film news of the week: mar 31 – apr 6
Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt might star in a sequel to ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’ Multiple upcoming projects and casting news also highlighted.
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Cillian Murphy
BAFTAs: Oppenheimer Takes Center Stage, Sweeping Through the 2024 Award Season
David Tennant Shines as Host This year’s BAFTA Awards were hosted by the charismatic David Tennant last night. Dressed in a kilt, his charm and wit provided for an entertaining night, making him a delightful host for the event, something that felt very refreshing after Jo Key rightfully received backlash for his misogynistic jokes at the Golden Globes. Thankfully there were no mishaps and only beaming praise for David Tennant’s hosting skills. Worth noting: Tennant and his wife are also strong advocates for trans rights. The Big Winner: Oppenheimer The night belonged to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” It swept the BAFTA stage, claiming seven awards. The film, depicting the life of Robert Oppenheimer, secured the Best Film award, with Nolan himself honored as Best Director. Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Oppenheimer, received the Best Actor award, his third BAFTA nomination and first win. Robert Downey Jr. also earned recognition, winning Best Supporting Actor. “Oppenheimer,” with its massive box office success and numerous awards this season, solidified its status as an Oscars favorite. The film previously won big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, indicating a potential sweep at the upcoming Academy Awards. Voting for those begins this Thursday. Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things” emerged as the second big winner of the night, securing five awards, including Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Production Design and Special Effects. Actress Emma Stone, recognized for her role as Bella Baxter, took home the Leading Actress award. Da’Vine Joy Randolph secured the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Holdovers.” The BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay went to the widely acclaimed film “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring German actress Sandra Hüller. Her second film “The Zone of Interest” also received multiple awards, including Outstanding British Film, Best Non-English Language Film, and Best Sound. Highlights The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an organization that praises itself to be a force that champions talent, storytelling, and strives to make the creative industries more accessible and sustainable. With a global membership of 11,500 creative minds across film, games, and TV, BAFTA plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the screen arts. – Mel
BAFTAs: Oppenheimer Takes Center Stage, Sweeping Through the 2024 Award Season Read More »
BAFTAs: Oppenheimer Takes Center Stage, Sweeping Through the 2024 Award Season
David Tennant Shines as Host This year’s BAFTA Awards were hosted by the charismatic David Tennant last night. Dressed in a kilt, his charm and wit provided for an entertaining night, making him a delightful host for the event, something that felt very refreshing after Jo Key rightfully received backlash for his misogynistic jokes at the Golden Globes. Thankfully there were no mishaps and only beaming praise for David Tennant’s hosting skills. Worth noting: Tennant and his wife are also strong advocates for trans rights. The Big Winner: Oppenheimer The night belonged to Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” It swept the BAFTA stage, claiming seven awards. The film, depicting the life of Robert Oppenheimer, secured the Best Film award, with Nolan himself honored as Best Director. Cillian Murphy, who portrayed Oppenheimer, received the Best Actor award, his third BAFTA nomination and first win. Robert Downey Jr. also earned recognition, winning Best Supporting Actor. “Oppenheimer,” with its massive box office success and numerous awards this season, solidified its status as an Oscars favorite. The film previously won big at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards, indicating a potential sweep at the upcoming Academy Awards. Voting for those begins this Thursday. Yorgos Lanthimos‘ “Poor Things” emerged as the second big winner of the night, securing five awards, including Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, Production Design and Special Effects. Actress Emma Stone, recognized for her role as Bella Baxter, took home the Leading Actress award. Da’Vine Joy Randolph secured the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Holdovers.” The BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay went to the widely acclaimed film “Anatomy of a Fall,” starring German actress Sandra Hüller. Her second film “The Zone of Interest” also received multiple awards, including Outstanding British Film, Best Non-English Language Film, and Best Sound. Highlights The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an organization that praises itself to be a force that champions talent, storytelling, and strives to make the creative industries more accessible and sustainable. With a global membership of 11,500 creative minds across film, games, and TV, BAFTA plays a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the screen arts. – Mel
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Cillian Murphy shines in a whole new light in ‘Small Things Like These’ (Review)
The Berlinale has officially kicked off with the world premiere of Small Things Like These, produced by and starring Cillian Murphy. It is also the first Irish film to open the festival. Director Tim Mielants brings Claire Keegan’s novel to life. Set in 1985, Ireland, the story revolves around Bill Furlong, a hardworking coal merchant striving to provide for his family. Furlong, portrayed by the talented Cillian Murphy, is a humble and simple man with clear principles. The story takes a poignant turn when he stumbles upon the Catholic Church’s exploitation of “fallen girls.” This revelation forces him to confront his values, setting the stage for a powerful exploration of morality and the broader human experience. Academy award nominated actor Cillian Murphy delivers a nuanced and compelling performance, capturing Bill Furlongs complex nature and inner conflict in a way we haven’t seen before, making his portrayal stand out as a testament to his versatility as an actor. But his is not the only performance that stands out. The strong female-led performances by Eileen Walsh, Michelle Fairley, Emily Watson and Clare Dunne are equally as powerful and add layers of depth to the film’s emotional landscape. Cinematically, this film is beautifully shot, Mielants creates a visually stunning backdrop for the emotionally charged narrative, showcasing its contrasting themes with excellent lighting and shadows. Switching between warm and cool colors, that sometimes come off as quite intense, they pull you right out of a scene and into the next. The sound, designed by Senjan Jansen, stands out as we can hear every one of Bill Furlong’s breaths, church bells ringing in the background and a gaggle of geese, making for an immersive experience for the viewer. While the film may have its moments of being a bit slow-paced and understated, leaving me yearning for more exploration of specific elements, it’s precisely this humbleness what makes it stand out. With an incredible screenplay deeply rooted in Irish history, the film skillfully tackles the sensitive themes surrounding the abuse of power by notorious institutions that took in pregnant girls and forced them to do unpaid manual labour. When I stepped out the theatre, I heard people question the decision of making ‘Small Things Like These’ this year’s opener. But I believe it was a perfect choice to represent what the Berlinale is about. The film not only engages but also challenges, creating a connection that transcends the screen and lingers with you for quite a while. -Mel
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Berlin Film Festival reveals 2024 Competition line-up
The International Berlin Film Festival has just announced its Competition line-up for the 74th Berlinale. Festival heads Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian just unveiled this year’s official Competition titles, all 20 contenders for the prestigious Golden Bear. This curated selection features new films from Tim Mielants, Hong Sangsoo and Gustav Möller. Among the Competition titles are Yeohaengjaui pilyo (A Traveler’s Needs), Sterben (Dying), Des Teufels Bad (The Devil’s Bath), and the previously announced Small Things Like These, which is set to open the festival. Martin Scorsese will receive this year’s honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement. Here is the full line-up announcement of the Competition and Encounters sections: COMPETITION ENCOUNTERS You can find the whole programme and more information about the films on Berlinale.de The 74th Berlin International Film Festival will take place from 15-25 February. Stay tuned for our full preview of the 2024 Berlinale in the coming days, including a breakdown on which titles could lead as this year’s potential winners.
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Tim Mielants’ ‘Small Things Like These’ Set to Open Berlin Film Festival
Small Things Like These | Shane O’Connor The 74th Berlin International Film Festival is preparing to raise their curtains, announcing their opener film “Small Things Like These,” an Irish-Belgian production starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson and Michelle Fairley. Directed by Tim Mielants, the film is based on the acclaimed novel by Irish writer Claire Keegan, published in 2021. The book won prizes such as the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, the Ambassadors’ Prize for best Irish novel published in France, and The Kerry Prize for Irish novel of the year. Written by Enda Walsh and Claire Keegan, the film is set in 1985, delving into the dark history surrounding Ireland’s Magdalen laundries – gruesome institutions operated by Roman Catholic organizations from the 1800s until 1996, aimed at reforming “fallen young women.” Cillian Murphy himself has helped produce the film alongside Alan Moloney and Catherine Magee, through their company Big Things Films. Director Mielants and Murphy have previously collaborated on the acclaimed series “Peaky Blinders.” The film’s exploration of Ireland’s historical Magdalen laundries is expected to shed light on a dark chapter in the nation’s history, bringing awareness to social issues while delivering a powerful cinematic experience. Carlo Chatrian, the Artistic Director of the Berlinale, expressed enthusiasm for the film, emphasizing its ability to portray kindness towards the fragile and the determination to stand up against injustice—and anticipates that audiences will be deeply moved. The decision to open the festival with “Small Things Like These” aligns with the broader celebration of Irish culture through Zeitgeist Irland 24, a year-long cultural event. “Small Things Like These” stands as a compelling choice for the opening night and Competition. With a talented cast, a gripping storyline, and a commitment to shedding light on historical injustices, the film promises to set the tone for a festival that celebrates the power of cinema to explore, challenge, and inspire. The Berlinale kicks off February 15 and runs until the 24th. It has already revealed the lineups for the panorama, forum and generation sections.
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