Entertainment
MTV VMAs ready to host, honor some of music's biggest acts
The MTV Video Music Awards are back Sunday with some of the biggest names in music vying for the network's fabled Moon Person statue.
Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow and Kendrick Lamar are tied for leading nominees with seven apiece. Harlow and Lil Nas X's collaboration “Industry Baby” propelled their nominations, landing them in competition for artist of the year along with Drake, Bad Bunny, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles and Lizzo.
Closely behind are Harry Styles and Doja Cat, who received six nominations apiece, while Sheeran, Billie Eilish, Drake, Dua Lipa, Tayler Swift and The Weeknd each have five.
Harlow is pulling double duty, joining LL Cool J and Nicki Minaj as the show's emcees. The VMAs are being being held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and will air beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Also read: Elton John and Britney Spears unite on a new dance single
Minaj will perform hits from throughout her career and accept the show’s video vanguard award, which MTV has said she’s receiving for her artistry, barrier-breaking hip-hop and status as a global superstar. The honor is named after Michael Jackson.
Eminem, Snoop Dogg, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Bad Bunny are also set to perform
Madonna, who is the most awarded artist in MTV history with 20 wins, becomes the only artist to receive a nomination in each of the VMAs five decades. She earned her 69th nomination for her 14th studio album “Madame X.”
Also read: Leon Vitali, Stanley Kubrick's right-hand man, dies at 74
Lamar returns to the VMAs as a nominee for the first time since 2018, with nods for best hip-hop, direction, visual effects, editing, and a category known as video for good, while his songs “family ties” and “N95” are competing for best cinematography.
Ananta Jalil responses to 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
Actor-producer-businessman Ananta Jalil has refuted the complaints of Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam about the film "Din: The Day" regarding its actual budget.
He made the response in a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Saturday.
According to the film contract, Ananta was supposed to pay all the expenses for shooting of the film in Bangladesh.
Claiming to have paid all the expenses according to the contract, Ananta said, “It is not a matter of Morteza whether it cost Tk one crore or four crore for shooting here.”
He said the shooting of the film started in 2019 and completed by 2020.
“You can watch my interviews in television, newspapers and social media before and after the release of the film. Did I say that I am the only investor of this movie? I have always said that I am the only investor for shooting in Bangladesh.”
On February 27 last year, Morteza attended a programme of the film 'Din: The Day' and 'Netri The Leader' at a city hotel where he told Ananta he had spent much more money on shooting than the budget he fixed.
“I announced the budget amount as Morteza said in all my interviews.”
Ananta said, "I am not supposed to pay any shooting expenses abroad except shooting expenses in Bangladesh, our traveling cost and the air ticket.”
Read: Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film
“So how can he say in his post that I did not pay him as per the contract?”
“Then Morteza did not spend any money on shooting in so many countries as he said that is what I am supposed to pay.”
Anata also said the Dolby certificate is not required for film release in Iran as their post-production is already quite advanced.
“Till the release of the movie, Morteza and I never had a bad relationship. I hope not in the future. I believe that one day Murtaza will unmask those on whose interests he has done it.”
Morteza recently accused Ananta Jalil of violating the conditions of the film's agreement through a post on his Instagram profile; and as promised during his initial criticism of Ananta Jalil, the filmmaker has now come forward with a post on his Instagram account to "reveal" the budget of "Din - The Day," which is USD $500,000.
This comes to about BDT 4 crore when converted in taka, which is nowhere near the more than Tk 100 crore budget earlier claimed by Ananta Jalil throughout the promotional activities of the film.
According to the claim of the Iranian filmmaker, Ananta was required to invest the entire amount for the movie in accordance with the previously signed contract between the parties. As a result, Ananta would receive 85 per cent of the movie's earnings as an investor while Morteza would gain 15 per cent as the producer.
Following that, Ananta only compensated him with USD 24,000 instead of the promised USD 200,000. According to the Iranian director, Ananta would always cite COVID and "business loss" as his excuses whenever Morteza requested further payments.
The filmmaker, showcasing all the documents, asked in the post, "How can Ananta make the claim that the budget of the film is around USD 10 million when he didn't even pay the contractually obligated amount of USD 500,000, as per our 2018 contract, to our Iranian team?"
Elton John and Britney Spears unite on a new dance single
Elton John and Britney Spears have collaborated for the first time, creating the slinky, club-ready single “Hold Me Closer” that sees the pop icons take old sounds and fashion something new.
The funky, piano-driven single uses John’s 1971 hit “Tiny Dancer” as the skeleton and adds elements from his songs “The One” and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” all with Spears voice soaring and fluttering.
While John has been releasing new music in the past few years — including the 16-track 2021 album “The Lockdown Sessions” — the song represents Spear’s first new music since her 2016 album “Glory” and her first offering since the ending of her contentious conservatorship.
“She truly is an icon, one of the all-time great pop stars and she sounds amazing on this record. I love her dearly and am delighted with what we’ve created together,” John said in a statement. Spears, in her statement, told John it was an honor to be asked: ”I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to work with you and your legendary mind.”
Read: Leon Vitali, Stanley Kubrick's right-hand man, dies at 74
The track is produced by Andrew Watt, who has worked with such acts as Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Bieber, Post Malone and Miley Cyrus.
The song begins with both stars singing the opening lyrics of “The One” — “I saw you dancing out the ocean/Running fast along the sand/A spirit born of earth and water/Fire flying from your hands.” It then seamlessly moves to ”Tiny Dancer”: “Hold me closer, tiny dancer/Count the headlights on the highway/Lay me down in sheets of linen/You had a busy day today.”
The track calls to mind last year’s hit “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix),” which melded John’s songs “Kiss the Bride,” “Rocket Man,” “Where’s the Shoorah?” and “Sacrifice” into a dance bop featuring vocals by Dua Lipa.
John and Spears first met in 2014 at an Oscar viewing party and she later tweeted her love of “Tiny Dancer,” sowing the seeds for the latest collaboration. John is in the midst of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film
The much-talked-about Ananta Jalil-starrer film "Din - The Day" director and Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam on Monday revealed the actual budget of the movie, as opposed to Ananta Jalil’s previously mentioned budget of more than 100 crore tk - and the actual amount is not even close to the aforementioned budget.
Morteza recently accused Ananta Jalil of violating the conditions of the movie's agreement through a post on his Instagram profile; and as promised during his initial criticism of Ananta Jalil, the filmmaker has now come forward with a post on his Instagram account to "reveal" the budget of "Din - The Day," which is USD $500,000.
This comes to about BDT 4 crore when converted in taka, which is nowhere near the more than Tk 100 crore budget earlier claimed by Ananta Jalil throughout the promotional activities of the film.
Read Ananta Jalil brushes off 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
According to the claim of the Iranian filmmaker, Ananta was required to invest the entire amount for the movie in accordance with the previously signed contract between the parties. As a result, Ananta would receive 85 percent of the movie's earnings as an investor while Morteza would gain 15 percent as the producer.
Sharing the pictures of the agreement signed which stated that Ananta Jalil would pay for the budget of USD 500,000 in total six instalments as the first party, Morteza stated that the film was supposed to be released within 8 months of the contract signing, which was signed on October 18, 2018.
Morteza stated that the actor's irresponsibility increased the film's overall shooting costs, and he allegedly stopped filming because Ananta failed to pay the team in a timely manner. However, the filmmaker began filming after speaking to a few well-wishers and receiving a guarantee from Ananta that all outstanding debts would be paid.
Read: Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
Following that, Ananta only compensated him with USD 24,000 instead of the promised USD 200,000. According to the Iranian director, Ananta would always cite COVID and "business loss" as his excuses whenever Morteza requested further payments.
The filmmaker, showcasing all the documents, asked in the post, "How can Ananta make the claim that the budget of the movie "Din - The Day" is around USD 10 million when he didn't even pay the contractually obligated amount of USD 500,000, as per our 2018 contract, to our Iranian team?"
The script for the movie has been constantly changed because, according to the director, both the parties could not agree on it. He said, the contract of the film clearly mentioned that the film will be made with the financing of Ananta Jalil as this type of film is not appreciated by the people of Iran, and also his name is clearly registered as the investor and actor of the film while Morteza’s name is registered as the producer and director.
Read Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
“Ananta frequently and unprofessionally ruined my interpretation of the story under the justification that he knew the Bangladeshi audience and their demand better than I did, and I had to believe him as 85 percent of the film is made in the Bangladeshi context.”
A breach of contract has been specifically pointed out by the director, as he mentioned that the storyline was shifted from IS and terrorism of the extremists to the drug smugglings and mafia curtails; and the setting of the film was shifted from Lebanon and Syria to Afghanistan and Turkey.
“We allegedly found that he even shot a portion of the film in Turkey while addressing himself as the producer and director, and also filmed Turkish dance with women in such a way that was a clear violation of our contract, which made me realise that he does not respect the laws of neither of the countries (Bangladesh and Iran). This also made me realise that directing this film is the biggest mistake of my life,” Morteza stated.
Read Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
In response to all these allegations, Ananta Jalil, producer of the film "Din - The Day," did not issue any official statement as of this reporting but verbally told the media that he is suspecting a deep conspiracy against him. “The Iranian director cannot write in Bangla, so it is clear that someone is misleading him from the country and I will share my response after talking to him.”
Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
A legal notice has been served to ban screenings of the film Hawa, for violating the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act.
Supreme Court lawyer Khandaker Hasan Shahriar sent the notice to the Censor Board on Monday. It was sent to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Film Censor Board and Information Secretary Mokbul Hossain.
According to the notice, legal action will be taken if a satisfactory response isn't forthcoming within seven days of receiving the notice.
Read: Wind of 'Hawa' blows full
The notice demanded the license of the film be revoked, and to ban its screening worldwide, not just locally.
Besides, it said the Censor Board should be reconstituted to include members of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit, lawyers and environmentalists.
In addition, before giving the Censor Board's clearance to any movie in the future, it must be ensured that a film does not violate any section of the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act-2012.
Read Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
According to the notice, in the movie which was released on July 29, a bird named Shalik is seen kept captive inside a cage on a trawler. At one point the bird is killed and eaten.
Besides, there are several scenes in the movie which are clear violations of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, 2012.
As a result, people will be encouraged to hunt, cage and kill birds.
Read Iranian director reveals everything Ananta Jalil has been saying about their film was untrue. Literally everything.
No permission was taken from the Forest Department to promote this scene, added the notice.
Earlier on 17 August, four officers of the Wildlife Crime Prevention Unit filed a case after seeing the Hawa movie.
Leon Vitali, Stanley Kubrick's right-hand man, dies at 74
Leon Vitali, the “Barry Lyndon” actor who became one of Stanley Kubrick’s closest associates, has died. He was 74.
Vitali died Friday in Los Angeles, his family told The Associated Press Sunday. He passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones including his three children, Masha, Max and Vera.
“Leon was a special and lovely man driven by his curiosity, who spread love and warmth wherever he went,” his children said in a statement provided by Masha Vitali. “He will be remembered with love and be hugely missed by the many people he touched.”
Though Vitali was often described as Kubrick’s assistant, Tony Zierra’s 2017 documentary “ Filmworker ” shed light on Vitali’s enormous and largely unsung contributions to the work of one of cinema’s greatest figures from “The Shining” through “Eyes Wide Shut.” He did everything from casting and coaching actors to overseeing restorations. Vitali even once set up a video monitor so that Kubrick could keep an eye on his dying cat.
Also read: Anne Heche dies of crash injuries after life support removed
Matthew Modine, who starred in Kubrick's “Full Metal Jacket,” tweeted his condolences Sunday.
“There are people we meet who have a profound impact upon our lives. Leon Vitali was one such person in mine,” Modine wrote. “An artist in every aspect of his life. A loving father & friend to so many. A kind, generous & forgiving nature. He exemplified & personified grace.”
Filmmaker Lee Unkrich also tweeted that he was, "Completely heartbroken to hear about the passing of Leon Vitali. He helped me (asterisk)enormously(asterisk) with my Shining book and I’m gutted that he won’t see it. He was a sweet, kind, humble, generous man and a vital part of Stanley Kubrick’s team.”
Before meeting Kubrick, Vitali was a rising actor in England, appearing in several British television shows including “Softly, Softly,” “Follyfoot,” “Z Cars” and “Notorious Woman.” Then in 1974 he got his biggest break yet, when he was cast in “Barry Lyndon” as Lord Bullingdon, the son-in-law of Ryan O’Neal’s title character.
Vitali was so fascinated by Kubrick and his processes that he made an unusual decision: He gave up on acting and devoted himself entirely to the famously demanding director for over two decades. His next Kubrick credit was as “personal assistant to the director” on “The Shining,” though that’s only part of the story — Vitali famously helped cast 4-year-old Danny Lloyd to play Danny Torrance and Louise and Lisa Burns as the creepy Grady twins (citing Diane Arbus as inspiration).
Also read: Bob Rafelson, New Hollywood era director, dies at 89
“I made one truly, truly radical change in my life and that was when I said, ‘I’m more interested in that’ than I was in the acting,” Vitali told the Associated Press in 2017. “That’s the biggest conscious decision I’ve ever made. There were some sacrifices, but there were gains too.”
After Kubrick’s death in 1999, Vitali oversaw restorations for many of Kubrick’s films. He received a Cinema Audio Society award for his work. Vitali later worked with director Todd Field on his films “Little Children” and “In the Bedroom.”
Before making the documentary, Zierra said that he and many Kubrick-obsessed fans knew Vitali for his performances in “Barry Lyndon” and “Eyes Wide Shut,” in which he played Red Cloak, and as a key member of Kubrick’s inner circle. But when they finally met Vitali to make the film, they were struck by “his kindness, humility and the fascinating scope of his story.”
Zierra is working on a director’s cut of “Filmworker” that will include new footage that he and Vitali wanted in the film, but couldn’t get done in time for its Cannes debut in 2017.
Rayhan Rafi’s new film ‘Nisshash’ to be released on Chorki
Poran-famed director Rayhan Rafi’s new web film ‘Nisshash’ is soon going to be released on OTT-platform Chorki.
A teaser of the film was released on Chorki’s official facebook page on August 20, where upcoming actress Tasnia Farin has been seen playing the lead role.
Talking about the film, Rafi said that the making, style and genre of Nisshash are totally different from his other works.
Read: Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
“I’m lucky that one of my films is going to be released on such an OTT platform as Chorki. Thousands of people across the world stream Chorki, which means my film is going to be exposed to a lot of people at the same time,” said Rafi.
Replying to a question, the director said that he is a person who lives among movies.
“My life is a movie itself. I’m always busy with something related to films. I haven’t even taken a one week break since starting working on films. Maybe that’s why I’ve been able to deliver so much work within such a short time,” added Rafi.
Read Legal notice seeks complete ban on screening Hawa
The director also said that he wants to give the audience something worth watching.
“We had to build a huge set as around 50-60 artists have worked in the film Nisshash. I tried my best so that the audience doesn’t say that they’ve wasted their money on something unworthy. I hope the teaser of the film has given the audience an idea of what is to come,” said Rayhan Rafi.
'Let no one mistake us for the fruit of violence' begins at Drik Gallery
The Goethe-Institut Bangladesh and Drik Picture Library inaugurated an international travelling exhibition at the Drik Gallery in Dhaka's Panthapath Friday to showcase the violence of gender constructions, and patriarchal forms of aggression on more vulnerable bodies.
Curated by Vidisha Fadescha, "Let no one mistake us for the fruit of violence" is part of the Goethe-Institut's ongoing M3: Man, Male and Masculinity regional Project which includes Bangladesh and five other institutes in India.
Read BSA commemorates August 21 massacre with visual art show
‘Game of Thrones’ prequel keeps dragons, adds diversity
The prequel to “Game of Thrones” is set to forge its own storytelling path, with a new set of characters and a more diverse team behind the scenes.
“House of the Dragon” takes place two centuries before the events of the original series, which ended its hit eight-season run in May 2019. The 10-episode prequel begins Sunday on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max.
The story focuses on House Targaryen, made famous in “Game of Thrones” by Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys and her fearsome dragons. But don’t expect “House of the Dragon” to be a remake of “Game of Thrones,’’ cast member Steve Toussaint said.
“It’s been done and they did it exceedingly well,” said Toussaint, who plays the very rich Lord Corlys Velaryon. “You know you’re in that world, but you’re seeing a different story, different characters, different motivations.”
Among the new faces in the clan is Prince Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith. His villainous character is a lot more complex than he appears to be on first viewing, the actor said.
“I think the reason I’ve had fun is because he’s maybe not just a villain,” he said. “I think there’s actually a huge amount of fragility and depth and inner madness there. ... It’s not black and white. It can go either way with Daemon at any point.”
Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire and Blood,” the drama was co-created by Martin and Ryan Condal, whose credits include the 2016-19 sci-fi drama “Colony.” Condal is an executive producer and co-showrunner with director Miguel Sapochnik, who brings his experience on “Game of Thrones” to the prequel.
Read:Anne Heche dies of crash injuries after life support removed
“House of the Dragon,” much like its predecessor, focuses on familial succession with a female heir being overlooked. But Sapochnik notes a key difference between the two series: The team making the prequel is more diverse, including a 50-50 split between male and female directors, including Sapochnik, Clare Kilner, Geeta Vasant Patel and Greg Yaitanes.
There was a conscious push to be inclusive behind the scenes, Sapochnik says.
“We really tried to, as much as possible, hire as many female crew as we could, because we think that’s a really important shift that needs to be both recognized, acknowledged, acted upon, maybe give opportunities to people who don’t get opportunities,” he explained.
The team making “Dragon” is equally as diverse, and — for the fantasy genre — boasts a relative bounty of women in the writers’ room. The gender balance affects the show’s story and tone, according to some of its female cast members.
The series opens with an aristocratic council naming Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) as heir to the Iron Throne, bypassing his older cousin Princess Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best). But Viserys must have his own heir, with dreams of power held by Daemon, his younger brother, and Viserys’ daughter Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy plays the adult version, Milly Alcock the youth).
“You definitely don’t feel like a device or a prop and you don’t feel like the the sexy wench or the mother,” said Olivia Cooke, who plays the adult Alicent Hightower, longtime friend to Rhaenyra. “You feel that you’ve got a fully fledged character which is really nourishing to play.”
The ensemble cast also includes Emily Carey, Graham McTavish, Fabien Frankel, Rhys Ifans and Sonoya Mizuno.
Carey, who plays the younger Alicent, calls the inclusion of women in all aspects of production a step “in the right direction” for the fantasy genre.
Although virtually every female character faces misogyny, each is “still a fully fledged, three-dimensional female character,” Carey said. “They still have multiple other story lines and a whole life away from that misogynistic story line. They’re not just put in the show to serve a purpose. And I think that’s what makes it so special.”
“House of the Dragon” screenwriter Charmaine DeGraté said “it was important for George (R.R. Martin, a prequel executive producer) for it to be this way. Female-driven characters, female-driven shows and female-driven writers rooms just sort of elevates the story. That’s a wonderful way to expand the universe.”
Ananta Jalil brushes off 'Din: The Day' director's allegations
Actor-producer-businessman Ananta Jalil Thursday shrugged off the complaints of Iranian filmmaker Morteza Atashzamzam about the film "Din: The Day" in an Instagram post as " completely baseless."
"I don't know if the Instagram post is real. But what it says are totally baseless. I have all the legal documents, which clearly state that the Iranian production cost was paid by the Iranian producers and I paid for the shooting in Bangladesh," Ananta said.
He added: "A group of people representing their production team came to Bangladesh whom we treated with great respect and made sure that everything was done following our contract."
Read: Epic fail: Ananta Jalil's 'lesson' for rapists descends into victim-blaming
"The director himself met me a few days ago. He never mentioned these issues back then. So, I don't understand why he made those baseless claims on Instagram."
Earlier in the day, Morteza wrote in an Instagram post: "Ananta Jalil broke our agreement and contract, he did not fulfil his responsibilities and promises as we agreed."
He claimed Ananta breached the contract by distorting his creation and also shared an animation of the film's poster on an Instagram reel with the word "fake."
Read Ananta Jalil broke our contract: 'Din: The Day' director
"The name of the movie was supposed to be "Day" (rooz) but nothing happened as we planned. I was the main and major producer but he continued the production in his way, with his content and form and shapes," he wrote.
The Iranian filmmaker said he would sue Ananta and register a complaint against him at the court in Tehran, Iran, and have it followed up by an international lawyer at the court in Bangladesh.
Morteza added that he would also reveal the original contract in public and the main budget of the film.
Read Ananta Jalil vows to stand beside Sylhet with everything
Released during this year's Eid ul Azha, Din: The Day also stars Ananta's wife and actress Afiea Nusrat Barsha as the female lead. There has been a recurring debate about the film's actual budget which Ananta claimed was Tk100 crore.