storytelling and a touch of mystery.

After retired professor and widower Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson of “The Good Place”) speaks to his concerned only daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), he decides to make a change. A year after her mother’s death, Emily encourages her father to find a new purpose; to take a class or try a new hobby.

With a love of newspaper cutouts (he would often clip and mail interesting articles to Emily), Charles finds an intriguing yet vague job listing in the classified section.

He is soon recruited by Julie, a private investigator (Lilah Richcreek Estrada), who reluctantly enlists his help to uncover the whereabouts of a stolen necklace in a local San Francisco retirement community.

At its heart, the series explores the evolving father-daughter relationship between Charles and Emily, along with her husband and three teenage sons.

It also shows Charles making friends and trying out new things at an age and stage in his life when he thought life ended with his wife’s death.

Dressed in impeccably pressed suits and armed with plenty of trivia about architecture, he saunters in, shyly at first, then begins to find his footing.

“He’s like if a podcast wore a suit,” one staff member aptly describes him.

Then another valuable item is stolen from the community. Then another.

Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) co-stars as Didi, the sharp and determined managing director of the retirement community, bringing her trademark wit and charm to the role.

The whodunit-style show examines coping with grief, lost love, and the excitement of new beginnings from the perspective of seniors.

Whether you’re here for the mystery, the comedy, or its effortless charm, the series delivers a family-friendly binge-worthy viewing experience.

 


Andrew Garfield says tear-jerker film ‘We Live in Time’ is everyone’s story

Andrew Garfield says tear-jerker film ‘We Live in Time’ is everyone’s story
Updated 19 January 2025
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Andrew Garfield says tear-jerker film ‘We Live in Time’ is everyone’s story

Andrew Garfield says tear-jerker film ‘We Live in Time’ is everyone’s story

DUBAI: It is no secret that Andrew Garfield’s latest movie, John Crowley’s “We Live in Time,” now in cinemas across the Middle East, is a tear-jerker that will pull at your heartstrings from Scene 1.

Beginning with the cancer diagnosis of co-main character Almut (Florence Pugh), the story then follows her back and forth through time to tell the story of her relationship with Tobias (Garfield), from their first encounter after a road accident to the birth of their daughter at a filling station and more.

Grace Delaney, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh in ‘We Live in Time.’ (Supplied)

“I think the point of this film is that it is everyone’s story,” Garfield told Arab News. “I think after any human being lives a certain amount of time, if they’re lucky, they get to experience terrible loss. And I know that that’s a strange way of phrasing it, but I do see it as a privilege to love deeply and therefore to lose terribly, to lose each other, whether it’s a partner or a mother or a father or a friend.”

While over the past few years Garfield has been on an on-and-off break from filming in an attempt to know himself better, the script from Justine Wright lured him back to set.

“I was in a very peaceful, contemplative place in my life, and reflecting on everything and wanting to be creative, but not necessarily wanting to be on a film set. But then, you know, reading the script, I thought, ‘Oh, this will be a very natural creative process,’” he said.

“There was a certain amount of letting go, but it was a letting go of a different kind. It was a letting go of too much overthinking. It felt like a very natural letting go, getting out of the way of not working too hard, letting the moment define the moment, letting myself be filled up, and trusting that the moment was enough,” said Garfield, who lost his mother to cancer in 2019.

His subsequent journey of self-discovery has further helped his craft as an actor.

“This is one of the privileges of being an actor, I think, being an artist, but particularly about being an actor is that, depending on the roles you get to play, you’re accessing and finding and inhabiting parts of yourself that you didn’t know were there and capabilities that you didn’t know you had. Dark and light, expressive, expansive and destructive and shady. So, yes, I’m definitely drawn to knowing myself as thoroughly as possible,” Garfield said.

“And yeah, I’m definitely seeking out as much of being in authentic relationship to myself, and therefore others, and therefore the world, and therefore my work as possible. And sometimes it’s really, really painful, because there are aspects of myself that I wish I didn’t have, like all of us. But the danger is, I think, if we try to exile those parts of ourselves, we end up being in denial of what we’re capable of, and then we end up really doing damage and electing the wrong people to lead countries, etc.

“So, yeah, it feels important to me to find all of those different parts and own them and welcome them; and therefore be able to govern them and not be governed by them, because they’re just unconscious drives.”


Christina Aguilera, Michael Buble perform at Riyadh’s Joy Awards

Christina Aguilera, Michael Buble perform at Riyadh’s Joy Awards
Updated 19 January 2025
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Christina Aguilera, Michael Buble perform at Riyadh’s Joy Awards

Christina Aguilera, Michael Buble perform at Riyadh’s Joy Awards
  • Joy Awards are Saudi Arabia’s largest event honoring the Arab world’s leading artists and their achievements
  • Winners were selected based on public voting through an application launched by the General Entertainment Authority

RIYADH: The annual Joy Awards honored Arab talent with musical performances that serenaded a star-studded guest list at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena on Saturday.

The award show opened with a concert by Christina Aguilera, who performed “The Voice Within” and her hit song “Genie in a Bottle.”

Tunisian model and actress Azza Slimene at the Joy Awards. (AN Photo/Jafer Saleh)

Musical icons Mohammed Abdo and Andrea Bocelli performed together, blending Gulf and Italian sounds.

Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury and Canadian artist Michael Buble collaborated on a striking rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” performed in both English and Arabic. (X, formerly known as Twitter)

Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury and Canadian artist Michael Buble collaborated on a striking rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” performed in both English and Arabic.

Amanda Seyfried, Morgan Freeman and Matthew McConaughey were among the international and local celebrities who showcased their dazzling ensembles on the ceremony’s iconic lavender carpet on Saturday.

Morgan Freeman with business partner Lori McCreary at the Joy Awards. (Getty Images)

As a tribute to her first visit to the Kingdom, US actress Kate Siegel attended the ceremony wearing a pearly white dress with black drapings by Saudi brand Abadia.

“I picked it because I wanted to represent Saudi Arabian designers and fashion, especially here in Riyadh, which is such an upcoming hot spot for Saudi Arabian fashion,” she said.

As a tribute to her first visit to the Kingdom, US actress Kate Siegel attended the ceremony wearing a pearly white dress with black drapings by Saudi brand Abadia. (Getty Images)

Lebanese actress Nawal Kamel arrived in a black and silver studded gown designed by her go-to Lebanese fashion designer, Joelle Nemnum.

“I can’t believe I’m here. I’m very excited to meet the (Saudi) people up close. I know many people from Lebanon but being here and seeing the locals, who are so different and incredible, is amazing. They (Saudis) are so kind and welcoming — they truly lift you up and take care of you. I’m so grateful to be here and to witness the Joy Awards,” she said.

Amanda Seyfried arrived in a fiery red Valentino gown. (Getty Images)

Held at the Kingdom Arena, the Joy Awards are Saudi Arabia’s largest event recognizing and honoring the Arab world’s leading artists and their achievements. The event is part of Riyadh Season and is co-organized by MBC Group.

Lebanese actress Bernadette Hodeib. (AN Photo/Jafer Saleh)

The winners were selected based on public voting through an application launched by the General Entertainment Authority. The list included candidates across various categories. The nominees were carefully chosen by specialized committees based on their efforts and achievements over the past year.


Review: ‘Unstoppable’ is a predictable, feel-good outing

Review: ‘Unstoppable’ is a predictable, feel-good outing
Updated 18 January 2025
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Review: ‘Unstoppable’ is a predictable, feel-good outing

Review: ‘Unstoppable’ is a predictable, feel-good outing
  • Story of Anthony Robles, championship-winning wrestler born with one leg, makes for a satisfying biopic

LONDON: It is easy to forget that, sometimes, all you want from a movie is a healthy dose of good vibes — and few genres are better suited to that than the sports biopic.

The film “Unstoppable” tells the real-life story of Anthony Robles, an American wrestler who won the 125-pound (57 kg) US National college wrestling championship in 2011 despite being born with one leg.

Directed by William Goldenberg (a storied screenwriter and editor, making his directorial debut here), “Unstoppable” stars Jharrel Jerome (“Moonlight,” “When They See Us”) as Robles, with Jennifer Lopez as his mother Judy and Bobby Cannavale as his stepfather Rick.

‘Unstoppable’ is directed by William Goldenber. (Supplied)

Already a talented high-school wrestler, Robles misses out on his dream college scholarship, but opts instead to pay to attend Arizona State University and win a place on their feted wrestling team.

Despite dealing with Rick’s abusive behavior at home, Robles continues to win over his teammates. And, backed by his mom’s unending belief, and that of his high-school coach (played by Michael Pena), he proves himself not only worthy of his spot, but an athlete capable of performing on the national stage.

Here is the thing with sports movies (or the good ones, at least), you have to really lean into every single cliche and embrace all the heartstring-plucking tropes. Because, if you do — and if the film has a decent cast doing an earnest job — the payoff is worth it.

And so it is with “Unstoppable,” a movie that is as determined as its real-world protagonist. Sure, there are a few story beats that get teased and then dropped. Sure, the by-the-numbers buildup to the climactic showdown is beyond predictable.

But this movie has a stellar lead performance from Jerome (helped by absolutely seamless effects and stunt work, which sees Robles himself performing some of the wrestling sequences), and an immensely talented supporting cast.

Lopez, Cannavale and Pena are all great, but Don Cheadle also deserves his share of the plaudits for his turn as Robles’ college coach and mentor.

Is this the most sophisticated exploration of the world of collegiate wrestling? Nah. But is it a heartwarmingly decent movie that will make you feel good? Absolutely.


Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh

Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh
Updated 19 January 2025
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Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh

Courchevel Boulevard World brings skiing experience to Riyadh
  • Ski zone provides the thrill of the slopes in the heart of the city
  • Around 200 people per day visit Riyadh’s new wintry attraction

RIYADH: A new attraction is thriving in Riyadh at the Courchevel zone at Boulevard World, where visitors can indulge in an authentic skiing adventure.

This unique attraction which opened in December brings the thrill of the slopes to the heart of the city, allowing both beginners and seasoned skiers to enjoy the winter sport under the guidance of professional trainers.

Children can revel in the joy of making figures from the fresh snow, adding an extra layer of fun to their experience. (AN photo by Loai Ali)

These skilled professionals want to do more than teach. “We are here to train and help everyone learn how to ski while enjoying the experience,” said Marwan Akiki, a ski instructor from Lebanon.

The focus at Courchevel is on creating a fun environment for the entire family. “Every day, we receive approximately 200 visitors of different ages, from 7 years old to adults,” Akiki explained.

I came with my children today, and we had a great time in the snow town, especially since they haven’t seen snow before.

Salman Al-Ghamdi, Visitor

The attraction also features an enchanting igloo area designed for both children and adults. This whimsical setting allows families to feel as though they have been transported to the snowy parts of Europe.

The attraction features an enchanting igloo area designed for both children and adults. (AN photo by Loai Ali)

Children can revel in the joy of making figures from the fresh snow, adding an extra layer of fun to their experience.

Salman Al-Ghamdi recently brought his children, Mohammed and Sara, to Courchevel, and their delight was palpable.

The focus at Courchevel in Riyadh is on creating a fun environment for the entire family to indulge in an authentic skiing adventure. (AN photo by Loai Ali)

“I came with my children today, and we had a great time in the snow town, especially since they haven’t seen snow before. You should come and visit; honestly, it’s magical,” Al-Ghamdi told Arab News.  

For many, Courchevel Boulevard World represents a first encounter with snow and skiing. “This is the first time in Riyadh where we found snow and a school to teach this experience,” Akiki noted.

Visitors can unwind at the on-site restaurants after a thrilling day of skiing. (AN photo by Loai Ali)

One of the standout features of Courchevel Boulevard World is the provision of comfortable, tailored clothing for all guests so that they can enjoy their time without worrying about the cold.

“We want to make it a seamless experience for our guests, so they can focus on having fun,” Akiki explained.

After a thrilling day of skiing, visitors can unwind at the on-site restaurants, which offer a range of dining options. These eateries provide a cozy atmosphere ideal for relaxing and sharing stories about the day’s adventures.

Additionally, there is a shop offering equipment and outfits for the snow from various global brands, ensuring guests have access to high-quality gear for their skiing needs.

There are plans to have various events and competitions to further enhance the community aspect of the attraction.