28 h. ago ‘Neutrality should not be an option’: why are so many artists now speaking out on Gaza?

Musician Brian Eno and artist Malak Mattar, key figures in next week’s Together for Palestine concert, explain why artists are putting fears of a backlash aside and uniting in the call for actionA red carpet event, especially one to promote the new Downton Abbey film, is not typically a place for radical political statements. But at the film’s premiere in London earlier this month, that movie’s star, Hugh Bonneville, spoke out about Gaza. “Before I talk about the fluff and loveliness of our wonderful film, what’s about to happen in Gaza City is absolutely indefensible,” he announced to a visibly shocked showbiz reporter. “The international community must do more to bring it to an end.”Bonneville’s words may have been surprising for some, but they’re actually part of a larger pattern of actors, musicians, artists and cultural figures who feel increasingly moved to speak out. This week hundreds of actors – including Olivia Colman, Aimee Lou Wood and Mark Ruffalo – signed a pledge prom...

Politics

28 h. ago Riz Ahmed urges stars to speak out on Gaza and Sudan amid boycott of Israeli film companies

The Sound of Metal star said actors and artists have a responsibility to highlight global crises

Politics

30 h. ago Olivia Coleman and Aimee Lou Wood among 1,300 actors to boycott Israeli film groups

Hundreds of major actors and filmmakers have signed a pledge stating that they won't work with Israeli film institutions "implicated in genocide and apartheid" against Palestinians

Politics

32 h. ago ‘Nobody can occupy your imagination’: From Ground Zero’s producer on documenting his native Palestine

Rashid Masharawi, who produced the anthology of 22 short films that was Palestine’s official entry to the Academy Awards, has remarkable optimism about the future of GazaBeing a Palestinian under Israeli occupation will not help someone make a good film, according to Rashid Masharawi, but a good film-maker will help Palestine.With his anthology film From Ground Zero (in Arabic: From Zero Distance) he attempts to do just that by bridging the space between the Palestinians in Gaza who have endured a campaign of annihilation behind closed doors to those around the world watching as an incomprehensibly vast tragedy unfolds in real time. Continue reading...

Events

50 h. ago Pledge to boycott Israeli film institutions draws signatures of top Hollywood actors and directors

Hundreds of prominent Hollywood figures have signed onto a pledge to boycott some Israeli film institutions

Culture

51 h. ago Aimee Lou Wood puts on a very busty display in a plunging black midi dress as she attends a BBC screening of the Film Club

The Sex Education star, 31, put on a busty display in a plunging black midi dress, teamed with sheer tights and pointed toe heels.

Culture

53 h. ago Israeli film industry calls boycott pledge ‘deeply troubling’

Screenwriters’ guild of Israel says campaign that has now won backing from 1,800 film-makers will only ‘deepen the darkness’, while representatives of the country’s documentary and directors’ guild also voice concernRepresentatives of the Israeli film industry are redoubling efforts to caution against the wisdom of a pledge signed by some 1,800 significant professionals vowing not to work with Israeli film institutions they say are “implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people”.The pledge, announced on Monday, was initially signed by 1,200 film-makers including Yorgos Lanthimos, Ava DuVernay, Asif Kapadia, Boots Riley and Joshua Oppenheimer; and actors Olivia Colman, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Ayo Edebiri, Riz Ahmed, Josh O’Connor, Cynthia Nixon, Julie Christie, Ilana Glazer, Rebecca Hall, Aimee Lou Wood and Debra Winger. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Gaza zealots force Gal Gadot off red carpet: Israeli actress will stay away from Venice Film Festival amid political row

Gadot and her co-star in the film, Gerard Butler , are coming under pressure over their perceived support of the state of Israel during its military campaign in Gaza.

Politics

2 w. ago Venice Film Festival set to begin as activists hope to shift the spotlight to Gaza

The Venice Film Festival is kicking off amid protests and calls to boycott Israeli actor Gal Gadot

Culture

3 w. ago Gal Gadot blames ‘pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel’ for box office failure of Snow White

Israeli actor says she received death threats after her co-star Rachel Zegler supported Palestine in a post on XThe actor Gal Gadot has said that she credits a “pressure on celebrities to speak out against Israel” with the failure of last year’s live action remake of Snow White.Her co-star, Rachel Zegler, showed her support for Palestine while promoting the film, writing on X: “i love you all so much! thank you for the love and for 120m views on our trailer in just 24 hours! what a whirlwind. i am in the thick of rehearsals for romeo + juliet so i’m gonna get outta here. bye for now. and always remember, free palestine.” Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Aimee Lou Wood wraps up on snowy festive set as she films exciting new Christmas advert

The White Lotus and Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood has been pictured getting into the festive mood as she is filming for Marks & Spencer's new Christmas advert

Politics

4 w. ago Toronto film festival 'pulls October 7 documentary because Hamas did not give permission to use bodycam footage'

Israel 's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar likened cancelling the film due to a lack of Hamas 'clearance' to asking for Adolf Hitler's approval for Auschwitz footage, reported i24NEWS.

Culture