The National Times

Jennifer Lopez brings 1950s Hollywood 'diva' to Sundance indie fest

Jennifer Lopez brought a heady blend of 1950s Hollywood musical and gritty prison drama to Sundance with her new film "Kiss of the Spider Woman," which earned a standing ovation from the indie movie festival on Sunday.

Jennifer Lopez bring 1950s Hollywood 'diva' to Sundance indie fest

Jennifer Lopez brought a heady blend of 1950s Hollywood musical and gritty prison drama to Sundance with her new film "Kiss of the Spider Woman," which earned a standing ovation from the indie movie festival on Sunday.

New film claims 'Napalm Girl' photo credited to wrong journalist

The makers of a new documentary alleging the iconic "Napalm Girl" photo was deliberately credited to the wrong photographer -- claims denied by the Associated Press -- said Sunday that it is "critical" to "share this story with the world."

Palestinian voices take center stage at Sundance

Palestinian-American director Cherien Dabis was in the West Bank, days away from shooting her ambitious and deeply personal drama "All That's Left Of You," when the events of October 7, 2023 forced a radical rethink.

Mel Gibson's 'Flight Risk' lands atop N.America box office

Mel Gibson's new action film "Flight Risk" has topped the North American box office, taking in an estimated $12 million on a slow winter weekend, industry analysts said Sunday.

Sticking with tradition: Vietnam's glutinous 12-hour Tet cake

Exhausted after 12 hours of cooking, Nguyen Thi Thuy Hong gently unpeels the last of five leaves encasing a squishy, sticky rice cake known as "banh chung" -- a Lunar New Year delicacy in Vietnam.

From Ukraine trenches to Russia schools, Sundance docs show toll of war

"What if this war is until the end of our lives?" asks the shell-shocked Ukrainian soldier, who has just "liberated" a village from Russian forces.

Fired IT worker partly shuts down British Museum

The British Museum said it had closed a number of exhibits after a fired IT contractor "shut down" some of its systems, in one of several unrelated incidents targeting European museums on Saturday.

Ukraine folk artists harness music to fight Russian 'assimilation'

A Ukrainian band is treating international audiences to their country's traditional folk music, spiced up with world music and some rap, with the stated aim of aiding the struggle against cultural "assimilation" of their country by its neighbour Russia.

Denmark's Sebastian Holberg sets sights on Bocuse d'Or win

Danish chef Sebastian Holberg Svendsgaard struggled at school as a child but loved competing -- a skill he'll put to the test when he goes for gold at gastronomy's Olympic Games, the Bocuse d'Or.

With new 'Aida' staging, Met tries out grandiose opera for the contemporary age

"Aida" has long epitomized opera at its most extravagant -- think sweeping sets, luxurious costumes and even real-live horses, an experience intended to transfix the audience with grandeur.

Stars and politics converge at Sundance festival

Sarah Jessica Parker slammed right-wing book bans and Jacinda Ardern called for more "empathy" from leaders as the worlds of entertainment and politics collided at the Sundance festival Friday.

Anne Frank annex replica opens Holocaust story to new generation

A replica of the annex where Jewish schoolgirl Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis will open in New York next week, targeting a new generation with the lessons of the Holocaust.

Meta profits from known pro-Russian disinfo network: researchers

Social media giant Meta made hundreds of thousands of dollars last year from content posted by a well-known pro-Russian disinformation network, researchers have claimed.

Louvre opens first fashion exhibition after shock memo about decay

The Louvre in Paris opened its first-ever fashion exhibition on Friday, seeking to draw new, younger audiences amid national concern about conditions inside the landmark art destination.

Macron to visit Louvre after warning over visitor conditions

French President Emmanuel Macron will next week visit the Louvre after the Paris museum's director issued a warning about the dire conditions for visitors and artefacts, the presidency said.

Louvre holds first fashion exhibition, eyeing new audiences

The Louvre in Paris opened its first-ever fashion exhibition on Friday, seeking to draw new, younger audiences to the world's most popular museum.

Half kung-fu, half opera: China's captivating 'heroes' dance

With painted faces and vivid costumes, 40 young dancers leap through the streets of Shantou in southern China to the sound of gongs and drums as hundreds of spectators watch.

Colman kicks off Sundance as film world reels from LA fires

The US film industry's first major gathering since wildfires devastated Los Angeles began Thursday at Sundance, where Olivia Colman and John Lithgow kicked off the indie movie festival under somber circumstances.

Director of apocalyptic Sundance film lost home in LA fires

Driving up to the Rocky Mountains for the Sundance premiere of her new movie would be a joyful experience for Meera Menon -- if she weren't leaving behind the scorched rubble of her Los Angeles home, where much of it was filmed.

'Emilia Perez' lauded in Hollywood but criticized in Mexico

Despite its huge international success, including a leading 13 Oscar nominations, "Emilia Perez" faces criticism in Mexico, where the transgender narco-musical has been accused of trivializing raging drug-related violence.

Poland says purchased rare 'treasure' Chopin manuscript

Poland on Thursday announced it had purchased a rare manuscript of a ballad by Frederic Chopin, a score whose exhibition will coincide with this year's prestigious piano competition named after the composer.

'Emilia Perez' tops Oscar nominations in fire-hit Hollywood

Transgender cartel musical "Emilia Perez" topped this year's Oscar nominations, earning 13 nods in an announcement on Thursday postponed by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

Colman to kick off Sundance as film world reels from LA fires

The US film industry's first major gathering since wildfires devastated Los Angeles begins Thursday at Sundance, where Olivia Colman and John Lithgow will kick off the indie movie festival under somber circumstances.

Instagram courts TikTok stars during turbulent times

Meta-owned Instagram has been wooing creators from TikTok as the China-based video-snippet sharing app's future remains uncertain in the United States.

Malian singer Traore to be freed from jail in Belgian custody case

Malian singer Rokia Traore will be released from custody in Belgium, after striking a deal with her ex-partner over a child custody dispute, lawyers said Wednesday.

LA fires could boost US Oscar hopefuls: 'Emilia Perez' director

The fires that have devastated Los Angeles bode badly for foreign entries in this year's Oscars, the French director of the acclaimed Spanish-language musical "Emilia Perez" told AFP on the eve of the nominations.

Netflix reports surge in subscribers, new price hikes

Netflix on Tuesday said it added nearly 19 million subscribers during the holiday season to finish out last year with more than 300 million subscribers.

Sad clown: 'Joker 2,' Phoenix and Gaga nominated for Razzies

"Joker: Folie a Deux" was nominated for seven Razzies on Tuesday, leaving the sad clown atop the annual tongue-in-cheek list of the worst movies of the year.

Netflix surges past 300 mn subscribers