Hollywood
Hollywood star Meryl Streep leading campaign for best documentary Oscar for “India’s Daughter”
New Delhi, 17 October: The controversial BBC documentary film on the December 2012 Nirbhaya rape case.
“India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin which was banned in early March by the government, is opening at various theatres in the United States next week.
Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who introduced the documentary at its US theatrical release in New York City, said “I’m on the campaign now to get Udwin nominated for best documentary.”
The film is largely based on an extensive interview in jail with one of the attackers who blamed the victim, a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist, for being out in the evening with a male friend.
In a statement, the government warned that certain excerpts “appear to encourage and incite violence against women.”
Promoter Christine Merser said screenings are also scheduled in some other countries.
Despite the uproar in India, “India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin was re-telecast on BBC4 to mark International Women’s Day.
Although BBC News is available in the country, the British pubcaster aired the documentary – for the second time in five days – on BBC4 which is not available to Indian viewers.
The documentary was also screened in countries across the globe — including Switzerland, Norway and Canada — to mark International Women’s Day and is being screened in the United States today. The film also continues to be available to Indian viewers on the internet.
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.
