Hollywood
Kate Winslet steps into war photographer Lee Miller’s world
MUMBAI: Kate Winslet leads the charge in Lee, a stirring biographical war drama that follows the remarkable life of photojournalist Lee Miller. The film arrives in India on 5 December on Lionsgate Play, inviting viewers into the lens of a woman who refused to let history slip by unrecorded.
Set against the turbulence of the second world war, Lee charts Miller’s journey from celebrated fashion model to fearless frontline correspondent. Winslet delivers a commanding performance as the woman whose camera captured some of the twentieth century’s most haunting images. Director Ellen Kuras, best known for her work behind the cinematographer’s eye, brings Miller’s world to life with striking detail, from the artistic pulse of pre war Europe to the grim realities of occupied territories.
As Miller documents devastation, slips into places few women were allowed to enter, and confronts the horrors unfolding around her, the film highlights her unshakeable spirit and unwavering belief in truth. It also ventures beyond the battlefield to explore the woman behind the camera, revealing her relationships, conflicts and the emotional cost of witnessing humanity at its most fragile. One of the film’s most unforgettable moments recreates Miller’s iconic photograph taken in Hitler’s private bathroom, a symbol of defiance as much as documentation.
Speaking about the role, Kate Winslet said she felt instantly connected to Miller. “I’m just so taken by her, how she lived, how she didn’t care what people thought of her or her choices and opinions,” she said. “To be playing someone who I truly admire, adore, look up to and aspire to be even a little bit like is the most enormous privilege. Lee Miller was a truth seeker and a truth teller. She held up a mirror to the horrific faces of evil while being a selfless, defiant observer herself.”
Antony Penrose, Miller’s son, noted the uncanny similarities he observed between his mother and Winslet. He praised the actor’s immersive dedication and her instinctive curiosity, qualities he believes echo Miller’s own relentless pursuit of understanding.
Featuring performances from Alexander Skarsgård, Marion Cotillard, Josh O’Connor, Andrea Riseborough, Noémie Merlant, Samuel Barnett and Andy Samberg, Lee offers a layered portrait of art, war, love and resistance. It is a story that looks directly at darkness yet finds the flickers of humanity that survive within it.
Lee streams exclusively on Lionsgate Play from 5 December.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
