Hollywood
‘Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea’ to open Mokpo Ocean Film Fest
NEW DELHI: An American made documentary by Mary Lambert, Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea will open the first edition of the aquatic-themed Mokpo Ocean Film Festival in South Korea.
A total of 29 ocean-themed features and short films will be screened at the Festival to be held for four days from 31 July to 3 August in the coastal city of Mokpo. Festival organisers say it will be Asia’s first ocean-themed film festival although similar festivals take place in San Francisco, Hawaii, Vancouver and South Africa.
Festival co-director Yoo In-taek said such an event would help develop awareness of maritime affairs. “Mokpo is a working port city, not a holiday resort for the privileged. We feel proud and honoured to be hosting such an event where people make their living directly from the sea,” said In-taek, who is also a renowned film producer.
South Korea has seen a surge of film festival launches in the past few years. A mountain-themed film fest is tentatively scheduled to debut in Ulju in summer 2015.
Late last month, Revolution – a true-life adventure of filmmaker Rob Stewart – had won the top award at the 40Fathoms Film Festival which is a cinematic celebration of Earth’s Oceans.
Using the power of film and imagery, 40Fathoms Film Festival raises public awareness about issues facing the oceans today and provides people with the tools to make a difference.
The 40Fathoms Film Festival was conceived by the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) to celebrate World Oceans Day. It showcases underwater filmmaking talent and emphasises marine conservation concerns and success stories on a regional and global scale. 40Fathoms was held at Hermanus in South Africa – a historic coastal village just 1.5 hours from Cape Town.
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.
