In Blood Diamond, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Zimbabwean ex-mercenary utters a line that became one of those oft-heard film quotes. As a means of explaining the way things work – or don’t work – on the continent, he tells co-star Jennifer Connelly, “TIA.” When she doesn’t get his homemade-acronym the first time around, he spells it out: “This. Is. Africa.” It may have taken over a decade, but you could say Black Panther is the cinematic blockbuster retort to that. A long-awaited clap-back in the form of a roar. This is Africa. Yes, it’s a heightened, idealized version of it — where vibranium, not diamonds — is the major resource. Yes, it’s…
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The Two Faces in Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Lee Daniels’ The Butler arrives in cinemas in the US this weekend. It’s a while before it reaches South African shores, but the film has a close resonance that will be felt there, in scenes where Nelson Mandela’s name is chanted, and Apartheid is protested from afar. I will be posting links to the stories I’m doing when the film releases closer to the time, but for now, there were a few words said at a recent press conference for the film that I’d like to share. The film springs off from the true life story of Eugene Allen, a butler who served at the White House through 8 presidencies.…
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2012 Social Good Summit
There were many reasons I enjoyed the 2012 Social Good Summit. One because Forest Whitaker was there. Two because so were Rory Gilmore and Betty Suarez. All kidding aside, it was an uplifting 3-day event, during which I heard a few resounding themes that came up over and over – from both the celebs that took part and the rockstars running non-profits and other such inspiring organisations. Perhaps the most over-riding idea was the one articulated by Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and founder of the Grameen Bank, that, when it comes to the future, there is more to be excited about than to get worried. Those words were…
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Entertainment Express: Emmys, Green Day, Bruce Springsteen, Forest Whitaker, Mumford and Sons
* The 64th Primetime Emmys handed out top honours for TV’s best comedy, drama, variety and reality shows. * Green Day’s Bille Joe Armstrong has checked into rehab, following at outburst at the iHeart Radio gig in Las Vegas this weekend. * Bruce Springsteen turned 63 and invited 60 000 fans to his birthday party in New Jersey on Saturday night. * Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker launched his PeaceEarth initiative last week, and spoke at Sunday’s session of the Social Good Summit. * Mumford and Sons release their new album today, after imitating the Beatles and performing on SNL this past weekend. Pic: emmys.tv
