US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

By Crispian Balmer VENICE (Reuters) -U.S. indie director Jim Jarmusch unexpectedly won the coveted Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday with "Father Mother Sister Brother", a three-part meditation on the uneasy ties between parents and their adult children. Although his gentle comedy received largely positive reviews, it had not been a favourite for the top prize, with many critics instead tipping "The Voice of Hind Rajab", a harrowing true-life account of the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl during the Gaza war. In the end, the film directed by Tunisia's Kaouther Ben Hania took the runner-up Silver Lion. Divided into chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin and Paris, "Father Mother Sister Brother" features an ensemble cast including Tom Waits, Adam Driver, Mayim Bialik, Charlotte Rampling, Cate Blanchett, Vicky Krieps, Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat. Each instalment drifts gently through domestic encounters where nothing much happens, but small gestures and silences sketch out the generational awkwardness that can beset families. "All of us here who make films, we're not motivated by competition. But this is something I truly appreciate, this unexpected honour," said Jarmusch, who made his name in the 1980s with offbeat, low-budget works such as "Down by Law". In other categories, Italy's Toni Servillo was named best actor for his wry portrayal of a weary president nearing the end of his mandate in "La Grazia", directed by his long-time collaborator Paolo Sorrentino. China's Xin Zhilei won best actress for her role in "The Sun Rises On Us All", a drama directed by Cai Shangjun that delves into questions of sacrifice, guilt and unresolved feelings between estranged lovers who share a dark secret. The Venice festival marks the start of the awards season and regularly throws up big favourites for the Oscars, with films premiering here over the past four years collecting more than 90 Oscar nominations and winning almost 20. GAZA TO THE FORE Venice has often been seen as the most glamorous and least political of the major film festivals, but in 2025 the movies that made the strongest impact focused on current events, with the ongoing Israeli invasion of Gaza casting a long shadow. As he unveiled his own picture last weekend, Jarmusch acknowledged that he was concerned that one of his main distributors had taken money from a company with ties to the Israeli military. "The Voice of Hind Rajab", which uses the real audio of a young girl's desperate pleas for help as her car comes under Israeli gunfire, was the fan favourite, winning a record 24-minute standing ovation at its premiere. "Cinema cannot bring Hind back, nor can it erase the atrocity committed against her. Nothing can ever restore what was taken, but cinema can preserve her voice, make it resonate across borders," Ben Hania said on Saturday night. "Her voice will continue to echo until accountability is real, until justice is served." The best director nod went to Benny Safdie for "The Smashing Machine", which starred Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the role of the real-life mixed martial arts pioneer Mark Kerr. "To be here amongst the giants of the past and the giants here this year, it just blows my mind," said Safdie, who has previously co-directed films with his brother Josh. The special jury award went to Italy's Gianfranco Rosi for his black-and-white documentary "Below the Clouds", about life in the chaotic southern city of Naples, marked by repeated earthquakes and the threat of volcanic eruptions. Among the movies that left Venice empty-handed were a trio of Netflix pictures, Kathryn Bigelow's nuclear thriller "A House of Dynamite", Guillermo del Toro's re-telling of "Frankenstein" and Noah Baumbach's comedy-drama "Jay Kelly". "No Other Choice" by South Korea's Park Chan-wook also failed to secure an award, despite strong reviews, likewise "Bugonia" by Yorgos Lanthimos, which starred Emma Stone. The main jury was chaired by U.S. director Alexander Payne, joined by fellow filmmakers Stéphane Brizé, Maura Delpero, Cristian Mungiu and Mohammad Rasoulof, alongside actresses Fernanda Torres and Zhao Tao. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Roberto Mignucci; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner

US independent director Jim Jarmusch proves surprise Venice winner By Crispian Balmer VENICE (Reuters) -U.S. indie director Jim Jarmusch une...

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Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during “Stand by Me”: 'They're the kindest'

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during "Stand by Me": 'They're the kindest'

Columbia Pictures Jerry O'Connellrecently recalled the support he received from his lateStand by MecostarRiver Phoenixand his family. In a recent episode ofBurtcast, the actor said that Phoenix was one of the "most talented, most beautiful" people he knew. O'Connell said Phoenix's mother advised his parents on getting him an agent following the success ofStand by Me. "She was like, 'Hey, Linda. This movie's a hit. You got to get an agent. This is what's got to happen,'" he said. "That's when I got an agent and everything, but it was so funny." O'Connell and his own family were inexperienced with show business. The TV host's father had initially believed thatStand by Mewould never get released. The patriarch had seen other people create and fail to release films in the past. "It's behind you," O'Connell remembered his father saying. "It was a fun experience. Now, we get back to real life. Okay. I don't want to hear about it ever again." TheSlidersactor proved his dad wrong, asStand by Mebecame a hit among critics and at the box office. It has become a classic in the coming-of-age genre. Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. TheKangaroo Jackstar said he had grown up distrusting of people because of the environment he was raised in. However, the Phoenix family had immediately let him in. "I have a real bond with all the Phoenixes, all of them, because they're the kindest family," O'Connell said. River Phoenix died of a drug overdose at the age of 23 on Oct. 31, 1993. Even during his short life, he racked up numerous accomplishments, including an Academy Award nomination for his role in 1988'sRunning on Empty. Listen to the full Burtcast with Jerry O'Connell below. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during “Stand by Me”: 'They're the kindest'

Jerry O'Connell recalls advice from River Phoenix's family during "Stand by Me": 'They're the kindest' Columbi...

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Evacuation orders issued in Southern California as wildfire rages

Evacuation orders issued in Southern California as wildfire rages

Evacuation warnings have been issued in California's Riverside County after a fire erupted on Friday evening, a downgrade from an earlier evacuation order. The Pyrite Fire was first sparked at 5:19 p.m. in Jurupa Valley and has since burned 425 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire. The fire is now 15% contained, and its cause is under investigation. Firefighters responded to the vegetation fire Friday evening, which was "burning in light flashy fuels," Cal Fire said. Video of the fire shows a large amount of smoke emerging from an orange blaze. Multiple fire trucks and police cars could be seen on the scene. In the distance, Jurupa Valley's historical landmark, the Columbian mammoth statue, stands unharmed. Shortly after the fire erupted, Cal Fire issued an evacuation warning for the area north and east of Sierra Avenue, south of Lauren Lane and west of Armstrong Road. In an 11:30 p.m. update, Cal Fire issued an evacuation order for the area and three additional zones, citing an "immediate threat to life." "This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," Cal Fire said on its website. "The area is lawfully closed to public access." Three zones were also placed under evacuation warnings, citing a "potential threat to life and/or property." On Saturday morning, all evacuation orders were downgraded to evacuation warnings. There are currently more than 290 personnel on the scene, eight crews, two helicopters and 40 engines, according to Cal Fire.

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

Evacuation orders issued in Southern California as wildfire rages

Evacuation orders issued in Southern California as wildfire rages Evacuation warnings have been issued in California's Riverside County ...

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Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several thousand protesters marched in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to demand that U.S. President Donald Trump end the deployment of National Guard troops patrolling the capital city's streets. With Trump vowing crackdowns in other Democratic-led cities as well, he appeared to threaten Chicago with migrant deportations in a social media post with an image that parodied the 1979 Vietnam war movie "Apocalypse Now." Protesters at the "We Are All D.C." march, including undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestinian statehood, chanted slogans denouncing Trump and carried posters, some of which read, "Trump must go now," "Free DC" and "Resist Tyranny." "I'm here to protest the occupation of D.C.," said Alex Laufer. "We're opposing the authoritarian regime, and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets." Claiming that crime was blighting the city, Trump deployed the troops last month to "re-establish law, order, and public safety." Trump also placed the capital district's Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and sent federal law enforcement personnel, including members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to police the city's streets, moves critics have decried as federal overreach. Justice Department data showed violent crime in 2024 hit a 30-year low in Washington, a self-governing federal district under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress. The National Guard serves as a militia that answers to the governors of the 50 states except when called into federal service. The D.C. National Guard reports directly to the president. Trump said on Tuesday that he would also deploy National Guard troops to fight crime in Chicago, an extraordinary effort to militarize the country's third-largest city that was likely to trigger a legal battle with local officials. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said after Trump spoke that he had learned from reporters that the administration has "gathered ICE agents and military vehicles, and that there are more ICE agents that are on the way." "What they're trying to do in D.C. is what they're trying to do with other dictatorships," said Casey, who declined to give his last name. "They're testing D.C., and if people tolerate it enough, they're gonna do it to more and more areas. So we have to stop it while we still can." More than 2,000 troops, including from six Republican-led states, are patrolling the city. It is unclear when their mission will end, though the Army this week extended orders for the D.C. National Guard through November 30. WASHINGTON FILES SUIT Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking to block the troop deployment, arguing that it was unconstitutional and violated multiple federal laws. But some residents have welcomed the National Guard and called for the troops to be deployed in the less-affluent parts of the city where crime is rampant. The National Guard has been mostly visible in downtown and tourist areas. Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has praised Trump's surge of federal law enforcement personnel in the city, but has said that she hopes that the National Guard's mission will end soon. Bowser said there had been a sharp decline in crime, including carjackings, since the surge. The mayor signed an order this week requiring the city to coordinate with federal law enforcement. Trump was playing golf at his course outside Washington and was not at the White House when protesters marched past on Saturday. But he appeared to step up pressure on Chicago in a post on his Truth Social platform that said, "I love the smell of deportations in the morning," parodying a line from the 1979 movie. "Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR," the president wrote, referring to his new order to rename the Department of Defense. The post was accompanied by a seemingly artificial intelligence-generated picture of Trump dressed a military officer character in the film with helicopter gunships and explosions in the background. (Reporting By Lucia Mutikani and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Mark Porter)

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city

Washington, DC, residents protest against Trump's troop deployment to the city WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Several thousand protesters marched...

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Matthew McConaughey snuck his son into audition for new movie by hiding famous last name

Matthew McConaughey snuck his son into audition for new movie by hiding famous last name

Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Matthew McConaughey's real son, Levi, plays his on-screen son inThe Lost Bus. The Oscar-winning actor revealed he snuck Levi into the audition by hiding his famous last name. He said director Paul Greengrass cast Levi without knowing he was the actor's son. Having a famous parent can get you places in Hollywood — but so can pure talent, asMatthew McConaugheyrevealed that he snuck his son, Levi Alves McConaughey, into an audition to play his on-screen kid by hiding his famous last name. After Friday night's world-premiere screening of their new movie,The Lost Bus,at the 2025Toronto International Film Festival, McConaughey spoke to the audience about how his 17-year-old son came to star with him in the film. "Levi, come on out here, bud," he said, embracing his son, who walked onstage to uproarious applause from the audience at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty McConaughey also spoke about Greengrass casting his real mother, Kay McConaughey, for a role in the film before recounting how Levi became involved. "She's always been performing, but I had no idea this young man was interested. As I pitched the script to the family, as I always do before work, there was a part about Kevin having a son. [Levi] asked me, 'How old is he?' I said, 'He's about your age.' He goes, 'Think I could read for it?'" the 55-year-old recalled. "And I didn't say anything. It wasn't enough for me to say maybe. He came back four more times. I said,Okay, now he's working for it. I said yeah. I pulled out the camera, worked with him on a scene, and sent that to [casting director] Francine Maisler." TheDallas Buyers Clubactor indicated that Maisler told him, "I think it might be good enough for a callback," and, later, that it "might be good enough to show to Paul." McConaughey said he asked Maisler to do him one favor during the process. "Will you pull the last name off so there's no McConaughey at the end of that?" he asked her. "Next call I got, [Paul] goes, 'That's the guy, that's the son!' [Francine] goes, 'That happens to be Matthew's son! And Paul goes, 'Even better!'" McConaughey and his son, whom he shares with wife Camila Alves, were joined on stage at theLost Buspremiere by many involved in the film's production, including supporting actressAmerica Ferreraand producersJason BlumandJamie Lee Curtis. Curtis told the audience that she first heard of the story in a newspaper article, and later went to Blum to secure the rights to a book based on the tragedy, written by Lizzie Johnson. The film follows the real-life story of a bus driver, Kevin McKay, and teacher Mary Ludwig, who helped drive to safety a bus full of kids amid California's 2018 Camp Fire. Apple TV/Youtube Theactress said that, in meeting the real-life Kevin and Mary for the first time, she discovered that the latter had a shocking connection to her mother, Hollywood iconJanet Leigh, who died in 2004. "She said, 'My father dated your mother.' [I asked], 'For real?' I said, 'Where?' She said, 'Merced, Calif.," Curtis told the crowd. "Now, you guys know my mother as Janet Leigh, but before she was Janet Leigh, she was Jeanette Helen Morrison from Merced, Calif., and Mary Ludwig's father dated Jeanette." After the audience gasped at the reveal, Curtis stressed that she felt the connection was destiny. Want more movie news? Sign up forEntertainment Weekly's free newsletterto get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more. "This moment with Kevin and Mary was born from something much bigger," she said, celebrating "the fact that we're all here together with you at the world premiere of a movie about their story told by a master produced by a master, is just a thrilling, weird, connect-the-dots [moment]." The Lost Busenters limited theatrical release onSept. 19, before streaming Oct. 3 on Apple TV+. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

Matthew McConaughey snuck his son into audition for new movie by hiding famous last name

Matthew McConaughey snuck his son into audition for new movie by hiding famous last name Eric Charbonneau/Apple TV+ via Getty Matthew McCona...

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Reneé Rapp has words for people who speculate about her sexuality

Reneé Rapp has words for people who speculate about her sexuality

Reneé Rapphas responded after Australian singer Betty Who speculated about Rapp's sexuality. In an interview withCosmopolitanpublished Sept. 5, Rapp said she is publicly in a "very loving relationship with a woman" and isn't surprised by comments questioning her identity as a lesbian. The comments come after Who, whose real name is Jessica Newham, said in a podcast that Rapp may one day meet a man who changes her mind and becomes the love of her life. Rappsaid she has come to expect similar comments. "No, I'm never surprised. People are always going for lesbians! Somebody's gonna bring my name into the conversation if they want to be in the conversation. So no, it doesn't surprise me at all," Rapp said without directly mentioning Who's name. The 25-year-old actor and musician said people are consistently dismissing her lesbian identity by suggesting she simply "hasn't found the right man." Who apologized on her Instagram Story on Aug. 28, writing that she recognized the language she used unintentionally "reinforced ideas that were harmful or dismissive, particularly toward the lesbian community." "That was never my intention, and I'm truly sorry. Everyone's journey is deeply personal, and I shouldn't have spoken in ways that generalized or spoke for others," she wrote. "I understand there is so much nuance in this conversation, and in other people's lived experiences, that my comments did not reflect. I also recognize that I'm coming from a place of privilege, and I never meant to contribute to prejudice against the community." Rappdidn't reference the apology in her comments. "What makes you think I'm gonna end up with a man? Also, how about don't talk about me when it comes to a man?" she said. "I'm not really sure what about that is so blurry. I mean, I completely understand that identifying yourself can be really difficult. There is so much pressure when it comes to labelling yourself, but I think that pressure often comes from you." She added many people pressure others to label themselves immediately and urged these people to "just literally focus on yourself." September marks the end of summer and the start of fall, and Hollywood A-listers are gearing up for spooky season. But before they get in the Halloween spirit, they'll have to get red carpet ready for the MTV VMAs, the 2025 Emmy Awards and dust off their favorite fits forNew York Fashion Week.Here's what celebs are up to this month, starting with Jason Momoa and Oscar Isaac at the Cartier Glory To The Filmmaker Award 2025 red carpet during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Sept. 3, 2025, in Venice, Italy. Scroll through for more. In an Aug. 19 episode of the"Made It Out" podcast, Who mentioned Rapp when making a point about how sexual orientation and romance aren't always clear cut. Who and podcast host Mal Glowenke were discussing how biphobia has prompted scrutiny toward queer celebrities like 22-year-oldJoJo Siwa, who came under fire amid her romantic relationship with "Love Island" alumChris Hughesafter previously publicly identifying as a lesbian. The singer defended Siwa and recounted her own experiences as a bisexual woman falling in love with a man after previously dismissing the idea. She then proceeded to mention Rapp, who has publicly denied being bisexual herself. "It's funny that Reneé Rapp is like 'you'll never catch me dating a man.' Like go off queen I love that for you but I also hold space for her in 10 years if she goes 'oops I met the love of my life and it's this man I didn't mean to,'" Newham said. "That's okay. It shouldn't be illegal for you to fall in love." (This story has been updated to correct a misspelling/typo.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Reneé Rapp responds after Betty Who speculated about Rapp's sexuality

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

Reneé Rapp has words for people who speculate about her sexuality

Reneé Rapp has words for people who speculate about her sexuality Reneé Rapphas responded after Australian singer Betty Who speculated about...

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$1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawing tonight. Updates on everything to know.

$1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawing tonight. Updates on everything to know.

ThePowerball drawing that will start on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10:59 p.m. ETwill be for a massive$1.8 billion jackpot, making it thesecond-largest lottery jackpot in the history of the United States. People across the country will be flocking to buy Powerball ticketsat gas stations and convenience stores on Saturday, but the chances of winning are astonishingly low − about 1 in 292 million, the lottery association said. By comparison, about 342 million live in the United States, according to theCensus Bureau. Here's what to know ahead of Saturday's drawing and who could win − or not. Did you beat the odds and win?What to know if you have winning ticket. Tickets are sold for at least $2 at convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores, among other locations, in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some states sell Powerball tickets online, too. To play, players have to choose six numbers among five white balls and one red Powerball. The white balls have to be from 1 to 69, and the red ball is from 1 to 26. All five white balls, in any order, and the red Powerball must match the winning numbers. If no one matches, drawings continue. If a player wins, they can choose between an annuity option, of the current estimated amount of $1.8 billion, of one immediate payment with 29 yearly payments that increase by 5% annually. Or people can get a current lump sum of $826.4 million. Most winners have taken the lump sum payout. You don't have to win the jackpot to get a big prize, as lesser prizes can be worth $1 million or more. The deadline to buy a Powerball ticket varies by state. Most salesclose one to two hoursbefore the drawing begins at 10:59 p.m. ET. Most people on the East Coast have until the late evening to buy a ticket, with cutoffs usually around 10 p.m. local time. People on the West Coast should plan on buying earlier in the evening, with cutoffs as early as 6:45 p.m. local time. Here's the full list of Powerball ticket purchase cutoff times. - Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY It depends. Will it be a lighthearted purchase so you can be a part of a national event, or is it a desperate attempt to recoup lost money? Will buying a lottery ticket eat up a noticeable portion of your income? Do you have an emergency fund? Experts say these questions are essential in determining whether you have a healthy view of the lottery. The lottery, including the Powerball, should be seen as an entertainment product – not an investment, experts say. That's because your estimated chances of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292 million. It can alsoworsen your mental health, especially if you're spending money you can't afford to lose. "Two dollars is a low price to pay to dream about being a billionaire – that's true," said Victor Matheson, an economics professor at College of the Holy Cross who has studied the lottery and other forms of gambling for decades. "But as an investment, it's terrible." If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, operated by theNational Council on Problem Gambling. Read more:Huge Powerball jackpots attract 'everyone,' but there's a catch The Powerball winner has to pay a high federal tax plus possible state and local taxes, depending on where they live. In the lump sum, winners will automatically pay the IRS a 24% off-the-top federal tax withholding. The total lump sum is also subject to a federal marginal tax rate of up to 37%. States may tax lottery winnings, such as an 8.82% in New York or a 2.9% in North Dakota. Some cities also tax the winnings. Theaverage American spends $320 a yearon lottery tickets, according to aSept. 2 analysisfrom the personal finance site LendingTree. Massachusetts residents spend the most, a whopping $915 per person. North Dakotans spend the least: a measly $50. The data comes from 2023, the most recent figures available, and covers 45 states with lotteries. Americans spent $103 billion on lottery tickets in 2023 for a payout of $69 billion. Americans from all backgrounds put up hard-earned money for achance to win the Powerball– especially when jackpots hit eye-popping figures – but gambling most negatively impacts low-income households, experts told USA TODAY. "There's no group that really doesn't play the lottery, but they play at different rates," said David Just, a Cornell University economics professor. Across socio-economic lines, both the rich and the poor participate inthe lotterybut lower-income groups play at higher rates than wealthier individuals – and they spend higher percentages of their income on lottery games, research shows. Federal sales data indicates the lottery is most popular in the Northeast, including in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The lottery also sees higher rates of play during times of economic turmoil, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, fitting other known gambling trends that correlate financial blows to increased risk taking. Read more on thedemographics of the Powerball. Given the 1-in-292.2 million odds, you're more likely to bestruck by lightning, killed by a shark or dying by a meteorite or asteroidthan winning the jackpot. $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – winning ticket sold in California $1.8 billion – Sept. 6, 2025 – TBD $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – California $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – Oregon $1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – California $842.4 million – Jan. 1, 2024 – Michigan $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017 – Massachusetts $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023 – Washington Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Powerball news for Saturday's huge jackpot: When to watch, how to buy

byMario Satorik

in

September 06, 2025

$1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawing tonight. Updates on everything to know.

$1.8 billion Powerball jackpot drawing tonight. Updates on everything to know. ThePowerball drawing that will start on Saturday, Sept. 6, at...

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