We actors are like prostitute: Megan Fox

By Agencies

Hollywood bombshell Megan Fox doesn't quite like the profession she is in as the star believes that the actors are like prostitutes who get paid for doing something unethical. 

"When you think about it, we actors are kind of prostitutes," the Transformers star told the ‘GQ’ magazine. 

"We get paid to feign attraction and love. Other people are paying to watch us kissing someone, touching someone, doing things people in a normal monogamous relationship would never do with anyone who's not their partner. It's really kind of gross," Fox said. 

However the actress, who had openly talked about her lesbian relationship with a Russian stripper earlier, downplayed her wild image, "I have this sort of promiscuous image. People assume I'm really overtly sexually aggressive and that I'm this wild child. And I'm not like that at all." 

Fox will be seen in Transformers sequel 'Revenge Of The Fallen' which is releasing on June 19. 
Her next role is of a demoniacally possessed cheerleader in 'Jennifer's Body' which will be out in October. 

She's also tipped to take over the Tomb Raider franchise from Angelina Jolie.

Source: ScreenIndia.

Monroe lives in the heart

By Culture Desk

Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California to a single mother — Gladys Baker struggling with mental illness and a travelling salesman who would not claim her, Marilyn Monroe was baptised Norma Jean Baker.

She later dominated the world of movie stars and become the most famous woman of the 20th century. Traded in and out of orphanages and foster homes, Monroe’s early childhood was defined by emotional neglect and sexual abuse at the age of eight.

As many other film stars from the studio system era in Hollywood would report, movie-going cultivated in Monroe a driving desire to join the privileged, shining faces, and outsized personalities of the silver screen. More than a 1950s sex goddess, Monroe personified Hollywood glamour, but always felt unfulfilled as an actress.

‘My illusions didn’t have anything to do with being a fine actress. I knew how third rate I was. I could actually feel my lack of talent, as if it were cheap clothes I was wearing inside. But, my God, how I wanted to learn, to change, to improve!’ she is quoted to have said.

Brief roles in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (1950) led to stardom in many films, notably, The Seven Year Itch (1955) and Some Like It Hot (1959). She never won, nor was nominated for an Oscar.

She married the baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and later the playwright Arthur Miller, who wrote her last film, The Misfits (1960). After she had divorced Arthur Miller, she was madly in love with John F Kennedy, a love that ‘probably’ cost her life.

In 1962, at age 36, and after completing only 29 films, Marilyn Monroe died in the bedroom of her Brentwood, California, home from an overdose of barbiturates, leaving a legacy as one of the most recognizable movie stars and powerful cultural images in film history.

Candle in the Wind, a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin, could be listened up once again on her birthday.

Source: NewAgeBD.

Drama serial “1920” on ntv

By Cultural Correspondent

June o1, 2009

Drama serial “1920” will be aired on ntv tonight at 8:15 pm. The story revolves around friends, studying together, all aged between 19 and 20. They all have individual dreams, but there are shared aspirations. Two friends Pinky and Anila have different tastes -- the former goes for flowers and latter, for automobiles. Another member of the group, Ayon, is moody and more mature than his friends. Promiti is involved in theatre. So she draws special attention at her university. Srabonti is proud of her talents as a dancer.

The serial is written and directed by Hridi Haque. The cast includes Tisha, Sharmin Shila, Kusum Sikdar, Dipa Khandokar, Hridi Haque, Nafiza, Jitu Ahsan, Shahriar Shubho, Abhik, Shahiar Huda Rumi, Lucky Enam, Irin Parvin Lopa and Kumkum Hasan, among others.

Source: TheDailyStar.

Racial attacks in Australia ‘most disturbing’: Aamir Khan

By Agencies

After Amitabh Bachchan, actor Aamir Khan too has condemned the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia terming them a "shame". 

"Most disturbing to hear about racist attacks on Indians living in Australia. Quite a shame," Aamir wrote in his blog.  The actor called for immediate action from Australian authorities to stop the attacks. 

"While this doesn't mean that all Australians are racists, the frequency and seriousness of such attacks, I think, calls for an extra ordinary reaction from the Australian authorities." 

Aamir, who has been actively involved with 'Atithi Devo Bhava' campaign by Indian government, also reminded fans about their responsibility to protect foreign tourists in India. 

"And while we want action to be taken by authorities in Australia, equally we should remember all the various crimes against foreigners who visit India," the actor said adding, "Let us hope and pray that Shravan recovers soon." 

Bachchan had reacted to the attacks on Indian students by rejecting an honorary doctorate offered to him by Queensland University of technology in Brisbane. 

"I mean no disrespect to the institution that honors me but under the present circumstances where citizens of my own country are subjected to such acts of inhuman horror, my conscience does not permit me to accept this decoration that perpetrates such indignity to my countrymen," Bachchan wrote in his blog recently.

Source: ScreenIndia.

Gurusaday remembered at Shilpakala

By Rahad Abir

Bratachari Bangladesh organised a discussion, followed by a cultural programme on the occasion of the 127th birth anniversary of Gurusaday Dutta, pioneer of the bratachari movement at the Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, in Segun Bagicha on Saturday.

Novelist Selina Hossain, Professor Shoumitra Shekhar of Dhaka University and Bratachari Bangladesh secretary general, Enamul Latif were present as the discussants at the function while the organisation’s president and language activist, Emdad Hossain presided over the programme.

The programme began with the song Bangla Aamar Durnibar by the young artistes of the organisation, Kendriya Kochikachar Mela. They also sang Aamara Bangali, Chal Kodal Chalai and Manush ho. In the discussion, Selina Hossain said, ‘Gurusaday mentioned the peasant’s as gentlemen. People of this generation should learn more about him and we should remember him for his ideal thinking.’

Enamul Latif, highlighted Dutta’s life and works and described the five bratas – knowledge, hard work, truth, joy and unity – of the bratachari movement. ‘The bratachari movement was also spread to Europe, but we have little research on the movement,’ added Enamul Latif.

Language activist Emdad Hossain said, ‘Gurusaday is a man of our land. He hailed from Sylhet. We should always remember this great man with pride. Poet Rabindranath Tagore was influenced by his philosophy.’ In the next session, Jesmine Munna recited a poem titled ‘Banshiwala’ of Rabindranath Tagore.

Shadhona, a centre for advancement of South Asian music and dance presented the ‘Raybeshe dance’, that was directed by Lubna Marium. This special kind of martial art dance form was presented by the lathials of the zamindars of the country. The performers captivated the audience.

Later, the traditional lathi khela by Chan Mia and his troupe from Manikganj also delighted the audience. Chan Mia along with his seven members performed different types of lathi khela.

Source: NewAgeBD.

Humayun Ahmed’s play “Gandha” on ATN Bangla

By Cultural Correspondent

June 01, 2oo9

TV play “Gandha” will be aired tonight on ATN Bangla at 8:45pm. Based on a story by noted litterateur Humayun Ahmed, the play has been scripted by Bandana Kabir and directed by Abir Khan. The cast includes Taquir Ahmed, Mim, Abul Kashem and Dr. Ejaz.

The story line: While awaiting execution, Karim recalls his beloved deceased wife Jamuna, particularly their wedding night when he had requested her for a heavy quilt. 

By 9 pm a constable enters the cell with his favourite food. A Maulvi comes late at night for Karim's last confessions. The executor is called Ramzan.

In his last moments, Karim senses a familiar smell, which the jailer says is of a 'bidi.' Karim associates the smell with his dead wife. An amazing revelation emerges.

Source: TheDailyStar.

Talent hunt toppers meet media

By Cultural Correspondent

The top ten heroes and top ten heroines of talent hunt Fair & Lovely Super Hero and Super Heroine met the media at the Fantasy Kingdom on Saturday.

Film director Sohanur Rahman Sohan, film producer and director Gazi Mazharul Anwar, the Film Producer Association’s president Sharif Uddin Khan Dipu and general secretary Shah Alam Kiron, the Market Access Group’s general manager Sarwar Anam, talent hunt contest director Tanveer Khan and actors Amzad Hossain and Moushumi also attended the briefing.

The competition, organised by the Film Development Corporation, Market Access Group and NTV with the sponsorship of the Unilever Bangladesh Ltd., began on August 3, 2008 with an audition in Chittagong. According to the organisers, around 32,000 participants from across the country took part in the competition.

The judges of the competition have selected Aymon Ibne Alauddin, Mustafizur Nur Imran, Mehedi, Sadik Mohammad Simon, Asif Uddin Imroz, Sakawat Hossain Sagor, Shohan Khan, Niloy Alamgir, Mohammad Hanif Asad and Sajid Hasan Rohel as the top ten heroes.

Ayesa Sultana Shampa, Farzana Kakon, Samsun Nahar Jerin, Rabeya Khatun Shuvra, Jannatul Nabila Bashory, Ishita, Faria Mahbub Piasa, Sanjida Mahbub Ovi, Lamia Siddiki Mimo and Merry Prema Gomez were adjudged the top ten heroines.

Source: NewAgeBD.

Direction takes backseat for Subhash Ghai

By Agencies

Direction has taken a backseat for filmaker Subhash Ghai, who is busy multi-tasking and in ushering corporate governance in his production house, 'Mukta Arts'. 

"From 1975 to 2000, I played my innings well as a writer, producer and director. Then I decided to shift to education and brought corporate governance in 'Mukta Arts', which is also the first film company to be listed on the BSE," Ghai said. 

He said, since 2001, he was focusing on laying the foundations of his film school 'Whistling Woods International' (WWI) from which 400 aspiring filmmakers pass out every year. 

"Having played my innings, I felt it was time for me to give back to the industry. I thought I should encourage new talent industry and hence I established WWI," Ghai said. 

Ghai, who started his career as an actor with a miniscule role in Shakti Samantha's classic 'Aradhana', went on to blockbusters like 'Kaalicharan', 'Karz', 'Hero', 'Khalnayak', 'Pardes'and 'Taal'. 

He said 'Mukta Arts' had grown on strong foundations and has been able to withstand all pressures and challenges including the economic slowdown. 

"We have pioneered concepts like insuring films, setting up a state of the art school for grooming young talent and are also in the process of diversifying into television," he said. 

Besides, we are planning to expand the film school in three states and are also in talks with the governments in USA, UK and Dubai in it.  WWI will commence academic program enhancements in its Animation Department beginning with July this session, he said. 

The filmmaker advised individual producers to imbibe corporate governance and adopt new business models. 

"It is no use remaining just a proprietor", he said.

Source: ScreenIndia.

Susan Boyle suffers breakdown

By ANI

Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle had an ‘emotional breakdown’ after losing out in the show’s grand final. 

According to sources, the singer was rushed to Priory clinic suffering from exhaustion. 

"I was having a cigarette break when a whole load of ambulances arrived. 

"Everyone was saying, ''Who's that''? Then I saw her and it was Susan Boyle. I was gobsmacked,” the Sun quoted a source as saying. 

A spokeswoman for the show said: "Following Saturday's show, Susan is exhausted and emotionally drained. 

"She has been seen by her private GP, who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery. We offer her our ongoing support and wish her a speedy recovery," she added. 

A show source said: "It's very tough, Susan is emotionally drained - she gave it her all and is absolutely shattered. 

"Simon Cowell spoke to her backstage on Saturday night and told her she had everything going for her - a record deal, an American tour. But it's up to her, she has to see what she wants. 

"We do realise that we have a care of duty to look after her," the source added.

Source: ScreenIndia.

Jackman, Pattinson team up for new film

By Agencies

It will be a total delight for the ladies out there as Hollywood heartthrobs Hugh Jackman and Robert Pattinson are set to star in period drama "Unbound Captives." 

The movie, helmed by Madeleine Stowe is about a woman played by 'Mummy' star Rachel Weisz whose husband is killed and her two children kidnapped by a Comanche war party in 1859, ‘Ace Showbiz’ reported. 

She is later rescued by a frontiersman, to be played by Jackman while Pattinson will play her son. 

The film will go on floor this year end.

Source: ScreenIndia.

A Different Kind of Pirate Film

Compiled by STEVEN McELROY

The real life, adventure-on-the-high-seas tale of Richard Phillips, the American ship captain who was captured by Somali pirates, is likely to get the Hollywood treatment, Reuters reported. Columbia Pictures has acquired the rights to the story of Mr. Phillips, 53, who as captain of the cargo ship Maersk Alabama surrendered to pirates to save his crew. He was held for five days until a dramatic rescue by the Navy, when snipers shot and killed three of the pirates.

Source: NewYorkTimes.

Revolutionary Road

CRITICAL CONSENSUS

Brilliantly acted and emotionally powerful, Revolutionary Road is a handsome adaptation of Richard Yates' celebrated novel.

SYNOPSIS

Based on the celebrated novel by Richard Yates, director Sam Mendes' "Revolutionary Road" is the story of a young couple (Oscar(r) nominees Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet) trying to find fulfillment in an age of conformity. Trapped in a world of encoded convention, they dream without faith, as lies and self-deceptions build to explosive consequences.

--© Paramount Vantage

Rated R (for language and some sexual content/nudity.)

Source: WoodTV.