When I first met the French African filmmaker in Marrakech, she exuded a kindness and resolve beyond expected. Now, on our second chance encounter thanks to the BFI London Film Festival, I got to interview her briefly and discover her talent and wisdom.
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Marco Calvani photographed by © Josh Telles
"We are all dreading to be Steve Carell in Season 2!": An interview with Marco Calvani of 'The Four Seasons'
A throwback to the 1981 film starring and directed by Alan Alda, Tina Fey’s series, now on Netflix, features a stellar cast — but none are as memorable as Italian actor, playwright and director Marco Calvani in the role of Claude.
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A still from ‘Promised Sky’ by Erige Sehiri, Copyright © 2025 MANEKI FILMS - HENIA PRODUCTION
Questioning sisterhood: Erige Sehiri talks Un Certain Regard opening film 'Promised Sky'
In her latest film, which kicked off this year’s Un Certain Regard section in Cannes, Tunisian-French helmer Erige Sehiri highlighted women’s friendships at the heart of a community under attack in Tunis. In the process, she created something so moving, touching and so perfectly beautiful, I urge you to watch it on the big screen, as soon as possible.
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Tamara Cortés and Matías Catalán in a still from ‘The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo
'The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo' and how Diego Céspedes created a Cannes winning masterpiece
Coining a new term, in what could be called a ‘Travesti-Western’, the Chilean filmmaker pays homage to the men, and women of his past. And in the process, manages a triumphant film about a child growing up in a loving trans community, one which won top prize in Un Certain Regard in Cannes.
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Walter Salles, image by Getty courtesy of the DFI, used with permission
What I learned from these world cinema Masters at Qumra 2025
From Walter Salles it was about the power of kindness, from Darius Khondji it turned out to be about our individual learning pace and from Anna Terrazas, a lesson in adaptability… Among others. Read on for all the important lessons I learned at this year’s annual DFI industry incubator.
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Francesca Comencini in Venice, flanked by actors Fabrizio Gifuni and Romana Maggiora Vergano
"A collection of memories": Francesca Comencini on her most personal film yet, 'The Time It Takes'
The Italian filmmaker spoke with me on the eve of her film kicking off the 15th anniversary edition of the Cinecittà: Cinema Made In Italy showcase in London.
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Filmmaker Brendan Canty at the Q&A following the world premiere of ‘Christy’, photo courtesy of © Berlinale
Brendan Canty talks Berlinale gem 'Christy', casting his ensemble and hints at upcoming epic... in development stages
In many ways, ‘Christy’ is the perfect film. And talking to the film’s director and co-writer provided many of the reasons why.
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RaMell Ross flanked by Ethan Herisse on the left and Brandon Wilson on the right, at NYFF in the fall
The 'Nickel Boys' men interviewed: RaMell Ross, Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson
‘Nickel Boys’ is up for Best Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes this year, among many other accolades its director and stars have been collecting along the way. I caught up with the three men during the London Film Festival where I got to watch the film which I credit with having changed my very DNA.
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Photo courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved
Golden Globes nominee Isabella Rossellini on the power of silence
Her turn as Sister Agnes in Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’ could well see the Italian actress, and farmer, nabbing her first ever Golden Globe award, come January 5th. So I wanted to find out how she mastered her performance filled with quiet power.
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Ava DuVernay photographed by ©Hadnnan in Marrakech, courtesy of FIFM
The Cinema Queen: Talking movies with Ava DuVernay in Marrakech
American filmmaker Ava DuVernay was at the Marrakech International Film Festival this year to share her wisdom during a public Conversation, where she talked about making movies as a Black woman but also the ability to watch cinema and how that changes depending on your socio-economic background.
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Top Chef Middle East celebrity chef Bobby Chinn sets the record straight, once and for all
He talks to me about his origins, why and how he speaks Arabic and more. This is one interview you won’t want to miss!
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A still from 'La Máquina' courtesy of Hulu/Disney+
Hulu's 'La Máquina' reunites Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal, and not a moment too soon!
Friendship is at the core of this beautifully shot, perfectly written, wondrously acted series, which just began streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ around the world. And for those of us who missed watching this wonderful duo act together, it comes at the perfect time.
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June Squibb with Fred Hechinger in ‘Thelma’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures
Role of a lifetime: Six Q's with June Squibb on her golden age starring role in 'Thelma'
One hardly expects to reach stardom at any age, but to hit that landmark at 90 is a feat of wonder. And that wonder is the charming, beautiful, funny June Squibb.
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The Fantastic Mr. Xido: an interview with Jeremy Xido -- dancer, performance artist, filmmaker
It is a luxury to be able to follow someone’s career for years and I’ve had that privilege with Xido, whom I first met in 2013 in Dubai, where he was presenting his cult rockumentary ‘Death Metal Angola’.
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Filmmaker to watch KEFF on Taiwanese Cannes title 'Locust', channeling Edward Yang & why artists are like fortune tellers
Just as Taiwan sits atop our latest headlines, with China once again threatening to squash the country’s need for independence, I sat down with KEFF, the young Taiwanese-American filmmaker whose latest work, his feature debut world premiering in Critics’ Week, sits very high on the list of my favorite films in Cannes this year. And that’s saying a lot, as masterpieces abounded!
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Phenomenal man: A conversation with Nabil Ayouch about the cinematic wonder that is 'Everybody Loves Touda'
As we spoke on the terrace of Unifrance during the Cannes Film Festival, a little tiny bird with a loud, rhythmical chirp decided it needed to chime in. Perhaps, I thought as I listened to the recording later, it was the spirit, the animal incarnation of a Sheikha, the beautiful, strong, freedom-loving tradition of women singers that the French-Moroccan filmmaker pays homage to in his latest masterpiece.
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"It’s important in life to keep moving": Toni Collette's Qumra masterclass inspires
As her masterclass kicked off the DFI’s industry incubator, the Australian actress turned filmmaker opened a window onto her work ethic and life philosophy, thus allowing the numerous audience attending to learn from her wisdom.
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Photo by © Ali Ghandtschi, courtesy of the Berlinale
"I’ll keep trying to make movies that are as disruptive as possible": Olivier Assayas at Berlinale for 'Hors du temps'
In his latest film which in English gets the title ‘Suspended Time’, the French maestro gets super personal and in the process, makes us discover the laughter we lost during COVID times.
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Asmae El Moudir talks 'The Mother of All Lies' -- Morocco's entry to the Oscar race
When the film world premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, it won filmmaker a Best Directing award, as well as the Cannes Best Documentary prize. That was only the beginning, as the film ended up going to on win best film at Sydney FF and best documentary at the Durban film festival. In Marrakech, it won top prize, with Jury President Jessica Chastain handing the diminutive, yet powerful El Moudir the award.
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Matteo Garrone, right, with Seydou Sarr (left) and Moustapha Fall on the set of ‘Io Capitano’
Matteo Garrone explains that his award-winning 'Io Capitano' provides "a reverse shot of what we are used to seeing" in the media
The Italian filmmaker stands on the edge of a life changing event, having made the kind of film that not only makes the world a better place, but is also perfectly entertaining for audiences, and proves a critics’ favorite. We caught up during the Marrakech International Film Festival, before the film received its Golden Globes nomination earlier this month. Next stop… the Oscars?
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