Bombay Durpun - Culture

Featured

Pope calls for 'arms to be silenced' in Christmas appeal

Pope Francis called Wednesday for "arms to be silenced" around the world in his Christmas address, appealing for peace in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan as he denounced the "extremely grave" humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Pope kicks off Christmas under shadow of war

Christmas revellers around the world donned red and white Santa hats, offered meals to the homeless and lit candles on Wednesday, as Pope Francis launched observation of the global holiday with a sombre mass in the Vatican.

Last news

'Latinas are reaching the top,' says Brazil's Anitta

Brazilian pop star Anitta, whose booty-grinding reggaeton hit "Envolver" claimed the top spot on Spotify last week and has become a viral dance phenomenon, says her international success shows "Latinas are reaching the top."

Government critic prevented from leaving India

A prominent Indian activist and writer has said she was prevented from flying to Europe to speak about intimidation of journalists and rights in the world's largest democracy.

Versailles reopens room where French democracy was founded

The Palace of Versailles is reopening the site of on an often-overlooked part of its history on Friday with a fully restored Jeu de Paume Room that hosted the founding of French democracy.

Foo Fighters cancel tour after Taylor Hawkins death

Foo Fighters on Tuesday announced the cancellation of all scheduled tour dates "in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins."

Jada Pinkett Smith breaks silence after Oscars slap

Jada Pinkett Smith took to Instagram on Tuesday in her first public comments since husband Will Smith slapped comic Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Tokyo's historic Nakagin Capsule Tower to be demolished

The futuristic-looking Nakagin Capsule Tower in Tokyo will be demolished next month, its owners say, after a long battle to save the building and its space-age units.

Will Smith says sorry over Oscars slap as Academy launches probe

Actor Will Smith offered apologies Monday to Chris Rock for smacking the comedian during the Oscars ceremony, as the body that oversees the awards said it was launching a formal review of the incident.

Academy launches 'formal review' of Will Smith Oscars slap

The Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences said Monday it was launching a "formal review" of the shocking moment when Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Before the slap: Five other Oscar moments

Will Smith's open-handed slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars was a shocking moment for the ages, and one that will leave the 2022 ceremony burned in Hollywood's collective memory.

Oscars ratings bounce back as Will Smith hooks viewers

The Oscars were in desperate need of a ratings boost -- and, on a night when Will Smith stunned viewers by slapping Chris Rock on stage, some 15.36 million Americans tuned in.

Hollywood in shock after Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at Oscars

It was supposed to be a celebration of Hollywood filmmaking, but Will Smith hitting Chris Rock over a joke about his wife provided the evening's most talked-about drama and a moment that will go down in Oscars history.

India's top multiplexes to merge to survive 'streaming onslaught'

India's two largest multiplex operators are set to merge, the companies said, as the industry recovers from the pandemic and battles a surge in subscriptions to streaming platforms.

'CODA' sounds the bell at Oscars with historic best picture win

"CODA," a feel-good indie drama about a deaf family defying the odds, pulled off a stunning upset to scoop the top prize at the Oscars Sunday, becoming the first-ever streaming film to win best picture.

Oscar winners in main categories

Here are the winners in key categories for the 94th Academy Awards, handed out in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Oscar win caps Campion's triumphant Hollywood return

After shunning Hollywood for more than a decade, pioneering New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion has conquered Tinseltown on her own terms by winning the best director Oscar for her sweeping, moody Western "The Power of the Dog".

Will Smith strikes Chris Rock in viral Oscars moment

Will Smith stormed the Oscars stage and struck comedian Chris Rock across the face for joking about his wife, in a moment at Sunday's gala that immediately went viral and left stunned viewers questioning if it had been scripted or genuine.

Hollywood celebrates at Oscars as 'CODA' seeks top prize

The Oscars returned to Hollywood on Sunday, where dramas "CODA," "The Power of the Dog" and "Belfast" are expected to vie for best picture, after sci-fi epic "Dune" earned a clutch of early wins.

'Drive My Car': Murakami adaptation by rising indie star wins Oscar

Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" is not your average road movie, instead taking viewers on a poignant three-hour journey into the psyches of two characters haunted by the past.

Disney makes Oscars magic once again with 'Encanto'

With a sprinkle of magical realism and catchy tunes by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney again claimed Oscars gold for best animated film Sunday with "Encanto," a colorful celebration of Colombian culture and the importance of family.

Ariana DeBose: from Broadway dancer to Oscar-winning actress

Ariana DeBose first gained notice as the Bullet, the personification of Death, in the original cast of the Broadway smash hit "Hamilton." Now, her lively portrayal of Anita in "West Side Story" has made her the toast of Hollywood.

Stars shimmer on Oscars red carpet once again

Hollywood's brightest stars hit the Oscars red carpet in high style on a spectacular sunny day in Los Angeles, as the movie industry celebrated the year in films and the A-listers brought their fashion game to the Dolby Theatre.

In Kharkiv, sandbags pile up to save Ukraine national poet's statue

In Ukraine's second city of Kharkiv -- under daily Russian bombardment that has damaged or destroyed 1,000 buildings -- work has begun to erect sand barricades to protect its statues.

'Lost City' finds top of N.America box office on Oscar weekend

Paramount's new action romance "The Lost City" topped the North American box office this weekend, drawing female viewers through Oscar Sunday in numbers confirming Hollywood's continuing post-Covid recovery.

In a 'dangerous' land: tourists trickle back to Iraq

An American tourist poses for a holiday snap in Iraq, in front of the blue-brick Ishtar Gate that was rebuilt at the ancient site of Babylon under dictator Saddam Hussein.

UK ceramist fired up for Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee

In his ceramics workshop, Simon Willis proudly displays the crockery set he has created for Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, dreaming it will end up in the monarch's personal collection.

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins used marijuana, opioids before death: investigators

Preliminary toxicology tests found that Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins had marijuana, opioids and other drugs in his system before he died, Colombian investigators said Saturday.

Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins dies aged 50

Drummer Taylor Hawkins of the multi-Grammy award-winning rock group the Foo Fighters has died, his bandmates said in a statement Friday. He was 50.

Six things to watch for at the Oscars

Will Hollywood go political about Ukraine at the Oscars on Sunday? Will director Jane Campion walk away with a golden statuette? Will records be broken?

With 'CODA,' French producer revisits story and heads to Oscars

"CODA" producer Philippe Rousselet is pleased, but not surprised, that his heartwarming drama about a deaf family is now a hot favorite for best picture at the Oscars on Sunday.

Jared Leto on joining Marvel and turning into a vampire

Jared Leto has been a star for decades, but it's only now at 50 that he is fronting his first major blockbuster -- transforming into a vampire for new Marvel flick "Morbius".

Sri Lanka papers run out of newsprint as crisis bites

Two major Sri Lanka newspapers are suspending their print editions because of a lack of paper, their owner said Friday, the latest casualties in the island's economic crisis.

The Oscars: five memorable moments

The Oscars is Hollywood's biggest night, and the gala has generated some remarkable moments in its more than 90-year history -- some funny, some moving and some confounding.

Elton John: still standing at 75

British pop superstar Elton John turned 75 on Friday, but vowed to keep making music, even as he tours the world for the final time.

Non-white audiences kept Hollywood afloat during pandemic: study

Audiences of color were major drivers of box office revenue in Hollywood last year, a report revealed Thursday, making up the majority of ticket sales for opening weekend for most blockbuster movies.

Sean Penn signs deal to help Ukraine refugees

American actor and director Sean Penn on Wednesday signed an agreement for his CORE Foundation to provide help to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Ukrainian filmmaker says fighting 'not like the movies'

Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov spent five years in a Russian jail for protesting against its seizure of Crimea, and now he is on the frontline fighting for revenge.

How black-and-white became Hollywood's favorite new color

Black-and-white is the hot new trend in Hollywood, where directors of Oscars-contending films such as "Belfast" and "The Tragedy of Macbeth" are embracing monochrome for its storytelling power.

Ukraine's cultural crucible embraces the art of war

A brick-sized printer head scoots back and forth, spraying a furled plastic banner with the silhouette of a mythical fighter pilot.

Warhol's Marilyn Monroe portrait estimated to fetch $200 mn at auction

Andy Warhol's iconic sage-blue background portrait of Marilyn Monroe is tipped to sell for a record-breaking $200 million at auction in the spring, Christie's announced Monday.

Bombay Durpun - Culture (English)