Hollywood
Malaysia-Singapore co-production gets funds at Golden Horse in Taipei
NEW DELHI: The Malaysia-Singapore co-production The Era of Farewell has won the Grand Prize at the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP) in Taipei. Based on the novel by Li Zi Shu, Era is the multi-generational tale of a gang boss’s wife who fights for her own independence. Director Adric Chong receives a NT$1 million (US$32,300) cash prize.
Juror Lee Lieh said that although Chong’s original treatment was problematic, he was awarded based on the strength of his short films and a revised synopsis. The film, budgeted at US$1.6 million, has yet to secure any financing. Three films won two prizes: Midi Z’s The Road to Mandalay, Maisy Choi’s Have a Nice Trip and Kuo Cheng-chui’s For?t Debussy.
Mandalay, about illegal immigrants in Bangkok, won two prizes: The Pixelfly Digital Award and the inaugural Taipei New Horizon Screenplay Award, valued at NT$400,000 (US$12,900). It has raised US$100,000 of its US$750,000 budget.
Trip, about four elderly relatives visiting Japan, won The Hualien International Most Potential and Creative Award, valued at NT$300,000 (US$9,700), and the Modern Cinema Laboratory Award. Budgeted at US$1.85 million, it is produced by Hong Kong’s Amy Chin and Stanley Kwan.
France-Taiwan co-production Debussy, about a mother and daughter who flee into a forest to escape a media scandal — won the CNC Cash Award and the TMPC Award. The CNC prize, valued at €10,000 (US$12,500) is for projects that have potential as French co-productions.
Jenny Lu’s UK-Taiwan co-production The Receptionist won the Central Pictures Corporation Award for post-production. 2 Love Stories about Liang Liang, which has no director officially attached, won the CPC’s award for pre-production.
Both Debussy and Receptionist are also recipients of government production subsidies that were announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture in July. Farewell the Good Old Days is set to be directed by Hong Kong’s Kevin CHU Ka-wang and Judy CHU — the duo behind indie drama I Sell Love — picked up the Moneff Award. The film will be Judy Chu’s directorial debut.
Singapore’s A Small Place won the 3H Sound Studio Award. Packages from Daddy won the LAPCC Award. Notes of a Desolate Man, based on a novel by Chu Tien-wen, won the Arrow Award.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
