After 2 virtual years, Sundance returns to the mountains
January 18, 2023 GMTRandall Park made a pact with himself some years ago that he wouldn’t attend the Sundance Film Festival if he didn’t have a project there.
Israeli filmmaker comments on Kashmir film stoke controversy
November 29, 2022 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — Israel’s envoy to India on Tuesday denounced a filmmaker from his country after he called a blockbuster Bollywood film on disputed Kashmir a “propaganda” and “vulgar movie” at a film festival, stoking a debate about recent history that fuels the ongoing conflict.
Berlin film fest gives Spielberg lifetime achievement award
November 22, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Steven Spielberg will be honored for his life's work at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Festival organizers said Tuesday that the 75-year-old American director, producer and screenwriter will be awarded an honorary Golden Bear, the annual event's top prize, for a body of work that comprises more than 100 movies and series.
Aide: With few cuts, Pakistan lifts ban on Oscar-entry movie
November 16, 2022 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Censors are lifting a ban on Pakistan's Oscar entry, “Joyland," but some scenes would be cut before the movie opens across the country, an aide to the prime minister said Wednesday.
First love, first flesh and Americana in ‘Bones and All’
November 15, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — It is early afternoon in late August at the Belmond Hotel Cipriani and Luca Guadagnino has just returned from the Palazzo del Cinema at the Venice Film Festival to do a tech check for his new film “ Bones and All ” the day before the world premiere.
Roberta Flack has ALS, now ‘impossible to sing,’ rep says
November 15, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A representative for Roberta Flack announced Monday that the Grammy-winning musician has ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and can no longer sing.
Aide: Pakistani PM orders review of ban on Oscar-entry film
November 15, 2022 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's prime minister has ordered a review of the ban on the country’s Oscar entry, the movie “Joyland,” days after the measure was imposed, one of his advisers said.
The movie, which features a love story between a married man and a transgender woman, is Pakistan’s entry for next year’s Academy Awards and was a prizewinner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
Woman says Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 1991 and 2008
November 1, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman testified Monday that Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in a hotel room during the Toronto Film Festival in 1991, then did it again when she went to confront him in the same hotel during the same festival 17 years later.
Woman testifies Harvey Weinstein rape filled her with guilt
October 26, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who says Harvey Weinstein raped her in 2013 testified Tuesday that she had feelings of guilt and disgust that began soon after she let him into her hotel room and lasted for years.
Actor in cult favorite ‘American Movie’ dies at age 53
October 17, 2022 GMTMILWAUKEE (AP) — Musician Mike Schank, best known for his good guy role in the award-winning documentary film “American Movie," has died, according to a close friend. He was 53.
Jackie Bogenberger said Schank had been battling cancer in recent months and died Thursday.
‘Gladiator’ actor Russell Crowe feted in Rome
October 14, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Russell Crowe, who won a best actor Academy Award for portraying a gladiator in the 2000 film of the same name, was feted Friday by the city of Rome, home to the Colosseum where real gladiators clashed before thousands of spectators through the time of the Roman Empire.
‘She Said,’ drama of Weinstein reporting, premieres in NYC
October 14, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Five years after a pair of exposés revealed Harvey Weinstein’s long trail of sexual abuse of women, “She Said," a film that dramatizes the dogged fight to uncover years of allegations against the movie mogul, premiered Thursday at the New York Film Festival.
SXSW’s Pierson steps down after 15 years leading film fest
October 5, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — After 15 years running SXSW's film festival, director Janet Pierson is stepping down. Her longtime deputy, Claudette Godfrey, will take over leading the annual Austin, Texas, gathering, one of America's premier film festivals.
‘Matilda’ leads celebrity-filled lineup at London film fest
October 5, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — After a pared down, pandemic-affected edition in 2021, the BFI London Film Festival is back in full swing this year.
The annual event kicks off Wednesday evening with the premiere of a new, musical action adaptation of “Matilda” — the first time in a decade that a family-friendly film has opened the festival.
New York Film Festival fetes 60 years with eye to the future
September 29, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The past and future of film mingle like a pair of moviegoers huddled in debate outside a movie theater at the New York Film Festival, which on Friday launches its 60th edition with the premiere of Noah Baumbach's Don DeLillo adaptation “White Noise.”
Billy Eichner made a great rom-com. Now its audiences’ turn.
September 27, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — At the Toronto International Film Festival world premiere of “Bros,” Billy Eichner exhorted the crowd to keep cheering.
Colombian film wins San Sebastian festival’s Golden Shell
September 25, 2022 GMTMADRID (AP) — The Colombian film “Los Reyes del Mundo” (“The Kings of the World”) has won the top award at the 70th San Sebastián film festival in Spain.
Director Laura Mora’s feature was awarded the Golden Shell for best film at a ceremony late Saturday.
Review: Is ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ worth all the drama?
September 20, 2022 GMTSomewhere around when TikTok videos were analyzing, with the intensity of the Zapruder film, whether spit flew at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Olivia Wilde's “Don't Worry Darling,” it became clear that the melodrama of the movie's promotional tour had easily eclipsed the movie, itself.
Steven Spielberg’s ‘Fabelmans’ wins Toronto audience award
September 18, 2022 GMTSteven Spielberg's autobiographical coming-of-age drama “The Fabelmans" won the Toronto International Film Festival's top prize, the People's Choice Award, solidifying its early status as Academy Awards frontrunner.
Ti West, Mia Goth dream up a technicolor horror in ‘Pearl’
September 14, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Ti West had a wild idea.
It was year one of the pandemic and his 1970s-set slasher “X” was one of the few films allowed to go into production thanks to the low COVID-19 numbers in New Zealand.
Chastain and Redmayne on teaming up for ‘The Good Nurse’
September 13, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne’s careers were, perhaps, always on a collision course. Their similar red-haired, fair-skinned appearances have long been compared. At the 2017 Golden Globes when they presented together, host Jimmy Fallon introduced them by rapping “Chastain and the Redmayne” to the beat of Cypress Hill's “Insane in the Membrane.”
Peele and Key on reuniting, as demons, in ‘Wendell & Wild’
September 13, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — It's seven years almost to day since the last episode of “Key & Peele” aired, but Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key are once again riffing together.
They're sitting in a Toronto hotel the day before the premiere of Henry Selick's stop-motion-animation marvel “Wendell & Wild” at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Hugh Jackman eyes the end of the ‘The Music Man’ on Broadway
September 13, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Since he was a high school student, Hugh Jackman wanted to play the roguish traveling salesman Professor Harold Hill in “The Music Man” on Broadway. He's fulfilled that dream — but all things must come to an end.
New this week: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and ‘Goodnight Mommy’
September 12, 2022 GMTHere’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week.
MOVIES
— Twin brothers go to their mother’s house for a stay but find something is off about her in “Goodnight Mommy,” an English language remake of a cult Austrian horror from 2014.
Harry Styles hits Toronto for ‘My Policeman’ premiere
September 12, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — With just as much fanfare but a tad less drama, Harry Styles took the Toronto International Film Festival by storm on Sunday, premiering the tragic gay romance “My Policeman” less than a week after the much-talked-about debut of “Don't Worry Darling” in Venice.
For Oprah Winfrey, ‘Sidney’ is an act of love for Poitier
September 11, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Oprah Winfrey was discussing her profound affection for trailblazing actor Sidney Poitier — a longtime friend and mentor to her — when she was overcome by emotion during an interview on the upcoming documentary “ Sidney,” a life-spanning portrait.
Rian Johnson unpeels ‘Glass Onion,’ his ‘Knives Out’ sequel
September 11, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Three years after premiering “Knives Out” at the Toronto International Film Festival, Rian Johnson returned to the scene of the crime to debut his much-anticipated whodunit sequel, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery."
Steven Spielberg debuts his movie memoir ‘The Fabelmans’
September 11, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Steven Spielberg premiered his much-anticipated “The Fabelmans" to thunderous applause at the Toronto International Film Festival, debuting his most autobiographical film and one the 75-year-old filmmaker said he's been building toward his whole life.
Q&A: Tyler Perry on directing his 1st script, 27 years later
September 11, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — Tyler Perry has directed his first screenplay, 27 years after writing it.
“A Jazzman's Blues,” which is premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, was Perry's first stab at screenwriting long before Madea made him a media mogul, back when he was pouring what little money he had into less successful Atlanta stage shows.
Poitras documentary wins top prize at Venice Film Festival
September 10, 2022 GMT“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” Laura Poitras’s epic documentary about photographer Nan Goldin and her activism against the Sackler family and their art connections has been awarded the Golden Lion for best film at the 79th Venice International Film Festival.
Weird Al gives himself the Weird Al treatment in new biopic
September 9, 2022 GMTTORONTO (AP) — When a young, bespectacled Al Yankovic picked up an accordion, few — especially Al, himself — would have predicted the long-running show-business career that would follow. But can you imagine if they did?
Playing Marilyn Monroe was life-changing for Ana de Armas
September 9, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Andrew Dominik had been trying to make a movie about Marilyn Monroe for over a decade.
The film wouldn’t be a biopic, but an experiential portrait delving into the psyche of Marilyn Monroe and Norma Jeane.
Toronto fest roars back to life with Spielberg, ‘Knives Out’
September 7, 2022 GMTAfter two editions much diminished by the pandemic, the 47th Toronto International Film Festival is set to roar back to life beginning Thursday with a lineup crowded with much-anticipated titles, including Steven Spielberg's “The Fabelmans,” Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s “The Woman King,” starring Viola Davis.
Sundance Film Festival names Eugene Hernandez director
September 7, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — After three years as the festival director of the New York Film Festival, Eugene Hernandez has been tapped to lead the Sundance Film Festival.
Joanna Hogg, Tilda Swinton talk mothers, memory and regret
September 7, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Joanna Hogg was extremely nervous about showing her mother her latest film, “The Eternal Daughter.”
The writer-director of “The Souvenir” films had, again, mined her own life for material and inspiration.
Harry Styles evolves from heartthrob to fashion icon
September 6, 2022 GMTHarry Styles will never be just a singer-songwriter, he's now an actor and a fashion powerhouse as well.
The former member of British pop boy band “One Direction” has shed his musician’s skin for the male lead role alongside Oscar nominee Florence Pugh in the highly anticipated dystopian thriller film “Don’t Worry Darling," directed by Olivia Wilde.
Full of intrigue, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ dazzles Venice
September 5, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — After much anticipation, Olivia Wilde's “ Don't Worry Darling ” finally had its world premiere Monday night at the Venice International Film Festival.
In Venice, Harry Styles talks acting, music and fans
September 5, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Harry Styles already has an enviable acting resume for a newcomer, from Christopher Nolan's “Dunkirk” to the upcoming “Don’t Worry Darling” and “My Policeman.” But the pop star said Monday at the Venice International Film Festival that, with acting, he often feels as if he has “no idea what I’m doing.”
Farrell and Gleeson reunite with Martin McDonagh in Venice
September 5, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Martin McDonagh has returned to the Venice International Film Festival with “The Banshees of Inisherin,” which is having its world premiere Monday night in competition.
Brendan Fraser celebrated for comeback role in ‘The Whale’
September 4, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Brendan Fraser is having a moment at the Venice International Film Festival.
Laura Poitras film spotlights activist photographer Goldin
September 3, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — When filmmaker Laura Poitras went to meet American photographer Nan Goldin about a project to document her protests against museums accepting money from the Sackler family, Goldin was slightly worried.
Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell play cannibals in love
September 2, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Timothée Chalamet was feeling cut off from the world in the early days of the pandemic. Then Luca Guadagnino, whom Chalamet saw as a father figure while filming “Call Me By Your Name," called with a new possible project.
For Cate Blanchett, Todd Field’s ‘TÁR’ was ‘undeniable’
September 1, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Todd Field didn’t write "TÁR” with Cate Blanchett in mind. He wrote it for Cate Blanchett only. If she didn’t want to do it, it wouldn’t exist.
The film, which had its world premiere Thursday night in competition at the Venice International Film Festival, looks at an extraordinary artist at the peak of her career.
With ‘Bardo,’ Alejandro G. Iñárritu returns to Mexico
September 1, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Alejandro G. Iñárritu left Mexico with his family on Sept. 1, 2001. They’d decided to move to Los Angeles for one year. But one turned into 21. In Los Angeles, Iñárritu’s filmmaking career flourished: He won five Oscars, two for directing and one for best picture, and worked with many of the top movie stars.
For Noah Baumbach, ‘White Noise’ is about life and death
August 31, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — Noah Baumbach started re-reading Don DeLillo’s “White Noise” in the early days of the pandemic. The 1985 novel, a biting satire about a blended middle-class family in suburban America, didn’t feel like a period piece.
Catherine Deneuve eyes lifetime achievement award in Venice
August 31, 2022 GMTCatherine Deneuve is not that fond of reminiscing, even as she prepares to collect a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice International Film Festival.
Venture into the metaverse on Venice Immersive Island
August 30, 2022 GMTVENICE, Italy (AP) — At the Venice International Film Festival, virtual reality is only a small part of the immersive experience.
‘Triangle of Sadness’ actor, model Charlbi Dean dies at 32
August 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Charlbi Dean, the South African actor and model who had a breakout role in “Triangle of Sadness,” which won this year's top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, has died at age 32.
At 90, the Venice Film Festival looks better than ever
August 28, 2022 GMTCinema’s biggest stars just seem to shine a bit brighter at the Venice International Film Festival, which begins this week in the Northern Italian city.
Moscow film festival opens with praise of soldiers in Donbas
August 26, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — The 44th Moscow International Film Festival opened Friday with reduced foreign representation amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Festival head Nikita Mikhalkov, the Academy Award-winning director of “Burnt By The Sun,” brushed that off, saying “It makes no difference how big are the stars that come.
Gritty cult director Ferrara gets religion in ‘Padre Pio’
August 26, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Abel Ferrara, whose gritty New York exploitation films of the 1980s and 1990s delved into the soulless evils of drug addiction, corruption and sexual violence, pays homage to one of Italy’s best-known and most revered saints in his newest film, “Padre Pio.”
New York Film Festival sets lineup for 60th edition
August 9, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — The New York Film Festival will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a robust 32-film main slate and a number of hometown tales, including James Gray's Queens coming-of-age drama “Armageddon Time" and Laura Poitras' documentary “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” about artist Nan Goldin's battle against the Sackler family.
Filmmaker Lars von Trier diagnosed with Parkinson’s
August 8, 2022 GMTDanish filmmaker Lars von Trier, known for films like “Melancholia” and “Dancer in the Dark,” has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, his production company Zentropa said Monday.
The company said it released the information in order to avoid speculation about his health leading up to the premiere of his series “The Kingdom Exodus” at the Venice Film Festival next month.
Noah Baumbach’s ‘White Noise’ to open New York Film Festival
August 2, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — In addition to opening this month's Venice Film Festival, Noah Baumbach's adaptation of Don DeLillo's “White Noise” will also kick off the 60th New York Film Festival.
Film at Lincoln Center, which puts on the annual New York festival, announced Tuesday that “White Noise” will launch this year's edition on Sept.
Aronofsky, Iñarritu films set for Venice Film Festival
July 27, 2022 GMTDarren Aronofsky’s “The Whale,” the Marilyn Monroe drama “Blonde,” Alejandro González Iñárritu’s “Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths” and Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” with Timothée Chalamet, will all have their world premieres in competition at the Venice International Film Festival this fall.
Noah Baumbach’s ‘White Noise’ to open Venice Film Festival
July 25, 2022 GMTDirector Noah Baumbach’s adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel “White Noise” has been selected to open the Venice International Film Festival in August, festival director Alberto Barbera said Monday.
Spielberg to debut ‘The Fabelmans’ at Toronto Film Festival
July 22, 2022 GMTSteven Spielberg is bringing his highly personal film “The Fabelmans” to the Toronto International Film Festival this fall, organizers said Friday. It will be the world premiere for the film, which Spielberg has said is based on his early years, and will also mark the legendary filmmaker’s first time at the festival.
Julianne Moore to lead Venice Film Festival jury this fall
July 15, 2022 GMTJulianne Moore has been selected to serve as president of the main competition jury for the Venice International Film Festival this year, festival director Alberto Barbera announced Friday.