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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Julian Schnabel photographed by © Louise Kugelberg, courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia
Thoughts on Julian Schnabel in Venice
The American artist and filmmaker will world premiere his new film ‘In the Hand of Dante’ out of competition on the Lido, plus will receive Cartier Glory to the Filmmaker 2025 Award on the evening of September 3rd.
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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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Frequent Cate Blanchett collaborator, make-up artist Morag Ross in Conversation at Ciné Lumière in London
As part of the wonderful series of talks organized by Joana Granero for Fashion & Cinema, the Glasgow-born make up artist will present a screening of Neil Jordan’s 1992 film ‘The Crying Game’ and will participate in a Q&A moderated by Prof. Maria Delgado.
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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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David Lynch with Harry Dean Stanton in a still from ‘Lucky’ (2017) by John Carroll Lynch
David Lynch's children organize worldwide meditation to honor the legendary filmmaker on his birthday
Today, Monday January 20th, Lynch would have turned 79 and to honor him, his children and granddaughter have organized a global meditation meetup.
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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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UK Premiere of Pharrell Williams doc 'Piece by Piece' to close the 68th BFI London Film Festival
The film, directed by Oscar-winning American documentarian Morgan Neville is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon, all told through the lens of LEGO® animation.
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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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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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Isabelle Huppert and Tsuyoshi Ihara in a still from ‘Sidonie au Japon’
"Do you believe in ghosts?": Catching up with Isabelle Huppert and Élise Girard in Marrakech
In Girard’s ‘Sidonie au Japon’ which screened at the 20th edition of the Moroccan festival this year, Huppert plays a woman who is still haunted by the memory of her late husband, which leads her on a voyage to Japan which she will never forget…
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Five highlights from Barry Keoghan's & Jacob Elordi's 'Saltburn' press conference
Spoiler alert: The actors gushed about each other during a press conference to promote the opening of Emerald Fennell’s stunning film, now in theaters in the U.S. and the U.K..
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"The story of a woman who's not done": Jodie Foster and Annette Bening talk Netflix's NYAD
Now available to stream on Netflix, NYAD by renowned doc filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, featuring two magnificent actresses, is a story everyone who has ever doubted themselves should watch. Foster and Bening sat down to talk about the film, during an insightful press conference in LA.
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Photo by Getty Images, courtesy of the BFI London Film Festival
The Selfies Interviews: Kaouther Ben Hania on her second Oscar submission, plus retelling a story through different lenses
As ‘Four Daughters’ finally opens in the U.S., I sat down with the film’s director at the London Film Festival for a dose of typically straight to the point insight into her work and the film’s necessity, in our current media landscape that likes to categorize people as just good or evil, when life is really mostly lived in shades of grey.
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Baloji discusses Belgian Oscars submission 'Omen', a favorite filmmaker and the vibrations in a name
When the Belgian-Congolese rapper turned filmmaker premiered his film in Cannes, earlier this year, Baloji singlehandedly changed the history of his adoptive country for the better — a lesson for all in what it takes to begin to amend the wrongs of colonialism.
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