Editor’s Note: French filmmaker and screenwriter Audrey Diwan is the director of Venice Golden Lion-winning abortion drama Happening (L’Evénément). Adapted from celebrated French writer Annie Ernaux’s autobiographical novel of the same name, it follows the emotionally harrowing and physically perilous battle of a brilliant literature student to obtain an abortion in 1963, some 12 years before it was made legal in France. The film’s unexpectedly timely U.S. release by IFC Films in May coincided with news via a leaked document that the Supreme Court was on the verge of overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized women’s constitutional right to abortion in the US. This came to pass on Friday (June 24). As abortion clinics begin closing in some U.S. states, Diwan has penned a column for us on a decision that has sent shockwaves across the world. We should not lie to ourselves. Let’s start with the facts. We all know that when the right … [Read more...] about ‘Happening’ Director Audrey Diwan On Roe V Wade: “I Never Imagined That Such A Big Democracy Could Accept This” — Guest Column
This feeling big little lies
‘SNL’: Jerrod Carmichael Talks Coming Out, Refuses To Talk About Will Smith’s Oscars Debacle In Opening Monologue
“Thank you. Thank you very, very much. I’m not going to talk about it,” actor-comedian Jerrod Carmichael said up top, in his first opening monologue as host of SNL . “ I want to be clear up top: I’ve talked about it enough, kept talking about it, kept thinking about it. I don’t want to talk about it, and you can’t make me talk about it.” While Carmichael seemed at first to be referencing the fact that he’d recently come out as gay in his new HBO comedy special, Rothaniel , it turns out that he was, in fact, more than happy to address that particular situation. Carmichael said he hopes people will watch the special and referenced coming out, to cheers from the crowd, which he called “an expected response” in New York. “It’s actually why I live here. If you say you’re gay in New York, you can ride the bus for free and people just give you pizza. Honestly, if you’re gay in New York, you get to host Saturday Night Live , ” he joked. “This is the gayest … [Read more...] about ‘SNL’: Jerrod Carmichael Talks Coming Out, Refuses To Talk About Will Smith’s Oscars Debacle In Opening Monologue
As a Child, Hal Baddie’s ‘Doll Activities’ Were Hidden. Now, She’s Using Them to Take Over TikTok
Devin Halbal has a distinct memory of her first experience with “doll activities.” It was three Powerpuff Girls toys — the intuitive Blossom; Buttercup, known for her tough exterior; and the optimistic Bubbles. She was in preschool, and wanted to bring the dolls in for show and tell. But her mom refused, so Habal brought in a photo of her cat instead. “That was the first moment where I knew something was wrong with me playing with dolls,” Halbal tells Rolling Stone . “It was just, like, a matter of not letting other people know that I played with dolls.” But times have changed. Halbal, 23, now displays the qualities of each of her favorite Powerpuff dolls — and being a trans woman who grew up in New York City, it’s helpful to have all three. And today, she’s turned what she calls “doll activities” into a way of life. Known to her fans as Hal Baddie, Halbal has been creating content as a travel influencer on TikTok since June 2021, growing her following (which is now over … [Read more...] about As a Child, Hal Baddie’s ‘Doll Activities’ Were Hidden. Now, She’s Using Them to Take Over TikTok
Bill Maher Says Democrats Should Take a Lesson from Johnny Depp’s Lawyer
As if Johnny Depp 's lawyer, Camille Vasquez , couldn't get any bigger ... Bill Maher is now telling the Democratic Party her skills are exactly what they need to win -- GOOD REPRESENTATION!!! The "Real Time" host went in hard on the Dems, giving them what sounds like a simple instruction ... you, like Vasquez, are representatives -- advocates, like lawyers -- and you need to rep your constituents and not an idea that doesn't connect with them. Camille was singularly focused to protect and preserve Johnny -- no one else and no greater cause, just Mr. Depp -- and as a result of her focus and good lawyering, she won . The Dems, on the other hand, according to Bill, have become more focused on things other than their constituents, and that's why they're in big trouble. He gives examples ... Asian American voters are flipping from Democrat to Republican -- Dems lost 16% of Asian Americans since 2020 -- in part because of the move to eliminate advanced programs … [Read more...] about Bill Maher Says Democrats Should Take a Lesson from Johnny Depp’s Lawyer
Yeh Hai Chahatein: Abrar Qazi Wasn’t Keen On Playing A Father, But Eventually He Agreed Because Of Ruhi
Abrar Qazi, who is seen currently in Star Plus' popular show Yeh Hai Chahatein , recently spoke about his show. The actor revealed that initially when he was told about the leap and that he would be playing the role of father to young girl Ruhi AKA Swarna Pandey, he wasn't keen on it. He revealed that it was the little girl because of which he agreed. The actor was quoted by Times Of India as saying, "Currently I am playing a father to a young girl Ruhi (Swarna Pandey) in the show. When the show was taking a leap and they told me about it, I wasn't keen on playing father. But eventually I agreed because Roohi and I bonded very well and I am happy playing her father on screen." Abrar does not enjoy watching reels or people's updates on social media, and feels it is cringy. He said they are silly and wondered why people even do that. He added that he will never be able to do it. The actor also said that if they get money out of it then its good otherwise, he … [Read more...] about Yeh Hai Chahatein: Abrar Qazi Wasn’t Keen On Playing A Father, But Eventually He Agreed Because Of Ruhi
INTERVIEW! R Madhavan: I Am An Outsider But I Can Say That There Are A Lot Of Good People In The Film Industry
"We filmmakers make many big budget movies to tell about the freedom struggle, about the Mughal rule and our history, but there is another field where India's achievements are appreciated and we don't talk about, that is science and technology. There are many heroes of this field in our country and I think it is very important to talk about them", says the actor, producer and director of upcoming film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect . R Madhavan has also written the screenplay of this film. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect is all set to hit the theatres on July 1. It is based on the life of former ISRO scientist and aerospace engineer Nambi Narayanan. The film premiered at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, where it was well received by the viewers. Ahead of the release of the film, Madhavan had a special interaction with the media, where he spoke in detail about his directorial debut, his process of selecting scripts and also about the popularity of Rehnaa Hai Tere Terre … [Read more...] about INTERVIEW! R Madhavan: I Am An Outsider But I Can Say That There Are A Lot Of Good People In The Film Industry
BALH 2’s Reena Aggarwal Recalls When Dog Attacked Her & Bit Her On Face: I’m Proud I Stood The Test Of Time
Reena Aggarwal, who is currently seen in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2 , will be seen in Alpha Beta Gamma , which was screened at Cannes Film Festival. The actress is glad that her debut film reaching a global platform. Recently, she spoke about the film and recalled her struggling days. She is happy to have been able to return to work with a bang after a mishap that she got to experience on the sets of one of the shows. Talking about the film, the actress told Hindustan Times that after doing a number of TV shows, when she was offered rom-com film, she was eager to do a light-hearted role. She said that it was a small-budget film and they completed the project with limited crew and limited budget but with full passion. She feels that this might ve the reason that the film did really well on international circuit and won them praise at Cannes. She added that now they are extremely excited to release it India as well. Reena is proud that she stood the test of time … [Read more...] about BALH 2’s Reena Aggarwal Recalls When Dog Attacked Her & Bit Her On Face: I’m Proud I Stood The Test Of Time
‘Elvis’ Shakes, Rattles & Rolls To $31M+ In Fierce Dance-Off At Box Office With ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
SATURDAY AM UPDATE: Refresh for more analysis and chart In an amazing feat for an adult-skewing, 2 hour and 39 minute running movie at the box office, Warner Bros’ Baz Luhrmann directed Elvis is heading toward an estimated $31.5M opening, looking to truly top the box office. Outside of superhero tentpoles like Spider-Man: No Way Home at 2 hours and 28 minutes, lengthy movies have largely seen their openings capped during the pandemic, i.e. House of Gucci at 2 hours and 38 minutes did a 3-day of $14.4M while West Side Story at 2 hours, 36 minutes opened to $10.5M. In addition, it’s an embarrassment of riches for most of the majors this weekend as at least four movies look to clear $20M+ apiece. Elvis skewed heavily female at 58% with a massive 30% over 55 years old. Women and older adults have been the hard demos to pull out during the pandemic and it’s clear in the wake of elder demo movies such as Top Gun: Maverick cracking past the half billion … [Read more...] about ‘Elvis’ Shakes, Rattles & Rolls To $31M+ In Fierce Dance-Off At Box Office With ‘Top Gun: Maverick’
Cyndi Lauper Shares New Version of Abortion Rights Song ‘Sally’s Pigeons’ After Roe Repeal
Cyndi Lauper has released a re-recorded rendition of her 1993 abortion rights song “Sally’s Pigeons” following the Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade . Originally released nearly 30 years ago, “Sally’s Pigeons” told the story of Lauper’s childhood friend who, as a teenager, got pregnant and died following a back-alley abortion procedure. “The Supreme Court’s radical decision today makes the re-recording and re-release of ‘Sally’s Pigeons’ more relevant than ever,” Lauper said in a statement. “In my childhood, women didn’t have reproductive freedom and 50 years later we find ourselves in a time warp where one’s freedom to control their own body has been stripped away.” Lauper entered the studio to record the new acoustic version of her song in May after the leak of the Supreme Court memo that revealed the plan to overturn of Roe v. Wade. Lauper — who attended a Planned Parenthood Bans Off Our Bodies march in New York City in May — released the song Friday when the … [Read more...] about Cyndi Lauper Shares New Version of Abortion Rights Song ‘Sally’s Pigeons’ After Roe Repeal
Sanjana Sanghi Opens Up On How She Prepped For Rashtra Kavach Om
One of the most- awaited action entertainers starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjana Sanghi- Rashtra Kavach Om is set to release theatrically on 1st July 2022. Helmed by Kapil Verma, the leading starcast appears in extremely aggressive and heavy-duty action-packed roles for their film. To prep herself as Kavya in Om , Sanjana Sanghi took professional training for a period of 3 months to perfectly perform the hardcore action sequences. She was also trained in martial arts, various forms of fights and the usage of heavy weapons, demanded for her role. Her transformation to get into the bold and furious character Kavya in Rashtra Kavach Om has astounded the audience tremendously. Speaking of her training and preparation for the film, Sanjana said, "To be entrusted with being and becoming Kavya by Kapil and Ahmed Sir has been the most humbling journey of my career yet. Putting in the hours at training and learning each skill from weapon training to hand-to-hand … [Read more...] about Sanjana Sanghi Opens Up On How She Prepped For Rashtra Kavach Om