'Parasite' director Bong Joon Ho had his arms full of Oscar statues at a post-show celebration, after his social satire won the Oscar for best picture on Sunday (February 9), making history as the first film not in the English language to win the movie industry's highest honor.

'Parasite' director has arms full of Oscar statues at post-show engraving

The 18th year of Oscars' 'Night Before'&nbsp;is returning with a bang with the creme de la creme of the Hollywood film fraternity scheduled to attend the invite-only event on coming Saturday. 
 
The exclusive gala evening on will benefit the Motion Picture &amp; Television Fund. As per the news agency, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cynthia Erivo, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lopez are among the top celebrities who have signed up as host committee members for this year's event.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/oscars-2020-let-there-be-light-279028">Some films get snubbed by the Oscars and yet create history of their own</a> 
 
The host committee for this year's party comprises of winners and nominees from the past year's award ceremony along with the present year's nominees. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-oscars-2020-did-the-academy-announce-the-winners-list-on-twitter-by-mistake-278681">Did the Academy by mistake announce the winners list on Twitter?</a> 
 
The committee features Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo, Octavia Spencer, Stella, and Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hanks, Laura Dern among others. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-oscars-news-this-is-why-we-think-sam-mendes-1917-is-front-runner-for-oscars-best-film-275491">This is why we think Sam Mendes' '1917' is front runner for Oscars Best Film</a> 
 
The funds raised on the night of the party will be used to support industry colleagues and friends who benefit from MPTF's charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and the retirement facility in Woodland Hills that is "home" to television and film veterans alike. 
 
Last year's event raised $5 million. Jeffrey Katzenberg serves as chairman of the MPTF Foundation. The prestigious dinner party, that has been a constant for the past 18 years on the Saturday night before the Oscars, will be held at Fox Studios this time.&nbsp;

The 18th year of Oscars' 'Night Before' is returning with a bang with the creme de la creme of the Hollywood film fraternity scheduled to attend the invite-only event on coming Saturday.

The 18th year of Oscars' 'Night Before' is returning with a bang with the creme de la creme of the Hollywood film fraternity scheduled to attend the invite-only event on coming Saturday. The exclusive gala evening on will benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund. As per the news agency, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cynthia Erivo, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lopez are among the top celebrities who have signed up as host committee members for this year's event. Also read: Some films get snubbed by the Oscars and yet create history of their own The host committee for this year's party comprises of winners and nominees from the past year's award ceremony along with the present year's nominees. Also read: Did the Academy by mistake announce the winners list on Twitter? The committee features Amy Adams and Darren Le Gallo, Octavia Spencer, Stella, and Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hanks, Laura Dern among others. Also read: This is why we think Sam Mendes' '1917' is front runner for Oscars Best Film The funds raised on the night of the party will be used to support industry colleagues and friends who benefit from MPTF's charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support and the retirement facility in Woodland Hills that is "home" to television and film veterans alike. Last year's event raised $5 million. Jeffrey Katzenberg serves as chairman of the MPTF Foundation. The prestigious dinner party, that has been a constant for the past 18 years on the Saturday night before the Oscars, will be held at Fox Studios this time.

Oscar's 'Night Before' party to glisten with a-list celebrity hosts

Hollywood's directors handed World War I thriller '1917'&nbsp;their top annual prize Saturday, one of the final major award shows that typically spells success at next month's Oscars.

The win makes British auteur Sam Mendes hot favourite for the best director Oscar the Directors Guild of America Awards have correctly predicted the victor the past six years running. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/1917-review-sam-mendes-film-is-haunting-heartbreaking-yet-the-most-compelling-piece-of-art-274832">Read our review of the film here.&nbsp;</a> 
 
The movie, which follows two British soldiers on a perilous mission across no man's land, has already scooped the Golden Globe for best drama and has 10 Oscar nominations.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/this-is-why-we-think-sam-mendes-1917-is-front-runner-for-oscars-best-film-275491"> Also read:&nbsp;This is why&nbsp;Sam Mendes' '1917' is front runner for Oscars&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

Mendes praised the work of fellow nominees Martin Scorsese 'The Irishman', Quentin Tarantino 'Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood', Bong Joon-ho 'Parasite'&nbsp;and Taika Waititi 'Jojo Rabbit'

"To those who kick dirt on the grave of the movies -- not so fast," he said, dedicating the win to his grandfather, whose life inspired the film. "I know it sounds a bit loopy but I did feel he was with us in a couple of occasions when I was struggling," said Mendes.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/2020-oscars-nominations-7-snubs-that-took-everyone-by-surprise-274263">Read about 7 snubs this Oscars nomination.&nbsp;</a> 
 
Victory also boosts the film's frontrunner status for the best picture Academy Award. The win comes more than two decades after Mendes first received the DGA award for 'American Beauty',&nbsp;a victory that led to Oscars wins for that film.

Mendes told the news agency that, his first win had been "frightening to be pitched into this sort of frenzy," adding: "I'm 20 years older and I'm probably a little less scared."

The film's two lead actors paid tribute to Mendes. "He's a master of so many mediums... he's pretty much done it all," said George MacKay.&nbsp;

"We'll be very excited to see what happens at the Oscars &nbsp;I've never been before!" his co-star Dean-Charles Chapman told the news agency. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2020-parasite-makes-history-as-first-south-korean-film-to-get-best-picture-best-foreign-film-nods-274142">'Parasite' makes history as first South Korean film to get Best Picture, Best Foreign Film nods</a>

Hollywood's directors handed World War I thriller '1917' their top annual prize Saturday, one of the final major award shows that typically spells success at next month's Oscars.

Hollywood's directors handed World War I thriller '1917' their top annual prize Saturday, one of the final major award shows that typically spells success at next month's Oscars. The win makes British auteur Sam Mendes hot favourite for the best director Oscar the Directors Guild of America Awards have correctly predicted the victor the past six years running. Read our review of the film here. The movie, which follows two British soldiers on a perilous mission across no man's land, has already scooped the Golden Globe for best drama and has 10 Oscar nominations. Also read: This is why Sam Mendes' '1917' is front runner for Oscars Mendes praised the work of fellow nominees Martin Scorsese 'The Irishman', Quentin Tarantino 'Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood', Bong Joon-ho 'Parasite' and Taika Waititi 'Jojo Rabbit' "To those who kick dirt on the grave of the movies -- not so fast," he said, dedicating the win to his grandfather, whose life inspired the film. "I know it sounds a bit loopy but I did feel he was with us in a couple of occasions when I was struggling," said Mendes. Read about 7 snubs this Oscars nomination. Victory also boosts the film's frontrunner status for the best picture Academy Award. The win comes more than two decades after Mendes first received the DGA award for 'American Beauty', a victory that led to Oscars wins for that film. Mendes told the news agency that, his first win had been "frightening to be pitched into this sort of frenzy," adding: "I'm 20 years older and I'm probably a little less scared." The film's two lead actors paid tribute to Mendes. "He's a master of so many mediums... he's pretty much done it all," said George MacKay. "We'll be very excited to see what happens at the Oscars I've never been before!" his co-star Dean-Charles Chapman told the news agency. 'Parasite' makes history as first South Korean film to get Best Picture, Best Foreign Film nods

Oscar front runner '1917' scoops top hollywood director prize for Sam Mendes

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington.

Under Friday`s accord, Guatemala becomes a so-called "safe third country," turning it into a buffer zone for migrants trying to reach the United States, and potentially lifting applications for asylum in Guatemala from a few hundred a years to tens of thousands.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tears-into-china-on-twitter-as-trade-talks-resume-239492">US President Donald Trump</a> has pushed Mexico and Guatemala to sign such agreements to make asylum-seekers passing through their territory solicit haven in those countries, and not in the United States.

Mexico has so far refused, but under pressure from Trump it has accepted taking in Central American migrants while their applications for asylum in the United States are processed by US courts.&nbsp;

Guatemala only agreed after Trump threatened to impose what <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/guatemalan-presidential-candidates-question-us-migration-deal-238957">President Jimmy Morales</a> described on Facebook as "drastic" economic sanctions against the country, which is heavily dependent on billions of dollars in remittances sent home by Guatemalans in the United States.&nbsp;

Asylum applicants, migration experts and critics of the deal say Guatemala, which itself sends tens of thousands of migrants to the United States each year, has the scant capacity to process asylum-seekers, never mind keep them safe.

"Asylum infrastructure in Guatemala and other parts of the region is still under development," said William Spindler, senior external engagement coordinator for Latin America at the United Nations` refugee agency UNHCR.

"So the number of individual asylum-seekers who can be received and processed with adequate protection guarantees is still limited."

Decisions about whether to grant asylum fall to Guatemala`s National Commission for Refugees (CONARE), an agency represented by officials from the ministries of foreign relations, interior, labour and migration who meet periodically to adjudicate claims.

The CONARE "is not an office as such, and meets only to analyse, grant and deny shelter," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala`s General Directorate of Migration.

Compared to the United States and neighbouring Mexico, which has received tens of thousands of asylum applicants, the numbers of applicants in Guatemala has been negligible.

As such, CONARE met only twice between 2013 and 2014, according to a 2018 UNHCR document. Meetings since that year have increased after a jump in applications, it said.

Between 2002 and 2014, the document said, CONARE analysed an average of seven cases per year. From 2015, applications began accelerating, and so far in 2019, CONARE has received 226. But none of those has yet been approved, said Mena.&nbsp;

Critics say that backlog could spell trouble for the deal, which was immediately called into question by the two contenders battling to assume Guatemala`s presidency in 2020.

"If you can`t deal with 60 or 100 requests, what will you do when you receive hundreds?," said Mauro Verzeletti, director of a migrant shelter in Guatemala City.

Safe country

Oscar, 47, a public health technician from Honduras who declined to give his last name out of fear of reprisals, said he had been waiting six months for asylum in Guatemala.

He fled the violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula after officials harassed him for investigating the murders of LGBTQ individuals, including a friend, he said.&nbsp;

In Mexico, he joined a caravan of migrants, but fell ill and could not manage the long daily treks further north toward the US border.&nbsp;

Oscar eventually ended up back in Guatemala, but he told Reuters the risks he faced just across the border with Honduras were almost the same as at home.&nbsp;

"To me, the idea of a `safe country` is a country without corruption, without violence, that gives us work, home and food, but Guatemala has no jobs (even) for Guatemalans," Oscar said.&nbsp;

"It`s not that I`m ungrateful, but Guatemala has the same conditions as Honduras," he added.

People from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador make up the bulk of the migrants caught on the US-Mexican border, and the so-called Northern Triangle countries have some of the highest murder rates in the Americas.

Since January, Oscar has had two interviews at Guatemala`s migration directorate, which granted him a provisional residence permit he must renew every month. Still, migrant shelters only allow three-day stays, and finding work has been tough, he said.

The US-Guatemala agreement faces other challenges.&nbsp;

On July 14, Guatemala`s Constitutional Court ruled that Morales could not sign a safe third country agreement without congressional approval, an obstacle that the two presidential candidates pointed to last weekend.

Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who signed the deal in Washington, and Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel on Monday denied that Guatemala had reached the agreement under duress.&nbsp;

"We were not coerced, pressured, or forced to sign anything at all," Degenhart said. 
&nbsp;

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington.

Guatemala`s refugee agency meets only sporadically and operates on a bare-bones basis, adding to doubts about how the crime-wracked, impoverished Central American country will cope with a surge in asylum-seekers under a deal signed with Washington. Under Friday`s accord, Guatemala becomes a so-called "safe third country," turning it into a buffer zone for migrants trying to reach the United States, and potentially lifting applications for asylum in Guatemala from a few hundred a years to tens of thousands. US President Donald Trump has pushed Mexico and Guatemala to sign such agreements to make asylum-seekers passing through their territory solicit haven in those countries, and not in the United States. Mexico has so far refused, but under pressure from Trump it has accepted taking in Central American migrants while their applications for asylum in the United States are processed by US courts. Guatemala only agreed after Trump threatened to impose what President Jimmy Morales described on Facebook as "drastic" economic sanctions against the country, which is heavily dependent on billions of dollars in remittances sent home by Guatemalans in the United States. Asylum applicants, migration experts and critics of the deal say Guatemala, which itself sends tens of thousands of migrants to the United States each year, has the scant capacity to process asylum-seekers, never mind keep them safe. "Asylum infrastructure in Guatemala and other parts of the region is still under development," said William Spindler, senior external engagement coordinator for Latin America at the United Nations` refugee agency UNHCR. "So the number of individual asylum-seekers who can be received and processed with adequate protection guarantees is still limited." Decisions about whether to grant asylum fall to Guatemala`s National Commission for Refugees (CONARE), an agency represented by officials from the ministries of foreign relations, interior, labour and migration who meet periodically to adjudicate claims. The CONARE "is not an office as such, and meets only to analyse, grant and deny shelter," said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Guatemala`s General Directorate of Migration. Compared to the United States and neighbouring Mexico, which has received tens of thousands of asylum applicants, the numbers of applicants in Guatemala has been negligible. As such, CONARE met only twice between 2013 and 2014, according to a 2018 UNHCR document. Meetings since that year have increased after a jump in applications, it said. Between 2002 and 2014, the document said, CONARE analysed an average of seven cases per year. From 2015, applications began accelerating, and so far in 2019, CONARE has received 226. But none of those has yet been approved, said Mena. Critics say that backlog could spell trouble for the deal, which was immediately called into question by the two contenders battling to assume Guatemala`s presidency in 2020. "If you can`t deal with 60 or 100 requests, what will you do when you receive hundreds?," said Mauro Verzeletti, director of a migrant shelter in Guatemala City. Safe country Oscar, 47, a public health technician from Honduras who declined to give his last name out of fear of reprisals, said he had been waiting six months for asylum in Guatemala. He fled the violent Honduran city of San Pedro Sula after officials harassed him for investigating the murders of LGBTQ individuals, including a friend, he said. In Mexico, he joined a caravan of migrants, but fell ill and could not manage the long daily treks further north toward the US border. Oscar eventually ended up back in Guatemala, but he told Reuters the risks he faced just across the border with Honduras were almost the same as at home. "To me, the idea of a `safe country` is a country without corruption, without violence, that gives us work, home and food, but Guatemala has no jobs (even) for Guatemalans," Oscar said. "It`s not that I`m ungrateful, but Guatemala has the same conditions as Honduras," he added. People from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador make up the bulk of the migrants caught on the US-Mexican border, and the so-called Northern Triangle countries have some of the highest murder rates in the Americas. Since January, Oscar has had two interviews at Guatemala`s migration directorate, which granted him a provisional residence permit he must renew every month. Still, migrant shelters only allow three-day stays, and finding work has been tough, he said. The US-Guatemala agreement faces other challenges. On July 14, Guatemala`s Constitutional Court ruled that Morales could not sign a safe third country agreement without congressional approval, an obstacle that the two presidential candidates pointed to last weekend. Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who signed the deal in Washington, and Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel on Monday denied that Guatemala had reached the agreement under duress. "We were not coerced, pressured, or forced to sign anything at all," Degenhart said.

Guatemala's shortcomings raise doubts about US migration deal

Actress Doris Day, who became one of the greatest box-office attractions of her time as the cheery, freckle-faced personification of wholesomeness, died on Monday at the age of 97.

Hollywood singer and actress Doris Day dies at 97

&nbsp;Ace actor trio, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones have teamed up for George Gallo`s action-comedy `The Comeback Tail`.

Josh Posner has along with Gallo penned the screenplay of the flick that is based on the 1982 movie of the same name, reported `The Hollywood Reporter`.

Niro will essay the role of Max Barber, who is in debt to a crime lord (Morgan Freeman).

Max starts an insurance fraud by casting washed-up, suicidal movie star Duke Montana (Jones) in a poorly written Western with the intention of killing him during the first days of filming.

However, Duke takes Max and others as they embark on the same journey.

Steven Tyler Sahlein, March On Productions` Richard Salvatore and David Ornston, along with Joy Sirott Hurwitz and Julie Lott Gallo are producing the film together.

Earlier,&nbsp;Rober De Niro and Morgan Freeman shared screen space in the 2013 comedy `Last Vegas`.

Gallo has also worked with Niro in the 1988 film `Midnight Run`, while his last film `The Poison rose` Freeman starred with John Travolta.

Ace actor trio, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones have teamed up for George Gallo`s action-comedy `The Comeback Tail`. Josh Posner has along with Gallo penned the screenplay of the flick that is based on the 1982 movie of the same name, reported `The Hollywood Reporter`.

Ace actor trio, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Tommy Lee Jones have teamed up for George Gallo`s action-comedy `The Comeback Tail`. Josh Posner has along with Gallo penned the screenplay of the flick that is based on the 1982 movie of the same name, reported `The Hollywood Reporter`. Niro will essay the role of Max Barber, who is in debt to a crime lord (Morgan Freeman). Max starts an insurance fraud by casting washed-up, suicidal movie star Duke Montana (Jones) in a poorly written Western with the intention of killing him during the first days of filming. However, Duke takes Max and others as they embark on the same journey. Steven Tyler Sahlein, March On Productions` Richard Salvatore and David Ornston, along with Joy Sirott Hurwitz and Julie Lott Gallo are producing the film together. Earlier, Rober De Niro and Morgan Freeman shared screen space in the 2013 comedy `Last Vegas`. Gallo has also worked with Niro in the 1988 film `Midnight Run`, while his last film `The Poison rose` Freeman starred with John Travolta.

Oscar winners Robert De Niro, Tommy Lee Jones, Morgan Freeman team up for 'The Comeback Trail'

Oscar-winner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/im-a-film-nerd-says-anne-hathaway-193160">Anne Hathaway</a> on Thursday (May 9) paid tribute to her fans as the actress was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

Hathaway, who won a best supporting actress Oscar in 1993 for "Les Miserables," said she was "excited" to share the star with her fans and those who have supported her throughout her long career.

"It makes me so excited that this star can be a space for my incredible fans, my fans, who are the reason that this piece of land has been named for me, can pour their own vibrant, loving spirit. This is a spot that has meaning to me because of you," said Hathaway, whose star ceremony came a day before the release of her latest movie, crime comedy "The Hustle."

"So much of success is due to the people who believe in you. In my case, these are people who met me when I was very young and these are people who, not for one second, thought it was inappropriate for a young girl to have ambition," she added.

Director Dee Rees, who worked with Hathaway on Netflix's upcoming "The Last Thing He Wanted," turned out to support the star, along with actress and rapper Awkwafina, who co-starred with Hathaway in "Ocean's 8."

"Her big warm smile, her big warm hug and the genuine welcome in her voice when she said 'hi. I'm Annie, call me Annie.' And I was so stunned by her friendliness I think I still called her by her entire first and last name for the rest of the conversation, like 'nice to meet you Anne Hathaway, could you please pass the ketchup Anne Hathaway,'" recalled Dee Rees of the first time she met Hathaway.

Awkwafina also paid tribute to Hathaway, calling the actress a "sister."

"I've called Annie a sister before because that is what she is. There are certain things about Annie, aside from her incredible accomplishments, there is a good person, a person that brings joy, a fighter, a listener and she fights selflessly for so many people," said Awkwafina.

"I think when we talk about heroes and we talk about young girls coming into this industry looking for heroes, to have you honored, being honored today Annie, it's an honor for me because I've idolized you my whole life and it's an honor for all the young girls that you have taught to be better people so congratulations and you really deserve this," she added.

Hathaway first found fame in 2001 "The Princess Diaries," playing a shy high school student who learns she is heir to the throne of a kingdom in Europe.

She has also starred in films including "Brokeback Mountain," "The Devil Wears Prada'' and "The Dark Knight Rises."

Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway on Thursday (May 9) paid tribute to her fans as the actress was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Hathaway, who won a best supporting actress Oscar in 1993 for "Les Miserables," said she was "excited" to share the star with her fans and those who have supported her throughout her long career.

Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway on Thursday (May 9) paid tribute to her fans as the actress was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Hathaway, who won a best supporting actress Oscar in 1993 for "Les Miserables," said she was "excited" to share the star with her fans and those who have supported her throughout her long career. "It makes me so excited that this star can be a space for my incredible fans, my fans, who are the reason that this piece of land has been named for me, can pour their own vibrant, loving spirit. This is a spot that has meaning to me because of you," said Hathaway, whose star ceremony came a day before the release of her latest movie, crime comedy "The Hustle." "So much of success is due to the people who believe in you. In my case, these are people who met me when I was very young and these are people who, not for one second, thought it was inappropriate for a young girl to have ambition," she added. Director Dee Rees, who worked with Hathaway on Netflix's upcoming "The Last Thing He Wanted," turned out to support the star, along with actress and rapper Awkwafina, who co-starred with Hathaway in "Ocean's 8." "Her big warm smile, her big warm hug and the genuine welcome in her voice when she said 'hi. I'm Annie, call me Annie.' And I was so stunned by her friendliness I think I still called her by her entire first and last name for the rest of the conversation, like 'nice to meet you Anne Hathaway, could you please pass the ketchup Anne Hathaway,'" recalled Dee Rees of the first time she met Hathaway. Awkwafina also paid tribute to Hathaway, calling the actress a "sister." "I've called Annie a sister before because that is what she is. There are certain things about Annie, aside from her incredible accomplishments, there is a good person, a person that brings joy, a fighter, a listener and she fights selflessly for so many people," said Awkwafina. "I think when we talk about heroes and we talk about young girls coming into this industry looking for heroes, to have you honored, being honored today Annie, it's an honor for me because I've idolized you my whole life and it's an honor for all the young girls that you have taught to be better people so congratulations and you really deserve this," she added. Hathaway first found fame in 2001 "The Princess Diaries," playing a shy high school student who learns she is heir to the throne of a kingdom in Europe. She has also starred in films including "Brokeback Mountain," "The Devil Wears Prada'' and "The Dark Knight Rises."

Anne Hathaway honoured with star in Hollywood

The Egyptian village 2019 Oscar Award Winner for Best Actor, Rami Malek's parents hailed from on Tuesday told EFE the 37-year-old actor was a new "Egyptian Pharaoh."

Malek's parents emigrated to the United States in 1978 from Faltaous, a small village in the Egyptian province of Minya, located about four hours south of the North African country's capital, Cairo, along the River Nile.

"We were so excited and no one was able to sleep until the next day," said Fadi Essam, 24, a cousin of Malek, while holding a photo of the actor in front of the home where Malek's parents were raised.

Faltaous is a small primarily Christian Egyptian village that has just four unpaved streets adorned with crosses and graffiti pictures of Christ on the town's walls.

In the settlement of some 350 inhabitants normally nothing can be heard after sunset.

However, Monday at dawn - as Malek was winning the Oscar award thousands of miles away in Los Angeles - the tiny village was bursting with energy and pride.

"We celebrated with cookies and soda, and also with firecrackers that we had bought earlier," said Essam Fawzi-Malek, another cousin of the famed actor.

"My cousin won an Oscar, which is not a normal thing. Now I walk with pride in the street. On the next day (of the awards announcement), people were congratulating me as if it was me who had won the award," Essam said smiling.

Essam said that he remembered Malek's only visit to the village in 2003, accompanied by his parents and his twin brother.

"When he came to the village, my father and my grandfather gave him a galabeya (a traditional cloth also known as jellabiya) to wear, and they took him for a horse ride through the green fields."

"He was very affectionate. He was trying to talk to people (in Arabic) and when they did not understand him, he just hugged them," Fawzi-Malek said.

Although Malek has never lived in Egypt and does not speak Arabic fluently, the actor acknowledged his Egyptian roots to the press after winning the Oscar on Sunday.

Malek said that he had been raised listening to the iconic Egyptian great singer, Umm Kulthum, and watching the movies of the internationally renowned Egyptian actor, Omar Sharif.

"As I got older I realized just how beautiful my heritage and my tradition is," Malek said after winning the Oscar, "I am so privileged to represent it."

"Rami is the pride of all Egypt, not just Upper Egypt or his family," Essam stressed.

The Egyptian village 2019 Oscar Award Winner for Best Actor, Rami Malek's parents hailed from on Tuesday told EFE the 37-year-old actor was a new "Egyptian Pharaoh.

The Egyptian village 2019 Oscar Award Winner for Best Actor, Rami Malek's parents hailed from on Tuesday told EFE the 37-year-old actor was a new "Egyptian Pharaoh." Malek's parents emigrated to the United States in 1978 from Faltaous, a small village in the Egyptian province of Minya, located about four hours south of the North African country's capital, Cairo, along the River Nile. "We were so excited and no one was able to sleep until the next day," said Fadi Essam, 24, a cousin of Malek, while holding a photo of the actor in front of the home where Malek's parents were raised. Faltaous is a small primarily Christian Egyptian village that has just four unpaved streets adorned with crosses and graffiti pictures of Christ on the town's walls. In the settlement of some 350 inhabitants normally nothing can be heard after sunset. However, Monday at dawn - as Malek was winning the Oscar award thousands of miles away in Los Angeles - the tiny village was bursting with energy and pride. "We celebrated with cookies and soda, and also with firecrackers that we had bought earlier," said Essam Fawzi-Malek, another cousin of the famed actor. "My cousin won an Oscar, which is not a normal thing. Now I walk with pride in the street. On the next day (of the awards announcement), people were congratulating me as if it was me who had won the award," Essam said smiling. Essam said that he remembered Malek's only visit to the village in 2003, accompanied by his parents and his twin brother. "When he came to the village, my father and my grandfather gave him a galabeya (a traditional cloth also known as jellabiya) to wear, and they took him for a horse ride through the green fields." "He was very affectionate. He was trying to talk to people (in Arabic) and when they did not understand him, he just hugged them," Fawzi-Malek said. Although Malek has never lived in Egypt and does not speak Arabic fluently, the actor acknowledged his Egyptian roots to the press after winning the Oscar on Sunday. Malek said that he had been raised listening to the iconic Egyptian great singer, Umm Kulthum, and watching the movies of the internationally renowned Egyptian actor, Omar Sharif. "As I got older I realized just how beautiful my heritage and my tradition is," Malek said after winning the Oscar, "I am so privileged to represent it." "Rami is the pride of all Egypt, not just Upper Egypt or his family," Essam stressed.

Rami Malek's Egyptian village celebrates his Oscar win

For more than 30 years, Spike Lee has captivated audiences -- and sometimes angered them -- with his provocative, frank depictions of black America infused with his signature mix of entertainment, activism and rage.

And for the first time, that work has earned him a competitive Oscar as the 61-year-old Lee picked up the prize for best-adapted screenplay on Sunday for his incendiary race drama 'BlacKkKlansman.'

"Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved," he said, referring the first documented Africans to come to the first English settlement in the Americas, in 1619.&nbsp;

It was a rousing impromptu address, delivered from the stage at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, during which Lee spoke of slaves forced to carry out back-breaking work from dawn until dark.

He paid tribute to his grandmother, who "lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave."

'BlacKkKlansman'&nbsp;is a searing yet sometimes hilarious broadside against racism with the stranger-than-fiction true story of an African-American police officer who managed to infiltrate the highest levels of the Ku Klux Klan.

John David Washington, son of Denzel, stars as that cop, Ron Stallworth. Oscar nominee Adam Driver plays his white partner, who acts as his proxy for the actual undercover operation.

"Six words: 'Black man infiltrates Ku Klux Klan'," Lee told CBS News earlier this month of the film pitch.

"That was it. That was it. The greatest ever. Six words!"

Lee has inspired other black directors for decades.

Michael Genet, an actor and screenwriter who penned the script for Lee's 2004 comedy "She Hate Me," says Lee "opened the doors for everybody who's come after him."

African-American director Ryan Coogler "couldn't be who he is today with 'Black Panther' without Spike Lee doing what he did," Genet adds. "It's impossible."

Lee -- born Shelton Jackson Lee in Georgia on March 20, 1957 -- was the son of a jazz musician father and an English teacher mom.&nbsp;

He was primarily raised in Brooklyn, which is home to his production company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.

Lee -- a small man with a piercing gaze from behind his round glasses -- graduated from Atlanta's Morehouse College, a historically black, all-male school, with a communications degree.&nbsp;

He took film classes at Clark Atlanta University and earned his Master's, focusing on film and television, from New York University.

In the hot summer of 1985, Lee filmed 'She's Gotta Have It'&nbsp;in two weeks in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighbourhood. The black-and-white feature was his breakout moment.

He even acted in that first film, taking the supporting role of motor-mouthed Mars Blackmon, one of the main character's three suitors.&nbsp;

John Canada Terrell, one of his co-stars in the movie, described Lee as a "very strange cerebral kind of cat."

"Spike was always quiet. He kept to himself but I called him the idea man," recalls Herbert Eichelberger, an associate professor of film at Clark Atlanta University whom Lee calls his mentor.&nbsp;

"He would come with all kinds of ideas about doing films and making certain kinds of approaches to a situation."

"From the start, he was a good storyteller," says Eichelberger, who thought Lee's career would be focused on documentaries, given his keen powers of observation of society around him.

But Lee would only embrace that format in 1997 with '4 Little Girls'&nbsp;-- the Oscar-nominated story of the racially motivated bombing of an African-American church during the US civil rights movement.

In the decade in between, Lee established himself as a force to be reckoned with, producing films that often had a political bent like 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Malcolm X'&nbsp;and 'Jungle Fever.'

Lee remained outside the usual Hollywood glare, mindful of maintaining control of his own marketing, distribution and editing. His features starred mainly black casts.

That allows him to tell the stories as he sees them, blending human relationships with social themes and dark humour.

Today, Lee -- a fixture at New York Knicks games -- is respected as a director of films with wide appeal that depict American society and culture with razor-sharp clarity.

The success of 'She's Gotta Have It'&nbsp;catapulted Lee to unexpected stardom -- he made a series of black and white Air Jordan ads for Nike, in character as Mars Blackmon and co-starring NBA legend Michael Jordan, that changed sports marketing forever.

Lee has made various other commercials and music videos over the course of his career.

He also has sometimes turned away from his usual films to direct more traditional Hollywood fare like the crime thriller 'Inside Man'&nbsp;(2006) -- one of his greatest box office successes.

Lee earned an honorary Oscar in late 2015 for his "extraordinary contribution" to film, but before this year had never won a competitive Academy Award.

And he came full circle in 2017 with a TV series based on 'She's Gotta Have It,'&nbsp;directing all 10 episodes of the first season for Netflix. A second season is coming, but the streaming giant has not given a premiere date.

For more than 30 years, Spike Lee has captivated audiences -- and sometimes angered them -- with his provocative, frank depictions of black America infused with his signature mix of entertainment, activism and rage.

For more than 30 years, Spike Lee has captivated audiences -- and sometimes angered them -- with his provocative, frank depictions of black America infused with his signature mix of entertainment, activism and rage. And for the first time, that work has earned him a competitive Oscar as the 61-year-old Lee picked up the prize for best-adapted screenplay on Sunday for his incendiary race drama 'BlacKkKlansman.' "Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved," he said, referring the first documented Africans to come to the first English settlement in the Americas, in 1619. It was a rousing impromptu address, delivered from the stage at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, during which Lee spoke of slaves forced to carry out back-breaking work from dawn until dark. He paid tribute to his grandmother, who "lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave." 'BlacKkKlansman' is a searing yet sometimes hilarious broadside against racism with the stranger-than-fiction true story of an African-American police officer who managed to infiltrate the highest levels of the Ku Klux Klan. John David Washington, son of Denzel, stars as that cop, Ron Stallworth. Oscar nominee Adam Driver plays his white partner, who acts as his proxy for the actual undercover operation. "Six words: 'Black man infiltrates Ku Klux Klan'," Lee told CBS News earlier this month of the film pitch. "That was it. That was it. The greatest ever. Six words!" Lee has inspired other black directors for decades. Michael Genet, an actor and screenwriter who penned the script for Lee's 2004 comedy "She Hate Me," says Lee "opened the doors for everybody who's come after him." African-American director Ryan Coogler "couldn't be who he is today with 'Black Panther' without Spike Lee doing what he did," Genet adds. "It's impossible." Lee -- born Shelton Jackson Lee in Georgia on March 20, 1957 -- was the son of a jazz musician father and an English teacher mom. He was primarily raised in Brooklyn, which is home to his production company 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Lee -- a small man with a piercing gaze from behind his round glasses -- graduated from Atlanta's Morehouse College, a historically black, all-male school, with a communications degree. He took film classes at Clark Atlanta University and earned his Master's, focusing on film and television, from New York University. In the hot summer of 1985, Lee filmed 'She's Gotta Have It' in two weeks in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighbourhood. The black-and-white feature was his breakout moment. He even acted in that first film, taking the supporting role of motor-mouthed Mars Blackmon, one of the main character's three suitors. John Canada Terrell, one of his co-stars in the movie, described Lee as a "very strange cerebral kind of cat." "Spike was always quiet. He kept to himself but I called him the idea man," recalls Herbert Eichelberger, an associate professor of film at Clark Atlanta University whom Lee calls his mentor. "He would come with all kinds of ideas about doing films and making certain kinds of approaches to a situation." "From the start, he was a good storyteller," says Eichelberger, who thought Lee's career would be focused on documentaries, given his keen powers of observation of society around him. But Lee would only embrace that format in 1997 with '4 Little Girls' -- the Oscar-nominated story of the racially motivated bombing of an African-American church during the US civil rights movement. In the decade in between, Lee established himself as a force to be reckoned with, producing films that often had a political bent like 'Do The Right Thing,' 'Malcolm X' and 'Jungle Fever.' Lee remained outside the usual Hollywood glare, mindful of maintaining control of his own marketing, distribution and editing. His features starred mainly black casts. That allows him to tell the stories as he sees them, blending human relationships with social themes and dark humour. Today, Lee -- a fixture at New York Knicks games -- is respected as a director of films with wide appeal that depict American society and culture with razor-sharp clarity. The success of 'She's Gotta Have It' catapulted Lee to unexpected stardom -- he made a series of black and white Air Jordan ads for Nike, in character as Mars Blackmon and co-starring NBA legend Michael Jordan, that changed sports marketing forever. Lee has made various other commercials and music videos over the course of his career. He also has sometimes turned away from his usual films to direct more traditional Hollywood fare like the crime thriller 'Inside Man' (2006) -- one of his greatest box office successes. Lee earned an honorary Oscar in late 2015 for his "extraordinary contribution" to film, but before this year had never won a competitive Academy Award. And he came full circle in 2017 with a TV series based on 'She's Gotta Have It,' directing all 10 episodes of the first season for Netflix. A second season is coming, but the streaming giant has not given a premiere date.

Spike Lee opens up on channelling America's black rage with his films

Fashion forecasting Oscar's red carpet

Red roses, bespoke champagne readied for Governors Ball

Pop superstar and Oscar nominee <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/lady-gaga-fights-back-tears-while-honouring-bradley-cooper-180663">Lady Gaga </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/lady-gaga-fights-back-tears-while-honouring-bradley-cooper-180663">has</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/lady-gaga-fights-back-tears-while-honouring-bradley-cooper-180663"> split with her fiance</a>, her second broken relationship in three years.

A representative for the 32-year-old Gaga on Tuesday confirmed celebrity media reports that the "Shallow" singer and Christian Carino, who is also her talent agent, had ended their engagement, but gave no details.

"It just didn’t work out. Relationships sometimes end,” an unidentified source told People magazine. "There’s no long dramatic story."

News of the split came days before Sunday's Oscar ceremony. Gaga is the best actress nominee for her role in the musical romance "A Star is Born".&nbsp;

The singer will perform "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" on the Oscars telecast, which is seen as a front runner to win the Academy Award for best original song.

Gaga announced in October that she and Carino were engaged. They began dating in February 2017, a few months after she ended her five-year relationship with "Chicago Fire" actor Taylor Kinney.

Gaga and Carino had appeared close when they attended the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles in January, but fans noticed she was not wearing her large engagement ring when she sang at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10.

Pop superstar and Oscar nominee Lady Gaga has split with her fiance, her second broken relationship in three years. A representative for the 32-year-old Gaga on Tuesday confirmed celebrity media reports that the "Shallow" singer and Christian Carino, who is also her talent agent, had ended their engagement, but gave no details.

Pop superstar and Oscar nominee Lady Gaga has split with her fiance, her second broken relationship in three years. A representative for the 32-year-old Gaga on Tuesday confirmed celebrity media reports that the "Shallow" singer and Christian Carino, who is also her talent agent, had ended their engagement, but gave no details. "It just didn’t work out. Relationships sometimes end,” an unidentified source told People magazine. "There’s no long dramatic story." News of the split came days before Sunday's Oscar ceremony. Gaga is the best actress nominee for her role in the musical romance "A Star is Born". The singer will perform "Shallow" from "A Star is Born" on the Oscars telecast, which is seen as a front runner to win the Academy Award for best original song. Gaga announced in October that she and Carino were engaged. They began dating in February 2017, a few months after she ended her five-year relationship with "Chicago Fire" actor Taylor Kinney. Gaga and Carino had appeared close when they attended the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles in January, but fans noticed she was not wearing her large engagement ring when she sang at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10.

Oscar nominee Lady Gaga splits with fiance Christian Carino

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/grammys-2019-ariana-grande-wins-best-pop-vocal-album-gives-the-ceremony-a-miss-196500">Grammys 2019: Ariana Grande wins Best Pop Vocal Album; gives the ceremony a miss</a>

Reigning pop princess Ariana Grande took home the first Grammy of her career for Best Pop Vocal Album on Sunday for her fourth studio album 'Sweetener,' topping a tough field including perennial favourite Taylor Swift.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bafta-2019-the-complete-list-of-winners-196479">BAFTA 2019: 'The Favourite', 'Roma' take home big awards of the night</a>

It was a big night for Oscar favourites ‘Roma’ and ‘The Favourite’ that picked up big awards at BAFTA. The British Academy Film and Television Awards took place in London.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/german-migrant-rescue-ship-renamed-after-tragic-toddler-alan-kurdi-196483">German migrant rescue ship renamed after tragic toddler Alan Kurdi</a>

A German migrant rescue ship which operates in the Mediterranean was renamed Sunday after Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian refugee boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach at the height of the migrant crisis, sparking global outrage

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lawyer-denies-tabloid-blackmailed-amazon-chief-jeff-bezos-196477">Lawyer denies tabloid blackmailed Amazon chief Jeff </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/lawyer-denies-tabloid-blackmailed-amazon-chief-jeff-bezos-196477">Bezos</a>

A lawyer denied Sunday allegations by Jeff Bezos that the National Enquirer tabloid had tried to extort and blackmail him, insisting that embarrassing photographs were obtained from a "reliable" source.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-representative-zalmay-khalilzad-to-be-back-to-focus-on-intra-afghan-dialogue-196488">US representative Zalmay Khalilzad to be back to focus on intra-Afghan dialogue</a>

United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will be back in the region during which he will be visiting six countries - Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Grammys 2019: Ariana Grande wins Best Pop Vocal Album; gives the ceremony a miss Reigning pop princess Ariana Grande took home the first Grammy of her career for Best Pop Vocal Album on Sunday for her fourth studio album 'Sweetener,' topping a tough field including perennial favourite Taylor Swift.

Grammys 2019: Ariana Grande wins Best Pop Vocal Album; gives the ceremony a miss Reigning pop princess Ariana Grande took home the first Grammy of her career for Best Pop Vocal Album on Sunday for her fourth studio album 'Sweetener,' topping a tough field including perennial favourite Taylor Swift. BAFTA 2019: 'The Favourite', 'Roma' take home big awards of the night It was a big night for Oscar favourites ‘Roma’ and ‘The Favourite’ that picked up big awards at BAFTA. The British Academy Film and Television Awards took place in London. German migrant rescue ship renamed after tragic toddler Alan Kurdi A German migrant rescue ship which operates in the Mediterranean was renamed Sunday after Alan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian refugee boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach at the height of the migrant crisis, sparking global outrage Lawyer denies tabloid blackmailed Amazon chief Jeff Bezos A lawyer denied Sunday allegations by Jeff Bezos that the National Enquirer tabloid had tried to extort and blackmail him, insisting that embarrassing photographs were obtained from a "reliable" source. US representative Zalmay Khalilzad to be back to focus on intra-Afghan dialogue United States Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad will be back in the region during which he will be visiting six countries - Belgium, Germany, Turkey, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Christian Bale to Bradley Cooper, Oscars 2019 Best Actor nominees are a bunch of talent!

Oscars 2019: Directors who made it to the nominations and their past work

In a surprise win on Saturday, Hollywood producers named 'Green Book' the best film of 2018, boosting its profile just days before nominations are announced for the annual Academy Awards.

The big win by 'Green Book' at the 30th Producers Guild Awards set up the film, which stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen as an African-American pianist and his white driver in the early 1960s Deep South, as a major contender for next month`s Oscars.

In many past years, PGA best film winners have gone on to win the best picture Oscar, Hollywood’s top prize.&nbsp;

The PGA`s best film had been predicted to be a contest between 'A Star is Born' and 'Roma'. Earlier this month 'Green Book' won the Golden Globe as best musical or comedy.

The Producers Guild of America (PGA), among the leading industry organizations representing makers of movies and TV shows, also named its best animated film which went to 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse', favorite documentary, won by 'Won`t You Be My Neighbor?', and honored FX`s 'The Americans' as the top television drama in its final season.

FX scored again when Ryan Murphy`s 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' won the award for limited series.

Among other honors for television productions, Amazon Video`s 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' won the comedy series award and HBO`s 'Fahrenheit 451' prevailed as the best television movie.

CNN`s 'Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown', starring the late celebrity chef who killed himself last year, won for non-fiction television, while 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' on VH1 took home the prize for reality competition series.

PBS’ 'Sesame Street', which debuted nearly 50 years ago, won for children’s program.

The live entertainment/talk award went to 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver', while 'Being Serena' took best sports program.

The Academy Awards will be given on Feb. 24 to producers, directors, actors, and actresses by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In a surprise win on Saturday, Hollywood producers named 'Green Book' the best film of 2018, boosting its profile just days before nominations are announced for the annual Academy Awards.

In a surprise win on Saturday, Hollywood producers named 'Green Book' the best film of 2018, boosting its profile just days before nominations are announced for the annual Academy Awards. The big win by 'Green Book' at the 30th Producers Guild Awards set up the film, which stars Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen as an African-American pianist and his white driver in the early 1960s Deep South, as a major contender for next month`s Oscars. In many past years, PGA best film winners have gone on to win the best picture Oscar, Hollywood’s top prize. The PGA`s best film had been predicted to be a contest between 'A Star is Born' and 'Roma'. Earlier this month 'Green Book' won the Golden Globe as best musical or comedy. The Producers Guild of America (PGA), among the leading industry organizations representing makers of movies and TV shows, also named its best animated film which went to 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse', favorite documentary, won by 'Won`t You Be My Neighbor?', and honored FX`s 'The Americans' as the top television drama in its final season. FX scored again when Ryan Murphy`s 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story' won the award for limited series. Among other honors for television productions, Amazon Video`s 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' won the comedy series award and HBO`s 'Fahrenheit 451' prevailed as the best television movie. CNN`s 'Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown', starring the late celebrity chef who killed himself last year, won for non-fiction television, while 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' on VH1 took home the prize for reality competition series. PBS’ 'Sesame Street', which debuted nearly 50 years ago, won for children’s program. The live entertainment/talk award went to 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver', while 'Being Serena' took best sports program. The Academy Awards will be given on Feb. 24 to producers, directors, actors, and actresses by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

'Green Book' boosts Oscar odds with big win at Producers Guild Awards

Steve McQueen says top Hollywood bosses are scared to experiment with the films and do not want to explore diverse storylines.

In an interview with The Guardian, the McQueen, best known for the Oscar-winning feature '12 Years a Slave', said people of power in Hollywood lack creative imagination.

"I can't remember if there has ever been a movie about a gay person who is a detective or the lead in a romantic comedy who doesn't have a problem with their sexuality.

How is that possible? Certain people of power and influence in the industry are gay yet would never think about making a movie like that," McQueen said.&nbsp;

"What does it say about the worldview they're helping maintain? I'm not pointing fingers - I'm just saying that if we see two men or women walking down the street holding hands, we're not even going to blink. But if it's on the screen, apparently it becomes thunderous," he added.

The 49-year-old filmmaker's latest film 'Widows', follows the story of four widows who try to pull off a heist after the death of their husbands.

The director believes that the film, which was completely overlooked for Golden Globes nominations, is an example of certain blindness towards stories that don't fit a certain format.

"As an artist, you have your path and that's fine. And sometimes the world won't agree with you and that's fine. I'm here hopefully for a little while and will do my work.&nbsp;

"I'm just telling a story about four women trying to get their s**t together, about the environment in which we're living, in a way that's not high heels and handbags, that's about human beings and full-on conversations," McQueen said.&nbsp;

Steve McQueen says top Hollywood bosses are scared to experiment with the films and do not want to explore diverse storylines. In an interview with The Guardian, the McQueen, best known for the Oscar-winning feature '12 Years a Slave', said people of power in Hollywood lack creative imagination.

Steve McQueen says top Hollywood bosses are scared to experiment with the films and do not want to explore diverse storylines. In an interview with The Guardian, the McQueen, best known for the Oscar-winning feature '12 Years a Slave', said people of power in Hollywood lack creative imagination. "I can't remember if there has ever been a movie about a gay person who is a detective or the lead in a romantic comedy who doesn't have a problem with their sexuality. How is that possible? Certain people of power and influence in the industry are gay yet would never think about making a movie like that," McQueen said. "What does it say about the worldview they're helping maintain? I'm not pointing fingers - I'm just saying that if we see two men or women walking down the street holding hands, we're not even going to blink. But if it's on the screen, apparently it becomes thunderous," he added. The 49-year-old filmmaker's latest film 'Widows', follows the story of four widows who try to pull off a heist after the death of their husbands. The director believes that the film, which was completely overlooked for Golden Globes nominations, is an example of certain blindness towards stories that don't fit a certain format. "As an artist, you have your path and that's fine. And sometimes the world won't agree with you and that's fine. I'm here hopefully for a little while and will do my work. "I'm just telling a story about four women trying to get their s**t together, about the environment in which we're living, in a way that's not high heels and handbags, that's about human beings and full-on conversations," McQueen said.

Hollywood does not experiment, try new ideas, says Steve McQueen

Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges will receive a lifetime achievement award at January's Golden Globes ceremony for his wide range of work, from Western 'True Grit'&nbsp;to comedy 'The Big Lebowski,'&nbsp;the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said on Monday.

Bridges will be honoured by the HFPA with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, an annual accolade given to a person who has made a lasting impact on the world of film.

The 69-year-old actor has been nominated for five Golden Globes and won once for his role as a faded country music star in 2009 drama 'Crazy Heart.'&nbsp;That performance also earned Bridges an Oscar. He also famously played the slacker known as 'The Dude'&nbsp;in 1998`s 'Big Lebowski.'

"Bridges` brilliant body of work across diverse genres has captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide for more than six decades," HFPA President Meher Tatna said in a statement.&nbsp;

The DeMille Award is named after the influential Hollywood director who spanned both the silent and sound eras of film. Past winners have included Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Audrey Hepburn, Harrison Ford, and Meryl Streep.&nbsp;

The award will be handed out at the Jan. 6 Golden Globes telecast in Beverly Hills, California.

Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges will receive a lifetime achievement award at January's Golden Globes ceremony for his wide range of work, from Western 'True Grit' to comedy 'The Big Lebowski,' the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said on Monday.

Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges will receive a lifetime achievement award at January's Golden Globes ceremony for his wide range of work, from Western 'True Grit' to comedy 'The Big Lebowski,' the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said on Monday. Bridges will be honoured by the HFPA with the Cecil B. DeMille Award, an annual accolade given to a person who has made a lasting impact on the world of film. The 69-year-old actor has been nominated for five Golden Globes and won once for his role as a faded country music star in 2009 drama 'Crazy Heart.' That performance also earned Bridges an Oscar. He also famously played the slacker known as 'The Dude' in 1998`s 'Big Lebowski.' "Bridges` brilliant body of work across diverse genres has captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide for more than six decades," HFPA President Meher Tatna said in a statement. The DeMille Award is named after the influential Hollywood director who spanned both the silent and sound eras of film. Past winners have included Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Audrey Hepburn, Harrison Ford, and Meryl Streep. The award will be handed out at the Jan. 6 Golden Globes telecast in Beverly Hills, California.

Jeff Bridges to receive lifetime achievement honour at Golden Globes

National Award-winning filmmaker and scriptwriter Gajendra Ahire’s latest ‘Dear Molly’ will get an Oscar screening in Los Angeles, USA in December. The film which is an Indo-Swedish collaboration has been shot in English and Hindi.

''It is an honour for ‘Dear Molly’ to have a special Oscar screening. It’s a very special film that I have shot in different languages but the essence remains the same. It is the English version that is being screened in Los Angeles. It's a story of a daughter's search for her father taking cues from a trail of letters he had written to her..'' said Gajendra Ahire, who is known for his work in Marathi cinema.

Producer Praveen Nischol adds, "Dear Molly is a story that will connect with all fathers and daughters. It's shot indifferent languages that has its own distinct flavour in each language. The credit goes to Gajendra for his master storytelling that makes this such a compelling film to watch." &nbsp;

The story of 'Dear Molly' is based on a father-daughter relationship which explores the journey of a daughter in search of her father in Sweden.&nbsp;The protagonist Molly had last seen her father when she was five-years-old.&nbsp;

It features Gurbani Gill as Molly who makes her debut along with well-known Marathi actors Alok Rajwade, Mrinmayee Godbole and Ashwini Giri and a prominent Swedish cast comprising Lia Boysen and Chris Holmgren among others.

The movie is produced by Praveen Nischol and Ratan Jain, and is presented by Manmohan Shetty and Ganesh Jain.

The film is set for an early 2019 release.

National Award-winning filmmaker and scriptwriter Gajendra Ahire’s latest ‘Dear Molly’ will get an Oscar screening in Los Angeles, USA in December. The film which is an Indo-Swedish collaboration has been shot in English and Hindi.

National Award-winning filmmaker and scriptwriter Gajendra Ahire’s latest ‘Dear Molly’ will get an Oscar screening in Los Angeles, USA in December. The film which is an Indo-Swedish collaboration has been shot in English and Hindi. ''It is an honour for ‘Dear Molly’ to have a special Oscar screening. It’s a very special film that I have shot in different languages but the essence remains the same. It is the English version that is being screened in Los Angeles. It's a story of a daughter's search for her father taking cues from a trail of letters he had written to her..'' said Gajendra Ahire, who is known for his work in Marathi cinema. Producer Praveen Nischol adds, "Dear Molly is a story that will connect with all fathers and daughters. It's shot indifferent languages that has its own distinct flavour in each language. The credit goes to Gajendra for his master storytelling that makes this such a compelling film to watch." The story of 'Dear Molly' is based on a father-daughter relationship which explores the journey of a daughter in search of her father in Sweden. The protagonist Molly had last seen her father when she was five-years-old. It features Gurbani Gill as Molly who makes her debut along with well-known Marathi actors Alok Rajwade, Mrinmayee Godbole and Ashwini Giri and a prominent Swedish cast comprising Lia Boysen and Chris Holmgren among others. The movie is produced by Praveen Nischol and Ratan Jain, and is presented by Manmohan Shetty and Ganesh Jain. The film is set for an early 2019 release.

National Award-winning director Gajendra Ahire’s ‘Dear Molly’ all set for an Oscar screening

Four months after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new date for Oscars ceremony in 2020, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has followed suit and changed the dates of the ceremony for that year.&nbsp;

The Academy is bringing the date of the 2020 Oscars ceremony forward by two weeks to February 9.&nbsp;

According to a statement released on Tuesday, the 2020 BAFTAs will now take place on February 2, reports hollywoodreporter.com.&nbsp;

The move ensures that the BAFTAs are still ahead of the Academy Awards -- where it has been since the British Academy made the swift in 2001 -- but it means that the biggest film awards outside the US is now just one week earlier than the Oscars, rather than the usual two.&nbsp;

The move also means the ceremony won`t clash with the Berlinale. The 2019 BAFTAs are still set to take place on February 10.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Four months after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new date for Oscars ceremony in 2020, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has followed suit and changed the dates of the ceremony for that year.

Four months after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a new date for Oscars ceremony in 2020, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has followed suit and changed the dates of the ceremony for that year. The Academy is bringing the date of the 2020 Oscars ceremony forward by two weeks to February 9. According to a statement released on Tuesday, the 2020 BAFTAs will now take place on February 2, reports hollywoodreporter.com. The move ensures that the BAFTAs are still ahead of the Academy Awards -- where it has been since the British Academy made the swift in 2001 -- but it means that the biggest film awards outside the US is now just one week earlier than the Oscars, rather than the usual two. The move also means the ceremony won`t clash with the Berlinale. The 2019 BAFTAs are still set to take place on February 10.

After Oscars, BAFTA shifts 2020 award ceremony date

Irrfan Khan, who starred in and co-produced prominent Bangladeshi director, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s 2017 drama, 'Doob: No Bed of Roses', has a reason to celebrate as the bilingual film is a contender in the foreign film category at the Oscars.&nbsp; 
 
The film has been selected by the Bangladesh Oscar Committee as the official selection from the country.&nbsp; 
 
The film revolves around the life of a renowned filmmaker who creates a scandal in Bangladesh when he leaves his wife to marry his daughter’s friend. The film premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2017 and is now headed to the 91st Academy Awards, to compete for the award of Best Foreign Film.&nbsp;

Irrfan’s spokesperson said, “Irrfan is extremely happy to hear the news. It is an honour to be recognised by the jury and he is delighted that his film is getting the much-deserved acknowledgement at long last.”

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “Obviously I am happy because No Bed of Roses is representing Bangladesh at the Oscars. I hope the film would find some love from the Academy voters. As for my collaboration with Irrfan, it would have been impossible to make this film without his involvement as an actor and co-producer! I share a wonderful relationship with him, on and off the set. I call him “poet” and he jokingly &nbsp;corrects me saying "I m a poet with no words" &nbsp;In this film, he actually expressed so many things with very little help of words and I m glad to have collaborated with one of the finest actors of not just India but globally!"

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Despite not being in the country, Irrfan has had 2 national and 1 international releases this year. The actor was diagnosed with a rare&nbsp;type of cancer earlier this year and has been undergoing treatment in London.&nbsp;

Irrfan Khan, who starred in and co-produced prominent Bangladeshi director, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s 2017 drama, 'Doob: No Bed of Roses', has a reason to celebrate as the bilingual film is a contender in the foreign film category at the Oscars.

Irrfan Khan, who starred in and co-produced prominent Bangladeshi director, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s 2017 drama, 'Doob: No Bed of Roses', has a reason to celebrate as the bilingual film is a contender in the foreign film category at the Oscars. The film has been selected by the Bangladesh Oscar Committee as the official selection from the country. The film revolves around the life of a renowned filmmaker who creates a scandal in Bangladesh when he leaves his wife to marry his daughter’s friend. The film premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival in 2017 and is now headed to the 91st Academy Awards, to compete for the award of Best Foreign Film. Irrfan’s spokesperson said, “Irrfan is extremely happy to hear the news. It is an honour to be recognised by the jury and he is delighted that his film is getting the much-deserved acknowledgement at long last.” Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said, “Obviously I am happy because No Bed of Roses is representing Bangladesh at the Oscars. I hope the film would find some love from the Academy voters. As for my collaboration with Irrfan, it would have been impossible to make this film without his involvement as an actor and co-producer! I share a wonderful relationship with him, on and off the set. I call him “poet” and he jokingly corrects me saying "I m a poet with no words" In this film, he actually expressed so many things with very little help of words and I m glad to have collaborated with one of the finest actors of not just India but globally!" Despite not being in the country, Irrfan has had 2 national and 1 international releases this year. The actor was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer earlier this year and has been undergoing treatment in London.

Irrfan Khan’s 'Doob: No Bed of Roses' heads to the Oscars

Academy Award winner Danny Boyle will direct the next James Bond film, the movie`s producers said on Friday, with actor Daniel Craig returning for his fifth outing as Britain`s famous fictional spy, the smooth-talking, martini-drinking 007.

Production on the 25th installment in the Bond movie franchise will begin in December at Britain`s Pinewood Studios.

The film will be released in autumn 2019.

In a statement, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli describe Boyle, who won an Oscar for the heart-warming drama 'Slumdog Millionaire'&nbsp;and is also known for 'Trainspotting'&nbsp;and 'Steve Jobs', as 'exceptionally talented'.&nbsp;

Boyle previously worked with Craig on a short film for the opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics, in which the actor, as Bond, entered Buckingham Palace, where he was greeted by Queen Elizabeth.&nbsp;

The as-yet-unnamed Bond film`s screenplay will be written by John Hodge, who worked with Boyle on 'Trainspotting'.

Craig has played Bond since 2006`s 'Casino Royale'. After months of speculation on whether he would reprise the role after 2015`s 'Spectre', the 50-year-old actor confirmed last year he would put on Bond`s tuxedo for the fifth time.

The as-yet-unnamed Bond film`s screenplay will be written by John Hodge

Academy Award winner Danny Boyle will direct the next James Bond film, the movie`s producers said on Friday, with actor Daniel Craig returning for his fifth outing as Britain`s famous fictional spy, the smooth-talking, martini-drinking 007. Production on the 25th installment in the Bond movie franchise will begin in December at Britain`s Pinewood Studios. The film will be released in autumn 2019. In a statement, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli describe Boyle, who won an Oscar for the heart-warming drama 'Slumdog Millionaire' and is also known for 'Trainspotting' and 'Steve Jobs', as 'exceptionally talented'. Boyle previously worked with Craig on a short film for the opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics, in which the actor, as Bond, entered Buckingham Palace, where he was greeted by Queen Elizabeth. The as-yet-unnamed Bond film`s screenplay will be written by John Hodge, who worked with Boyle on 'Trainspotting'. Craig has played Bond since 2006`s 'Casino Royale'. After months of speculation on whether he would reprise the role after 2015`s 'Spectre', the 50-year-old actor confirmed last year he would put on Bond`s tuxedo for the fifth time.

'Slumdog Millionaire' director Danny Boyle to helm next Bond film

Ever since British heartthrob Zayn Malik <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-gigi-hadid-and-zayn-malik-announce-their-break-up-by-posting-loving-messages-for-each-other-35736">announced his breakup </a>with longtime girlfriend Gigi Hadid last month, the singer has been in news for something or the other -- most recent for his latest single ‘Let Me’ that was written at the time when he was pretty much with Gigi.<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-zayn-malik-gets-a-black-rose-with-thorns-tattoo-post-breakup-with-gigi-hadid-36297"> Also Read:&nbsp;Zayn Malik gets a black rose with thorns tattoo post-breakup with Gigi Hadid</a>

Now, Zayn feels that he could become a successful actor with some touch ups to his acting skills. He feels that his acting skills are for everyone to see in a mini-shot film that he shot for 'Let Me'&nbsp;-- with him getting under the skin of a character and all.&nbsp;

He told a British radio station in an interview: "I'd be interested in doing some acting. It's always been something that I liked doing, even when I was growing up. I did a few school performances.”

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-british-star-zayn-malik-records-his-first-hindi-song-for-a-bollywood-movie-32061">Also Read:&nbsp;British star Zayn Malik records his first Hindi song for a Bollywood movie</a>

He continued: "I'm not saying that I'm an Oscar-level actor right now, but I'm sure I can go to a few classes and learn things and pick it up.”

Most see his comments come after his former One Direction band member Harry Styles made his foray into acting with Christopher Nolan’s hit film "Dunkirk". Styles was praised for his performance in the movie.&nbsp;

This comes after his former One Direction band member Harry Styles made a critically-acclaimed acting debut in smash-hit movie Dunkirk

Ever since British heartthrob Zayn Malik announced his breakup with longtime girlfriend Gigi Hadid last month, the singer has been in news for something or the other -- most recent for his latest single ‘Let Me’ that was written at the time when he was pretty much with Gigi. Also Read: Zayn Malik gets a black rose with thorns tattoo post-breakup with Gigi Hadid Now, Zayn feels that he could become a successful actor with some touch ups to his acting skills. He feels that his acting skills are for everyone to see in a mini-shot film that he shot for 'Let Me' -- with him getting under the skin of a character and all. He told a British radio station in an interview: "I'd be interested in doing some acting. It's always been something that I liked doing, even when I was growing up. I did a few school performances.” Also Read: British star Zayn Malik records his first Hindi song for a Bollywood movie He continued: "I'm not saying that I'm an Oscar-level actor right now, but I'm sure I can go to a few classes and learn things and pick it up.” Most see his comments come after his former One Direction band member Harry Styles made his foray into acting with Christopher Nolan’s hit film "Dunkirk". Styles was praised for his performance in the movie.

British singer Zayn Malik now wants to become an actor

Retired basketball superstar Kobe Bryant-- once the toast of Los Angeles for the Lakers -- is now a Hollywood A-lister with an Oscar.&nbsp;

Yes, you read that correctly.

Nearly two years after leaving the NBA, the 39-year-old Bryant&nbsp;won the Academy Award for best animated short on Sunday for &quot;Dear Basketball,&quot; a collaboration with artist Glen Keane and legendary composer John Williams.

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Sport takes us beyond the lines. Congrats, <a href="https://twitter.com/kobebryant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kobebryant</a> for your award for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DearBasketball?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DearBasketball</a> ???????????????????????? <a href="https://t.co/ljeOqzSuBM">pic.twitter.com/ljeOqzSuBM</a>
&mdash; Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikebasketball/status/970506515936194561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Thank you, Academy, for this amazing honour. Thank you, John Williams, for a wonderful piece of music,&quot;&nbsp;Bryant said.

In a sardonic reference to an attack by Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham against basketballers expressing their political opinions, he said he thought NBA stars were &quot;really supposed to shut up and dribble.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m glad we do a little bit more than that,&quot; he added.

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Salute <a href="https://twitter.com/kobebryant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kobebryant</a> on that Oscar!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreMoreThanShutUpDribble?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreMoreThanShutUpDribble</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UJustContinueToSitBackAndWatch?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UJustContinueToSitBackAndWatch</a>
&mdash; LeBron James (@KingJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/970500221875736576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Awards prediction website Gold Derby had&nbsp;Bryant as the odds-on favourite to win the Oscar for best animated short, but his triumph is unlikely to please everyone.&nbsp;

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, it will be a reminder that&nbsp;Bryant was arrested&nbsp;over the suspected rape of a 19-year-old hotel worker in Colorado in 2003.&nbsp;

Bryant admitted to a sexual encounter but insisted it was consensual. The criminal case was dropped when the accuser refused to testify, but&nbsp;Bryant faced a civil suit.&nbsp;

As part of an out-of-court settlement, he publicly apologized to his accuser but admitted no guilt.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MambaMentality?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MambaMentality</a> meets the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oscars?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oscars</a>. Congrats on last night&#39;s win, <a href="https://twitter.com/kobebryant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kobebryant</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FlyEaglesFly?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FlyEaglesFly</a> <a href="https://t.co/zc8b3jxMcd">pic.twitter.com/zc8b3jxMcd</a>
&mdash; Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eagles/status/970774662849400838?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kobe Bryant was recognised for a five-minute film produced in collaboration with artist Glen Keane and composer John Williams for the short 'Dear Basketball'

Retired basketball superstar Kobe Bryant-- once the toast of Los Angeles for the Lakers -- is now a Hollywood A-lister with an Oscar. Yes, you read that correctly. Nearly two years after leaving the NBA, the 39-year-old Bryant won the Academy Award for best animated short on Sunday for "Dear Basketball," a collaboration with artist Glen Keane and legendary composer John Williams. Sport takes us beyond the lines. Congrats, @kobebryant for your award for #DearBasketball ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/ljeOqzSuBM — Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) March 5, 2018 × "Thank you, Academy, for this amazing honour. Thank you, John Williams, for a wonderful piece of music," Bryant said. In a sardonic reference to an attack by Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham against basketballers expressing their political opinions, he said he thought NBA stars were "really supposed to shut up and dribble." "I'm glad we do a little bit more than that," he added. Salute @kobebryant on that Oscar!! #WeAreMoreThanShutUpDribble #UJustContinueToSitBackAndWatch — LeBron James (@KingJames) March 5, 2018 × Awards prediction website Gold Derby had Bryant as the odds-on favourite to win the Oscar for best animated short, but his triumph is unlikely to please everyone. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, it will be a reminder that Bryant was arrested over the suspected rape of a 19-year-old hotel worker in Colorado in 2003. Bryant admitted to a sexual encounter but insisted it was consensual. The criminal case was dropped when the accuser refused to testify, but Bryant faced a civil suit. As part of an out-of-court settlement, he publicly apologized to his accuser but admitted no guilt. #MambaMentality meets the #Oscars. Congrats on last night's win, @kobebryant!#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/zc8b3jxMcd — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 5, 2018 ×

NBA legend Kobe Bryant wins Oscar for best animated short

&nbsp;

It is no coincidence that Apollo, the sun god, is also the god of poetry and, more importantly, the god of Truth in the Greek mythology. Artists, therefore, are often expected to bear the twin responsibilities of entertaining as well as shining light on truths that would otherwise languish in the darkness of ignorance and intrigue. Sir David Hare, the celebrated British playwright and film writer, shoulders them both with nonchalant grace and confidence. While he can create a play like The Permanent Way that tells the sordid tale of the privatisation of the railways under John Major, his screenplays bring out the best in Hollywood heavyweights like Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet, fetching them the Oscars.

It is incongruous, then, to hear that such an illustrious and eclectic oeuvre was an outcome of two accidents: of birth and betrayal.

My conversation with Hare begins ab ovo.

Born into Boredom

&ldquo;I was born in a very boring town. A small suburban seaside town called Bexhill in Sussex, England. It had the oldest national age all the towns in the country. If you were young and lively in the 1950&rsquo;s, there was absolutely nothing to do there. It was just so boring! One had to rely on one&rsquo;s own imagination. And that is a classic writer&rsquo;s background. To come from a place where you really have to make your own entertainment,&rdquo; he offers a glimpse of the portrait of an artist as a young man.

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<h5>As a child, I fantasised a lot. Not only do I depend as a writer upon my imagination, it&rsquo;s given me another gift: I also never get bored.</h5>
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He continues, &ldquo;As a child, I fantasised a lot. Not only do I depend as a writer upon my imagination, it&rsquo;s given me another gift: I also never get bored. I&rsquo;m now almost 70 and still deeply curious about (the) world. Because I was born in a place that was so dull, everywhere I go seems interesting and exciting.&rdquo;

Even though the young Hare found ways to keep boredom at bay, he had to wait for an accident, in imitation of the great tradition of fantasy literature and cinema, to become a writer.

&nbsp;

Accidental Writer

Hare confesses that despite fantasy being a powerful part of his childhood, he never dreamed of becoming a writer. &ldquo;It never occurred to me. I studied literature in the university but it never seemed that I was going to write literature,&rdquo; he says. It was while running a theatre company that it, literally, happened. He shares, &ldquo;I was the director of the company and a playwright let us down on a Wednesday and we had to have something to start rehearsing the following Monday. So I wrote a play.&rdquo;

Hare seizes this moment to talk about the importance of trying. &ldquo;I always say to everybody, &lsquo;you should always try&rsquo;. You may have a gift inside you for whatever it is- swimming, diving, writing, running and maybe technology! Try things because you may discover the gift you didn&rsquo;t know you had. When I had discovered the gift of writing I was truly amazed. I had absolutely no sense of it before I did it. When I found it, it was the most joyful thing in my life.&rdquo;

I begin to wonder if it was the same principle of &ldquo;trying&rdquo; that brought him to films.

&nbsp;

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<h5>If you wanted to understand what people were thinking about in Europe, you had to watch their films</h5>
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He replies, &ldquo;I always loved films. You must remember that I was born at a time when cinema was the most important medium in Europe. These great filmmakers- Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Antonioni, Louis Malle, Jean Luc Godard- they were not just artists. They were at the very front of the European thought. If you wanted to understand what people were thinking about in Europe, you had to watch their films.&rdquo; The position that cinema then held as being the most intellectually vital form, unfortunately, it has rarely held since. It just happened to be the period of very great men and women making wonderful films. Cinema has a much lower role in society now. But of course, I love it! As a child, I always wanted to write films but it took me very long to know how to.&rdquo;

Not just saddened with the lowered role of cinema in present times, Hare is also dismayed by the fading of the &ldquo;state-of-the-nation&rdquo; tradition of theatre in Britain.

&nbsp;

Theatre and Trump

Hare begins by talking about what inspires him. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not a writer who is entirely influenced by other writers. I don&rsquo;t have any literary influence. My influences have always been the world, what I see going on, and my reaction to it. I look at subjects that nobody else considers worth writing about.&rdquo;

He continues, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve written plays about aid to the third world, privatisation of railways, the diplomatic process leading up the invasion of Iraq, the Chinese revolution and even the priests of the Church of England. These are all subjects that are apparently very off putting. Subjects about which people say, &lsquo;Oh, I don&rsquo;t want to see a play about that, it sounds boring!&rsquo; I believed I could make such subjects interesting. I&rsquo;ve always claimed a certain prescience and ability to see something that will become interesting over the years. That has been my principal characteristic as a writer.&rdquo;

A traditionalist in some ways and an iconoclast in others, Hare does not write on demand. &ldquo;At the moment when everyone is asking me to write a play about Trump, I say &lsquo;no!&rsquo; I have no interest in writing a play about Trump, it&rsquo;s too obvious.&rdquo;

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Nothing called an Oscar-winning Role

Whether talking about themes and subjects or discussing actors, Hare does not mince his words. Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet both won Oscars for the roles he created but he stakes no claim on those golden statuettes.

Hare says, &ldquo;Because I am a director in the theatre, I&rsquo;m very conscious of what the actors&rsquo; experience is going to be like. As a playwright and film writer, I try to carve roles that are worth playing. In the theatre, we write plays where people just have three or four lines. My heart is with that actor who&rsquo;s got to sit there the whole evening from 7:30 to 10:30 only to come and say three lines. It&rsquo;s more satisfying for the audience and the actor if the part is worth playing.&rdquo;

He continues, &ldquo;I may have specialised in writing the kind of role that actors want to play. But here is the crucial thing about this. When I wrote The Reader, for instance, the actresses who read that role said that whoever played this part would win the Oscar. I said, absolutely not! It will only be won by a great actress. I didn&rsquo;t win the Oscar for Kate Winslet, Kate Winslet won for herself. Nicole Kidman won her own Oscar. When actresses come to me and say &lsquo;Can you write me an Oscar-winning role?&rsquo; the answer is NO. I can&rsquo;t write an Oscar-winning role because you will only win an Oscar if you are a great actress: in that class of Nicole and Kate.&rdquo;

Is this why he prefers working with the tried and tested, battle-hardened actors?

&nbsp;

Familiar Creativity

Hare does not hide his admiration for some of his favourites. &ldquo;There are some actors that I&rsquo;ve worked with over and over again.&rdquo; The list includes Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, Julianne More, Nicole Kidman, Carrie Mulligan, Rachel Weisz amongst others. He declares, &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve now worked with Bill Nighy (William Francis) ten times! I find this thing of coming back to actors raises your game because you start already knowing each other and all the preliminaries are out of the way. You set to work with more speed. It&rsquo;s wonderful because you start at a level where you already know each other so much.&rdquo; On the excitement of discovering a new talent he says, &ldquo;Of course, I will be enriched working with new people. But it will also be very time consuming when you are both trying to learn how to work together.&rdquo;

Hare is nothing if not brutally honest. No wonder, then, his autobiography The Blue Touch Paper: A Memoir elicited some strong reactions. Many of the readers were befuddled by his self-criticism, as scathing as his response to others&rsquo; flaws.

&nbsp;

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<h5>I became a not-very-pleasant person because I had to fight so hard for my work</h5>
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Tales of Truth

Hare says, &ldquo;Some people who read the book recognised the emotions. It was a big struggle for me to establish my work. It was not liked by the critics in the beginning and I felt very embattled. My twenties were very hard times for me. I became a not-very-pleasant person because I had to fight so hard for my work. I conformed to the stereotype of the ruthless artist who&rsquo;ll do anything in order to see his ideas, for whatever they are worth, realised.&rdquo;

He continues without a wince or even a blink, &ldquo;When I described in the book the self-hatred this ruthlessness brings about, some people said &lsquo;Oh I can&rsquo;t believe you suffered from that degree of self-hatred.&rsquo; My response to that is, if you don&rsquo;t suffer from self-hatred good for you! You are a very lucky person. But those of us, who do, recognise each other. One of the reasons the book is so liked by some people may be that I&rsquo;m, hopefully, completely honest about darker emotions in myself as much as anyone else.

Taking the truth talk further, I ask him about his degree of familiarity with the non-European film and theatre scene.

He replies with, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very heartening&rdquo; and continues &ldquo;But it is also difficult to access because, by and large, it is English speaking films that are shown in London. The number of art cinemas, which show films from abroad, is getting smaller and smaller. So all I can do is scroll through the television streaming channels and see what I can find of foreign films.&rdquo; Then he confesses, &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t pretend to know as much about the world cinema as about the English language films.&rdquo;

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<h5>Get your play on! If a theatre won&rsquo;t do your play, do it yourself.</h5>
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Cross-Culture Collaborations

Can the challenges faced by non-English films and plays be countered by collaborations? Hare and Ralph Fiennes are part of one such collaborative venture in the Russian language. He informs, &ldquo;Half the film is in Russian and we are doing it precisely because that&rsquo;s what we want to do. We want to make a film that is set in another culture and use people from that culture to make it. Whether we will succeed in financing it or not, I don&rsquo;t know yet.&rdquo;

He continues, &ldquo;I can imagine a similar collaboration in India. I&rsquo;ve been coming to India since 1981. I wrote a play in 1982 which was set in Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. I also adapted Katherine Boo&rsquo;s book Behind the Beautiful Forevers into a play which was shown National Theatre. The filmed version of this play was shown in cinemas all over the world and I&rsquo;m very, very proud of it. We had an all Indian company of 24-25 actors at the National Theatre and then it was seen all over the world: that&rsquo;s one of the most satisfying things I&rsquo;ve done.&rdquo;

At the end of the conversation, Hare gives a characteristically passionate response to a cliched interview question: advice to the younger lot.

Before I can finish my sentence, Hare says, &ldquo;Get your play on! If a theatre won&rsquo;t do your play, do it yourself. Just put it on. Doesn&rsquo;t matter where you put it on. Even in a room like this. Anywhere! Just get it on! You will only learn by seeing your play performed. Being an unperformed playwright you are never gonna learn anything about playwriting. When you sit with the audience and see what they respond to and what they don&rsquo;t respond to, you learn so much about your own work. Unfortunately, unlike a novelist, you will only learn it when it is done in a way you want and in front of an audience.&rdquo;

Celebrated British playwright and film writer, Sir David Hare speaks on the role of creativity and the place of Truth in playwriting

It is no coincidence that Apollo, the sun god, is also the god of poetry and, more importantly, the god of Truth in the Greek mythology. Artists, therefore, are often expected to bear the twin responsibilities of entertaining as well as shining light on truths that would otherwise languish in the darkness of ignorance and intrigue. Sir David Hare, the celebrated British playwright and film writer, shoulders them both with nonchalant grace and confidence. While he can create a play like The Permanent Way that tells the sordid tale of the privatisation of the railways under John Major, his screenplays bring out the best in Hollywood heavyweights like Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet, fetching them the Oscars. It is incongruous, then, to hear that such an illustrious and eclectic oeuvre was an outcome of two accidents: of birth and betrayal. My conversation with Hare begins ab ovo. Born into Boredom “I was born in a very boring town. A small suburban seaside town called Bexhill in Sussex, England. It had the oldest national age all the towns in the country. If you were young and lively in the 1950’s, there was absolutely nothing to do there. It was just so boring! One had to rely on one’s own imagination. And that is a classic writer’s background. To come from a place where you really have to make your own entertainment,” he offers a glimpse of the portrait of an artist as a young man. As a child, I fantasised a lot. Not only do I depend as a writer upon my imagination, it’s given me another gift: I also never get bored. × He continues, “As a child, I fantasised a lot. Not only do I depend as a writer upon my imagination, it’s given me another gift: I also never get bored. I’m now almost 70 and still deeply curious about (the) world. Because I was born in a place that was so dull, everywhere I go seems interesting and exciting.” Even though the young Hare found ways to keep boredom at bay, he had to wait for an accident, in imitation of the great tradition of fantasy literature and cinema, to become a writer. Accidental Writer Hare confesses that despite fantasy being a powerful part of his childhood, he never dreamed of becoming a writer. “It never occurred to me. I studied literature in the university but it never seemed that I was going to write literature,” he says. It was while running a theatre company that it, literally, happened. He shares, “I was the director of the company and a playwright let us down on a Wednesday and we had to have something to start rehearsing the following Monday. So I wrote a play.” Hare seizes this moment to talk about the importance of trying. “I always say to everybody, ‘you should always try’. You may have a gift inside you for whatever it is- swimming, diving, writing, running and maybe technology! Try things because you may discover the gift you didn’t know you had. When I had discovered the gift of writing I was truly amazed. I had absolutely no sense of it before I did it. When I found it, it was the most joyful thing in my life.” I begin to wonder if it was the same principle of “trying” that brought him to films. If you wanted to understand what people were thinking about in Europe, you had to watch their films × He replies, “I always loved films. You must remember that I was born at a time when cinema was the most important medium in Europe. These great filmmakers- Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Antonioni, Louis Malle, Jean Luc Godard- they were not just artists. They were at the very front of the European thought. If you wanted to understand what people were thinking about in Europe, you had to watch their films.” The position that cinema then held as being the most intellectually vital form, unfortunately, it has rarely held since. It just happened to be the period of very great men and women making wonderful films. Cinema has a much lower role in society now. But of course, I love it! As a child, I always wanted to write films but it took me very long to know how to.” Not just saddened with the lowered role of cinema in present times, Hare is also dismayed by the fading of the “state-of-the-nation” tradition of theatre in Britain. Theatre and Trump Hare begins by talking about what inspires him. “I’m not a writer who is entirely influenced by other writers. I don’t have any literary influence. My influences have always been the world, what I see going on, and my reaction to it. I look at subjects that nobody else considers worth writing about.” He continues, “I’ve written plays about aid to the third world, privatisation of railways, the diplomatic process leading up the invasion of Iraq, the Chinese revolution and even the priests of the Church of England. These are all subjects that are apparently very off putting. Subjects about which people say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to see a play about that, it sounds boring!’ I believed I could make such subjects interesting. I’ve always claimed a certain prescience and ability to see something that will become interesting over the years. That has been my principal characteristic as a writer.” A traditionalist in some ways and an iconoclast in others, Hare does not write on demand. “At the moment when everyone is asking me to write a play about Trump, I say ‘no!’ I have no interest in writing a play about Trump, it’s too obvious.” I have no interest in writing a play about Trump, it’s too obvious. × Nothing called an Oscar-winning Role Whether talking about themes and subjects or discussing actors, Hare does not mince his words. Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet both won Oscars for the roles he created but he stakes no claim on those golden statuettes. Hare says, “Because I am a director in the theatre, I’m very conscious of what the actors’ experience is going to be like. As a playwright and film writer, I try to carve roles that are worth playing. In the theatre, we write plays where people just have three or four lines. My heart is with that actor who’s got to sit there the whole evening from 7:30 to 10:30 only to come and say three lines. It’s more satisfying for the audience and the actor if the part is worth playing.” He continues, “I may have specialised in writing the kind of role that actors want to play. But here is the crucial thing about this. When I wrote The Reader, for instance, the actresses who read that role said that whoever played this part would win the Oscar. I said, absolutely not! It will only be won by a great actress. I didn’t win the Oscar for Kate Winslet, Kate Winslet won for herself. Nicole Kidman won her own Oscar. When actresses come to me and say ‘Can you write me an Oscar-winning role?’ the answer is NO. I can’t write an Oscar-winning role because you will only win an Oscar if you are a great actress: in that class of Nicole and Kate.” Is this why he prefers working with the tried and tested, battle-hardened actors? Familiar Creativity Hare does not hide his admiration for some of his favourites. “There are some actors that I’ve worked with over and over again.” The list includes Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, Julianne More, Nicole Kidman, Carrie Mulligan, Rachel Weisz amongst others. He declares, “I’ve now worked with Bill Nighy (William Francis) ten times! I find this thing of coming back to actors raises your game because you start already knowing each other and all the preliminaries are out of the way. You set to work with more speed. It’s wonderful because you start at a level where you already know each other so much.” On the excitement of discovering a new talent he says, “Of course, I will be enriched working with new people. But it will also be very time consuming when you are both trying to learn how to work together.” Hare is nothing if not brutally honest. No wonder, then, his autobiography The Blue Touch Paper: A Memoir elicited some strong reactions. Many of the readers were befuddled by his self-criticism, as scathing as his response to others’ flaws. I became a not-very-pleasant person because I had to fight so hard for my work × Tales of Truth Hare says, “Some people who read the book recognised the emotions. It was a big struggle for me to establish my work. It was not liked by the critics in the beginning and I felt very embattled. My twenties were very hard times for me. I became a not-very-pleasant person because I had to fight so hard for my work. I conformed to the stereotype of the ruthless artist who’ll do anything in order to see his ideas, for whatever they are worth, realised.” He continues without a wince or even a blink, “When I described in the book the self-hatred this ruthlessness brings about, some people said ‘Oh I can’t believe you suffered from that degree of self-hatred.’ My response to that is, if you don’t suffer from self-hatred good for you! You are a very lucky person. But those of us, who do, recognise each other. One of the reasons the book is so liked by some people may be that I’m, hopefully, completely honest about darker emotions in myself as much as anyone else. Taking the truth talk further, I ask him about his degree of familiarity with the non-European film and theatre scene. He replies with, “It’s very heartening” and continues “But it is also difficult to access because, by and large, it is English speaking films that are shown in London. The number of art cinemas, which show films from abroad, is getting smaller and smaller. So all I can do is scroll through the television streaming channels and see what I can find of foreign films.” Then he confesses, “I can’t pretend to know as much about the world cinema as about the English language films.” Get your play on! If a theatre won’t do your play, do it yourself. × Cross-Culture Collaborations Can the challenges faced by non-English films and plays be countered by collaborations? Hare and Ralph Fiennes are part of one such collaborative venture in the Russian language. He informs, “Half the film is in Russian and we are doing it precisely because that’s what we want to do. We want to make a film that is set in another culture and use people from that culture to make it. Whether we will succeed in financing it or not, I don’t know yet.” He continues, “I can imagine a similar collaboration in India. I’ve been coming to India since 1981. I wrote a play in 1982 which was set in Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. I also adapted Katherine Boo’s book Behind the Beautiful Forevers into a play which was shown National Theatre. The filmed version of this play was shown in cinemas all over the world and I’m very, very proud of it. We had an all Indian company of 24-25 actors at the National Theatre and then it was seen all over the world: that’s one of the most satisfying things I’ve done.” At the end of the conversation, Hare gives a characteristically passionate response to a cliched interview question: advice to the younger lot. Before I can finish my sentence, Hare says, “Get your play on! If a theatre won’t do your play, do it yourself. Just put it on. Doesn’t matter where you put it on. Even in a room like this. Anywhere! Just get it on! You will only learn by seeing your play performed. Being an unperformed playwright you are never gonna learn anything about playwriting. When you sit with the audience and see what they respond to and what they don’t respond to, you learn so much about your own work. Unfortunately, unlike a novelist, you will only learn it when it is done in a way you want and in front of an audience.”

World Theatre Day: Boredom and accident in the making of a playwright

An accountant for the Academy Awards botched the meticulous procedure for announcing the Oscar for best picture when he handed victory to &quot;La La Land&quot; before declaring &quot;Moonlight&quot; the real winner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said on Monday.

Accountant Brian Cullinan, who media reports said had been tweeting backstage shortly before, gave presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope for the movie industry&#39;s top award on Sunday, the accounting firm said in a statement.

In a gaffe that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywood and a television audience worldwide, &quot;Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture&quot; to Beatty and Dunaway,&nbsp;PwC&nbsp;said.

&quot;Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr&nbsp;Cullinan or his partner.&quot;

The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.com reported that Cullinan had posted a backstage photo of actress Emma Stone on social network Twitter minutes before the mix-up.

The photo, from Cullinan&#39;s Twitter account, was later deleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive of the page. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/oscars-2017-moonlight-wins-award-as-best-picture-after-major-goof-up-12847">The Oscars best picture goof-up</a>

The mistake was not rectified until the &quot;La La Land&quot; cast and producers were on stage giving their acceptance speeches. It was left to the musical&#39;s producer, Jordan Horowitz, to put things right.

&quot;Guys, guys, I&#39;m sorry. No. There&#39;s a mistake,&quot; Horowitz said. &quot;&#39;Moonlight,&#39; you guys won best picture. This is not a joke.&quot;

It took three hours for PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has been overseeing Academy Awards balloting for 83 years, initially to confirm that Beatty and Dunaway received the wrong category envelope.

PwC&nbsp;said it took full responsibility and apologised to the casts and crews of &quot;La La Land&quot; and &quot;Moonlight.&quot;

&quot;We sincerely apologise to Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, (host) Jimmy Kimmel, (broadcaster) ABC, and the Academy, none of whom was at fault for last night&#39;s errors,&quot; it said in its statement.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, also apologised for the mishap and said it was committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars.

Watch: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/the-oscar-goes-to-la-la-uhh-moonlight-2395">The moment Oscars got it wrong on live TV</a>

&quot;We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward,&quot; it said in a statement.

An embarrassed Beatty carried the envelope to the glitzy Governor&#39;s Ball after the show, with the writing clearly saying &quot;actress in a leading role.&quot; &quot;La La Land&quot; star Stone had been awarded that Oscar moments before.

&quot;Except for the end, it was fun,&quot; Kimmel said on Monday, referring to the Oscar show he hosted.

&quot;You know it&rsquo;s a strange night when the word &lsquo;envelope&rsquo; is trending on Twitter,&quot; he said on his ABC show &quot;Jimmy Kimmel Live.&quot;

&#39;Not advanced math&#39;

Brand management experts said it could take years for PricewaterhouseCoopers to recover.

&quot;This is not advanced math.&nbsp;PwC&nbsp;had to get the right name in the right envelope and get it to the right person,&quot; said Tim Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, calling the blunder a &quot;bit of a branding tragedy.&quot;

Under a&nbsp;PwC&nbsp;procedure, just two accountants know the names of the 24 winners after their names are placed in two sets of sealed envelopes. The two accountants also memorize the winning names.

Tradition has it that the envelopes are taken separately in two briefcases to the Academy Awards venue. The two accountants - in this case Cullinan and Martha Ruiz - are driven there separately, in case of an accident or traffic delays.

The pair then stand off stage at opposite sides and hand envelopes to the respective presenters as each category is announced.

Last week, Cullinan told the Huffington Post the procedure for dealing with the hand-off of an incorrect envelope, other than signaling to a stage manager, was unclear.

&quot;It&#39;s so unlikely,&quot; Cullinan added.

The error was corrected quickly, although precious minutes passed, said Anthony Sabino, a law professor at St John&#39;s University in New York.

&quot;It&#39;s not as if we woke up this morning, or if it had been uncovered after the telecast was over. That would have really have been a black eye,&quot; he added.

Compared to accounting fraud at other companies in the past, &quot;this incident diminished vastly to a vanishing point,&quot; Sabino said.

The &quot;Moonlight&quot; filmmakers were gracious about the error.

Director Barry Jenkins told reporters backstage that he received no immediate explanation for the mix-up, though &quot;it made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected.&quot;

Jenkins added, &quot;Please write this down: The folks from &#39;La La Land&#39; were so gracious.&quot;

(Reuters)

Media reports said he had been tweeting shortly before he gave Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope

An accountant for the Academy Awards botched the meticulous procedure for announcing the Oscar for best picture when he handed victory to "La La Land" before declaring "Moonlight" the real winner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) said on Monday. Accountant Brian Cullinan, who media reports said had been tweeting backstage shortly before, gave presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway the wrong envelope for the movie industry's top award on Sunday, the accounting firm said in a statement. In a gaffe that stunned the Dolby Theatre crowd in Hollywood and a television audience worldwide, "Cullinan mistakenly handed the back-up envelope for Actress in a Leading Role instead of the envelope for Best Picture" to Beatty and Dunaway, PwC said. "Once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough by Mr Cullinan or his partner." The Wall Street Journal and celebrity website TMZ.com reported that Cullinan had posted a backstage photo of actress Emma Stone on social network Twitter minutes before the mix-up. The photo, from Cullinan's Twitter account, was later deleted but was still viewable on Monday on a cached archive of the page. Cullinan could not immediately be reached for comment. Also read: The Oscars best picture goof-up The mistake was not rectified until the "La La Land" cast and producers were on stage giving their acceptance speeches. It was left to the musical's producer, Jordan Horowitz, to put things right. "Guys, guys, I'm sorry. No. There's a mistake," Horowitz said. "'Moonlight,' you guys won best picture. This is not a joke." It took three hours for PricewaterhouseCoopers, which has been overseeing Academy Awards balloting for 83 years, initially to confirm that Beatty and Dunaway received the wrong category envelope. PwC said it took full responsibility and apologised to the casts and crews of "La La Land" and "Moonlight." "We sincerely apologise to Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, (host) Jimmy Kimmel, (broadcaster) ABC, and the Academy, none of whom was at fault for last night's errors," it said in its statement. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, also apologised for the mishap and said it was committed to upholding the integrity of the Oscars. Watch: The moment Oscars got it wrong on live TV "We have spent last night and today investigating the circumstances, and will determine what actions are appropriate going forward," it said in a statement. An embarrassed Beatty carried the envelope to the glitzy Governor's Ball after the show, with the writing clearly saying "actress in a leading role." "La La Land" star Stone had been awarded that Oscar moments before. "Except for the end, it was fun," Kimmel said on Monday, referring to the Oscar show he hosted. "You know it’s a strange night when the word ‘envelope’ is trending on Twitter," he said on his ABC show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." 'Not advanced math' Brand management experts said it could take years for PricewaterhouseCoopers to recover. "This is not advanced math. PwC had to get the right name in the right envelope and get it to the right person," said Tim Calkins, a marketing professor at Northwestern University, calling the blunder a "bit of a branding tragedy." Under a PwC procedure, just two accountants know the names of the 24 winners after their names are placed in two sets of sealed envelopes. The two accountants also memorize the winning names. Tradition has it that the envelopes are taken separately in two briefcases to the Academy Awards venue. The two accountants - in this case Cullinan and Martha Ruiz - are driven there separately, in case of an accident or traffic delays. The pair then stand off stage at opposite sides and hand envelopes to the respective presenters as each category is announced. Last week, Cullinan told the Huffington Post the procedure for dealing with the hand-off of an incorrect envelope, other than signaling to a stage manager, was unclear. "It's so unlikely," Cullinan added. The error was corrected quickly, although precious minutes passed, said Anthony Sabino, a law professor at St John's University in New York. "It's not as if we woke up this morning, or if it had been uncovered after the telecast was over. That would have really have been a black eye," he added. Compared to accounting fraud at other companies in the past, "this incident diminished vastly to a vanishing point," Sabino said. The "Moonlight" filmmakers were gracious about the error. Director Barry Jenkins told reporters backstage that he received no immediate explanation for the mix-up, though "it made a very special feeling even more special, but not in the way I expected." Jenkins added, "Please write this down: The folks from 'La La Land' were so gracious." (Reuters)

Man responsible for Oscar mix-up named

When Mahershala Ali won the gong for the best supporting actor at the Academy Awards on Sunday, he became the first Muslim actor to win the golden statuette.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences&#39;&nbsp;decision to award Ali for his role in &#39;Moonlight&#39; assumes larger significance as it comes days after the Donald trump administration attempted to ban Muslims from entering the US.

The black actor beat&nbsp;Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) and Dev Patel (Lion) to break new grounds.

Though this year&#39;s Oscars was unexpectedly politically-charged due to US President Donald trump&#39;s raft of controversial executive orders, Ali kept his acceptance speech subdued and stuck to the movie only.

&quot;I want to thank my teachers, my professors. One thing that they consistently told me... &#39;It&#39;s not about you. It&#39;s about these characters. You are a servant. You&#39;re in service to these stories and these characters&#39;,&quot; said Ali, who recently became a father to a baby daughter.

But Ali, who became a Muslim 17 years back, had spoken about his identity and religion when he won the Screen Actors Guild award last month.

In an atmosphere that has been engulfed with religion, and often bigotry, Ali spoke about the need to keep such differences aside.&nbsp;

&quot;My mother is an ordained minister. I&#39;m a Muslim. She didn&rsquo;t do black flips when I told her I converted 17 years ago,&quot; he had said on January 29.

&quot;(But) I&rsquo;m able to see her. She&rsquo;s able to see me. We love each other...and that stuff is minutia. It&rsquo;s not that important.&quot;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tfhquDzMcr8" width="560"></iframe>

Unlike last year&#39;s Oscars which was slammed by many as being a racist ceremony, this year was a more diverse affair with Ali, Dev Patel and Denzel Washington, among others, getting a nod in the acting awards.&nbsp;

Mahershala Ali Oscar win created a furore in Pakistan after Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy to the United Nations, deleted a tweet that noted Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. The tweet, however, was spotted by Twitter users who saved screen grabs.

&nbsp;

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Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan&rsquo;s envoy to the United Nations, deleted a tweet that noted Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. (Others)
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There are several Muslim-majority countries where Mahershala Ali&rsquo;s Oscar win for his role in Moonlight won&rsquo;t be celebrated. That&rsquo;s because he belongs to the minority Ahmadi sect.&nbsp;In countries such as Malaysia and Pakistan, Ahmadis are reviled by hardline Sunni Muslim groups as heretics&nbsp;and even infidels.

(WION)

But celebrations across the Muslim world will remain muted as he belongs to the Ahmadi sect, who are viewed by Sunnis as apostates

When Mahershala Ali won the gong for the best supporting actor at the Academy Awards on Sunday, he became the first Muslim actor to win the golden statuette. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' decision to award Ali for his role in 'Moonlight' assumes larger significance as it comes days after the Donald trump administration attempted to ban Muslims from entering the US. The black actor beat Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals), Jeff Bridges (Hell or High Water), Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) and Dev Patel (Lion) to break new grounds. Though this year's Oscars was unexpectedly politically-charged due to US President Donald trump's raft of controversial executive orders, Ali kept his acceptance speech subdued and stuck to the movie only. "I want to thank my teachers, my professors. One thing that they consistently told me... 'It's not about you. It's about these characters. You are a servant. You're in service to these stories and these characters'," said Ali, who recently became a father to a baby daughter. But Ali, who became a Muslim 17 years back, had spoken about his identity and religion when he won the Screen Actors Guild award last month. In an atmosphere that has been engulfed with religion, and often bigotry, Ali spoke about the need to keep such differences aside. "My mother is an ordained minister. I'm a Muslim. She didn’t do black flips when I told her I converted 17 years ago," he had said on January 29. "(But) I’m able to see her. She’s able to see me. We love each other...and that stuff is minutia. It’s not that important." Unlike last year's Oscars which was slammed by many as being a racist ceremony, this year was a more diverse affair with Ali, Dev Patel and Denzel Washington, among others, getting a nod in the acting awards. Mahershala Ali Oscar win created a furore in Pakistan after Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations, deleted a tweet that noted Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. The tweet, however, was spotted by Twitter users who saved screen grabs. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations, deleted a tweet that noted Ali was the first Muslim actor to win an Academy Award. (Others) × There are several Muslim-majority countries where Mahershala Ali’s Oscar win for his role in Moonlight won’t be celebrated. That’s because he belongs to the minority Ahmadi sect. In countries such as Malaysia and Pakistan, Ahmadis are reviled by hardline Sunni Muslim groups as heretics and even infidels. (WION)

Mahershala Ali becomes first Muslim actor to get Oscar award

Celebrated author Paulo Coelho has said superstar Shah Rukh Khan deserved an Academy Award for his performance in the film &quot;My Name is Khan&quot;&nbsp;if Hollywood fraternity was not biased.

The 69-year-old novelist took to Twitter to praise the actor on the seventh anniversary of the Karan Johar-directed film.

&quot;&#39;My Name is Khan and I am not a terrorist&#39;. Congratulations @iamsrk for the 7th anniversary of this wonderful movie!&quot; wrote Mr Coelho.

&nbsp;

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&quot;My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist&quot; Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk">@iamsrk</a> for the 7th anniversary of this wonderful movie! <a href="https://t.co/6IlqFtGfMl">pic.twitter.com/6IlqFtGfMl</a>
&mdash; Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho) <a href="https://twitter.com/paulocoelho/status/830499053003751424">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&#39;The Alchemist&#39; author also posted a screenshot from his Facebook page, where he had written that the 2008 movie was the only time he had watched any of Shah Rukh&#39;s acts. The image read, &quot;His first (and only) movie that I watched (this year, even if it was released in 2008) was &#39;My Name is Khan&#39;. And not only was the movie excellent, but SRK deserved an Oscar if Hollywood was not manipulated. He kindly offered to send the other titles - as you probably guess, it is not easy to find them in Switzerland.&quot; 
&nbsp; 
Shah Rukh too tweeted saying that it was sad that such films are &quot;still relevant&quot; and was grateful to the cast and crew for giving him such a great film. &quot;It&#39;s kinda sad too that &#39;My Name is Khan&#39; is still relevant. But thanks Karan, Ravi, Kajol, SEL, Shibani, Niranjan, Deepa, Jimmy &amp; all cast/crew for a special film,&quot; the 51-year-old star wrote.

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It&rsquo;s kinda sad too that MNIK is still relevant.But thx Karan Ravi Kajol SEL Shibani Niranjan Deepa Jimmy &amp; all cast/crew for a special film
&mdash; Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/830519826573574148">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Director Karan Johar also wrote on Twitter, along with a still from the movie, &quot;Thank you Rizvan... for spreading your love... your message... your innocence... #7YearsOfMyNameIsKhan.&quot;

He also thanked Paulo for his words of appreciation. &quot;So honoured you liked our film this much...&quot; Karan Johar wrote.

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Thanks you Rizvan....for spreading your love ...your message....your innocence..... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7YearsOfMyNameIsKhan?src=hash">#7YearsOfMyNameIsKhan</a> <a href="https://t.co/OFHzV1j4I3">pic.twitter.com/OFHzV1j4I3</a>
&mdash; Karan Johar (@karanjohar) <a href="https://twitter.com/karanjohar/status/830480439248879617">February 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(PTI)

The 69-year-old novelist took to Twitter to praise Khan for his work, adding that SRK deserved an Oscar if Hollywood was not manipulated

Celebrated author Paulo Coelho has said superstar Shah Rukh Khan deserved an Academy Award for his performance in the film "My Name is Khan" if Hollywood fraternity was not biased. The 69-year-old novelist took to Twitter to praise the actor on the seventh anniversary of the Karan Johar-directed film. "'My Name is Khan and I am not a terrorist'. Congratulations @iamsrk for the 7th anniversary of this wonderful movie!" wrote Mr Coelho. "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist" Congratulations @iamsrk for the 7th anniversary of this wonderful movie! pic.twitter.com/6IlqFtGfMl — Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho) February 11, 2017 × 'The Alchemist' author also posted a screenshot from his Facebook page, where he had written that the 2008 movie was the only time he had watched any of Shah Rukh's acts. The image read, "His first (and only) movie that I watched (this year, even if it was released in 2008) was 'My Name is Khan'. And not only was the movie excellent, but SRK deserved an Oscar if Hollywood was not manipulated. He kindly offered to send the other titles - as you probably guess, it is not easy to find them in Switzerland." Shah Rukh too tweeted saying that it was sad that such films are "still relevant" and was grateful to the cast and crew for giving him such a great film. "It's kinda sad too that 'My Name is Khan' is still relevant. But thanks Karan, Ravi, Kajol, SEL, Shibani, Niranjan, Deepa, Jimmy & all cast/crew for a special film," the 51-year-old star wrote. It’s kinda sad too that MNIK is still relevant.But thx Karan Ravi Kajol SEL Shibani Niranjan Deepa Jimmy & all cast/crew for a special film — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) February 11, 2017 × Director Karan Johar also wrote on Twitter, along with a still from the movie, "Thank you Rizvan... for spreading your love... your message... your innocence... #7YearsOfMyNameIsKhan." He also thanked Paulo for his words of appreciation. "So honoured you liked our film this much..." Karan Johar wrote. Thanks you Rizvan....for spreading your love ...your message....your innocence..... #7YearsOfMyNameIsKhan pic.twitter.com/OFHzV1j4I3 — Karan Johar (@karanjohar) February 11, 2017 × (PTI)

Shah Rukh Khan deserved an Oscar for 'My Name is Khan': Paulo Coelho

When Jackie Chan saw an Oscar at Sylvester Stallone&#39;s house 23 years ago, he said that was the moment he decided he wanted one.

On Saturday at the annual Governors Awards, the Chinese actor and martial arts star finally received his little gold statuette, an honorary Oscar for his decades of work in film.

&quot;After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, after so many bones, finally,&quot; Chan, 62, quipped at the star-studded gala dinner while holding his Oscar.

The actor recalled watching the ceremony with his parents and his father always asking him why he didn&#39;t have Hollywood&#39;s top accolade despite having made so many movies.

He praised his hometown Hong Kong for making him &quot;proud to be Chinese,&quot; and thanked his fans, saying they were the reason &quot;I continue to make movies, jumping through windows, kicking and punching, breaking my bones.&quot;

The actor was introduced by his &quot;Rush Hour&quot; co-star Chris Tucker, actress Michelle Yeoh and Tom Hanks, who referred to him as &quot;Jackie &#39;Chantastic&#39; Chan.&quot;

Hanks said it was especially gratifying to be able to acknowledge Chan&#39;s work because martial arts and action comedy films were two genres often overlooked during awards season.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, hosts of the annual ceremony, also bestowed honorary Oscars on British film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and prolific documentarian Frederick Wiseman.

The evening was attended by Hollywood&#39;s elite, including Denzel Washington, Lupita Nyong&#39;o, Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Amy Adams and Dev Patel.

Stalmaster, 88, credited with securing career-defining roles for actors such as Jeff Bridges, Andy Garcia, Christopher Reeve and John Travolta, is the first casting director to receive an Oscar.

Coates, 90, who won the film editing Oscar for 1962&#39;s &quot;Lawrence of Arabia&quot; and has edited more than 50 films, said she shared her honorary Oscar &quot;with all the unsung heroes&quot; of filmmaking.

Wiseman, 86, whose documentaries include 1970&#39;s &quot;Hospital,&quot; 1987&#39;s &quot;Blind&quot; and last year&#39;s &quot;In Jackson Heights,&quot; said: &quot;I think it&#39;s as important to document kindness, ability and generosity of spirit as it is to show cruelty, banality and indifference,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

At the annual Governors Awards, the Chinese actor and martial arts star finally received his little gold statuette on Saturday

When Jackie Chan saw an Oscar at Sylvester Stallone's house 23 years ago, he said that was the moment he decided he wanted one. On Saturday at the annual Governors Awards, the Chinese actor and martial arts star finally received his little gold statuette, an honorary Oscar for his decades of work in film. "After 56 years in the film industry, making more than 200 films, after so many bones, finally," Chan, 62, quipped at the star-studded gala dinner while holding his Oscar. The actor recalled watching the ceremony with his parents and his father always asking him why he didn't have Hollywood's top accolade despite having made so many movies. He praised his hometown Hong Kong for making him "proud to be Chinese," and thanked his fans, saying they were the reason "I continue to make movies, jumping through windows, kicking and punching, breaking my bones." The actor was introduced by his "Rush Hour" co-star Chris Tucker, actress Michelle Yeoh and Tom Hanks, who referred to him as "Jackie 'Chantastic' Chan." Hanks said it was especially gratifying to be able to acknowledge Chan's work because martial arts and action comedy films were two genres often overlooked during awards season. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, hosts of the annual ceremony, also bestowed honorary Oscars on British film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and prolific documentarian Frederick Wiseman. The evening was attended by Hollywood's elite, including Denzel Washington, Lupita Nyong'o, Nicole Kidman, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Amy Adams and Dev Patel. Stalmaster, 88, credited with securing career-defining roles for actors such as Jeff Bridges, Andy Garcia, Christopher Reeve and John Travolta, is the first casting director to receive an Oscar. Coates, 90, who won the film editing Oscar for 1962's "Lawrence of Arabia" and has edited more than 50 films, said she shared her honorary Oscar "with all the unsung heroes" of filmmaking. Wiseman, 86, whose documentaries include 1970's "Hospital," 1987's "Blind" and last year's "In Jackson Heights," said: "I think it's as important to document kindness, ability and generosity of spirit as it is to show cruelty, banality and indifference," he said. (Reuters)

Five decades and 200 films later, Jackie Chan 'finally' wins Oscar

100 Years: The Movie You Will Never See&nbsp;is a film that, as the name says, you will not be able to see in your lifetime. The movie, which is inspired by the 100 years it takes for a bottle of Louis XIII to get ready, is scheduled to be released in the year 2115.

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A general view of Louis XIII 100 Year - &#39;The Movie You Will Never See&#39; installation on May 18, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Getty)
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Inspired by the drink, which is literally &lsquo;One Century in a Bottle&rsquo;, the movie is directed by Robert Rodriguez and stars Oscar-nominated actor John Malkovich, who also happens to be the writer of the film.

On November 18, 2015, the duo released three teaser trailers of the film. The teasers show three different possible futures that we are moving towards, from a dystopian world to one that is technology-driven.

However, the filmmakers have not included any actual footage from the movie in the teasers. In fact, they have gone at great lengths to keep the movie&rsquo;s plot a secret.

For instance, they&rsquo;ve kept the final product locked in a high-tech safe, which is itself inside a bulletproof glass casing. The case is time-proof and will automatically open for access on the premiere release date, which is November 18, 2115.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T1ka20sR-o8" width="970"></iframe>

Although the event is nearly a century away, nearly 1,000 invites have already been handed out to people, who will pass them on to their descendants.

(Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

100 Years: The Movie You Will Never See is being kept in a high-tech safe till its release in the year 2115

100 Years: The Movie You Will Never See is a film that, as the name says, you will not be able to see in your lifetime. The movie, which is inspired by the 100 years it takes for a bottle of Louis XIII to get ready, is scheduled to be released in the year 2115. A general view of Louis XIII 100 Year - 'The Movie You Will Never See' installation on May 18, 2016 in Cannes, France. (Getty) × Inspired by the drink, which is literally ‘One Century in a Bottle’, the movie is directed by Robert Rodriguez and stars Oscar-nominated actor John Malkovich, who also happens to be the writer of the film. On November 18, 2015, the duo released three teaser trailers of the film. The teasers show three different possible futures that we are moving towards, from a dystopian world to one that is technology-driven. However, the filmmakers have not included any actual footage from the movie in the teasers. In fact, they have gone at great lengths to keep the movie’s plot a secret. For instance, they’ve kept the final product locked in a high-tech safe, which is itself inside a bulletproof glass casing. The case is time-proof and will automatically open for access on the premiere release date, which is November 18, 2115. Although the event is nearly a century away, nearly 1,000 invites have already been handed out to people, who will pass them on to their descendants. (Contributed by: Zeba Khan)

This movie will release 100 years from now

Michael Cimino, whose roller-coaster career as a Hollywood film director included Oscar-winner &#39;The Deer Hunter&#39; and legendary box office flop &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, has died, US media reported. He was aged 77. 
 
The success of &#39;The Deer Hunter&#39;, a 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro, made Cimino one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The film won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. 
 
But he followed up in 1980 with &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, an epic Western that New York Times critic Vincent Canby called &quot;an unqualified disaster&quot;. The film&#39;s budget went way over at $36 million, three times the average cost of a movie then. 
 
Cimino&#39;s career never fully recovered. 
 
&quot;He went from a big Oscar film to suddenly being a pariah - everybody&#39;s whipping boy,&quot; Kris Kristofferson, who starred in the film, told the Los Angeles Times in 2004. &quot;Everybody who didn&#39;t get to do a film blamed &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate,&#39; saying all the money went to &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;.&quot; 
 
Born in New York City to a wealthy family, Cimino earned a master&#39;s degree in architecture at Yale University. He was a well-known director of TV commercials before directing his first movie, &quot;Thunderbolt and Lightfoot,&quot; a crime drama starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, in 1974. 
 
After the flop of &#39;Heaven&#39;s Gate&#39;, Cimino&#39;s comeback film in 1985, &#39;Year of the Dragon&#39;, starring Mickey Rourke as a New York City cop, failed to excite neither moviegoers nor critics. 
 
He followed up with &#39;The Sicilian&#39;, based on a Mario Puzo novel and &#39;Desperate Hours&#39;, a remake of a Humphrey Bogart film about a fugitive, starring Rourke and Anthony Hopkins. Both films were panned by critics and largely ignored by filmgoers. 
 
His final Hollywood film, 1996&#39;s &#39;The Sunchaser&#39;, a drama about a doctor, played by Woody Harrelson, who is kidnapped by a dying patient, didn&#39;t fare any better and marked the end of Cimino&#39;s career. 
 
US media said Cimino died on Saturday, but that the cause of death was unknown. 
 
(Reuters)

His 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director

Michael Cimino, whose roller-coaster career as a Hollywood film director included Oscar-winner 'The Deer Hunter' and legendary box office flop 'Heaven's Gate', has died, US media reported. He was aged 77. The success of 'The Deer Hunter', a 1978 film about the Vietnam War starring Robert De Niro, made Cimino one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood. The film won five Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. But he followed up in 1980 with 'Heaven's Gate', an epic Western that New York Times critic Vincent Canby called "an unqualified disaster". The film's budget went way over at $36 million, three times the average cost of a movie then. Cimino's career never fully recovered. "He went from a big Oscar film to suddenly being a pariah - everybody's whipping boy," Kris Kristofferson, who starred in the film, told the Los Angeles Times in 2004. "Everybody who didn't get to do a film blamed 'Heaven's Gate,' saying all the money went to 'Heaven's Gate'." Born in New York City to a wealthy family, Cimino earned a master's degree in architecture at Yale University. He was a well-known director of TV commercials before directing his first movie, "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," a crime drama starring Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges, in 1974. After the flop of 'Heaven's Gate', Cimino's comeback film in 1985, 'Year of the Dragon', starring Mickey Rourke as a New York City cop, failed to excite neither moviegoers nor critics. He followed up with 'The Sicilian', based on a Mario Puzo novel and 'Desperate Hours', a remake of a Humphrey Bogart film about a fugitive, starring Rourke and Anthony Hopkins. Both films were panned by critics and largely ignored by filmgoers. His final Hollywood film, 1996's 'The Sunchaser', a drama about a doctor, played by Woody Harrelson, who is kidnapped by a dying patient, didn't fare any better and marked the end of Cimino's career. US media said Cimino died on Saturday, but that the cause of death was unknown. (Reuters)

Oscar winning director of 'Deer Hunter' Michael Cimino, dead at 77

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