The suicide squad

The mistreatment and persecution of the LGBTQ community in Chechnya has been an ongoing issue, but in March 2017 a glaring spotlight was put on the Russian republic as reports of gay and bisexual men being abducted, tortured, beaten and even killed at the hands of authorities started coming to the forefront. Oscar-nominated director David France did not waste any time in deciding to confront this issue head-on with the documentary Welcome to Chechnya , which debuts June 30 on HBO . In a place where there are no protections for those in the LGBTQ community and where they are openly mistreated and oppressed, France already had a volatile landscape to navigate. In the documentary, he follows a group of undercover activists in Chechnya who risk their lives to rescue victims and provide them with safe houses and visa assistance to escape an oppressive system. We are introduced David Isteev, the Crisis Response Coordinator for the nation-wide Russian LGBT Network as well as Olga … [Read more...] about ‘Welcome To Chechnya’ Director David France Talks Dangerous Risks And Lifesaving Hope Of LGBTQ Docu

Zack Snyder will be given the first-ever Valiant Award at the 4th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards ceremony on Friday. Snyder, who helmed Man of Steel , Batman v Superman , and the upcoming Zack Snyder's Justice League , is being honored for how he and his wife Deborah responded to the death of their daughter by suicide in March 2017. At the time, Zack Snyder stepped down from his directing duties on Justice League and the pair have since worked to raise money to help prevent others from experiencing the same pain. "As a fan of Synder's ever since Dawn of the Dead , I couldn't be happier that we will be acknowledging his visionary filmmaking and resilience to overcome any obstacles," HCA chair Scott Menzel said in a statement on Wednesday. RELATED: Army of the Dead Footage Showcases Zack Snyder's First Time Out as a Cinematographer In a statement of her own, HCA chair Ashley Menzel added: "As someone whose own life was impacted due to suicide, I was … [Read more...] about Zack Snyder to Receive First-Ever Valiant Award from Hollywood Critics Association

Breaking News Getty The Washington Football Team is making another drastic change -- the organization will feature a coed dance team in 2021 ... ditching its cheerleading program for the first time in more than 50 seasons. WFT's new senior advisor Petra Pope made the announcement Tuesday, saying the "First Ladies of Football" -- the longest-running cheer program in the NFL -- will be replaced by a coed team for a more "modern and diverse" look. "We want to be more inclusive, so we are going to invite a coed entity (to audition)," Pope said to USA TODAY Sports . "We’re able to do more things with the strength of a male, and lifts, so that’s changed a great deal. The inclusivity, strength and interest of choreography has changed." Even though it's a dance team, former cheerleaders will be allowed to try out for the new squad ... which will consist of more than 36 members. Of course, this change comes after several former cheerleaders made serious … [Read more...] about Washington Football Team Replacing Cheerleaders With Coed Dance Team For 2021

Texas group Mike and the Moonpies will celebrate the work of country songwriting great Gary Stewart on their new album, Touch of You – The Lost Songs of Gary Stewart . The band’s version of “Smooth Shot of Whiskey,” featuring Midland ’s Mark Wystrach, is out now. The full album, which follows the Abbey Road project Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold , will arrive May 28th. Working closely with Stewart’s daughter, Shannon, and friend Tommy Schwartz, Moonpies frontman Mike Harmeier listened to unreleased demos from Stewart’s vault, choosing 10 that were originally written or co-written during the 1970s and 1980s. Produced by Adam Odor and finished remotely by the band during quarantine, Touch of You also includes guest appearances by Jamie Lin Wilson and Courtney Patton. The May 28th release date is timed to coincide with the late Stewart’s birthday. Related Midland Tell Their Origin Story in New Documentary 'Sonic Ranch' Texas Musicians on How They're … [Read more...] about Mike and the Moonpies Cover Gary Stewart on New Album, ‘Touch of You’