museum

France appoints new president at Louvre after jewellery heist

BY FRANCESCO FONTEMAGGI AND JEREMY TORDJMAN

  • The Louvre, which is home to some of the world's most iconic pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", receives around nine million visitors a year. 
  • The president of France's famed Palace of Versailles took over as head of the Louvre following a litany of problems at the world's most-visited museum including a $100-million jewellery robbery.
  • The Louvre, which is home to some of the world's most iconic pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", receives around nine million visitors a year. 
The president of France's famed Palace of Versailles took over as head of the Louvre following a litany of problems at the world's most-visited museum including a $100-million jewellery robbery.
Christophe Leribault, who replaced Laurence des Cars, was appointed president of the iconic museum by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said he will "lead major projects for the institution's future" such as security and modernisation. Leribault will also have to "restore a climate of trust," added the culture ministry.
As director of the Louvre, Leribault will be in charge of the vast former royal palace that apart from the hugely embarrassing theft of French crown jewels in October has struggled with a litany of problems including union strikes, a ticket fraud scandal, a water leak and structural, maintenance and security issues.
The museum has been forced to close four times due to strikes since mid-December, costing around 2 million euros in lost revenue.
Leribault, 62, is an art historian and museum director specialising in 18th century art. He has led major Paris institutions, including the Petit Palais, and the Musee d'Orsay, which hosts the largest collection of Impressionist paintings in the world. 
On Tuesday, des Cars handed in her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted.
Des Cars was appointed as director of the Louvre Museum in 2021, becoming the first woman to lead the iconic institution. She had been under rising pressure since the October robbery, which is currently the subject of an inquiry.
Lawmaker Alexandre Portier, who heads a commission of inquiry, said the Louvre had over the years become a "state within a state" over which the authorities no longer have sufficient control.
Four suspects are in police custody, including the two suspected thieves, but the eight stolen items have not been found.

'Unprecedented'

French daily Le Monde said the departure of des Cars became "inevitable" following the burglary as well as trade union strikes pressing for more recruitment, pay and better maintenance of the museum. 
"Since the theft on October 19, 2025, we have been caught up in a media and political storm of unprecedented proportions," she told Le Figaro in an interview.
She said she was proud of the work she had accomplished at the Louvre. "But staying the course is not enough," the 59-year-old added. "You also need to be able to move forward. And the conditions for moving forward are no longer in place."
The Louvre, which is home to some of the world's most iconic pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", receives around nine million visitors a year. 
Leribault was appointed president of the Palace of Versailles, one of the most coveted jobs in French culture, in 2024.
Under his leadership, the palace, which was built by Louis XIV in the 17th century, hosted competitions for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The mayor of Versailles said he was sorry to see Leribault go.
"He is arriving in a difficult situation, but he has the qualities to deal with it," said Francois de Mazieres.
Separately, Annick Lemoine, who heads the Petit Palais, will take over as director of the Musee d'Orsay, according to the official journal published on Wednesday.
fff-led-as/ekf/jxb

museum

Head of France's Versailles Palace to take over Louvre: source to AFP

  • On Tuesday, des Cars sent her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, following a string of scandals including the brazen theft of French crown jewels valued at $100 million in October.
  • The president of France's Palace of Versailles is expected to take over as head of the Louvre following the resignation of Laurence des Cars after a $100-million robbery at the museum last year, an informed source told AFP on Wednesday.
  • On Tuesday, des Cars sent her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, following a string of scandals including the brazen theft of French crown jewels valued at $100 million in October.
The president of France's Palace of Versailles is expected to take over as head of the Louvre following the resignation of Laurence des Cars after a $100-million robbery at the museum last year, an informed source told AFP on Wednesday.
The appointment of Christophe Leribault is expected to be announced at a cabinet meeting later Wednesday, the source said, adding that he would be tasked with "securing" and "modernising" the world's most-visited museum.
Leribault, 62, is an art historian and museum director specialising in 18th century art. He has led major Paris institutions, including the Petit Palais, and the Musee d'Orsay.
In 2024, he was appointed president of the Palace of Versailles, one of the most visited tourist sites.
On Tuesday, des Cars sent her resignation to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, following a string of scandals including the brazen theft of French crown jewels valued at $100 million in October.
Des Cars was appointed as director of the Louvre Museum in 2021. She had been under rising pressure since the October robbery, which is currently the subject of an inquiry.
Four suspects are in police custody, including the two suspected thieves, but the eight of the stolen items have not been found.
The Louvre, a former royal palace and home to some of the world's most iconic pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", receives around nine million visitors a year. 
Since the theft the museum has taken several emergency measures, including replacing the grille used by the thieves as Des Cars sought to focus on a major "Louvre -- New Renaissance" renovation of the site.
Separately, Annick Lemoine, who heads the Petit Palais, will take over as director of the Musee d'Orsay, according to the official journal published on Wednesday.
fff-led-as/st

ballet

Bejart Ballet's iconic Bolero ignites Istanbul

BY ANNE CHAON

  • "According to Maurice Bejart's interpretation, the soloist represents the melody who knows from the outset he's going to die," explained Favreau, who speaks of the figure being "slain", the dancers acting like a "deadly jaw" that closes in. 
  • Thirty-six dancers with raised arms glide slowly forward as they encircle their prey, a lone figure on a red table in a climactic scene from Ravel's "Bolero" choreographed by Maurice Bejart.
  • "According to Maurice Bejart's interpretation, the soloist represents the melody who knows from the outset he's going to die," explained Favreau, who speaks of the figure being "slain", the dancers acting like a "deadly jaw" that closes in. 
Thirty-six dancers with raised arms glide slowly forward as they encircle their prey, a lone figure on a red table in a climactic scene from Ravel's "Bolero" choreographed by Maurice Bejart.
Marked by its stark staging and ritualistic intensity, the work remains one of the most enduring interpretations of Ravel's best-known work and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Once again, the Bejart Ballet Lausanne (BBL) -- which was in Istanbul to kick off a new international tour -- closed each of its four performances with the monumental "Bolero." 
The 15-minute orchestral piece has inspired seven different choreographies, but is most widely associated with the version created by Bejart, which remains the best known.
"We call it a table, but it could be an altar or a pyre," Julien Favreau, BBL's artistic director, told AFP as he contemplated the 4.5-metre-diameter red structure which folds up like a camping table so it can travel around the world.
Favreau, who joined the BBL at the age of 17, danced his last Bolero in June 2024 in Tokyo, just before taking over the reins of the company, aged 47. 
In his experience, performing this work meant everything. 
"For a dancer, it is the ultimate achievement, the crowning glory," he said.

Challenges

But the work is very demanding. 
"The main difficulty is respecting the score's crescendo and keeping your energy and strength intact until the big leaps, when your legs start to burn," he said. 
Memorising the choreography without being able to rely on variations in the music -- whose melody and rhythmic pattern hardly changes -- is another challenge. 
"Some people ask for a teleprompter that displays the ballet sequences, but not at the BBL!" he laughs.
Towards the end, the whole body of dancers becomes engaged, menacing as they approach, their tense stomachs flexing as if hungry.
"According to Maurice Bejart's interpretation, the soloist represents the melody who knows from the outset he's going to die," explained Favreau, who speaks of the figure being "slain", the dancers acting like a "deadly jaw" that closes in. 
Created in 1961 for a female soloist, it was later adapted in 1979 for the Argentine star dancer Jorge Donn, Bejart's partner. 
Today, the role is played by a woman, with performances rotating between three different performers -- although a male dancer is expected to join them soon. 
He will join an illustrious lineup that includes the late French ballet legend Patrick Dupont, former Paris Opera star Nicolas Le Riche and its current star, Hugo Marchand.
"The main thing is ultimately to show who you are," said Favreau. 

'Oskar': A new work

Also on Swiss ballet troupe's Istanbul programme was another classic Bejart interpretation of Stravinsky's "Firebird" -- but the performance opened with a new work: "Oskar". 
Performed for the first time abroad, it is a frenzied work choreographed by Italian duo Riva & Repele which brings virtually the entire 40-strong ensemble onto stage, dressed in red. 
It weaves the tale of a solitary artist whose dreams come up against the hard walls of reality -- effectively the life story of the lead performer Colombian dancer Oscar Chacon who joined BBL in 2004 and has performed its entire repertoire.
"It's a ballet created especially for me, a reflection of my own life," he told AFP. 
"I too am a street artist .. To come to Europe, I had to overcome barriers and travel long distances."
Favreau was keen to invite outside choreographers "to highlight the company's technical and artistic qualities and show it could do more than just Bejart".
When he took over in June 2024, Favreau inherited a ballet company shaken by allegations of harassment with a tarnished reputation and financial difficulties. 
"It was a period when we all suffered greatly, but it brought us together and made us stronger. And today, we're touring more, our finances are in good shape, the overall atmosphere is great," he said. 
There are 17 different nationalities among the dancers, who range in age between 17 and over 50, their experience further enriched by dancers who joined since the Russia-Ukraine war began exactly four years ago.
ach/yap/fo/hmw/cw

film

'Jaws' harpoon gun and 'Star Wars' treasures lead LA film and TV auction

  • Another "Star Wars" piece of memorabilia on offer is the lightsaber hilt from "The Force Awakens," which is valued at up to $100,000.
  • A harpoon gun from "Jaws," a jacket worn by "The Terminator," and a "Star Wars" lightsaber hilt and C-3PO head are among the eye-catching items to be sold at auction next month.
  • Another "Star Wars" piece of memorabilia on offer is the lightsaber hilt from "The Force Awakens," which is valued at up to $100,000.
A harpoon gun from "Jaws," a jacket worn by "The Terminator," and a "Star Wars" lightsaber hilt and C-3PO head are among the eye-catching items to be sold at auction next month.
The collection of around 1,550 pieces of film and TV history will go under the hammer over three days from March 25, with in-room bidding on the first day only at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
From props to costumes, a selection of the memorabilia will also go on show for a day -- on March 11 -- at The Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel.
The lots, which also include the so-called Marauder's Map from the "Harry Potter" films, have a combined pre-sale estimate of $9 million, according to Propstore, the auctioneers staging the sale.
It noted that buyers from around the world, who increasingly utilise online bidding, were forging a new global collectors market.
"We're seeing 20 to 30 percent more engagement, more registration, more people bidding," Ibrahim Faraj, Propstore's UK consignments manager, explained at a media preview of some British-based items before they headed to California.
"It's growing bigger and it's the new, modern thing people are collecting now."

'Star Wars history'

The fibreglass C-3PO head worn by "Star Wars" stalwart Anthony Daniels in "The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) is near the top of the pricing charts, with an estimate of $350,000 to $700,000.
Featuring illuminated eyes in the film, and with original wiring in the right socket, this particular C-3PO head boasts several unique features including a forehead antenna.
"These things rarely come up... so it's quite exciting," Faraj said. 
Another "Star Wars" piece of memorabilia on offer is the lightsaber hilt from "The Force Awakens," which is valued at up to $100,000.
"This is no ordinary lightsaber," he noted, branding it "the Skywalker" version as it was used by Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Rey (Daisy Ridley).
They rediscover it in the 2015 installment after prior generations wield it -- albeit another model -- in earlier franchise films.
"It's arguably one of the most important pieces in 'Star Wars' history," Faraj argued.

'Absolutely brilliant'

The harpoon gun wielded by Quint (Robert Shaw) and Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) in Steven Spielberg's 1975 favourite "Jaws" is expected to generate similar buzz.
Estimated to fetch up to $500,000, it is being offered alongside Quint's Fenwick fishing rod and reel, which featured during the film's early shark encounter scenes.
The rod is priced at up to $150,000, with Propstore branding the two props "the most significant artifacts to ever surface from the movie" at auction.
The jacket from the 1984 cult classic "The Terminator" will require similarly deep pockets, with a price estimate of $75,000 to $150,000.
It was worn during the first half of the film, after the T-800 cyborg steals and wears it through several violent sequences.
Featuring a leather collar, metal chains over the left shoulder, and metal studs on the back, it has been heavily distressed with stage blood, rips, mock bullet holes, and burns. 
Two top lots from Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" (2000) will also be offered, including the helmet and mask worn by Maximus (Russell Crowe) in his arena battles. That is predicted to go for up to $250,000.
Meanwhile the rare Marauder's Map joins other "Harry Potter" movie props in the auction and is expected to fetch up to $80,000.
"It pops up, it opens out, it's absolutely brilliant," Faraj said.
jj/jkb/rmb

merger

Warner Bros. opens door to Paramount as bidding war heats up

  • In a significant development, Warner Bros.
  • Warner Bros.
  • In a significant development, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Discovery said Tuesday it has received a revised acquisition proposal from Paramount Skydance, signaling that the offer could open the door to the company rethinking its deal with Netflix.
The sweetened offer was the latest installment of a bidding war set to reshape Hollywood and US media, and has drawn White House attention, with President Donald Trump insisting he will have a say on the outcome.
In a significant development, Warner Bros. Discovery's board said Tuesday that Paramount's revised bid "could reasonably be expected to lead to" a superior proposal to the existing Netflix deal -- a key legal threshold that would allow for more formal negotiations with Paramount.
Warner Bros. said Paramount's revised offer includes a purchase price of $31.00 per share in cash, a one-dollar-per-share increase from its earlier offer, which was valued at around $108 billion.
Paramount has also offered to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee Warner Bros. would owe Netflix if it walked away from their deal, and pledged a $7 billion fee payable to Warner Bros. should the Paramount transaction fail to close due to regulatory hurdles.
Questions are swirling over whether politics will influence the outcome of the battle, with Paramount run by David Ellison and the transaction financed largely by his father, Oracle tycoon Larry Ellison, a longtime Trump ally.
Trump has said he will be "involved" in any decision on the merger, and the US Department of Justice is currently reviewing Netflix's proposed acquisition. European authorities and other regulators will also have their say.
A victory by Paramount would see news outlet CNN -- often the target of Trump's threats and criticism -- pass to Ellison family control, amid criticism that their takeover of Paramount-owned CBS brought changes more to the White House's liking.
The Netflix offer does not include Warner Bros. television properties such as CNN and Discovery, which would belong to a newly created publicly traded company if the deal is sealed.

Review ongoing

The Warner Bros. board stressed it had not yet concluded that Paramount's offer was superior to Netflix's, and that it would continue talks with Paramount to determine if that bar could be met. 
If it was, Netflix would have four business days to come back with a counter-offer.
Earlier in the day, Warner Bros. acknowledged the new offer but said its deal with Netflix "remains in effect" and that board members "continue to recommend in favor of the Netflix transaction," stressing it was not withdrawing its recommendation.
Warner Bros. shareholders were advised to take no action with respect to the Paramount offer while the review is ongoing.
Netflix is offering $83 billion for its more limited merger but is expected to be prepared to raise its offer to more closely match its rival's new bid.
Trump late Saturday called on Netflix to fire board member Susan Rice or "pay the consequences," after she said Democrats would push for corporate accountability if they regain power in the November midterm elections.
"He likes to do a lot of things on social media. This is a business deal. It's not a political deal," Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told BBC Radio 4, when asked about Trump's threat.
arp/aha

museum

Louvre president hands in resignation to Macron: Elysee

  • In addition to the robbery, other recent setbacks had hit Des Cars' stewardship with the Louvre the subject of a ticket fraud scandal and a water leak, after a pipe burst earlier this month in a wing that houses the Mona Lisa and other priceless paintings. 
  • The head of France's Louvre museum resigned on Tuesday, the office of the French presidency announced, following a months-long string of scandals -- including the brazen theft of priceless jewels in broad daylight. 
  • In addition to the robbery, other recent setbacks had hit Des Cars' stewardship with the Louvre the subject of a ticket fraud scandal and a water leak, after a pipe burst earlier this month in a wing that houses the Mona Lisa and other priceless paintings. 
The head of France's Louvre museum resigned on Tuesday, the office of the French presidency announced, following a months-long string of scandals -- including the brazen theft of priceless jewels in broad daylight. 
Laurence des Cars submitted her resignation letter to President Emmanuel Macron, which was accepted, with the Elysee "hailing an act of responsibility at a time when the world's largest museum needs a period of calm and a new strong impetus to carry out major security projects". 
Des Cars has been under rising pressure since the October robbery at the museum that saw $100 million of French crown jewels stolen. The theft is currently the subject of an inquiry.
The Louvre, a former royal palace and home to some of the world's most iconic pieces of art, including Leonardo Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa", receives in the region of nine million visitors a year. 
Des Cars, who formerly headed the Musee d'Orsay in Paris, first offered her resignation shortly after the October 19 break-in, but it was refused by Macron, who named her to the position in 2021.
On Tuesday, Macron thanked Des Cars for her "action and commitment" as well as "her undeniable scientific expertise".
Four suspects remain in police custody, including the two suspected thieves, but the eight stolen items of French crown jewels have not been found.
Last week, MPs leading the inquiry presented an interim assessment of their work after 70 hearings, pointing to "systemic failures" that led to the break-in. 
After initially defending her position Des Cars had, as numerous lapses in security emerged, conceded in a December 1 interview with daily Le Parisien that "with hindsight, we can see that structural weaknesses remained (and) I understand that this raises questions".
The complete findings are due to be released in May. 
The French culture ministry has ordered its own internal audit of the robbery, while senators are also holding hearings into the heist which captivated France and many people abroad after evidence pointed to poorly-equipped security systems.

Lax security

In another damning report published in early November, the Court of Auditors stated that the Louvre had "prioritised visible and attractive operations" while neglecting investment in better security.
The institution also pointed to the existence of an official audit dating from 2017 that warned of the risks of a potential security breach which could, it warned, have "dramatic" consequences.
In acknowledging the issues uncovered, Des Cars told the Senate in late October that she was not seeking to "shirk responsibility or adopt a position of denial. Despite our efforts, despite our hard work on a daily basis, we have been defeated," she conceded.
Since the theft the museum has taken several emergency measures, including replacing the grille used by the thieves as Des Cars sought to focus on a major "Louvre -- New Renaissance" renovation of the site.
In addition to the robbery, other recent setbacks had hit Des Cars' stewardship with the Louvre the subject of a ticket fraud scandal and a water leak, after a pipe burst earlier this month in a wing that houses the Mona Lisa and other priceless paintings. 
Furthermore, some museum staff have since mid-December been engaged in the longest labour dispute in the museum's history in a protest over working conditions.
That has forced the Louvre to close its doors on several occasions and highlighted strained relations between unions and Des Cars.
Adding to the problems, last weekend saw British political activists hang a picture in the Louvre of the former prince Andrew, showing him slouched in the back of a car following his arrest and questioning over allegations of misconduct in public office.
Andrew faces allegations stemming from information released by the US Department of Justice that he made available confidential government information to the late convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while the former royal was engaged as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
jut-bur/jlo/cw/phz

media

Netflix, Prime and Disney+ face UK broadcasting regulation

  • Any "video-on-demand" platform with more than 500,000 users will need to comply with rules overseen by UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom regarding "protections from harmful material" and increased availability of subtitled, signed and audio-described programming. 
  • The UK government on Tuesday announced that US streaming sites Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video will have to comply with broadcasting regulations aimed at protecting children and the vulnerable. 
  • Any "video-on-demand" platform with more than 500,000 users will need to comply with rules overseen by UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom regarding "protections from harmful material" and increased availability of subtitled, signed and audio-described programming. 
The UK government on Tuesday announced that US streaming sites Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video will have to comply with broadcasting regulations aimed at protecting children and the vulnerable. 
Along with British streaming sites, they will be required to follow content and accessibility rules applied to traditional broadcasters, a statement said.
Any "video-on-demand" platform with more than 500,000 users will need to comply with rules overseen by UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom regarding "protections from harmful material" and increased availability of subtitled, signed and audio-described programming. 
Britain's government headed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move was a consequence of changing viewing habits.
"We know that the way audiences watch TV has fundamentally changed," Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in Tuesday's statement.
"Millions now choose to watch content on video-on-demand platforms alongside or, in the case of many young people, instead of traditional TV."
The government said Ofcom would shortly begin a public consultation on the new streaming standards and accessibility codes, "which will be an opportunity for the public and providers to set out their views". 
bcp/ajb/rmb

leisure

Greece set new tourism record in 2025

  • Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said 2025 was the "best year of all time" for the sector.
  • Greece in 2025 set new records in tourism arrivals and revenue, the country's central bank said Tuesday, continuing an upward trend for the third straight year according to the tourism ministry.
  • Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said 2025 was the "best year of all time" for the sector.
Greece in 2025 set new records in tourism arrivals and revenue, the country's central bank said Tuesday, continuing an upward trend for the third straight year according to the tourism ministry.
"In 2025, inbound travel increased by 5.6 percent and reached 37,98 (million) travellers, compared with 35,95 (million) travellers in 2024," the Greek central bank said in a statement.
EU arrivals rose by 2.8 percent while non-EU visitors increased by 10 percent, it said.
The provisional data does not include cruise ship traffic, the bank said.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said 2025 was the "best year of all time" for the sector.
She told state TV ERT that travel receipts stood at 23.6 billion euros ($27.8 billion) compared to 21.6 billion euros in 2024, a rise of more than nine percent according to the Bank of Greece.
And early data suggests 2026 will also be "a good year," she said.
But the sector has seen some hiccups.
In early January, a communications blackout at Athens International Airport snarled flights for hours, when multiple radio frequencies serving Athens airspace were hit by continuous "noise" interference.
Hundreds of flights had to be diverted to neighbouring countries, with thousands of travellers hit.
An official report later blamed the glitch on "obsolete technology". A 300-million euro infrastructure upgrade is underway.
On February 19, a backup radar at the airport temporarily failed, after a similar problem in August, air traffic controllers said.
Greece ranks in the top five most touristed countries in the European Union, behind France, Spain and Italy, and around the same level as Germany.
jph/rmb

rape

UK comedian Russell Brand pleads not guilty to new rape, assault charges

  • He pleaded not guilty in May to five other charges relating to four women -- one count of rape, one of oral rape, two of sexual assault and one of indecent assault between 1999 and 2005.
  • British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded not guilty to two fresh charges of rape and sexual assault at a London court on Tuesday.
  • He pleaded not guilty in May to five other charges relating to four women -- one count of rape, one of oral rape, two of sexual assault and one of indecent assault between 1999 and 2005.
British comedian and actor Russell Brand pleaded not guilty to two fresh charges of rape and sexual assault at a London court on Tuesday.
Brand, once a left-leaning political campaigner who has rebranded himself as a conservative guru to millions of social media followers, arrived at Southwark crown court court carrying a copy of the Bible.
He wore a leopard-print shirt and dark coat.
Brand denied charges of sexually assaulting a woman in London in 2009, and raping another women in the same year, also in the British capital.
His bail was renewed at the end of a brief hearing and he is due to face trial in June.
The 50-year-old is facing sexual offence charges involving a total of six women, according to UK police.
He pleaded not guilty in May to five other charges relating to four women -- one count of rape, one of oral rape, two of sexual assault and one of indecent assault between 1999 and 2005.
"These new charges are in relation to two further women and are in addition to the charges issued to Brand in April 2025 which involved four women," London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement in December.
Born in 1975 to working-class parents in Essex, east of London, Brand began his stand-up career as a teenager, eventually working as an MTV presenter and host of a reality TV series. 
He presented a show on the BBC's Radio 2 station between 2006 and 2008, but quit after an on-air prank when he left a sexually explicit voicemail for "Fawlty Towers" actor Andrew Sachs about his granddaughter.
adm-aks/pdh/tw

snowstorm

US winter storm brings rare hush to snowy New York

BY AMELIE BOTTOLLIER-DEPOIS AND CECILIA SANCHEZ

  • With schools closed across the city of 8.5 million people, many children took advantage of the free day by sledding down snowy hills in Central Park.
  • New York's typically bustling streets were almost deserted Monday after a huge snowstorm carpeted the city, where a nonessential travel ban inconvenienced some but offered a fun day out for others. 
  • With schools closed across the city of 8.5 million people, many children took advantage of the free day by sledding down snowy hills in Central Park.
New York's typically bustling streets were almost deserted Monday after a huge snowstorm carpeted the city, where a nonessential travel ban inconvenienced some but offered a fun day out for others. 
Buses and ambulances equipped with snow chains rolled through a quieter-than-usual Manhattan, while many shops and restaurants were shuttered in Brooklyn and other boroughs.
With schools closed across the city of 8.5 million people, many children took advantage of the free day by sledding down snowy hills in Central Park.
"I really love it, it's really fun to play in the snow," said Dylan, 11, who added it was the most snow he had seen in his life. 
Behind him, three-year-old Chloe burst out laughing as she lay in the powder before her dad Eddie, 41, helped her back to her feet. 
"We had some snow about a month ago. But it's probably the most we've had in a decade or two. Everybody loves it," Eddie told AFP. 
Elsewhere, parkgoers threw snowballs from a bridge onto a frozen lake to test the strength of the ice. 
Central Park, New York's official reporting station, measured 19.7 inches (50 centimeters) of snow as of 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) -- the largest amount in over a decade. 
Some locals used skis to navigate the powder, even walking their dogs at the same time. 
Major tourist hubs like Times Square were almost empty on Monday but for a scattering of people bundled up in coats. 

'Frustrating'

Hannah Baade, a finance worker living in Brooklyn, said she enjoyed seeing the city covered in snow. 
"I like it," she told AFP. "I would prefer to get snow in the winter, it makes it seem like winter."
"It's just funny that we haven't had snow for a few years and then we get these two massive storms this year."
But other New Yorkers were annoyed to see more snow, which fell weeks after a January winter storm was starting to thaw out. 
"The snow had just melted and now we're getting a ton more," said Alexa, 36, who didn't want to share her last name.
"So it's a little frustrating, but it's also wintertime, so it's OK."
Sixty-year-old Joe Schultz was rushing to shovel snow from a buried footpath in Brooklyn.
"[It's] not bad for now, but later... when the temperature drops, it'll be harder because we've got ice underneath it," he said.
abd-bur/bjt/mlm

film

Tourette's campaigner 'mortified' after shouting racial slur during BAFTA

  • "I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning," Davidson, who is the real-life inspiration behind the film "I Swear", said in a statement to the PA news agency.
  • Tourette's sufferer John Davidson, who inspired a BAFTA-winning film, on Monday said he was "deeply mortified" after shouting a racial slur at the London awards ceremony, which he said was caused by an "involuntary tic".
  • "I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning," Davidson, who is the real-life inspiration behind the film "I Swear", said in a statement to the PA news agency.
Tourette's sufferer John Davidson, who inspired a BAFTA-winning film, on Monday said he was "deeply mortified" after shouting a racial slur at the London awards ceremony, which he said was caused by an "involuntary tic".
He was heard shouting the N-word as "Sinners" actors Delroy Lindo and Michael B Jordan, who are both black, presented an award for special visual effects at the Sunday night ceremony.
"I am, and always have been deeply mortified if anyone considers my involuntary tics to be intentional or to carry any meaning," Davidson, who is the real-life inspiration behind the film "I Swear", said in a statement to the PA news agency.
He added that he "chose" to leave the auditorium during the ceremony "as I was aware of the distress my tics were causing."
"I have spent my life trying to support and empower the Tourette's community and to teach empathy, kindness and understanding from others and I will continue to do so," he said.
British actor Robert Aramayo triumphed over established stars Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to win the best actor prize for his portrayal of Davidson, whose life in a small Scottish town was irrevocably changed by the condition.
The British film awards meanwhile apologised for the "very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many", after a clip of the racial slur being shouted at the Sunday ceremony went viral and sparked backlash online.
"Tourette Syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics, that the individual has no control over," the British Academy of Film and Television Arts said.
"Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time, and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted."

BBC apology

Actor Alan Cumming, the ceremony's host, apologised for the language viewers may have heard during the broadcast.
The BBC also apologised for not editing the offending language out of its broadcast, which was shown on a two-hour delay on Sunday evening. 
It was edited out of the version on the BBC's streaming service on Monday morning. 
"We apologise that this was not edited out prior to broadcast and it will now be removed from the version on BBC iPlayer," the news organisation said.
A spokesperson for the charity Tourettes Action said it "deeply" understood the offence and harm caused by racial slurs.
But they said it was "vital that the public understands a fundamental truth about Tourette syndrome -- tics are involuntary. They are not a reflection of a person's beliefs, intentions or character.
"People with Tourette's can say words or phrases they do not mean, do not endorse and feel great distress about afterwards," the spokesperson added.
The charity added it was "incredibly proud" of Davidson and others involved in the film.
har-aks/ach 

celebrity

Son of director Rob Reiner pleads not guilty to parents' murder

BY HUW GRIFFITH

  • Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters outside court his office would be examining the circumstances around the killings before making a decision on whether to ask for the death penalty if Reiner is convicted.
  • The son of US movie director Rob Reiner pleaded not guilty to the fatal stabbing of both of his parents when he appeared in a Los Angeles court on Monday.
  • Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters outside court his office would be examining the circumstances around the killings before making a decision on whether to ask for the death penalty if Reiner is convicted.
The son of US movie director Rob Reiner pleaded not guilty to the fatal stabbing of both of his parents when he appeared in a Los Angeles court on Monday.
Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder over the double killing that sent shockwaves through Hollywood days before Christmas.
The 32-year-old was arrested on December 14 after the bodies of his filmmaker father and his mother, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered at their home in the upmarket Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Prosecutors said 79-year-old Rob Reiner -- who helmed huge hits including "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men" -- and his wife, 70, were stabbed to death.
Nick Reiner, who has a history of addiction, appeared in a downtown courtroom where he was formally told what charges he faces and had his rights explained. 
A plea of "not guilty" is common at this stage, regardless of what the defense later does.
Reiner, who remains in jail and has not been granted bail, was ordered to return to court on April 29.
An arraignment would usually take place much sooner, but Reiner was unable to appear at the first scheduled attempt.
Another hearing last month was halted after the court heard that lawyer Alan Jackson was no longer representing Reiner. 
The judge appointed an attorney from the public defender's office in his stead.
Jackson, a high-profile attorney who has previously represented Hollywood clients including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, told reporters he was "legally and ethically" barred from explaining why he had stepped back.
"Circumstances beyond our control, but more importantly, circumstances beyond Nick's control have dictated that, sadly, it's made it impossible for us to continue our representation of Nick," he said.
Jackson said he and his team remained committed to Reiner's best interests and had faith that the legal process would "reveal the true facts of the circumstances surrounding this case."
"We've investigated this matter top to bottom, back to front. What we've learned -- and you can take this to the bank -- is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law in California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder."
If convicted as charged, Reiner could face life in prison without parole, or the death penalty, although California does not routinely carry out capital punishment. 
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters outside court his office would be examining the circumstances around the killings before making a decision on whether to ask for the death penalty if Reiner is convicted.

Erratic behavior

Reiner, who lived in a guest house on his parents' property, had attended a party at the home of comedian Conan O'Brien on December 13 with his parents, where some attendees reportedly spoke of his behaving erratically.
The New York Times, citing a source close to the family, said the couple had been due to dine with former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle on Sunday evening, and had seemingly booked an in-home massage for that day.
The paper said that when no one answered the door for the appointment, the therapist contacted the couple's daughter, Romy Reiner.
When she arrived with a friend, she discovered her father's body, and emergency services were called. Paramedics told her that her mother's body was also at the property.
Police arrested Nick Reiner several miles (kilometers) away from the scene of the crime later that night.
Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, started his showbiz career in acting.
He won fame as the oafish son-in-law Michael "Meathead" Stivic on groundbreaking 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," before transitioning to directing. 
As a director, he struck Hollywood gold.
His output included classic films like 1984's rock music mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," fantasy gem "The Princess Bride" from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie "Stand By Me."
"A Few Good Men," starring Hollywood heavyweights Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
hg/aha

film

Kristen Bell returns to host glitzy Actor Awards in Hollywood

BY PAULA RAMON

  • Bell is careful to avoid direct reference to President Donald Trump, whose presence looms over Hollywood award shows -- and who is not averse to making his feelings known about hosts he does not like.
  • Kristen Bell returns to host Hollywood's premier acting awards next month for the third time with a single goal: to entertain everyone equally. 
  • Bell is careful to avoid direct reference to President Donald Trump, whose presence looms over Hollywood award shows -- and who is not averse to making his feelings known about hosts he does not like.
Kristen Bell returns to host Hollywood's premier acting awards next month for the third time with a single goal: to entertain everyone equally. 
In a country riven by polarization, the actress says her role fronting the Actor Awards -- previously called the SAG Awards -- is just like hosting in your own home.
"If I invite you over for dinner, I make a nice meal. I put placemats out. I say, keep your shoes on. No big deal," Bell told AFP.
"I do those things to make you feel welcome, and I hope you have a good experience. That's a host's job."
The star of "Nobody Wants This" said part of the challenge when designing segments or writing jokes for a show like this is to "create ideas that match or elevate what you've done previously."
But gauging the mood of your audience is critical.
"You have to be mindful and conscientious," she said, noting that last year's hosting gig in the shadow of deadly fires that devastated Los Angeles was a case in point.
Bell is careful to avoid direct reference to President Donald Trump, whose presence looms over Hollywood award shows -- and who is not averse to making his feelings known about hosts he does not like.
She knows many in her industry have strong feelings, but is equally aware that not everyone watching shares those feelings.
"Some people are very connected to things and have a high emotional temperature about them," she said.
"I have those things in my life. I have them about family members. I have them about world issues.
"But for me, my job there is to create the most welcoming stage possible and not edit anyone; we want to celebrate our entire community that is very diverse."
Diverse they may be, but as performers, they will definitely have some things in common.
"This is an easier room than any other room, because everyone has been through the same thing," she said.
"Everyone has an old tape of themselves in a commercial that they wish no one would ever see because their hair looked insane," she laughed.
The gala, organized by SAG-AFTRA -- the largest actors' union in the United States and one of the most influential in the world with over 160,000 members -- honors the best in film and television.
In the final stretch of Hollywood's awards season, the evening serves as a barometer for the Oscars, given that some of their voting members also have a voice in the Academy.
On occasion, their award for best ensemble cast has provided clues as to which film will win best picture. 
The 32nd annual edition of the Actor Awards will be held on March 1 in Los Angeles and will be streamed live on Netflix. 
pr/hg/mlm

music

Senegal's Sahad, radiant champion of 'musical pan-Africanism'

BY LUCIE PEYTERMANN

  • His latest album "African West Station" is a remarkable work of "musical pan-Africanism", the culmination of four years of research into the archives of post-independence west African music from the 1960s to '80s.
  • With exhilarating charisma, stage energy and impassioned lyrics, Senegalese musician Sahad has created a unique body of work from a kaleidoscope of influences, culminating in his new pan-African album.
  • His latest album "African West Station" is a remarkable work of "musical pan-Africanism", the culmination of four years of research into the archives of post-independence west African music from the 1960s to '80s.
With exhilarating charisma, stage energy and impassioned lyrics, Senegalese musician Sahad has created a unique body of work from a kaleidoscope of influences, culminating in his new pan-African album.
At the heart of Sahad Sarr's ingenuity lies a quest for independence, his pride in being African and a deep connection to Senegal, where he leads a number of projects meant to show young people that it is possible to dream big in the country.
A songwriter, guitarist, singer and founder of his eponymous band SAHAD, the musician has been called the "Senegalese James Brown".
Even if some say there is a touch of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti in his trance-like rhythms or a hint of Mali music legend Ali Farka Toure, Sahad's sound is unique.
In his ten years of work, he has become a leading figure in Senegal's alternative music scene, demonstrating that not all of the country's hits have to be in its homegrown Mbalax style.
"The major record labels in Africa, Europe and the United States always have trouble defining my music", Sahad, 37, told AFP. 
"I make jazz fusion mixed with Afrobeat, funk, and traditional rhythms from Senegal, Mali and the Serer people", he said, referring to the ethnic community from which he hails.
He says his music is influenced by Miles Davis, John Coltrane and James Brown, explaining that he considers his style "kaleidoscopic".
In recent years he has performed with his band around the world and will represent Senegal at the international jazz music event "jazzahead!" in Bremen, Germany in April.
His latest album "African West Station" is a remarkable work of "musical pan-Africanism", the culmination of four years of research into the archives of post-independence west African music from the 1960s to '80s.
- West African imagination - 
"It was important to make an album that recounts the history of all these socio-cultural and political movements, these struggles that have brought us to where we are today", Sahad told AFP.
He emphasised that he wanted "to create a fusion to showcase west African collective imagination" with sounds from Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Ghana.
The album is meant as a "decolonial plea and a project for unity, where music plays an essential role because it transcends borders."
At the end of January Sahad and his band, who are from Congo, Ivory Coast, Benin and Senegal, delivered a high-energy show at the Institut Francais in Dakar.
As a passionate bandleader, Sahad was not just on vocals but also guitar and percussion.
In "Ya Bon" he criticised current and past African heads of state who he says have maintained a "servile relationship with the coloniser".
In "We Can Do" he aims to inspire youth to build connections, and in his galvanising "Ndakaaru" he celebrates the city of Dakar.

'New generation'

A few days after the concert AFP met with Sahad at his home studio in Dakar.
"There's a new generation in Africa, of which I'm a part, that's demanding a certain freedom, identity, and authenticity, and that also wants to rethink the image portrayed of Africa and Africans," he said.
In the album "we advocate for a youth free from hang-ups, a cultural reappropriation, a new relationship with the world" he said.
He added that he has often been offended by "people who have cliches about African music, who expect Africa to produce a certain type of sound" via instruments such as the kora or percussion.
Thus in 2021 he created his independent label "Stereo Africa 432", which produces music for his own band as well as other emerging Senegalese artists. 
He is additionally the founder of the major "Stereo Africa" festival in Dakar, dedicated to contemporary music from the continent and its diaspora, which also provides training to youth in the music industry.
Moka Kamara, cultural journalist at Senegalese newspaper Le Soleil told AFP that there was a palpable revival in the country "with the introduction of a reinvented reggae, a reinvented folk, all of which is thanks to Sahad".
Sahad also founded an eco-village meant to fight climate change, poverty and a rural exodus, in Kamyaak, in western Senegal, where he spends half of his time.
It's a place "for meditation, for reclaiming our culture and our multiple identities" said Sahad, who has been following a Sufi spiritual path for 20 years.
"We sense a wave of revolutions taking place in Africa and a break with this post-colonial trauma, but it cannot happen if we don't arm ourselves with knowledge, understanding and the responsibility of offering something", he said.
lp/bfm/cw

film

'One Battle' triumphs at BAFTAs that honour British talent

BY AKSHATA KAPOOR

  • The BAFTA ceremony, often seen as a weather vane for the Oscars in three weeks time, recognised British and Irish talent in some of the top categories.
  • Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" continued its awards season streak by winning the top prize at the BAFTAs on Sunday, with the British awards also recognising homegrown talent across categories.
  • The BAFTA ceremony, often seen as a weather vane for the Oscars in three weeks time, recognised British and Irish talent in some of the top categories.
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" continued its awards season streak by winning the top prize at the BAFTAs on Sunday, with the British awards also recognising homegrown talent across categories.
Following in the footsteps of Hollywood ceremonies last month, the BAFTAs gave the best film award to the offbeat thriller "One Battle After Another".
Paul Thomas Anderson won the best director award for the political thriller, which has struck a chord with its portrayal of a deeply polarised United States -- and also won the most prizes of the night with a tally of six.
"Unfortunately, the title makes sense," Anderson told reporters after the ceremony. "It just does start to seem like one battle after another these days. But stay hopeful."
Chalamet's ping-pong drama "Marty Supreme" left the night with no awards -- having been nominated in 11 categories -- but Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" walked off with three wins in the technical categories.
Vampire period film "Sinners" left the night with three awards, including for best score and best original screenplay.
The BAFTA ceremony, often seen as a weather vane for the Oscars in three weeks time, recognised British and Irish talent in some of the top categories.

Aramayo, local hero

Loud cheers erupted in London's Southbank Centre when British actor Robert Aramayo triumphed over established stars Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio to snag the best actor honour.
Aramayo, the underdog in the category, won for his portrayal of a man with Tourette syndrome in "I Swear", inspired by the real life story of Scot John Davidson whose life was irrevocably changed by the condition.
"I honestly cannot believe I won this award. I really, really cannot," said a tearful Aramayo, who had already won in the rising star category.
"I'm just really happy that 'I Swear' has shown a spotlight on something that is really, really misunderstood," he added.
Ireland's Jessie Buckley continued her winning streak for her heartwrenching portrayal of Shakespeare's wife Agnes in "Hamnet", scooping the best actress award, beating off strong competition from stars including Kate Hudson and Emma Stone
"This really does belong to the women past, present and future that have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently," said Buckley, who made history as the first Irish actress to win a BAFTA in the category.

Royals in attendance

Unlike France's Cesar Awards or Spain's Goya Awards, which champion national cinema, the BAFTAs are open to all nationalities. As a consequence, the awards have previously faced some criticism for the American-dominated roster.
This year however, local talent got wide recognition.
"Hamnet" won outstanding British film, and Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku won best supporting actress for her role in "Sinners".
Adapted from a novel by Maggie O'Farrell, "Hamnet" follows William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they navigate the loss of their son in plague-ravaged Elizabethan England.
"Sentimental Value" won in the foreign language film category, becoming the first Norwegian film to win at the BAFTAs, according to director Joachim Trier.
The intimate drama follows the relationship between two daughters and their estranged father, as he struggles to reconnect with them while making a film in their now hollowed-out family home.
"We felt ready to try to talk about family life, intergenerational trauma and all those things we don't know how to talk about," Danish-Norwegian filmmaker Trier told reporters.
Hollywood and British royalty were in attendance, including BAFTA president Prince William, his wife Princess Catherine, and A-listers DiCaprio, Chalamet and Cillian Murphy.
William, the eldest son of King Charles III, was the latest royal to go about business-as-usual at the end of a dramatic week that saw his uncle and ex-prince Andrew arrested.
The Prince of Wales said he was not calm "at the moment" when asked about whether he had watched "Hamnet", according to the PA news agency.
"I need to be in quite a calm state and I'm not at the moment," William told Elaine Bedell, chief executive of the Southbank Centre.
But even the heir-to-the-throne smiled wide as Paddington Bear came onto the stage to present the award for best children and family film.
aks/jj

Canada

'GOAT' battles to top of N. America box office

  • The film, the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team, features Curry in a voice role. 
  • Sony animated film "GOAT," produced by NBA superstar Stephen Curry, glided into the number one spot at the North American box office, taking in $17 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.
  • The film, the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team, features Curry in a voice role. 
Sony animated film "GOAT," produced by NBA superstar Stephen Curry, glided into the number one spot at the North American box office, taking in $17 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.
The film, the story of an undersized goat who wants to join a basketball-like "roarball" team, features Curry in a voice role. 
Caleb McLaughlin and David Harbour ("Stranger Things"), Gabrielle Union and country star Jelly Roll also star in the family-friendly movie.
"GOAT" moved ahead of steamy literary adaptation "Wuthering Heights," which earned $14.2 million in its second week of release, according to Exhibitor Relations.
The Warner Bros film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the doomed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff from Emily Bronte's classic novel, features original songs from Charli XCX.
Debuting in third place with $8 million was Lionsgate's "I Can Only Imagine 2," a sequel about the singer who wrote and performed the number one Christian single of all time.
In fourth place was Amazon MGM's heist thriller "Crime 101," starring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo, with $5.8 million.
And in fifth place was horror flick "Send Help" from 20th Century, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien as a woman and her boss trying to survive on a deserted island after a plane crash.
It earned $4.5 million.
"It's a quiet weekend for new releases. The market is full right now, and a number of pictures are having good runs," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. 
Rounding out the top 10 are:
"How to Make a Killing" ($3.5 million)
"EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert" ($3.3 million)
"Solo Mio" ($2.6 million)
"Zootopia 2" ($2.3 million)
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" ($1.8 million)
bur-sst/md

Lebanon

Dark times under Syria's Assad hit Arab screens for Ramadan

BY RITA EL HAGE

  • Many spent years going from one Assad-era security facility to another in search of their missing family members.
  • A Syrian prison warden screams at a group of chained, crouching inmates in a harrowing scene from one of several Ramadan television series this year that tackle the era of former ruler Bashar al-Assad.
  • Many spent years going from one Assad-era security facility to another in search of their missing family members.
A Syrian prison warden screams at a group of chained, crouching inmates in a harrowing scene from one of several Ramadan television series this year that tackle the era of former ruler Bashar al-Assad.
Talking about Syria's prisons and the torture, enforced disappearances and executions that took place there was taboo during half a century of the Assad family's iron-fisted rule, but the topics are now fertile ground for creative productions, though not without controversy.
An abandoned soap factory north of the Lebanese capital Beirut has been transformed into a replica of the basements and corridors of Syria's Saydnaya prison, a facility synonymous with horror under Assad, for the series "Going Out to the Well".
Crews were filming the last episodes this week as the Muslim holy month kicked off -- primetime viewing in the Arab world, with channels and outlets furiously competing for eager audiences' attention.
Director Mohammed Lutfi told AFP that "for Syrians, Saydnaya prison is a dark place, full of stories and tales".
The series focuses on the 2008 prison riots in Saydnaya, "when inmates revolted against the soldiers and took control of the prison, and there were negotiations between them and Syrian intelligence services", he said.
The military prison, one of Syria's largest and which also held political prisoners, remains an open wound for thousands of families still looking for traces of their loved ones.

Tragedy into drama

The Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison estimates that some 30,000 people were thrown into the facility after the 2011 uprising against Assad began, but only 6,000 came out after he was toppled.
Amnesty International has described the prison outside Damascus, which was notorious for torture and enforced disappearances, as a "human slaughterhouse".
In the opening scene of the series, the main character is seen in a tense exchange with his family before jumping into a deep well.
The symbolic scene in part captures the struggles of the detainees' relatives. Many spent years going from one Assad-era security facility to another in search of their missing family members.
Syrian writer Samer Radwan said on Facebook that he finished writing the series several months before Assad's fall.
Director Lutfi had previously told AFP that challenges including actors' fears of the Assad authorities' reaction had prevented filming until after his ouster.
Since then, productions have jumped on the chance to finally tackle issues related to his family's brutal rule.
Another series titled "Caesar, no time, no place" presents testimonies and experiences based on true stories from inside Syria's prisons during the civil war, which erupted in 2011.
But in a statement this week, the Caesar Families Association strongly rejected "transforming our tragedy into dramatic material to be shown on screen".
"Justice is sought in court, not in film studios," said the association, whose name refers to thousands of images smuggled out of Syria more than a decade ago showing bodies of people tortured and starved to death in the country's prisons.

Refugees

Another series, "Governorate 15", sees two Saydnaya inmates, one Lebanese and one Syrian, leave the facility after Assad's fall and return to their families.
Producer Marwan Haddad said that the series tackles the period of "the Syrian presence in Lebanon" through the Lebanese character. 
The show also addresses the Syria refugee crisis through the story of the Syrian character's family, who fled to the struggling neighbouring country to escape the civil war.
"For years we said we didn't want Lebanon to be (Syria's) 15th province" and each person fought it in their own way, said Lebanese screenwriter Carine Rizkallah.
Under Assad's father Hafez, Syria's army entered Lebanon in 1976 during the country's civil war and only left in 2005 after dominating all aspects of Lebanese life for almost three decades.
It was also accused of numerous political assassinations.
Lebanese director Samir Habchy said that the actors represent their "own community's problems" in the "Lebanese-Syrian series".
The show could prove controversial because it includes real people who "are still alive and will see themselves" in the episodes, he added.
rhb/lar/lg/amj/abs

mural

Artist creates 'Latin American Mona Lisa' with plastic bottle caps

  • "The Mona Lisa is an ordinary woman, and she's an icon of the Italian Renaissance" -- and now "we are living through a new Renaissance, both in El Salvador and the world," Olivares said.
  • Call it a Renaissance in recycling.
  • "The Mona Lisa is an ordinary woman, and she's an icon of the Italian Renaissance" -- and now "we are living through a new Renaissance, both in El Salvador and the world," Olivares said.
Call it a Renaissance in recycling.
A massive mural made of plastic bottle caps depicts Latin America's version of the famed Mona Lisa, adorning a modest apartment building in a working class neighborhood outside the capital of El Salvador instead of the walls of the Louvre.
Using a rainbow of colors and various sizes of caps, Venezuelan artist Oscar Olivares's latest installation is 13 meters (about 43 feet) tall and takes inspiration from Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci as well as the pointillist paintings of French artist Paul Signac.
"I wanted to portray a Latin American Mona Lisa," Olivares told AFP. 
The mural is in Zacamil, in the Mejicanos suburb of San Salvador -- an area that was once controlled by violent gangs, whose activity has been curbed by President Nayib Bukele's controversial security crackdown.
"The Mona Lisa is an ordinary woman, and she's an icon of the Italian Renaissance" -- and now "we are living through a new Renaissance, both in El Salvador and the world," Olivares said.
Completed in three weeks, the composition is made of more than 100,000 recycled bottle caps, after they were gathered by local residents over several months, washed and sorted.
Instead of the muted palette of the Italian countryside, Olivares replaced da Vinci's pastoral background with bright depictions of homes, a bold blue mountain and a colorful checkerboard sky.
And it wouldn't be the Mona Lisa without her penetrating gaze and that ever-elusive smile, this time seen on a sun-kissed face rendered with red, orange and yellow caps. Her jewelry, hairstyle and colorful dress evoke a modern Latina woman's graces.
Olivares has created murals using plastic caps in Venezuela, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, France and Italy, finding use for over 2 million caps in more than two dozen murals. 
He hopes his work will give viewers "a completely different view of plastic waste."
bur-jjr/sla/nro

film

Political drama 'Yellow Letters' wins Berlin's Golden Bear

BY JASTINDER KHERA

  • Festival director Tricia Tuttle acknowledged Saturday that this year's edition had been "emotionally charged" after days of sometimes acrimonious debate on how far filmmaking should intervene in politics.
  • "Yellow Letters", directed by German filmmaker Ilker Catak, won the Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear for best film Saturday, at a ceremony reflecting the controversy over Gaza that has dogged this year's edition.
  • Festival director Tricia Tuttle acknowledged Saturday that this year's edition had been "emotionally charged" after days of sometimes acrimonious debate on how far filmmaking should intervene in politics.
"Yellow Letters", directed by German filmmaker Ilker Catak, won the Berlin Film Festival's Golden Bear for best film Saturday, at a ceremony reflecting the controversy over Gaza that has dogged this year's edition.
Some award winners spoke out in favour of the Palestinian cause, pushing back after jury president Wim Wenders had sparked outrage earlier by trying to steer the festival away from the issue.
Festival director Tricia Tuttle acknowledged Saturday that this year's edition had been "emotionally charged" after days of sometimes acrimonious debate on how far filmmaking should intervene in politics.
Catak's film tells the story of a Turkish director and his actor wife, suddenly barred from working because of their political opinions.
Wenders called the film "a terrifying premonition, a look into the near future that could possibly happen in our countries as well".
While set in Turkey, the film was shot in Germany, an artistic choice to make the point that threats to liberty are universal.
The runner-up Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize went to "Salvation" by Emin Alper, who in his speech expressed solidarity with several high-profile opposition figures in prison in Turkey, including jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Alper's film, inspired by a true story, shows the consequences of a feud over land between two clans in a remote mountain village.
He took the opportunity to speak up for "the people of Iran suffering under tyranny" and "Kurds in Rojava and the Middle East struggling for their rights for almost a century -- you are not alone".
Alper also spoke of "the Palestinians in Gaza living and dying under the most terrible conditions".

Impassioned speech

Alper was not the only award-winner to express support for the Palestinians.
Syrian-Palestinian director Abdullah Al-Khatib won Best First Feature Award for "Chronicles From the Siege".
He accepted the award with a keffiyeh draped over his shoulder and gave an impassioned speech in which addressed the German government by saying: "You are partners in the genocide in Gaza by Israel." 
He received cheers for his words but also prompted some heckling, reflecting the tension over Gaza which has often overshadowed this year's event.
Speaking at a press conference at the beginning of the festival last week, Wenders answered a question about the German government's support for Israel by saying: "We cannot really enter the field of politics."
At the same press conference, he had said that films had the power to "change the world" but in a different way from politics.
But his comments in response to the question on Israel prompted a storm of outrage.
Award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy, who had been due to present a restored version of a 1989 film she wrote, pulled out of the event, branding Wenders' words "unconscionable" and "jaw-dropping".
On Tuesday, an open letter signed by dozens of film industry figures, including actors Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton and director Adam McKay, condemned the Berlin festival's "silence on the genocide of Palestinians" and accused it of being involved in "censoring" artists who oppose Israel's actions.
Tuttle has firmly rejected the accusations.
Wenders addressed the controversy on Saturday.
"The language of cinema is empathetic. The language of social media is effective," he said.
Addressing political activists, he said: "All of us applaud you. You do necessary and courageous work."
"But does it need to be in competition with us? Do our languages need to clash?" he asked.

'Queen at Sea'

Other award winners on Saturday included German actress Sandra Hueller, who received the Silver Bear for Best Performance for her title role in Markus Schleinzer's "Rose".
The black-and-white drama tells the story of a woman passing herself off as a man in rural 17th-century Germany to escape the constraints of patriarchy. 
"Queen at Sea" by American director Lance Hammer, which stars Juliette Binoche as a woman caring for her mother with dementia, picked up two awards.
The film portrays the devastation Alzheimer's disease inflicts on a patient's loved ones. 
Tom Courtenay, 88, and 79-year-old Anna Calder-Marshall, who plays the ailing mother in the film, shared the Silver Bear for Best Supporting Performance.
The film also picked up the Silver Bear Jury Prize, considered the third most prestigious award.
Grant Gee picked up the Best Director award for "Everybody Digs Bill Evans" his black-and-white biopic of the legendary jazz pianist.
agu-jsk/jj/rh

Colon

US salsa legend Willie Colon dead at 75

  • "We've lost an architect of the New York sound," said manager Pietro Carolos.
  • Salsa music icon Willie Colon died on Saturday, his family and longtime manager said, leaving fans mourning the loss of "an architect of the New York sound."
  • "We've lost an architect of the New York sound," said manager Pietro Carolos.
Salsa music icon Willie Colon died on Saturday, his family and longtime manager said, leaving fans mourning the loss of "an architect of the New York sound."
Colon, known best as a trombonist but who was also a bandleader and producer, was born in the Bronx and known for blending the Puerto Rican music of his parents and grandparents with his home city's jazz.
He was 75. A cause of death was not given.
Born William Anthony Colon Roman in 1950, the music star "passed away peacefully this morning," his family said in a statement.
"We've lost an architect of the New York sound," said manager Pietro Carolos.
"Willie didn't just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages where it hadn't been heard before."
Colon was playing in his own band by 15 and released an album at 17. He went on to record hit records with Puerto Rican singer Hector Lavoe in the 1960s and 1970s.
"Siembra," released in 1978 with vocalist Ruben Blades, addressed social issues faced by the growing Latino community in the United States.
"I came from a really tough neighborhood," he once told music publication Billboard.
"My father spent time in jail. Almost everybody went to jail... there was a lot of interaction between us and the police."
He only studied music in junior high school but continued playing and touring through 2025.
In a mark of his continued influence, he is name-checked in Grammy-winning singer Bad Bunny's 2025 hit "Nueva Yol."
bur-nro/acb