Culture
A sports‑prediction commercial featuring actress Sydney Sweeney in the nude has provoked a wave of condemnation from female Olympians who say it sexualises women’s sport. The star has since responded, while some commentators defend the campaign as empowerment.
Culture
Andrew Scott will return to the stage for a 19‑performance run of Simon Stephens’ one‑man play Sea Wall at Studio Seaview, with the shows filmed for a feature‑film release. The production marks the first time the solo work will be captured live for cinema, reviving a role the actor originated nearly two decades ago.
Culture
Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor's new book offers a stark and timely warning about 'end times fascism,' delving into its contemporary manifestations and proposing a robust toolkit for resistance. This work emerges as a vital intervention, dissecting how radical right-wing nationalism and extreme wealth converge to threaten the planet and its inhabitants.
Culture
Israel's Culture Minister Miki Zohar has threatened to revoke the citizenship of filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor following the success of their documentary 'NAZA'. The film, which alleges targeting of civilians in Gaza, has drawn strong condemnation from the minister.
Culture
The film adaptation of Suzie Miller’s one‑woman play earned a rapturous response at the Toronto International Film Festival, with Erivo’s performance prompting fresh awards speculation. Critics praised her work even as the adaptation’s structural choices divided opinion.
Culture
Culture Minister Miki Zohar announced plans to revoke the Israeli citizenship of documentary co‑directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, accusing their Gaza film of treason. The move follows the film’s award at the Venice Film Festival and has ignited debate over artistic freedom in Israel.
Culture
Danish‑Egyptian director May El‑Toukhy earned the Golden Lion for her post‑World War II thriller “Woman Unknown,” the sole female‑directed entry in competition. The win comes as Venice confronts criticism over its gender balance, with jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal highlighting the festival’s lack of women filmmakers.
Culture
Jeremy Thomas, the award‑winning British film producer behind "The Last Emperor" and a string of international auteur films, died on Friday at his Oxfordshire home. His four‑decade career helped shape contemporary cinema through collaborations with directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, David Cronenberg and Michael Haneke.
Culture
A Los Angeles federal jury on Friday found Grammy‑winning rapper Lil Durk not guilty of murder‑for‑hire, conspiracy and stalking resulting in death. The verdict ends a high‑profile trial tied to a 2022 shooting that killed a relative of fellow rapper Quando Rondo.
Culture
The inaugural Ocean Way Festival, set to feature acts like The Killers, Olivia Dean, and Jack White in Santa Monica, has been canceled. The decision comes after significant beach erosion caused by Hurricane Marie rendered the event site unsafe.
Culture
The sequel 'Practical Magic 2' has launched with robust preview numbers, positioning it to potentially dethrone 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' from its six-week reign atop the domestic box office. The film reunites original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, with new additions Maisie Williams and Joey King, sparking cultural conversations around nostalgia and the film's artistic merit.
Culture
Siân Heder's new drama, 'Being Heumann,' premiered as the opening night film of the 2026 Toronto Film Festival, drawing significant critical attention and early Oscar speculation. The film chronicles a pivotal moment in the disability rights movement through the activism of Judy Heumann.