#irish film festival 2023

[thenextrush]

St. Patrick's Day FREE Outdoor Movie Screenings

The Irish Film Festival have announced a program of three free Movie Nights at the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Festival 2023. WHEN: Thursday 16th, Friday 17th & Saturday 18th MarchGates open 4:30pm for a 5pm startWHERE: Cadmans Cottage (Next to the MCA), The RocksPRICE: No tickets are required to attend the screenings Among the highlights for the very first Free Outdoor Irish Film Festival is The…

[stephenlangdaily]

[world-of-wales]

─ •✧ CATHERINE'S YEAR IN REVIEW : FEBRUARY ✧• ─

1 FEBRUARY - Catherine appeared in a video for Shaping Us Campaign.

2 FEBRUARY - Catherine appeared in a video with Roman Kemp as part of the Shaping Us Campaign.

4 FEBRUARY - Kensington Palace released a childhood photo of Catherine with Michael Middleton for the Shaping Us Campaign.

5 FEBRUARY - She visited St. John's Primary School to mark the start of Children's Mental Health Week 2023.

8 FEBRUARY - Catherine was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire (Mrs. Elizabeth Fothergill) as she visited Landau Forte College along with Captain Harpreet Chandi.

9 FEBRUARY - Catherine and William were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall (Colonel Edward Bolitho) at the National Maritime Museum Falmouth in Discovery Quay. Afterwards, they visited the Dracaena Centre.

19 FEBRUARY - Catherine and William attended the British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall where and were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London (Sir Kenneth Olisa).

21 FEBRUARY - She was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire (Mr. James Puxley) at the Oxford House Nursing Home in Slough.

22 FEBRUARY - Catherine held an Early Years Meeting.

23 FEBRUARY - Catherine received Mr. Ian Hewitt (Chairman, AELTCC ) at Windsor Castle. Subsequently, she received Major General Christopher Ghika and Lieutenant Colonel James Aldridge (Regimental Lieutenant Colonel & Commanding Officer) of the Irish Guards.

25 FEBRUARY - Catherine and William met the volunteers and staff of the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust and attended the Six Nations Rugby Match between Wales and England at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. They were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan (Mrs. Morfudd Meredith).

28 FEBRUARY - Catherine and William were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan (Mrs. Louise Fleet) at Brynawel House Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Pontyclun. Afterwards, they visited Aberavon Celtic Leisure Centre, where His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan (Mr. Peter Vaughan) received them. Subsequently, they were received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed (Miss Sara Edwards) as they opened the new patient room at Wales Air Ambulance in Dafen.

[brian-in-finance]

Classy lass

Caitríona Balfe attends Harrods Iconic Dining Hall relaunch hosted by Stanley Tucci on October 5, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harrods)

All the best Caitríona Balfe photos from her recent appearances at stylish events and on the red carpet

The Outlander actress and former model always looks amazing and she's a regular on the high-society scene in London, Paris and New York

Fans are currently in the midst of another 'Droughtlander' with the second half of season 7 not due to hit our screens until November.

In the meantime, however, at least we are getting to see plenty of Claire Fraser – also known as Irish actress Caitríona Balfe – as she tours the world attending glamorous and glitzy events.

The former model, 44, is often seen with famous faces such as Stella McCartney or Carey Mulligan... and of course, her Scots co-star Sam Heughan, who plays on-screen hubby Jamie Fraser. Here's a selection of the best images from the past 12 months:

Ladies who lunch

(L to R) Caitríona Balfe, Micaela Marconi and Carey Mulligan attend a special lunch to celebrate "Maestro", hosted by Charles Finch, at Maison Assouline on December 1, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Netflix)

It’s all a blur

Caitríona Balfe attends the LOEWE FOUNDATION Studio Voltaire Award 2023 on October 10, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for LOEWE)

With the REAL husband (emphasis not Brian’s)

Caitríona Balfe and her husband Tony McGill attend the UK Special Screening after party for "Leave The World Behind" at Kettners on November 29, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/WireImage)

Razzmatazz

Caitríona Balfe attends the Charles Finch & CHANEL 2024 Pre-BAFTA Party at 5 Hertford Street on February 17, 2024 in London (Image: John Phillips/Getty Images)

Polka party

Caitríona Balfe attends the launch of Manzi's Soho, in partnership with Choose Love, on July 6, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for The Wolseley Hospitality Group)

A night at the theatre

(L to R) Caitríona Balfe, Gloria Obianyo, Tobias Menzies and Sophie Okonedo attend the press night after party for "Portia Coghlan" at The Almeida Theatre on October 17, 2023 in London (Image: Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Vive la France!

Delphine Arnault and Caitríona Balfe at Loewe Ready To Wear Spring 2024 held at Esplanade Saint Louis on September 29, 2023 in Paris, France (Image: Swan Gallet/WWD via Getty Images)

A night on the town

Caitríona Balfe attends the private view of "Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto" at The V&A on September 13, 2023 in London (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Cait and Stella

Caitríona Balfe and Stella McCartney attend the NET-A-PORTER x Stella McCartney cocktail party during London Fashion Week to celebrate the Stella McCartney FW23 Runway collection at The Box Soho on September 15, 2023 in London (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for NET-A-PORTER)

Here’s where Brian passed his 10-image limit…

With Big Sam 👨🏼👩🏻

Sam Heughan and Caitríona Balfe attend Outlander Season 7 World Premiere At Tribeca Film Festival at OKX Theatre at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center on June 09, 2023 in New York City (Image: Getty Images for STARZ)

New York, New York 👩🏻👨🏻

Caitríona Balfe and Zachary Quinto attend Outlander Season 7 World Premiere At Tribeca Film Festival at Verōnikaon June 09, 2023 in New York City

The famous four 👩🏻👨🏼👩🏼👨🏻

Sam Heughan, Caitríona Balfe, Sophie Skelton and Richard Rankin attend Outlander Season 7 World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival in NYC (Image: Getty Images for STARZ)

Check the link for the three missing photos:

Scottish Daily Express

Remember… only six more months of Droughtlander to go… 🙃

[film-classics]

Norma Shearer - The First Lady of MGM

Edith Norma Shearer (born in Montreal, Quebec on August 11, 1902) was a Canadian-American actress known for her glamour, versatility, and determination. Despite her talent and good looks, her fortuitous marriage to legendary MGM producer Irving Thalberg is mostly credited in her becoming one of the studio's leading ladies and becoming known as "The First Lady of MGM."

Born to Irish and Scottish parents, Shearer moved to New York City in 1920 at the behest of her mother, in hopes that her daughter would become an actress. However, she did not find immediate success, with both Florenz Ziegfeld and D. W. Griffith pronouncing her dream of being a star impossible because of her nonaligned eyes. Undeterred, Shearer risked some of her savings on a consultation with Dr. William Bates, a pioneer in the treatment of strabismus, who prescribed a series of daily eye muscle-strengthening exercises.

A string of bit parts eventually brought Shearer to the notice of Louis B. Mayer, who offered her a contract in 1923 in Hollywood. After some success in minor roles, she contributed to the meteoric rise of the newly formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer by starring in the studio's first official production, He Who Gets Slapped (1924). The film was a success and and to Shearer's visibility. By late 1925, she was carrying her own films, and was one of MGM's biggest attractions, a bona fide star. She also made a smooth transition to sound films, even winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for The Divorcee (1930).

Nevertheless, her 1927 marriage to Thalberg gave her a degree of power in Hollywood that was resented by rivals such as Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Jean Harlow. Sadly, Thalberg's unexpected death in 1936 resulted in her slow withdrawal from Hollywood, and she eventually retired from acting just several years after, in 1942.

Shearer died of bronchial pneumonia at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California, where she had been living for a few years. She was less than a month shy of her 81st birthday.

Legacy:

Was the first person to receive three, four, five, and eventually six Academy Award nominations for acting: Their Own Desire (1929), A Free Soul (1931), The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934), and Romeo and Juliet (1936), Marie Antoinette (1938) and winning with The Divorcee (1930)

With her brother Douglas Shearer, became the first Oscar-winning sibling in 1930

Won the Venice Film Festival – Volpi Cup for Best Actress for Marie Antoinette (1938)

Won the Photoplay Awards - Best Performances of the Month for a record six times: June 1929, January 1927, February 1926, May 1925, and October and November 1924

Listed by the Motion Picture Herald as one of America’s top-10 box office draws from 1931 to 1934

Is one of the celebrities whose picture Anne Frank placed on the wall of her bedroom in the "Secret Annex" in 1942

Credited for discovering discovering actress Janet Leigh and actor-producer Robert Evans

Commemorated by Canada Post in 2008 in its "Canadians in Hollywood" special series stamps

Inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2008

Honored as Turner Classic Movies Star of the Month for November 2015

Nominated in a 2018 edition of Entertainment Weekly for greatest actress of all time

Has had a permanent exhibit at the Canadian Women in Film Museum since 2021

Was the subject of “A Free Soul: The Unexpected Life & Legacy of Norma Shearer” Exhibit at The Hollywood Heritage Museum in 2023

Is one of the celebrities whose picture Anne Frank placed on the wall of her bedroom in the "Secret Annex" in 1942

Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6636 Hollywood Boulevard for motion picture

[fashioneditswebsite]

Chanel serves immense hat energy at Paris Fashion Week as Gigi Hadid owns the runway

The Chanel show opened with a short film starring Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt. Chanel's collection was a hit at the Paris Fashion Week show, revealing that big hats are trending. Models walked the runway for the autumn/winter 2024 collection wearing oversized floppy sun hats in black hues and pastel colors, adorned with silver hat pins. In addition to the fascinating headpiece mentioned earlier, models flaunted tartan flat caps on the runway. Additionally, flat caps are traditionally linked with British and Irish fashion. Therefore, it's exciting that the French fashion house has recently introduced them into its collections. Supermodel Gigi Hadid – a regular face on the Chanel runway – was one of the few models not wearing a hat. She wore an all-black outfit: a turtleneck and semi-sheer long skirt with a skinny belt and plenty of gold jewelry. Her ponytail featured a black bow and a white camellia, classic symbols of Chanel. The creative director, Virginie Viard, experimented with hats on the runway. The rest of the collection was business as usual. Many Chanel signatures were present, including boucle suits, cardigans with statement buttons, and quilted bags in all the rainbow colors. Layers of statement gold jewelry have long been a hallmark of the label Furthermore, it's worth noting that when Christy Turlington walked the runway for the spring/summer 1992 couture collection, wearing a black gown and plenty of gold chains, it was a memorable moment in fashion, much like Hadid's look, albeit more formal. Additionally, it's worth noting that while many of the ensembles resembled something straight out of a Chanel runway in the 1990s, some more contemporary touches caught the eye. For example, a blue cropped puffer jacket adorned with a camellia brooch, elements of denim, and a calf-length brown coat with a shearling lining and a matching hold-all were also present. Models walked on a wooden runway inspired by Deauville's boardwalk. Deauville was Viard's essential inspiration for the season. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning that she has had a long relationship with the Chanel brand since house founder Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel opened her first fashion boutique there in 1913. Furthermore, it is worth noting that seaside references inspired by the town have appeared repeatedly in the fashion industry. A notable example is Karl Lagerfeld's autumn/winter 1998 collection, where the designer drew inspiration from the city to create a stunning collection. Chanel partnered with the Deauville American Film Festival in 2019. The latest Paris Fashion Week collection showcased the bond with the film. The show opened with a short black-and-white film starring Penelope Cruz and Brad Pitt. They drive in a car, order at a restaurant, and walk by the seaside with a Chanel bag. Fashion blogger @stylenotcom noted on Instagram that the short film was inspired by a scene in the 1966 French movie A Man And A Woman (Un Homme Et Une Femme). Furthermore, it's worth noting that Cruz has been associated with Chanel since 2018 as their brand ambassador since 2018. She visited Paris and attended the Fashion Week show. She showcased her impeccable style and saw the latest Chanel collection. Notably, she wore a stunning haute couture gown to the 2023 Met Gala, which left everyone in awe. She rocked a black leather-look skirt suit with a pale yellow jumper. A white statement collar added sophistication. Her fashion prowess and love for Chanel were evident. She wasn't the only star on the front row. At the show, Zoey Deutch wore a grey mini dress with a pink brooch and a new blonde hairdo. Margaret Qualley, a Chanel model, wore a yellow coat and dress set with black socks. Zazie Beetz donned a red strapless dress with an oversized black cardigan. By Prudence Wade Read the full article

[denimbex1986]

'Whether you call it a 'green wave' or not, the fact is that Irish culture is having quite the moment.

Last week it was all about our Oscars success, with Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy winning for Best Actor, and production company Element scooping four statuettes for the Yorgos Lanthimos tour de force Poor Things.

Rewind to the 2023 Oscars, when publications across the world tried to figure out what was in the water over here. Just how did we do it: a record set for Irish nominations, a landmark nomination for An Cailín Ciúin, a win for short film An Irish Goodbye? Not to mention the sense that Irish actors were ruling the roost, from longtimers like Colin Farrell to relative newcomer Paul Mescal.

Mescal, of course, was also part of the small screen success of Normal People, which alongside Derry Girls and Bad Sisters helped put contemporary Irish TV shows on the global map. Going from being a GAA-playing student to the toast of Hollywood in just a few years, he has epitomised how short the Ireland-to-LA pipeline is these days. (His next big project is a major role in the Gladiator sequel. No biggie.)...

So could 2024 eclipse 2023 in how high the green wave can really get? The year, after all, kicked off with Mescal and Andrew Scott charming their way through the press tour for the heart-shattering All of Us Strangers.

Next up were the great reviews for the forthcoming Cillian Murphy film Small Things Like These, based on the novella by lauded author Claire Keegan, and the first Irish film to open the Berlin International Film Festival.

Eyes are on Ireland’s cultural output in a fresh way now, and it looks like we have the goods to keep up our success. We can find some of the secrets behind the green wave in Cillian Murphy’s own story: looking both within Ireland and outside it to find an audience, and staying true to your craft.

We can also credit Ireland opening up to the world, and social media helping Ireland see and be seen abroad. Still, it’s impossible to get to these heights without support, so we have to note what Ireland offers creatives - like the support of Screen Ireland/Fís Éireann, the Arts Council and First Music Contact for starters.

It’s not enough to coast on success without investing in the future, which was highlighted by Murphy himself after his Oscar win. "I think in Ireland we’re really great at supporting artists," he said. "And I think we need to continue to support artists and the next generation of artists and directors."

If we don’t want the green wave to break, we’d do well to bear his words in mind.'

[indepwom101]

🇱🇺 The Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Saturday, May 20, 2023

“The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess visited, this Saturday, the Cannes International Film Festival on the occasion of Luxemburg Day. They were welcomed, at the Festival Palace, by MM. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister, Guy Daleiden, Director of Film Fund Luxembourg and by Marc Ungeheuer, Ambassador of Luxembourg in Paris.

The trip to Cannes opened with a visit to the "Film Market" where 12,500 cinema professionals from 121 countries gathered to present and discover 4,000 films (including a dozen Luxembourgish productions) adapted to the technological and creative requirements of cinema. The Grand-Ducal Couple stopped in particular at the German, Belgian, French, Portuguese, Irish Quebec and European pavilions before joining the Luxembourg pavilion.

The Head of State presented decorations of honor to Myriam Achard, head of the New Media Partnerships of the Centre Phi de Montreal, and Guilhem Caillard, General Director of Cinémania, the Montreal Film Festival, for the excellence of the ties established with the Grand-Duché.

A Luxembourgish reception was organized in the evening with professionals from the audiovisual sector of the Grand-Duché.

This year, five Luxembourgish co-productions compete at the 76th Cannes Festival: Wang Bing's "Youth" (Official Competition), Rodrigo Moreno's "Los Delincuentes" and Ali Asgari and Alireza Khartami (Official Look Competition), Bertrand's "Conann" Mandico (Fifteen Film Artists Selection) and Vladimir Perisic's "Lost Country" (Critical Week selection).

The winners will be announced on May 27.”

[dontsweatthefresh]

Sisters of Seneca Film Pitch

_____________________________________________________________

"Sisters of Seneca" Film Campaign

by Ken Wilson

Wed, September 20th 2023, 6:47 PM CDT

cbsaustin.com

"Sisters of Seneca" is a new film concept from mastermind Greg Kaston. The campaign has begun and goes until October 13th.

...

Director and writer Greg Kaston plans on making a film called Sisters of Seneca. It does have a connection to Seneca Village, which is now known as Central Park. Between 1825 and 1857, Seneca Village was predominately African-Americans, most of them owning property. It was inhabited by black Americans, Irish, and German Immigrants. By 1855, the community has about 225 and had 52 homes and three churches. They were all forced out 32 years later. Kaston wanted to make this story because he has never seen any film that tells the story of any part of what happened in Seneca Village. And he wants to make a horror movie with a supernatural twist.

Sisters of Seneca tells a story of sibling rivalry, love, heartbreak, and revenge. Set in a Speakeasy in present day New York City, two women, Abigail (Nasia Thomas) and Ayasha (NaTonia Monet) are visited by a pair of detectives who are looking for a missing person. The detectives are met with modern day survivors of a historical atrocity and a supernatural force that puts their own lives in danger.

Kaston wants to make a horror film with two black leading ladies. “The closest we've see in recent times is Lovecraft Country, which also helped inspire this project. We have a super resourceful and talented cast and crew. I look forward to bringing our story to life,” Kaston says.

To join the crew on this journey to create a high-quality film and paying professionals what they are due, you can contribute below. If they reach their goal of $20,000, they will have the funds for pre-production, labor costs, location fees, equipment rental, catering for the cast and crew, post-production work and even festival submissions.

https://seedandspark.com/fund/sisters-of-seneca#story

[greensparty]

My Day at Boston Calling

From Fri. May 26 to Sun. May 28 at Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston, MA, the 2023 Boston Calling Music Festival took over the city! The fest began in 2013 at a big alternative music festival that took place twice a year and after a few years it changed to once a year. For one reason or another, I never actually attended the fest, even though Harvard Athletic Complex is right down the street from my ‘hood. The closest I came was last year, when I stood outside the gate and from a distance I listened to and watch Cheap Trick’s set. 

my friend Ron and I at Boston Calling

But there was good reason for me to go to Day 1 on Friday, it featured headliners Foo Fighters. They were supposed to headline in 2020...and then 2020 happened and the festival was canceled that year. Then they were supposed to headline in 2022 and pulled out after the March 2022 death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. Last week the band introduced their new drummer Josh Freese and began their tour in NH. I’ve seen the band countless times (check out my concert history of Foo Fighters here) including Fenway Park shows in 2015 and 2018. But the Foo were one part of this year’s festival.

GA-20 rocks the Blue Stage early afternoon

I think I need a bigger Twisted Tea!

After a few minutes waiting in line for the merch tent (what am I going to do, not get a Foo Fighters t-shirt?), I lost count of the amount of Taylor Hawkins t-shirts and hats. Not just Foo Fighters, but specific Taylor Hawkins shirts (the Taylor tribute concerts last year, the Coattail Riders, Chevy Metal, etc). Because Foo Fighters have been a band since 1995, there was a cross section of demographics seeing them, but definitely a ton of people in my age group bringing their kids. There was loads of booths from sponsors, a ferris wheel and multiple stages. On the Blue Stage I caught a little of Boston blues rockers GA-20. I really dug their stuff and hope to see them again soon. Later on that same stage I saw Irish singer Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction, but now has quite a following among youngsters. Over on the Happy Valley Red Stage, was NY indie-rockers The National. They brought a Brooklyn vibe to Boston for a bit. Fun Fact: The National’s Aaron Dessner is a co-curator of Boston Calling. In the food village, there were loads of foods to choose from, I chose Dumpling Daughter and Blackbird Doughnuts. On the Green Stage (the main stage), I caught Canadian alt-rockers The Beaches, who I kinda got into. I’m going to check out some of their stuff now.

The Beaches on the Green Stage

Dropkick Murphys on the Green Stage

Now I have to admit, I was excited about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs co-headlining Boston Calling. They are one of my favorite bands (read my review of last year’s Cool It Down here) and I was psyched they were going to be there....and then last week they had to cancel due to an illness within the band. The fest swiftly replaced them with local heroes The Dropkick Murphys. The last time I saw them was in 2015, when they opened for Foo Fighters at Fenway Park. You can’t get any more Boston Pride than Dropkicks at Fenway Park singing songs about Boston! For me that was a tough act to follow, but this was a very energized lively set. I’ve always dug the Dropkicks and their Celtic punk sound. When I was making my documentary Life on the V: The Story of V66, we interviewed Jeff Erna of The Blackjacks and he was the original drummer for the Dropkicks from 1996-97. Thought it was so cool my film about a Boston music outlet had someone who was in the Dropkicks (even though they came along about a decade after V66). But I digress. No one can fill the shoes of the YYYs, but boy did the Dropkicks bring a Boston-centric party to Boston Calling. They also did a song off their recent Woody Guthrie covers album.

Foo Fighters on stage

me in my happy place: watching Foo Fighters

Then it was time for the big headliners Foo Fighters. Now something to understand about a festival set is it’s a little condensed to fit into the sheer amount of bands performing that day as opposed to the band headlining their own concert. So that is to say, most of the bands performing at Boston Calling got an hour or less. Headliners Foo Fighters got 2 hours, which is more than most, but significantly less than they do at their own stadium show, which is 3 hours (plus or minus). The band broke in new drummer Josh Freese, who I think is a solid choice to replace Taylor. Frequently Dave Grohl made reference to how many of their songs were written years or decades ago and take on new meaning now. So much of their music is about resilience and carrying on after hard times. For a band to re-group after the death of a key member, songs like “Walk” and “Times Like These” take on new meaning indeed. They played a ton of classics. They paid tribute to Taylor with Dave singing “Cold Day in the Sun” (which Taylor sang) and to my surprise they performed “Aurora” because it was Taylor’s favorite Foo Fighter song (I haven’t seen them do that song live since 2003). For “Shame, Shame”, Dave introduced his 17 year-old daughter Violet. She was a back-up singer for Foo Fighters when I saw them in 2018 and since then she has performed with her dad on numerous occasions including their cover of X’s “Nausea”. Her voice is really coming into it’s own and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has her own band soon. Foo Fighters played a few new songs off their upcoming album But Here We Are. But the big moment of the night (that got national attention from numerous news and music outlets) was Taylor’s 17 year-old son Shane guest drumming on “This is a Call”. If you saw him tear it up at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts last year you know this kid learned a thing or two from his dad. It was quite a highpoint of the show. If there was a complaint about their concert (kind of a compliment / complaint) it’s that since the last time I saw them they released 2021′s Medicine at Midnight, which was one of their best albums ever, and they only did two songs off that album. I was hoping for “Making a Fire”, “Waiting on a War”, “Chasing Birds” and “Love Dies Young” and we only got “Shame Shame” and “No Son of Mine”. Maybe the next stadium show, I hope! In the meantime, it was a fun day and great to see Foo Fighters getting back on stage.

Foo Fighters taking a bow at the end of their show

I didn’t attend on Sat. or Sun., but wish I had caught The Flaming Lips, Alanis Morissette, The Linda Lindas, and Queens of the Stone Age.

For info on Boston Calling: https://bostoncalling.com/

[heywoodsays]

Oscar Picks 2023, Part II: Specialty Categories

In this second part of my Oscar picks for this year, I’ll be covering some of the more specialty categories. In the last segment, I addressed how Oscar voting works and how it can lead to some surprising winners. This is especially true in these categories.

Not everyone can vote in some of these categories. Some, like the short films and international feature, require that Academy voters see all the nominated entries, which often takes place at screenings, where voters often interact with each other. This also means that how widely a film has been distributed or viewed shouldn’t influence the outcome, although that isn’t always the case.

Documentary Feature

Nominees:

All That Breathes

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Fire of Love

A House Made of Splinters

Navalny

Navalny seems poised to win, after victories at the BAFTAs and Producers Guild Awards. With current sentiments towards Russian government in wake of the war in Ukraine, the thematic material is likely to resonate with voters.

Fire of Love has some notable wins under its belt (Chicago Film Critics, Online Film Critics, Satellite Awards, and the Directors Guild) and wider distribution, being available on Disney+. But it probably lacks the political punch that has helped previous winners in this category like An Inconvenient Truth and Bowling for Columbine.

Another film that might have that edge is All the Beauty and the Bloodshed, which details Nan Goldin’s efforts to take on the Sackler family for their role in the opioid epidemic. It won the Independent Spirit Award last week and was the pick of both the NY and LA Film Critics.

Who will win: Navalny

But look out for: Fire of Love

Who I’d vote for: Fire of Love

If I could add one more: Descendant

Documentary Short

Nominees:

The Elephant Whisperers

Haulout

How Do You Measure a Year?

The Martha Mitchell Effect

Stranger at the Gate

This may be a race between The Elephant Whisperers and Stranger at the Gate. The former has the wide reach of a Netflix audience and is making big waves (and animal stories traditionally do well in this category). The latter has the backing of Malala Yousafzai as executive producer.

The Martha Mitchell Effect may rely too heavily on archival footage to make an impact in this category. How Do You Measure a Year? is highly engaging and should be lauded for its concept and executive. But Haulout may benefit from a climate change angle (and it’s another animal picture).

Who will win: The Elephant Whisperers

But look out for: Stranger at the Gate

Who I’d vote for: Haulout

If I could add one more: Nuisance Bear

Short Film (Live Action)

Nominees:

An Irish Goodbye

Ivalu

Le pupille

Night Ride

The Red Suitcase

This isn’t as strong a category as in other years. An Irish Goodbye seems to be leading the pack after its BAFTA win. It’s also the only English-language entry in the category, which gives it an advantage.

But the thematic material of The Red Suitcase may be more appealing to American and international audiences. There could also be competition from Le pupille, which has some name recognition behind it in the form of producer Alfonso Cuarón, a four-time Oscar winner.

Who will win: The Red Suitcase

But look out for: An Irish Goodbye

Who I’d vote for: The Red Suitcase

If I could add one more: Snow in September

Short Film (Animated)

Nominees:

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The Flying Sailor

Ice Merchants

My Year of Dicks

An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It

Now, this is a really fun category. The shorts are all wonderful in their own right, with one in particularly creating a viral moment at the nominations announcement. It’s hard not to appreciate the animation and tenderness of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse even if the dialogue can seem like a string of inspirational poster quotes. It also has Annie and BAFTA wins behind it.

Portugal’s Ice Merchants is equally touching and has a few festival wins and an Annie award behind, but a win seems like a bigger stretch for it. The media attention behind My Year of Dicks might throw some force behind its nomination. It is equally deserving, with its creative use of varied animation techniques and genres to create its different chapters. Besides, wouldn’t it be great to have that announced as the winner?

Who will win: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse

But look out for: My Year of Dicks

Who I’d vote for: Ice Merchants or My Year of Dicks

If I could add one more: Black Slide

Animated Feature

Nominees:

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The Sea Beast

Turning Red

This category may be as sure a bet as anything. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio has almost swept the table. Two notable aberrations were the National Board of Review and New York Film Critics who each selected the charming Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. It’s hard to argue with Pinocchio — the animation is exceptional and the retelling imaginative. But Marcel is just so adorable.

Who will win: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

But look out for: Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

Who I’d vote for: Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

If I could add one more: Wendell & Wild

International Feature

Nominees:

All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany)

Argentina, 1985 (Argentina)

Close (Belgium)

EO (Poland)

The Quiet Girl (Ireland)

When Argentina, 1985 won the Golden Globe in this category, I’m not sure many people expected the explosion of support for Edward Berger’s German-language adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front, which was also the basis for the third ever Best Picture Oscar winner in 1930. This new setting has a perspective the first movie didn’t — that Europe went to war again, largely due to the aftereffects of the first war. As such, it offers a new perspective, which along with its outstanding cinematography, score, and performances, make it more engaging to modern audiences.

EO should not be discounted. It’s taken top prizes from the National Society of Film Critics and the NY and LA Film Critics. It also won the Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes.

But to me, no film in any language was better than the heart-wrenching tale in Lukas Dhont’s Close. In addition to the Grand Prix at Cannes and a number of other international accolades, it also was the pick of the National Board of Review.

Who will win: All Quiet on the Western Front

But look out for: EO

Who I’d vote for: Close

If I could add one more: Decision to Leave

---

Up next... Part III: The Big 8

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.11

Holidays

Aso ote Tala Lei (Gospel Day; Tuvalu)

Azores Day

Blow Bubbles For Your Cat Day

Bob Marley Day (Jamaica)

Day of the Military Police of the National Armed Forces (Indonesia)

Feynman Day

Human Rights Day (Vietnam)

International Strange Music Festival

Joan of Arc Day (Orleans, France)

Lokadagur (Iceland)

The Long and Winding Road Day

Mata Tirtha Aunsi (Mother’s Day; Nepal)

Miskolc Day (Hungary)

Mixed Race Irish Day

Moose Hide Campaign Day (Canada)

National Deer Association Giving Day

National Foam Rolling Day

National Girls Learning Code Day

National Hairy Nosed Wombat Day (Australia)

National Wear Red Pants Dy

National Technology Day (India)

Richard Feynman Day

Sex Difference in Health Awareness Day

Somerset Day (UK)

Tubeless Tire Day

Twilight Zone Day

Victoria Sponge Day

Witching Day (Isle of Man)

World Ego Awareness Day

World Keffiyeh Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Chocolate Ball Day

Eat What You Want Day

Eat Without Guilt Day

Hostess Cupcake Day

National Mocha Torte Day

2nd Thursday in May

Dress in Purple Day (Texas) [2nd Thursday]

Keller Williams RED Day [2nd Thursday]

Lanimer Day (fka Landimere’s Day; Lanarkshire & Aberdeen, UK) [1st Thursday after 6th]

One Day Without Shoes [2nd Thursday]

Independence Days

Imvrassia (Declared; 2011) [unrecognized]

Minnesota Statehood Day (#32; 1858)

Feast Days

Anthimus of Rome (Christian; Saint)

Gangulphus of Burgundy (a.k.a. Gengulf; Christian; Saint)

Ice Saints (Europe)

Majolus of Cluny (a.k.a. Maieul; Christian; Saint)

Mamertus, the first of the Ice Saints (Christian; Saint)

Ma Zu (Goddess of the Sea’s Birthday; Buddhism, Taoism)

Nimnim (Muppetism)

Nisga'a Day (Nisga'a Nation/British Columbia)

Paulus Aemilius (Positivist; Saint)

Radunitsa (Ancestors’ Veneration Day; Belarus, Russian Christians, Thomas Sunday Slavs)

Salvador Dali Day (Artology; Church of the SubGenius; Pastafarian; Saint)

Syn’s Blot (Pagan)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lemuria (Day 2 of 3; Ancient Rome) [Unlucky to Marry.]

Prime Number Day: 131 [32 of 72]

Shakku (赤口 Japan) [Bad luck all day, except at noon.]

Premieres

Ahab the Arab, by Ray Stevens (Novelty Song; 1962)

Cats (UK Musical Play; 1981)

Cooked, by Michael Pollan (Book; 2013)

Dark Shadows (Film; 2012)

Firestarter (Film; 1984)

Fox-Terror (WB MM Cartoon; 1957)

Higher Ground, recorded by Stevie Wonder (Song; 1973)

A Knight’s Tale (Film; 2001)

MacArthur Park, by Richard Harris (Song; 1968)

The Natural (Film; 1984)

Penny Dreadful (TV Series; 2014)

Road Trip (Film; 2000)

Sniffles Takes a Trip (WB MM Cartoon; 1940)

Tales of Brave Ulysses, recorded by Cream (Song; 1967)

Turn Coat, by Jim Butcher (Novel; 2009)

Water Babies (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Woodstock (Soundtrack Album; 1970)

Woolen Under Where (WB MM Cartoon; 1963)

Today’s Name Days

Gangolf, Joachim, Mamertus (Austria)

Kiril, Kirila, Metodi (Bulgaria)

Franjo, Mamerto (Croatia)

Svatava (Czech Republic)

Mamertus (Denmark)

Leevo, Liivar, Liivo (Estonia)

Osmo (Finland)

Estelle, Mayeul (France)

Joachim, Mamertus (Germany)

Argyris, Armodios, Dioskouridis, Methodios, Olympia (Greece)

Ferenc (Hungary)

Achille, Fabio, Fiorenzo, Marziale, Stella (Italy)

Karmena, Manfreds, Milda (Latvia)

Mamertas, Miglė, Pilypas, Skirgaudas (Lithuania)

Magda, Malvin (Norway)

Adalbert, Benedykt, Filip, Franciszek, Iga, Ignacja, Ignacy, Lew, Lutogniew, Mamert, Mira, Żegota (Poland)

Chiril, Metodie, Mochie (România)

Blažena (Slovakia)

Fabio, Francisco (Spain)

Märit, Märta (Sweden)

Asa, Ervin, Erwin, Irvin, Irving, Irwing, Marlo, Marlon, Marlow, Marvin, Merle, Merlin, Mervin (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 131 of 2024; 234 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 4 of week 19 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 26 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 22 (Ji-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 20 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 20 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 10 Bīja; Threesday [10 of 30]

Julian: 28 April 2023

Moon: 59%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 19 Caesar (5th Month) [Paulus Aemilius]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 2 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 53 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 22 of 30)

[aristocratslog]

FALL OF THE IBIS KING from FOTIK on Vimeo.

The antagonist of a strange opera becomes increasingly unsettled, following the unlikely return of the former lead actor.

A film by Mikai Geronimo & Josh O'Caoimh Written by Josh O'Caoimh Animation by Mikai Geronimo, Giorgia McKenna, Josh O'Caoimh, Charles-Henri Sanson Additional Animation by Ina Albrecht, Marie-Liesse Coumau, Deither Kirby-Jay, Patrick O'Callaghan Background and Compositing by Josh O'Caoimh Music by Samantha Sack, Alex Voytenko (Kyiv, Ukraine) Sound Design by Nially Delahan, Stephen Hennesy, Cathal Hughes Sound Editing and Mixing by Karima Dillon Cast: Sean McManus, Ava Farrel, Eoin O'Sullivan, Jack McHugh, Anna Lawlor, Conor McNally, Aisling Smith Made at The National Film School, IADT

World Premiere at 78th The Venice International Film Festival European Film Award Candidate 2021 Qualified for the 2023 Academy Awards

Animation Grand Prize - Rhode Island International Film Festival Best Short Animation - Irish Film & Television Awards 2022 Honourable Mention - Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival Grand Prize for Student Film - Cinanima International Animated Film Festival Best Irish Short - Animation Dingle Best Student Film - Tirana International Film Festival Best Student Film - BALKANIMA Jury Special Mention - Milano Film Festival Grand Prix Irish Short Special Mentionm - Cork International Film Festival Honourable Mention for Best International Short Film - GIRAF Best Student Design - Los Angeles Animation Festival Best Student Film - Dublin Animation Film Festival Best Animated Short Film - Rabat International Film Festival Animation Winner - Student Royal Television Awards Ireland 2022 Best Student Film - MONSTRA Lisbon Animation Festival Best Animation - Martovski Film Festival Best Animation- Fastnet Film Festival Animation Special Mention - FEST – New Directors New Films Festival Best University Film - BANG Animation Awards Special Mention for Student Film - FICBUEU Best Animation U30 - Mladá kamera Best Animation - Silk Road International Film Festival Jury Special Mention - Flipbook Film Festival

[gemmahayesfans]

Gemma Hayes appears on Soundtrack of 'A Greyhound of a Girl'

Gemma Hayes is featured on the soundtrack for the European animated film "A Greyhound of a Girl," based on the book by Irish author Roddy Doyle, now showing in cinemas across Ireland. Directed by Italian filmmaker Enzo D'Alò, the film's original soundtrack was composed by David Rhodes, with vocal and musical contributions from Gemma Hayes and Nell Ni Chronin. Hayes is featured on the tracks "Rage," "Death of Emer," and "Forever in Our Hearts." The English-language version of the film includes voice performances by Irish actors such as Sharon Horgan and Brendan Gleeson. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2023 and is a co-production between Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Latvia, and Estonia. A wider international release is planned for later this year.

Listen to the soundtrack now.

[cruel-nature-records]

NEW FOR APRIL

Digital available now

Tape available to pre-order, shipping from 26 April

Seek at https://cruelnaturerecordings.bandcamp.com/

1) THE LOST LETTERS ‘The Lost Letters’

Lo-fi dream-pop from Taiwan.

RIYL: Cocteau Twins, Slint, Flying Saucer Attack and Broadcast.

2) PLAN PONY ‘Electric Swampland Home’

Debut album of Jase Kester (Omnibael/badger, Pound Land) solo project. A journey of liminal exploration. A bug-eyed and sometimes unsettling listening experience, at once vividly colourful and yet quicksilver, Underneath the album’s warping heat-haze lies a playful and enticing energy, one which guides musician and listener to a state of something like euphoria.

RIYL: Animal Collective, Madlib, Nurse With Wound, Hype Williams, Black Dice

3) EMPTY HOUSE ‘Bluestone’

The lunar sister to the brighter sounding ‘The Golden Hour’ that was recorded during Spring / Summer of 2023 but only released in February 2024. The bluestone of the title refers to the stones that come from the Preseli Hills in Wales and in particular, the burial chamber Pentre Ifan , a magnificent Cromlech that inspired the recording of the album. A place of enlightenment and formidable energy.

Dominated by the Irish Bouzouki, swathes of feedback, organ, piano and e-bow, with intentional glitches, cut outs, and buzzes, a rustic feeling of mystery is evoked.

4) TIBSHELF ‘In The Ellington Conception’

The third album from prolific sound artist Tibshelf - aka Lee Etherington (founder of TUSK festival / former member of tape manglers Posset). Where as previous works “Supreme Flounder” and “Understander” were a feast of twisted and screwed funk hip-hop techno, film dialogue, noise rock pilfering from every sound from under the sun, “In The Ellington Conception” is a more stripped-back reflective work, but still bringing the beats back and hitting the floor in style.

[wikiuntamed]

Top 5 @Wikipedia pages from yesterday: Sunday, 17th March 2024

Welcome, sveiki, ようこそ (yōkoso), benvenuto 🤗 What were the top pages visited on @Wikipedia (17th March 2024) 🏆🌟🔥?

1️⃣: Saint Patrick's Day "Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, lit. 'the Day of the Festival of Patrick'), is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 – c. 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by Andreas F. Borchert

2️⃣: Women's Premier League (cricket) "The Women's Premier League (WPL) also known as the TATA WPL for sponsorship reasons, is a women's Twenty20 cricket franchise league in India, owned and operated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The first season, played in March 2023, saw the Mumbai Indians winning the inaugural..."

3️⃣: Saint Patrick "Saint Patrick (Latin: Patricius; Irish: Pádraig [ˈpˠɑːɾˠɪɟ] or [ˈpˠaːd̪ˠɾˠəɟ]; Welsh: Padrig) was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the "Apostle of Ireland", he is the primary patron saint of Ireland, the other patron saints being Brigid of Kildare..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by Nheyob

4️⃣: Dune: Part Two "Dune: Part Two is a 2024 American epic science fiction film directed and produced by Denis Villeneuve, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. The sequel to Dune (2021), it is the second of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. It follows Paul Atreides as he unites..."

5️⃣: Poor Things (film) "Poor Things is a 2023 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara, based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray. A co-production between Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the film stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and..."