Venice, Italy | AFP | Director John Landis says his new 3D version of “Thriller” gives Michael Jackson fans chance to see the groundbreaking video how the late king of pop would have wanted them to. “Michael and I always intended it to be seen in a cinema,” Landis told reporters …
Read More »Govt taken to court over proposed demolition of National Theatre
Govt taken to court over proposed demolition of National Theatre Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | Civil Society Organizations have dragged government and the Trustees of the Uganda National Cultural Centre to the High Court in Kampala, challenging the proposed demolition of the National Theatre and Nommo Gallery. National Cultural …
Read More »Hollywood stars enter Confederate symbols row
Venice, Italy | AFP |Hollywood stars George Clooney and Julianne Moore on Saturday weighed in on the debate raging in the United States over statues and other symbols of the pro-slavery side in the American Civil War. The pair spoke out on the issue at the Venice film festival, where …
Read More »Annette Bening says women progressing in film biz
Venice, Italy | AFP | US actress Annette Bening said Wednesday she believes women are making progress in the movie industry, despite only one female-directed film making it into the competition selection at Venice, where she is chairing the awards jury. “There is sexism of course, no question. But I think …
Read More »Security tightened at Spain’s tomato throwing festival after attacks
Buñol, Spain | AFP | Extra police were deployed at Spain’s annual “Tomatina” tomato throwing festival in the eastern town of Bunol on Wednesday in the wake of the deadly twin vehicle attacks in Catalonia. A total of 740 security forces were on duty, including police officers, firefighters and ambulance workers, …
Read More »Year after album, Frank Ocean drops mellow new track
New York, United States | AFP | Frank Ocean, the introspective singer who has thumbed his nose at music industry conventions, has unexpectedly released a new song, a reflection on relationships set to a mellow R&B vibe. Ocean put out the new track, “Provider,” on his irregularly scheduled Apple Music radio …
Read More »UCC unveils list of festival competitors for 2017
Kampala, Uganda | JULIUS BUSINGE | The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has released nominees for the fifth edition of Uganda Film Festival (UFF2017) indicating an increase in number of participants from 118 in 2016 to 145 this year. This development comes as industry players prepare to celebrate Film Festival Week scheduled …
Read More »Indian film industry hails chief censor’s exit
Mumbai, India | AFP | India’s film industry on Monday welcomed the departure of the country’s chief film censor, who had stoked controversy by axing James Bond’s kissing scenes and briefly blocking the release of a movie for being too “lady-oriented”. The government said late Friday it was replacing Pahlaj …
Read More »Senegalese singer charged for remarks against president
Dakar, Senegal | AFP | A Senegalese singer was formally charged with “offending the head of state and broadcasting fake news”, her lawyer told AFP Wednesday, after audio of her lashing out at President Macky Sall went viral. Amy Colle Dieng, 39, was arrested on August 3 after unleashing a social …
Read More »Country music legend Glen Campbell dead at 81
Washington, United States | AFP | Country music legend Glen Campbell, the mellow-voiced “Rhinestone Cowboy” who sold millions of albums over a career that spanned decades, has died at the age of 81. Campbell, who left his mark on the music, television and movie worlds, died in Nashville, Tennessee, after a …
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