Latest news with #TellurideFilmFestival
Boston Globe
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Hunter Biden let loose during a profanity-laced YouTube interview. Here are a few takeaways.
Hunter blamed Ambien for his father's disastrous debate performance last year Who could forget Advertisement Hunter Biden blamed the debacle on Ambien that he said his father took amid a demanding schedule. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I think what happened in that debate, he flew around the world basically, the mileage that he could've flown around the world three times, he's 81 years old,' Hunter said. 'He's tired. You give him Ambien to be able to sleep. He gets up on the stage, and he looks like he's a deer in the headlights. And it feeds into every story that everybody wants to tell.' Hunter had harsh words for a certain Hollywood A-lister who called for his father to drop out George Clooney attends the opening of "Good Night And Good Luck" on Broadway on April 3, 2025, in New York City. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Hunter Biden also tore into actor George Clooney, who Advertisement 'Number one, I agree with [director] Quentin Tarantino,' Hunter huffed. 'George Clooney is not a [expletive] actor. He is a [expletive] like, I don't know what he is. He's a brand. And by the way, and God bless him. You know what? He supposedly treats his friends really well. ... And he's got a really great place in Lake Como, and he's great friends with Barack Obama. [Expletive] you.' Addressing Clooney, he continued, 'What do you have to do with [expletive] anything? Why do I have to [expletive] listen to you? What right do you have to step on a man who's given 52 years of his [expletive] life to the service of this country, and decide that you, George Clooney, are gonna take out basically a full-page ad in the [expletive] New York Times?' Hunter had harsh words for Democratic strategists who followed Clooney's script James Carville (sitting) with Martha Stewart and documentary film director Matt Tyneaur at the Telluride Film Festival in 2024. Handout Skewering a who's who of prominent Democrats who also called on his father to quit the race, Hunter cited Clinton adviser 'James Carville, who hasn't won a race in 40 [expletive] years, and [strategist] David Axelrod who had one success in his political life, and that was Barack Obama.' 'And that was because of Barack Obama, not because of [expletive] David Axelrod. And [former Obama aide] David Plouffe, and all of these guys and the Pod Save America [podcast] guys, who were junior [expletive] speech writers on Barack Obama's senate staff, who've been dining out on their relationship with him for years, making millions of dollars. The [strategist] Anita Dunn's of the world, who's made 40, $50 million dollars off the Democratic party — they're all going to insert their judgment over a man who has figured out, unlike anybody else, how to get elected to the United States Senate over seven times, how to pass more legislation than any president in history, how to have a better midterm election than anybody in history, and how to garner more votes than any president that has ever won.' Advertisement Sen. Barack Obama shares a laugh with his staff and senior campaign advisor David Axelrod, left, during a flight on Feb. 4, 2008. AP/Associated Press Hunter had harsh words for President Trump President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner for Republican senators at the White House on Friday. MUST CREDIT: Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post Allison Robbert/For The Washington Post Biden also ripped President Trump and 'He is a [expletive] dictator thug,' Hunter said. 'He's somehow convinced all of us that these people are the [expletive] criminals? 'People are really upset about illegal immigration,' [expletive] you. How do you think a hotel room gets cleaned? How do you think you've got food on your [expletive] table? Who do you think washes your dishes?' Hunter opened up about his addiction struggles Hunter Biden, joined by his wife Melissa Cohen Biden, arrives at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building in Wilmington, Del., on June 3, 2024. RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images Also during the interview, Hunter discussed 'I was drinking so much alcohol, almost a handle of vodka a day,' he told Callaghan. 'And alcohol is the most destructive drug, not just to your body, but it puts you in more danger than any other drug that I've ever experienced.' He also ingested large amounts of crack cocaine, he said. 'And then you add on top of that, the amount of crack that I was using at the time,' he said. 'And crack cocaine, in terms of your physical health, is not as dangerous as the situation that you put yourself in to be able to obtain it. ... The places that you can go get it are some of the most dangerous places in whatever location you happen to be in. And it's everywhere. Mainly for that reason, I learned how to make my own.' Advertisement Travis Andersen can be reached at
The Independent
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Embeth Davidtz drew on her childhood in Africa to adapt Alexandra Fuller's memoir
In 1974, when it seemed as though everyone was leaving South Africa, Embeth Davidtz's family was going back. Davidtz, a familiar presence in films and television for over 30 years with memorable roles in everything from 'Schindler's List' to ' Matilda,' was born in the United States to white, South African parents. When she was 8, they decided to return during a time of upheaval. Although the transition from 'innocent New Jersey' was hard, it was also a life-making, character- and imagination-building experience that she's still processing to this day. It's where she grew up. It's where she began acting. And it's where she'd return decades later to direct her first film, 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight,' a poetic and deeply personal adaptation of Alexandra Fuller's memoir about growing up during the Bush War in Zimbabwe, which was then Rhodesia. The film, which was widely praised at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals for its deft handling of complex themes and for the discovery of young newcomer Lexi Venter, opens Friday in limited release and expands nationwide July 18. 'The sun rises and sets on her writing,' Davidtz said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'If anything works, it's because of that memoir.' Becoming a director in her mid-50s Like so many people, especially those who lived in Africa in the 1970s and '80s, Davidtz devoured the book when it came out in 2001. But it would take more than 15 years to start seriously thinking about a film. Davidtz was refocusing after a little hiatus from acting: She'd survived breast cancer, raised children and was reflecting on parts of the book she loved, like Fuller's mother, a complex figure who struggled with trauma, alcohol and mental health. Davidtz, who is now 59, could have hardly predicted that this journey would lead to her writing, directing and producing her first feature as well. 'It felt like an imperative. It felt like a call,' she said. 'Once I dug my teeth into this, I felt like I couldn't not tell it.' The adaptation was slow-going but rewarding as Davidtz sprinkled some of her own stories and recollections in and the focus and structure of the story started to reveal itself. A pivotal revelation came four years in: It had to be from the child's point of view. 'I wasn't thinking about directing it, but at the end, I thought, you know what? I know what kind of shots I like. I know what sort of films I like. I could shoot this so simply,' she said. 'I need to take control of this because if I give it away to someone else, they're not going to tell the story that I'm trying to tell.' Finding a real child, not a child actor Davidtz was inspired by Terrence Malick films like 'Badlands' and 'Days of Heaven,' and the young girls' narrations, as well as Steven Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun,' in which the end of a colonial regime is seen through the eyes of a young, white boy. 'People say, 'Oh, voiceover is so lazy,'' Davidtz said. 'But with a child you hear the quirks, you hear the offbeat, you hear what is wrong and the point of view that is skewed.' To play Bobo, the 8-year-old center of the film, Davidtz did not want a polished child actor. She wanted a real kid — a wild, little barefoot child, unspoiled and unsophisticated, who could maybe ride a motorbike. They eventually resorted to a Facebook post which led them to Venter, age 7. 'It was such a project of love and torture,' she said. 'It was so very hard to direct a 7-year-old who doesn't act.' Venter wasn't given a script. Davidtz instead played games, would give her some lines to say and then pour through the footage to find the most unfiltered moments to sprinkle into the film with the overlaying voiceover — a yawn, the picking of a wedgie, the things kids just do. 'I got a few gray hairs from that, but I love her. She's perfect,' Davidtz said. 'I worry that I have brought her into the world in a way that, cinematically, people will seek her out. I want her to be left to be the wild little creature that she is.' A South African cast and crew Filming took place in South Africa as Zimbabwe was too unstable and didn't have the infrastructure for film. And Davidtz filled the production with an entirely South African crew and cast, including Zikhona Bali as Sarah, who works for Bobo's family. Authenticity was paramount to Davidtz, from the music to the props and costumes, many of which she sourced herself, including a tattered silk robe she found on eBay. 'I remember someone saying, why don't you cast Morgan Freeman and bring him out. I said, 'No, it's got to be the real thing. It's got to be the real people,'' she said. 'Everyone carries the burden of what was there.' She's acutely aware that South Africa is not Zimbabwe and the dismantling of white rule differed in each, but there are similarities, too. It allowed her to ask questions about what happens to children surrounded by violence and generational racism through Bobo's lens. Though she worried about the optics of telling the story from a white child's point of view, she also didn't waver. 'That's what I remember and that's what I saw,' she said. 'There's a way of informing and telling what you saw that can teach. My connection to my past, as risky as it was, there was nothing to be lost.' Early audiences seem to be receiving it the way she hoped. For Davidtz, it hardly matters what happens now — awards, box office, whatever. 'I don't think I was ever the wisest person about what I would choose material-wise or business-wise,' she said. 'But it's so great that I, at almost 60, got this chance to do this. Whatever ends up happening, it got made. That's a miracle.'
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Embeth Davidtz drew on her childhood in Africa to adapt Alexandra Fuller's memoir
In 1974, when it seemed as though everyone was leaving South Africa, Embeth Davidtz's family was going back. Davidtz, a familiar presence in films and television for over 30 years with memorable roles in everything from 'Schindler's List' to 'Matilda,' was born in the United States to white, South African parents. When she was 8, they decided to return during a time of upheaval. Although the transition from 'innocent New Jersey' was hard, it was also a life-making, character- and imagination-building experience that she's still processing to this day. It's where she grew up. It's where she began acting. And it's where she'd return decades later to direct her first film, 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight,' a poetic and deeply personal adaptation of Alexandra Fuller's memoir about growing up during the Bush War in Zimbabwe, which was then Rhodesia. The film, which was widely praised at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals for its deft handling of complex themes and for the discovery of young newcomer Lexi Venter, opens Friday in limited release and expands nationwide July 18. 'The sun rises and sets on her writing,' Davidtz said in an interview with The Associated Press. 'If anything works, it's because of that memoir.' Becoming a director in her mid-50s Like so many people, especially those who lived in Africa in the 1970s and '80s, Davidtz devoured the book when it came out in 2001. But it would take more than 15 years to start seriously thinking about a film. Davidtz was refocusing after a little hiatus from acting: She'd survived breast cancer, raised children and was reflecting on parts of the book she loved, like Fuller's mother, a complex figure who struggled with trauma, alcohol and mental health. Davidtz, who is now 59, could have hardly predicted that this journey would lead to her writing, directing and producing her first feature as well. 'It felt like an imperative. It felt like a call,' she said. 'Once I dug my teeth into this, I felt like I couldn't not tell it.' The adaptation was slow-going but rewarding as Davidtz sprinkled some of her own stories and recollections in and the focus and structure of the story started to reveal itself. A pivotal revelation came four years in: It had to be from the child's point of view. 'I wasn't thinking about directing it, but at the end, I thought, you know what? I know what kind of shots I like. I know what sort of films I like. I could shoot this so simply,' she said. 'I need to take control of this because if I give it away to someone else, they're not going to tell the story that I'm trying to tell.' Finding a real child, not a child actor Davidtz was inspired by Terrence Malick films like 'Badlands' and 'Days of Heaven,' and the young girls' narrations, as well as Steven Spielberg's 'Empire of the Sun,' in which the end of a colonial regime is seen through the eyes of a young, white boy. 'People say, 'Oh, voiceover is so lazy,'' Davidtz said. 'But with a child you hear the quirks, you hear the offbeat, you hear what is wrong and the point of view that is skewed.' To play Bobo, the 8-year-old center of the film, Davidtz did not want a polished child actor. She wanted a real kid — a wild, little barefoot child, unspoiled and unsophisticated, who could maybe ride a motorbike. They eventually resorted to a Facebook post which led them to Venter, age 7. 'It was such a project of love and torture,' she said. 'It was so very hard to direct a 7-year-old who doesn't act.' Venter wasn't given a script. Davidtz instead played games, would give her some lines to say and then pour through the footage to find the most unfiltered moments to sprinkle into the film with the overlaying voiceover — a yawn, the picking of a wedgie, the things kids just do. 'I got a few gray hairs from that, but I love her. She's perfect,' Davidtz said. 'I worry that I have brought her into the world in a way that, cinematically, people will seek her out. I want her to be left to be the wild little creature that she is.' A South African cast and crew Filming took place in South Africa as Zimbabwe was too unstable and didn't have the infrastructure for film. And Davidtz filled the production with an entirely South African crew and cast, including Zikhona Bali as Sarah, who works for Bobo's family. Authenticity was paramount to Davidtz, from the music to the props and costumes, many of which she sourced herself, including a tattered silk robe she found on eBay. 'I remember someone saying, why don't you cast Morgan Freeman and bring him out. I said, 'No, it's got to be the real thing. It's got to be the real people,'' she said. 'Everyone carries the burden of what was there.' She's acutely aware that South Africa is not Zimbabwe and the dismantling of white rule differed in each, but there are similarities, too. It allowed her to ask questions about what happens to children surrounded by violence and generational racism through Bobo's lens. Though she worried about the optics of telling the story from a white child's point of view, she also didn't waver. 'That's what I remember and that's what I saw,' she said. 'There's a way of informing and telling what you saw that can teach. My connection to my past, as risky as it was, there was nothing to be lost.' Early audiences seem to be receiving it the way she hoped. For Davidtz, it hardly matters what happens now — awards, box office, whatever. 'I don't think I was ever the wisest person about what I would choose material-wise or business-wise,' she said. 'But it's so great that I, at almost 60, got this chance to do this. Whatever ends up happening, it got made. That's a miracle.'
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Forbes
The Uber-Rich Are Flocking To This Small Mountain Town
Telluride is known for its laid-back, authentic mountain atmosphere. While the Hamptons and Aspen grab the headlines, the real story of elite summer travel is unfolding in the San Juan Mountains at Telluride, Colorado. Known primarily for its outstanding skiing, Telluride has quietly transformed into the go-to summer escape for high-net-worth homeowners and travelers who crave privacy, authenticity, adventure and bespoke luxury. Crowds gather for opening day of the Telluride Film Festival. Telluride is renowned for its world-class skiing, vibrant summer festivals and authentic mountain character. It's a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities year-round, including not only skiing but also hiking and biking. The town hosts numerous festivals, including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Telluride Jazz Festival and Telluride Film Festival, adding to its cultural appeal. Telluride is known for its laid-back, authentic mountain atmosphere, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a more relaxed vacation experience. Telluride is seeing a surge of interest from the 1% who are drawn by the town's intentional under-the-radar vibe and quiet luxury. The $20M off-market ranches, miles of hiking trail excursions straight from your front door and zero paparazzi are all attractive draws for the rich and famous. There are no Gucci storefronts or restaurant lines here, just the kind of insider access and laid-back luxury that today's wealth gravitates toward. The limited commercial flights and ease of traveling to Telluride by private jet help, too Four Seasons is bringing a five-star hotel and condos. Telluride, which has been quietly growing its luxury personality over the past few years, is seeing increased interest from wealthy homebuyers and travelers looking for an adventurous, wellness-oriented, down-to-earth locale to spend their summers. Incredibly the town now sees more visitors and real estate sales in the summer than the winter, shocking for what's typically thought of as a ski destination. One key feature influencing the uber-rich is Four Seasons, which is bringing the first five-star hotel and branded condos in over 15 years to Telluride. It's no surprise many of the condos have already been snapped up by the affluent looking for year-round vacation homes — especially the wealthy from California, Florida and the Southwest who seek cooler mountain locations for the summer. Nadim Ashi, founder and CEO of Fort Partners, co-developer of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Telluride, says, 'My family and I have been visiting Telluride for over 20 years. It is my favorite ski resort in the world. I've experienced firsthand its subtle yet steady evolution into a year-round luxury destination. We knew the Four Seasons brand would seamlessly align with the DNA of Telluride and complement everything it already has to offer. Our aim is for Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Telluride to set a new bar for residential and hospitality experiences in North American ski resorts.' Telluride is known throughout the world for its incredible skiing. Brian O'Neill of Telluride Properties, who is handling sales for Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Telluride alongside Compass' Bill Fandel, adds, "Telluride provides high quality ski conditions paired with a low-key lifestyle. The town feels down-to-earth, even while offering excellent restaurants, incredible scenery and year-round activities for every age. Those who want the best of nature and European-style, on-mountain dining without the over-the-top party scene of other mountain destinations like Aspen, Vail and Deer Valley know Telluride is their place.' In addition to this atmosphere, the value of Telluride's somewhat difficult-to-access location has become an advantage in recent years. Private aviation into Telluride is very easy and while commercial access has gotten much better, it is still longer and less direct than many mountain towns. This barrier to entry has propelled Telluride into an exclusive resort where the 'quiet luxury' affluent reside. O'Neill says, 'The introduction of the Four Seasons brand has also been a major catalyst for the region's luxury evolution. The area is attracting more luxury attention than ever before and Four Seasons is finally meeting the demand for an updated, premier property in this area. This idyllic destination is small and remote, creating a sense of exclusivity that appeals to luxury homeowners and travelers. At the same time, the region offers exceptional year-round adventures and activities, from skiing in the winter to outdoor sports, dozens of cultural festivals and educational programming in the summer.' Affluent travelers can enjoy luxurious surroundings all year round. Because of this comprehensive offering, developers are seeing a range of buyers looking for homes that fit various lifestyles. There's strong geographical diversity, with people from the East Coast and even Mexico wanting a Western ski home, while luxury buyers from areas like Texas, California and Florida are increasingly seeking out vacation home destinations they can escape to during the hot summer months. Some people want the trophy ski-in/ski-out mountain home, and others want a centrally located, full-service condo with tons of amenities. 'At Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Telluride, we've seen frequent travelers who are familiar with the brand and want to take advantage of the hotel residences, families looking for spacious homes where they can stay with their children during school or summer breaks, and everything in between,' explains O'Neill. 'The Four Seasons brand is appealing to discerning buyers in a way that current development in the region never has." "Telluride is a special town built on a strong history,' says Dev Motwani, President and CEO of Merrimac Ventures, co-developer of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Telluride. 'This incredible destination continues to grow in popularity, yet maintains its unique charm and attracts people seeking an authentic mountain experience. The forthcoming Four Seasons meets the demand for a new, luxury residential and hospitality offering while reflecting the true spirit of the community."
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UTA Partner Jeremy Barber & Comms Vet Chris Day Join KCRW Board
EXCLUSIVE: United Talent Agency Partner and Agent Jeremy Barber and Communications veteran Chris Day have joined the board of Southern California's NPR flagship station KCRW. This move comes in the wake of President Donald Trump issuing an executive order to block federal funding to Public Broadcast Service and National Public Radio. Funding from both government and philanthropic sources has grown increasingly uncertain, while the information landscape is more fragmented than ever. In this environment, stations like KCRW play a key role in bridging divides, elevating underrepresented voices, and providing reliable, in-depth reporting at the local and global levels. More from Deadline Ruth Seymour Dies: Groundbreaking Longtime KCRW General Manager Was 88 KCRW Workers Choose SAG-AFTRA As Their Union Dave Franco & Alison Brie Accused Of Copyright Infringement In 'Together' Suit Barber and Day's addition to the KCRW Foundation signals the Board's heightened commitment to preserving the role of public media as a trusted source of news, music, and thoughtful conversation for all communities. 'This is a critical moment for public broadcasting,' said Jennifer Ferro, President of KCRW. 'At a time when disinformation is rampant, journalism is under constant threat, and arts funding continues to shrink, the value of an independent, nonprofit public media outlet like KCRW cannot be overstated. Jeremy and Chris deeply understand the cultural and civic importance of what we do, and we are incredibly fortunate to welcome their guidance and support.' Barber said, 'Public radio is an essential element of a free and democratic nation. KCRW's commitment to storytelling, music discovery and fostering community is more critical than ever as we begin to rebuild and reimagine the future fabric of Los Angeles and beyond. I am so excited to be joining Jennifer and the board in this fight to preserve and expand the role of KCRW and the public airwaves.' Day added, 'In an era of media consolidation and extreme partisanship, public broadcasting remains one of the last strongholds of truly independent journalism and creative expression. Joining the KCRW board is not just an honor—it's a call to action. We must protect this institution and ensure it thrives for the next generation.' Barber, a Partner in UTA's Motion Picture Literary and Talent Departments, is known for his work repping celebrated filmmakers, actors, and creators. Prior to UTA, Barber was President of Catch 23 and Catch 23 UK, the production and management company which he helped found, and was also head of Production and Acquisitions at Artisan Entertainment. Prior to Hollywood, Barber had stints in law and politics. Of the boards he serves or has served on are the Georgetown University Law School Board of Visitors, the Telluride Film Festival's Esteemed Council of Advisors, the board of The People Concern, and the Independent School Alliance Board of Directors. He was also Chairman of the Board of the UCLA Lab School for almost a decade, where he now maintains an emeritus position. Barber currently is a Storytelling Consultant to Harvard College through Harvard Divinity School's Center for the Study of World Religions' Constellation Project around narratives surrounding the climate crisis. Day is a strategic communications and branding consultant and a 25-year veteran of the media and entertainment industry. He provides advisory services to CEOs, founders and creative entrepreneurs and represents leading companies and organizations across entertainment and media. Prior to forming his consultancy, Day served as Head of Corporate Communications for UTA from 1999 until 2017. During his tenure, he built and led the agency's widely respected corporate communications department, overseeing all external and internal communications during the agency's growth into a global top three player. He also co-established the UTA Foundation and the company's research and analytics department and was heavily involved in the firm's corporate consulting practice, among other initiatives. Prior to UTA, Day was VP of film & TV comms firm Bumble Ward & Associates where he represented corporate clients in television. Day has also championed causes that reflect the diverse voices and values of the broader community, including his work for Rideback RISE, the non-profit content accelerator that supports diverse filmmakers and creators in making commercial film and television to drive narrative change. KCRW 89.9 FM is home to such shows as Morning Becomes Eclectic, Press Play, Good Food, The Treatment, and The Business and serves as an incubator for new talent and ideas. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW reaches millions around the globe through its on-air broadcasts, podcasts, events, and digital content. Best of Deadline TV Show Book Adaptations Arriving In 2025 So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
