Latest news with #OscarsAcademy
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Smith says Oscars slap fallout was brutal
Three years after he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, Will Smith says making a mistake so publicly was "brutal". "The last few years for me have been really deep reflection," the actor tells 1Xtra's Remi Burgz. "After the Oscars I shut it down for a minute and really went into the internal work and just taking a big, strong, honest look at myself." Will was banned from the awards ceremony for 10 years after he hit the comedian for joking about his wife's shaved head - a result of alopecia, a hair loss condition. "For the first time in my career, [I was] having to deal with a level of disapproval that I never had to experience," Will says. "The addiction to the approval of others that I had to dissolve, it was brutal." At the 2022 ceremony in Los Angeles, Chris Rock mocked Will's wife Jada's appearance. Clips showing Will immediately marching on stage and slapping him across the face and telling him to keep his wife's name out his mouth have been viewed millions of times online. Will resigned from the Oscars Academy shortly after, saying his actions were "shocking, painful, and inexcusable". The 56-year-old tells 1Xtra the fallout has also given him to time to reflect. "It was just like there was a manhole cover over some unexplored areas and the manhole cover came off," he says. "It was scary for a minute what was in there. "But then all of a sudden, all these new thoughts, new energies, new creativity came through like a geyser and it started showing up as music." Earlier this year Will released his first album in 20 years, Based On A True Story, and tells 1Xtra he asked for advice before heading back to the studio. "When I started writing, I called Jay Z and I called Kendrick," he says. "Kendrick said you have to say those things you've always been scared to say and Jay Z said don't even go near it if you're not trying to tell the truth." The new music hasn't been a hit with critics. Pitchfork said it was "excruciatingly corny" while Rolling Stone described it as "cringey... clunky and dated" in a two-and-a-half star review. But Will says it was a "fun way to express the madness of what goes on in my head". "It is the exploration of what I call the 'despicable prisoners'. "It's the parts of myself that have been banished, the parts of myself I'm not allowed to talk about on the radio, the part of myself I'm not even allowed to acknowledge is real. "Working in that space of authenticity, honesty and imperfection, allowing that to grow into a higher perfection than the imagery of Will Smith is where I am as an artist and as a human right now." Remi's full interview with Will Smith is available to stream on BBC Sounds. Why did Will Smith hit Chris Rock? Will Smith resigns from Oscars Academy over slap Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Reaction of dat Oscars slap make me think
Three years afta e slap comedian Chris Rock for on top stage during di 2022 Oscars Awards, Will Smith say to make dat kain mistake for public no dey right. "Dis last few years for me na dat of real deep reflection," di actor tell 1Xtra Remi Burgz. "Afta di Oscars I shut down for a minute and really work on myself, I bin take a big, strong, honest look at myself." Dem ban Will from di awards ceremony for 10 years afta e slap di comedian becos e joke about head wey im wife shave – wey she get sake of alopecia, one hair loss condition. "For di first time for my career, I deal wit some kain level of disapproval wey I no ever experience bifor," Will tok. "I bin dey addicted to di approval of odas, and I gatz end am, e dey brutal." During di 2022 ceremony for Los Angeles, Chris Rock bin mock di way Oga Will wife, Jada Will appearance. Videos wey show how Will immediately march go di stage and sama am slap for im face, and warn am to comot im wife name from im mouth do dey viewed millions of times online. Will resign from di Oscars Academy shortly afta, e say im actions dey "shocking, painful, and inexcusable". Di 56-year-old tell 1Xtra say di fallout don also give am time to reflect. "E just be like say one manhole dey wey cover some unexplored areas and di manhole cover remove," e tok. "E bin dey scary for a minute, like wetin dey there" "But then all of a sudden, all these new thoughts, new energies, new creativity bin come through like fountain and e begin to come out as music." 'Scared to say' Earlier dis year, Will bin release im first album in 20 years, e base di song on one true story, and e ask 1Xtra for advice bifor e go back to di studio. "Wen I bin start to write, I call Jay Z and I call Kendrick," e tok. "Kendrick say you gatz tok those things wey you dey fear to tok about ,and Jay Z tok say no even near am, if you no ready to tok di truth." Critics no too gbadun di new music. Pitchfork tok say e dey "excruciatingly corny" while Rolling Stone describe am as "cringey... clunky and dated" inside one two-and-a-half star review. But Will say na "fun way to express di madness wey dey go on for my head". "Na di exploration of wetin I call di 'despicable prisoners'. "Dis na di parts of myself wey I bin bury, part of myself wey dem no allow me tok about on top radio, di part of myself dem no even allow me acknowledge dey real. "To work for space of authenticity, honesty and imperfection, and to allow am grow into a higher perfection pass di imagery of Will Smith na where I dey now as an artist and as a human right now." Remi full interview wit Will Smith dey available to stream on BBC Sounds.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Aicha Macky, Niger's taboo-breaking filmmaker
From infertility struggles to the shape of a woman's body, award-winning filmmaker Aicha Macky tackles issues considered taboo in Niger's conservative society. Even just being a woman in the film industry pushes boundaries -- too many have given up largely because of "the heavy gaze of society", the 43-year-old told AFP in an interview. Macky's determination has paid off. Trophies and distinctions adorning her new offices in a Niamey suburb attest to her success, which last year also brought an invitation to join the ranks of the Oscars Academy. The director is part of a new generation of filmmakers reviving Nigerien cinema after its bumper output years in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career, however, has not been without pitfalls. "We live in quite a conservative society and it takes a lot of self-denial for a woman who decides to make films," said Macky, adjusting her head scarf. "When we talk about women filmmakers, you get the impression that we are talking about someone who behaves immorally. With a mentality like that, it's not easy," she added. But Macky has never given in to "social pressure". After studying sociology at university in Niamey, she gained her Master's degree in cinema in Saint-Louis in northwest Senegal and knew her future course was set. UNSPOKEN As a child growing up in the central city of Zinder she had stood out when performing on stage or in school cultural competitions. At the age of 22 when she moved to the capital to study, she was mocked by fellow students for her "tiny frame", she recalled. "In Niamey a woman must have curves" to be courted, Macky said. But the experience inspired a short film entitled "Moi et ma maigreur" ("Me and My Thinness") in 2011, followed two years later by "Savoir faire le lit" ("Know How To Make The Bed") about the avoidance by mothers and daughters to broach the subject of sex. Next came her first long film, "L'arbre sans fruits" ("The Fruitless Tree"), an autobiographical work about her own infertility problems and her mother, who died during childbirth when Macky was five years old. Macky played the role of herself in the film that depicts a country in which a childless woman is often sidelined. "I was seen as an unusual woman, who was unable to give birth, in a Niger where women have on average 7.5 children," the director said. The film went on to scoop numerous awards, as did her next work "Zinder", released in 2021. In a change of tack, the documentary tackled violence by urban gangs, unemployment and illegal migration. It was used in a national awareness campaign funded by the United States and focused on the aspirations of young people and the need to rebuild peace in Niger, which for years has faced attacks by jihadists. "Zinder" won the audience award at the Cologne film festival and also garnered the women filmmaker prize at the prestigious Fespaco African cinema festival in Ouagadougou. COMMUNICATION For inspiration, Macky said she doesn't have to look very far. "My life, those around me, everything is the subject of films," she said, adding she aimed to address the "unspoken" aspects of life to "break the taboos and raise awareness". "I attended the Cannes Film Festival. I reached the top by becoming a permanent member of the small circle of the Oscars Academy, which isn't nothing!" she said, smiling and adding that she felt "fulfilled". But her ambitions don't stop there. She plans to help train girls in filmmaking for the cinema and online, using a mobile studio so she can criss-cross the west African country. The reopening of cinema screens which have completely disappeared in Niger is another challenge she has set herself. "Today the war against terrorism in the Sahel can be won through the means of cinema, it's also a communication war," she said.
Kuwait Times
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Aicha Macky, Niger's taboo-breaking filmmaker
From infertility struggles to the shape of a woman's body, award-winning filmmaker Aicha Macky tackles issues considered taboo in Niger's conservative society. Even just being a woman in the film industry pushes boundaries -- too many have given up largely because of 'the heavy gaze of society', the 43-year-old told AFP in an interview. Macky's determination has paid off. Trophies and distinctions adorning her new offices in a Niamey suburb attest to her success, which last year also brought an invitation to join the ranks of the Oscars Academy. The director is part of a new generation of filmmakers reviving Nigerien cinema after its bumper output years in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career, however, has not been without pitfalls. 'We live in quite a conservative society and it takes a lot of self-denial for a woman who decides to make films,' said Macky, adjusting her head scarf. 'When we talk about women filmmakers, you get the impression that we are talking about someone who behaves immorally. With a mentality like that, it's not easy,' she added. But Macky has never given in to 'social pressure'. After studying sociology at university in Niamey, she gained her Master's degree in cinema in Saint-Louis in northwest Senegal and knew her future course was set. Unspoken As a child growing up in the central city of Zinder she had stood out when performing on stage or in school cultural competitions. At the age of 22 when she moved to the capital to study, she was mocked by fellow students for her 'tiny frame', she recalled. 'In Niamey a woman must have curves' to be courted, Macky said. But the experience inspired a short film entitled 'Moi et ma maigreur' ('Me and My Thinness') in 2011, followed two years later by 'Savoir faire le lit' ('Know How To Make The Bed') about the avoidance by mothers and daughters to broach the subject of sex. Next came her first long film, 'L'arbre sans fruits' ('The Fruitless Tree'), an autobiographical work about her own infertility problems and her mother, who died during childbirth when Macky was five years old. Macky played the role of herself in the film that depicts a country in which a childless woman is often sidelined. 'I was seen as an unusual woman, who was unable to give birth, in a Niger where women have on average 7.5 children,' the director said. The film went on to scoop numerous awards, as did her next work 'Zinder', released in 2021. In a change of tack, the documentary tackled violence by urban gangs, unemployment and illegal migration. It was used in a national awareness campaign funded by the United States and focused on the aspirations of young people and the need to rebuild peace in Niger, which for years has faced attacks by jihadists. 'Zinder' won the audience award at the Cologne film festival and also garnered the women filmmaker prize at the prestigious Fespaco African cinema festival in Ouagadougou. For inspiration, Macky said she doesn't have to look very far. 'My life, those around me, everything is the subject of films,' she said, adding she aimed to address the 'unspoken' aspects of life to 'break the taboos and raise awareness'. 'I attended the Cannes Film Festival. I reached the top by becoming a permanent member of the small circle of the Oscars Academy, which isn't nothing!' she said, smiling and adding that she felt 'fulfilled'.—AFP But her ambitions don't stop there. She plans to help train girls in filmmaking for the cinema and online, using a mobile studio so she can criss-cross the west African country. The reopening of cinema screens which have completely disappeared in Niger is another challenge she has set herself. 'Today the war against terrorism in the Sahel can be won through the means of cinema, it's also a communication war,' she said.—AFP
France 24
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Aicha Macky, Niger's taboo-breaking filmmaker
Even just being a woman in the film industry pushes boundaries -- too many have given up largely because of "the heavy gaze of society", the 43-year-old told AFP in an interview. Macky's determination has paid off. Trophies and distinctions adorning her new offices in a Niamey suburb attest to her success, which last year also brought an invitation to join the ranks of the Oscars Academy. The director is part of a new generation of filmmakers reviving Nigerien cinema after its bumper output years in the 1970s and 1980s. Her career, however, has not been without pitfalls. "We live in quite a conservative society and it takes a lot of self-denial for a woman who decides to make films," said Macky, adjusting her head scarf. "When we talk about women filmmakers, you get the impression that we are talking about someone who behaves immorally. With a mentality like that, it's not easy," she added. But Macky has never given in to "social pressure". After studying sociology at university in Niamey, she gained her Master's degree in cinema in Saint-Louis in northwest Senegal and knew her future course was set. Unspoken As a child growing up in the central city of Zinder she had stood out when performing on stage or in school cultural competitions. At the age of 22 when she moved to the capital to study, she was mocked by fellow students for her "tiny frame", she recalled. "In Niamey a woman must have curves" to be courted, Macky said. But the experience inspired a short film entitled "Moi et ma maigreur" ("Me and My Thinness") in 2011, followed two years later by "Savoir faire le lit" ("Know How To Make The Bed") about the avoidance by mothers and daughters to broach the subject of sex. Next came her first long film, "L'arbre sans fruits" ("The Fruitless Tree"), an autobiographical work about her own infertility problems and her mother, who died during childbirth when Macky was five years old. Macky played the role of herself in the film that depicts a country in which a childless woman is often sidelined. "I was seen as an unusual woman, who was unable to give birth, in a Niger where women have on average 7.5 children," the director said. The film went on to scoop numerous awards, as did her next work "Zinder", released in 2021. In a change of tack, the documentary tackled violence by urban gangs, unemployment and illegal migration. It was used in a national awareness campaign funded by the United States and focused on the aspirations of young people and the need to rebuild peace in Niger, which for years has faced attacks by jihadists. "Zinder" won the audience award at the Cologne film festival and also garnered the women filmmaker prize at the prestigious Fespaco African cinema festival in Ouagadougou. Communication For inspiration, Macky said she doesn't have to look very far. "My life, those around me, everything is the subject of films," she said, adding she aimed to address the "unspoken" aspects of life to "break the taboos and raise awareness". "I attended the Cannes Film Festival. I reached the top by becoming a permanent member of the small circle of the Oscars Academy, which isn't nothing!" she said, smiling and adding that she felt "fulfilled". But her ambitions don't stop there. She plans to help train girls in filmmaking for the cinema and online, using a mobile studio so she can criss-cross the west African country. The reopening of cinema screens which have completely disappeared in Niger is another challenge she has set herself. "Today the war against terrorism in the Sahel can be won through the means of cinema, it's also a communication war," she said.
