Park Chan-wook's film 'No Other Choice' received an 8 1/2-minute ovation at its Venice Film Festival premiere, marking his first competition entry at the festival. The film, based on Donald Westlake's novel 'The Ax,' stars Lee Byung-hun and explores themes of desperation after job loss. Critics praised the ensemble cast and Park's direction, with the film set to open the Busan International Film Festival and distributed internationally by Mubi and Neon.
Emma Stone stars in Yorgos Lanthimos' film 'Bugonia,' which premiered at Venice Film Festival to a lengthy standing ovation, featuring a darkly comedic and satirical story about conspiracy and alien abduction, marking a potential return to mainstream success for the director and actress.
Yorgos Lanthimos' new film 'Bugonia', a black comedy starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, premiered at Venice Film Festival to largely positive reviews, with critics praising the performances and its satirical take on misinformation and conspiracy theories, though some noted its length and tonal shifts.
"Dreaming of Lions," an absurdist black comedy by Greek-Portuguese director Paulo Marinou-Blanco, explores themes of euthanasia and assisted suicide, inspired by his personal experiences with his father's prolonged illness and his own struggles with insomnia. The film, featuring Denise Fraga and João Nunes Monteiro, was well-received at the Red Sea International Film Festival. Marinou-Blanco's work reflects on the choice of life and death, drawing from his family's experiences and symbolically referencing Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea."
The Apple TV+ series "Bad Sisters" returns for a second season, moving beyond its original adaptation of the Belgian series "Clan." The show, known for its dark humor and gripping narrative, continues to explore the lives of the Garvey sisters two years after the death of the abusive John Paul. Season 2 introduces new challenges and characters, including Fiona Shaw, as the sisters face unresolved issues from the past. Despite questions about the necessity of a new season, the series remains fearless and engaging.
Radu Jude's latest film, "Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World," is a freewheeling black-comic road picture that delves into the madness of our time through the story of Angela, an underpaid production assistant navigating the chaos of Bucharest. Shot in high-contrast black and white, the film offers a keen, roving eye on Romania's societal failings and the exploitation by richer countries, while also exploring the creation and impact of images. Touching on a wide range of contemporary issues, the film serves as a reflection of the way we live now, capturing the emotional struggle of a character caught in an oppressive system.
Kate Winslet's new black comedy series "The Regime" on HBO features her as the authoritarian leader of a fictional European country, with co-stars including Hugh Grant and Andrea Riseborough. Winslet revealed that crew members were forced off set for laughing during a sex scene, and she expressed the intense process of preparing for her role. She emphasized the importance of creating a distinct character voice to avoid confusion with her real-life persona. Additionally, she described the series as a love story between her character and Matthias Schoenaerts' character, emphasizing the unexpected and bizarre nature of their relationship.
Roman Polanski's black comedy film "The Palace" received a lukewarm response during its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. The audience's applause was polite but not enthusiastic, with occasional bursts of laughter. The film is set during New Year's Eve in 1999 and takes place at Switzerland's Gstaad Palace hotel. Polanski, who has a history at Venice, has faced controversy due to sexual assault allegations throughout his career. Despite the controversy, the festival's artistic director defended Polanski's inclusion, stating that the victim has forgiven him and it's time to move on. "The Palace" will be released in Italian theaters on September 28.
The third season of Hulu's period comedy "The Great" continues the story of Catherine the Great, played by Elle Fanning, and her husband Peter, played by Nicholas Hoult, as they seek professional help for their troubled marriage. Catherine faces setbacks in her attempts to make progressive changes and must navigate political landmines, including female friendships and foreign requests. The show's creator, Tony McNamara, explores parallels between the frustrations women felt then and now, and the show is noted for its portrayal of female rage. The show is an "occasionally true story" and features heavy cursing by the royals.
The creators and stars of the new dark comedy series "Mrs. Davis" discuss the show's themes of religion, technology, and love. Betty Gilpin plays Sister Simone, a nun who wants to be left alone by the show's titular AI. The show explores the intersection of religion and technology and how they can both disconnect people. The show premieres on Peacock on April 20.
