The news of Malik Bendjelloul’s death came right at the start of this year’s Cannes Film Festival. I woke up, ready to attend the first screening of the fest, when I received an email that said the director had died in Stockholm, his home country. But there was no confirmation of the cause of death. He was 36 years old. An Oscar winner. A filmmaker with so much more to do. It was a shock that made me gasp out loud. As the day continued, I bumped into a Swedish colleague, who works for a radio station, as we were both waiting for the festival’s opening press conference. While talking,…
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The Cannes Diaries, Day 1: A Cloud Over Cannes
It felt like there was a cloud hanging over Cannes today. Not the rain kind, although there were those hovering about too. Waking up to the news that Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul, the man who gave Detroit singer Rodriguez’ a second lease on life, took his own, cast a shadow over the excitement of the start of a festival. He was only 36 years old. Malik had become a fixture on the film festival circuit, tirelessly promoting his documentary, in the days and months before it won the highest of prizes, an Oscar for Best Documentary. I felt like I’d lost someone I knew. Interviewing him at Sundance in 2011 has always…
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Entertainment Express: The Amazing Spider-Man 2, 24, Rodriguez, The Fault in Our Stars, Usher
Happy Monday – don’t get caught by the Beygency! * It was a semi-big weekend for The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Andrew Garfield roped in the help of his on-and-off screen girlfriend Emma Stone to host SNL, while the movie opened in the US to a strong figure of just over $90 million. Not as big as the bigwigs would’ve liked, but just enough to indicate that the Summer movie season is officially a-go. Now if only Summer itself would join the party… * Eight seasons and a TV movie later, I thought we had seen the last of Jack Bauer. But Kiefer Sutherland is back, albeit for a limited series for…
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Oscars 2013: Searching for Sugar Men
The red carpet has been laid out and those giant Oscar statues have been placed at the entrance to the Dolby Theatre – the stage is almost set for the 85th Annual Academy Awards. While South Africa doesn’t have any official major nominations, there are still a few reasons to keep a keen eye on tonight’s awards, as the country may just have a positive “Oscar” story to report after the past week of unbelievable headlines. Searching for Sugar Man has been on an incredible journey since it first debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year. Over the past 12 or so months, I’ve had so many people ask…
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Entertainment Express: Rodriguez, Lady Gaga, Danny Boyle, Grey’s Anatomy, Billie Joe Armstrong
* The highly acclaimed documentary Searching for Sugar Man opens in the US today – giving musician Rodriguez a new lease on his music life. * Lady Gaga will make her movie debut , in no less than Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills, due out next year. * Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle will bring the opening ceremony of London 2012 Olympic Games to life today. Expect lots of sheep, Paul McCartney and a short film starring Daniel Craig. * McSteamy, aka Eric Dane, won’t be back for Season 9 of Grey’s Anatomy. Guess that gives away a bit of what happens after that last cliffhanger of an episode… *…
