Locarno’s Open Doors Spotlights Trends, Challenges for Southeast Asian Filmmakers

American R&B singer Akon is moving ahead with plans to create a futuristic pan-African city, announcing Monday that construction will begin next year on the $6 billion project despite global tourism’s uncertain future.

DAKAR, Senegal -- American R&B singer Akon is moving ahead with plans to create a futuristic pan-African city, announcing Monday that construction will begin next year on the $6 billion project despite global tourism's uncertain future.Akon, who first announced his idea for the utopian city back in 2018, has described it as a “real-life Wakanda," comparing it to the technologically advanced fictional African place portrayed in the blockbuster film “Black Panther.”On Monday, Akon said he hoped

Naomi Biden is relishing in the historic moment that her grandfather Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is helping usher in.Yesterday, Naomi took to Twitter to share a throwback photo of her and her grandfather smiling alongside President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's two daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama. Per People, the picture was taken when Barack awarded Joe the Presidential Medal of Freedom back in January 2017.

Malia and Sasha Obama, now 22 and 19, spent their childhood growing up in the White House and being trailed by Secret Service everywhere they went — even on playdates in elementary school. Despite this unconventional upbringing, former First Lady Michelle Obama said on her Spotify podcast that she tried to give them as “normal” childhood as she possibly could. Yes, even when they had guards standing on the sidelines at their peewee basketball games!

Michelle Obama has once again reminded us that we hold the keys to our future!

delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention that deeply condemned Trump.Trump wrote in a series of tweets, “Somebody please explain to @MichelleObama that Donald J. Trump would not be here, in the beautiful White House, if it weren’t for the job done by your husband, Barack Obama.

Christopher Vourlias Mongolian filmmaker Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir’s “Ze” won the top prize at the Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors co-production forum, which featured eight projects from Southeast Asia and Mongolia looking for international partners.Purev-Ochir’s feature debut tells the story of the budding relationship between a teenage shaman and a young woman, set in the rough-and-tumble yurt district of the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar.

“Schedule has been key, and having a regular dinner time,” Michelle, 56, explained.

Michelle Obama has curated a new Spotify playlist to accompany her podcast on the platform.In a statement, the former First Lady revealed, "It's filled with incredible new artists and a whole lot of #BlackGirlMagic. I hope you'll give it a listen."The first episode of Michelle's podcast featured her husband, former President Barack Obama.Michelle Obama's new podcast, The Michelle Obama Podcast, has arrived on Spotify.

East Kilbride Central Library will open its doors from Monday, August 10 with reduced hours and safety measures in place.

Aquaman director James Wan is developing a new movie based on the 1980s TV hit Knight Rider.The filmmaker has partnered with executives at Spyglass Media Group to turn David Hasselhoff‘s series into a big-screen hit, based on a script written by T.J. Fixman, a former video game writer, according to Deadline.Created by Glen A. Larson, Knight Rider first aired on NBC from 1982 to 1986 and became a global hit, turning Hasselhoff into an international superstar.

 Michelle Obama  is celebrating her “favorite guy,”  Barack Obama . The former president of the United States turned 59 on Tuesday, Aug.

The boredom of quarantine has been getting to the Obama family, Michelle Obama confessed on the August 5 episode of her podcast. But they’re trudging through the doldrums, just like the rest of the United States, as we enter yet another month of the coronavirus pandemic. The former first lady revealed that their key to “staying sane” throughout their time at home is sticking to a routine. It may not be glamorous, but it’s doing the trick!

Beefcakes, one of South Africa’s premier LGBTQ and bachelorette party venues has been unable to open its doors due to the strict lockdown rules imposed by the government.

Christopher Vourlias The powerful bond between two female factory workers, and the complex desire it ignites, form the starting point of Myanmar director Aung Phyoe’s feature film debut “Fruit Gathering,” which is being presented as part of Locarno’s Open Doors co-production platform.Set in working-class Yangon, the film tells the story of a young woman, San, who feels inexplicably drawn to her outspoken and confident co-worker, Theint.

To mark former President Barack Obama 59th birthday today, Michelle Obama posted a lovely tribute to her husband on Instagram. Michelle's post had all the essentials: a cute, scenic throwback pic of the couple on vacation with their daughters when they were kids, a sweet caption, and a flirty emoji sign-off."Happy birthday to my favorite guy," Michelle wrote.

Christopher Vourlias Like many Mongolians, Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir has been visiting shamans from an early age, consulting the spirits for guidance when confronting thorny life challenges. So it came as no surprise when, several years back, the filmmaker’s mother urged her to visit a shaman during a particularly turbulent time in her life.The surprise arrived when the ritual concluded and the shaman’s mask came off.