Philpapers survey 2020 questions

Whenever the Iranian regime feels threatened by public protest its reflex is to go after two groups: demonstrators, most assuredly, but also artists – especially filmmakers. When protests surged in six provinces in May last year over rising food prices, the government promptly banged on the doors of two documentary filmmakers, Mina Keshavarz and Firouzeh Khosrovani, and arrested them. For good measure, law enforcement agents reportedly harassed numerous other filmmakers, seizing their communications equipment. The May unrest appears mild compared to the uproar triggered in September 2022 by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab in accordance with law. Security forces have attacked and killed an unknown number of demonstrators in the course of months of protests. The government also responded with an immediate clamp down on leading figures in Iranian cinema, detaining or imprisoning Jafar Panahi, Mohammad … [Read more...] about Wim Wenders, Afsun Moshiry Unveil Six Iranian Docs At CPH:DOX As Iran’s Regime Continues Crackdown On Filmmakers

The issues Westworld was exploring went from “sci-fi to documentary film” through the years, according to co-creator Lisa Joy , who hinted at what a fifth season of the HBO smash could have looked like. Delivering a Series Mania keynote, Joy said that advances in AI and the invention of ChatGPT mean that Westworld’s subject matter has become more relevant and contemporaneous of late. “These topics will continue to be explored if not in Westworld then in other series, taking [the topic] to new levels,” she said, in conversation with Deadline. “I think it’s an area rife with possibility.” Westworld was canceled by HBO Max after four seasons late last year and both Joy and co-creator Jonathan Nolan have said they would have liked it to continue for a fifth and final instalment. Roku and Tubi have since picked up the show’s back catalog. Throughout the series, which lasted for six years from 2016, Joy explained the issues Westworld was exploring “went … [Read more...] about ‘Westworld’ Co-Creator Lisa Joy On How The HBO Smash “Went From Sci-Fi To Documentary” Through The Seasons – Series Mania

"1000-Lb. Sisters" star Amy Slaton 's hubby Michael Halterman is callin' it quits on their marriage -- he recently filed for divorce. Michael filed last week in Union County, Kentucky, TMZ has confirmed ... starting the process to officially end their 6-year marriage. Fans of the hit TLC series remember the couple eloped 2 years before their 2019 wedding, which was a highlight of the show -- Amy and Michael had been longtime lovers, and as kids, they grew up together. Amy and her sister Tammy were gunning for weight loss surgery, with Amy getting medical approval -- and losing over 100 pounds -- with the goal of being able to have a kid with Michael, which eventually came to fruition. She gave birth to their first son, Gage , in 2020 -- and the divorce comes on the heels of Amy giving birth to their 2nd son, Glenn Allen , last July. … [Read more...] about ‘1000-Lb. Sisters’ Amy Slaton’s Husband Michael Halterman Files for Divorce