In many ways, ‘Christy’ is the perfect film. And talking to the film’s director and co-writer provided many of the reasons why.
Read MoreFilmmaker Brendan Canty at the Q&A following the world premiere of ‘Christy’, photo courtesy of © Berlinale
RaMell Ross flanked by Ethan Herisse on the left and Brandon Wilson on the right, at NYFF in the fall
The 'Nickel Boys' men interviewed: RaMell Ross, Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson
‘Nickel Boys’ is up for Best Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes this year, among many other accolades its director and stars have been collecting along the way. I caught up with the three men during the London Film Festival where I got to watch the film which I credit with having changed my very DNA.
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Photo courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved
Golden Globes nominee Isabella Rossellini on the power of silence
Her turn as Sister Agnes in Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’ could well see the Italian actress, and farmer, nabbing her first ever Golden Globe award, come January 5th. So I wanted to find out how she mastered her performance filled with quiet power.
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Ava DuVernay photographed by ©Hadnnan in Marrakech, courtesy of FIFM
The Cinema Queen: Talking movies with Ava DuVernay in Marrakech
American filmmaker Ava DuVernay was at the Marrakech International Film Festival this year to share her wisdom during a public Conversation, where she talked about making movies as a Black woman but also the ability to watch cinema and how that changes depending on your socio-economic background.
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Top Chef Middle East celebrity chef Bobby Chinn sets the record straight, once and for all
He talks to me about his origins, why and how he speaks Arabic and more. This is one interview you won’t want to miss!
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A still from 'La Máquina' courtesy of Hulu/Disney+
Hulu's 'La Máquina' reunites Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, and not a moment too soon!
Friendship is at the core of this beautifully shot, perfectly written, wondrously acted series, which just began streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ around the world. And for those of us who missed watching this wonderful duo act together, it comes at the perfect time.
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June Squibb with Fred Hechinger in ‘Thelma’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
Role of a lifetime: Six Q's with June Squibb on her golden age starring role in 'Thelma'
One hardly expects to reach stardom at any age, but to hit that landmark at 90 is a feat of wonder. And that wonder is the charming, beautiful, funny June Squibb.
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The Fantastic Mr. Xido: an interview with Jeremy Xido -- dancer, performance artist, filmmaker
It is a luxury to be able to follow someone’s career for years and I’ve had that privilege with Xido, whom I first met in 2013 in Dubai, where he was presenting his cult rockumentary ‘Death Metal Angola’.
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Filmmaker to watch KEFF on Taiwanese Cannes title 'Locust', channeling Edward Yang & why artists are like fortune tellers
Just as Taiwan sits atop our latest headlines, with China once again threatening to squash the country’s need for independence, I sat down with KEFF, the young Taiwanese-American filmmaker whose latest work, his feature debut world premiering in Critics’ Week, sits very high on the list of my favorite films in Cannes this year. And that’s saying a lot, as masterpieces abounded!
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Phenomenal man: A conversation with Nabil Ayouch about the cinematic wonder that is 'Everybody Loves Touda'
As we spoke on the terrace of Unifrance during the Cannes Film Festival, a little tiny bird with a loud, rhythmical chirp decided it needed to chime in. Perhaps, I thought as I listened to the recording later, it was the spirit, the animal incarnation of a Sheikha, the beautiful, strong, freedom-loving tradition of women singers that the French-Moroccan filmmaker pays homage to in his latest masterpiece.
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"It’s important in life to keep moving": Toni Collette's Qumra masterclass inspires
As her masterclass kicked off the DFI’s industry incubator, the Australian actress turned filmmaker opened a window onto her work ethic and life philosophy, thus allowing the numerous audience attending to learn from her wisdom.
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Photo by © Ali Ghandtschi, courtesy of the Berlinale
"I’ll keep trying to make movies that are as disruptive as possible": Olivier Assayas at Berlinale for 'Hors du temps'
In his latest film which in English gets the title ‘Suspended Time’, the French maestro gets super personal and in the process, makes us discover the laughter we lost during COVID times.
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Asmae El Moudir talks 'The Mother of All Lies' -- Morocco's entry to the Oscar race
When the film world premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, it won filmmaker a Best Directing award, as well as the Cannes Best Documentary prize. That was only the beginning, as the film ended up going to on win best film at Sydney FF and best documentary at the Durban film festival. In Marrakech, it won top prize, with Jury President Jessica Chastain handing the diminutive, yet powerful El Moudir the award.
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Matteo Garrone, right, with Seydou Sarr (left) and Moustapha Fall on the set of ‘Io Capitano’
Matteo Garrone explains that his award-winning 'Io Capitano' provides "a reverse shot of what we are used to seeing" in the media
The Italian filmmaker stands on the edge of a life changing event, having made the kind of film that not only makes the world a better place, but is also perfectly entertaining for audiences, and proves a critics’ favorite. We caught up during the Marrakech International Film Festival, before the film received its Golden Globes nomination earlier this month. Next stop… the Oscars?
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Isabelle Huppert and Tsuyoshi Ihara in a still from ‘Sidonie au Japon’
"Do you believe in ghosts?": Catching up with Isabelle Huppert and Élise Girard in Marrakech
In Girard’s ‘Sidonie au Japon’ which screened at the 20th edition of the Moroccan festival this year, Huppert plays a woman who is still haunted by the memory of her late husband, which leads her on a voyage to Japan which she will never forget…
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The 'Limbo' interviews: Simon Baker on rediscovering the joy of acting, festivals' forte and personal freedom
While we may know the Australian star for his popular TV turns, including the long running American show ‘The Mentalist’, he’s a cinematic acting force to be reckoned with in Sen’s Aussie black and white moody outback noir.
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Five highlights from Barry Keoghan's & Jacob Elordi's 'Saltburn' press conference
Spoiler alert: The actors gushed about each other during a press conference to promote the opening of Emerald Fennell’s stunning film, now in theaters in the U.S. and the U.K..
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"The story of a woman who's not done": Jodie Foster and Annette Bening talk Netflix's NYAD
Now available to stream on Netflix, NYAD by renowned doc filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, featuring two magnificent actresses, is a story everyone who has ever doubted themselves should watch. Foster and Bening sat down to talk about the film, during an insightful press conference in LA.
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The Selfies Interviews: James Krishna Floyd on 'Unicorns', working with Sally El Hosaini and fluid sexuality
As a rule, I never interview someone whose film I have yet to watch. But when I sat down with Floyd, boy was I glad I bent the rules!
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Marrakech announces tribute awards to Mads Mikkelsen and Faouzi Bensaïdi
The upcoming festival also disclosed a fascinating list for their ‘In Conversation With...’ the beloved series which gives audiences a chance to meet some of the biggest names in cinema from around the world.
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