As the American presidential election approaches, the film The Apprentice, is set to debut in French theaters on October 9th. This feature film explores the early career of Donald Trump, the former U.S. President and current Republican candidate, in the ruthless world of New York real estate in the 1970s and 80s. A Remarkable Transformation … Continue reading “The Apprentice: A Controversial Biopic on Donald Trump”
Maggie Smith passed away on 27 September at the age of 89, after a long and distinguished career in theatre, TV and film. Her talents in both comedic and dramatic acting won her two Oscars and countless awards across the acting world. Smith started acting at just 18 in 1952, and honed her craft on … Continue reading “Maggie Smith’s Amazing Career”
2024 marks the centennial of the birth of James Baldwin, novelist, poet, playwright, essayist, civil-rights campaigner and social critic, as well as self-proclaimed American “Native Son”. Born in 1924 in Harlem, New York, Baldwin grew up in poverty, the eldest of nine children. Harlem was home to many black families who had moved from the … Continue reading “James Baldwin Centenary”
The annual Dinard Film Festival is expanding to become the British AND Irish film festival. The 35th edition takes place from 2 to 6 October. There are six films in competition as well as a short film section and special events such as a preview of Anthony Hopkins playing Sigmund Freud debating the existence of … Continue reading “Dinard British and Irish Film Festival”
At a time when women helped wage war backstage, Lee Miller went to the front with her camera and risked her life to witness and share the reality of WWII with the rest of the world. The biopic by Ellen Kuras to be released in October and starring Kate Winslet pays tribute to this modern … Continue reading “Lee Miller: Photographing War”
The 77th Cannes Film Festival, held from May 16 to 27, 2024, was marked by a strong presence of American cinema, both in the official selection and in the awards given. Despite the disruptions caused by the actors’ strike in 2023, independent and established American filmmakers managed to distinguish themselves on the Croisette. Palme d’Or … Continue reading “Cannes 2024: Americans’ Rush for Awards”
Although he was one of the most cosmopolitan American authors, Paul Auster will forever remain indelibly linked with New York and specifically Brooklyn. The author of Moon Palace, The New York Trilogy and films such as Smoke, died there on 30 April at the age of 77 from lung cancer which had been diagnosed in … Continue reading “Brooklyn Mourns Paul Auster”
Monkey Man is a new departure for Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel: he co-wrote, directed and stars in the film inspired by Indian mythology and reality, which plays homage to the action movies he adores. The title and the film are inspired by the Hindu monkey-faced demigod Hanuman. The film does share themes with both … Continue reading “Monkey Man: Indian Mythology Meets Action Movie”
If you happen to be in Cambridge between now and the end of the summer, don’t miss the University Library’s exhibition about 20th century crime fiction with artefacts and first editions from the likes of Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle and Wilkie Collins. Crime fiction is by far the most popular form of fiction in … Continue reading “Murder by the Book”
A hundred years ago, a Scotsman became famous for NOT running a race at the Paris 1924 Olympic Games. Eric Liddell’s story was immortalised in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. And a play about his life is coming to Paris for two performances on 23 March. Liddell was an excellent sportsman who played rugby … Continue reading “Chariot of Fire: The Eric Liddell Story”
