Guatemalan actor Enrique Salanic has been blocked from entering the United States ahead of the U.S. premiere of his award-winning movie "José," in which he stars.
The film premieres in New York City on Jan. 31, but according to distributor Outsider Pictures, Salanic is still campaigning to be granted entry to the U.S. "José" has received critical praise so far, having already won the Queer Lion at the Venice Film Festival and a handful of other awards.
Attempts to bring the actor to the states have been fruitless. According to Outsider, the U.S. embassy in Guatemala has twice denied his non-immigrant visa applications, citing a concern that he is a "flight risk" because he lives with his parents in Guatemala and has no permanent address in the U.S.
"Denying Enrique Salanic his entry visa to promote his work in a film produced, financed and distributed by American citizens and companies represents just one way in which the current administration's immigration rules impact U.S. businesses, and it perpetuates the negative impression the world has of America. Denying entry to a man who has already successfully studied in the U.S. just because he is from Guatemala is unjust and cruel," Outsider Pictures' Paul Hudson said.
Robert Rosenberg of Outsider Pictures also told TheWrap, "It broke my heart that such a talented young actor like Enrique, who is the star of our movie, is being thwarted in pursuing his career by our own government in the U.S. Our policies should encourage this kind of ambition and success, not trap Central Americans in their countries, as if they were less than human."
In a statement on the creation of the film — which focuses on Salanic's young, gay character falling in love for the first time while living with his mother in Guatemala — director Li Cheng discussed the movie's cultural relevance.
"'José' is really a page ripped from today's news headlines," he said. "The crises of young people, single mothers and dark-skinned peoples in Guatemala frames the film's story. Guatemala has become an increasingly violent and dangerous place, where more than half the people live in poverty. Indeed most of the children separated from their parents and locked in dog-like cages in Texas (shocking people around the world) are Guatemalan, not Mexican, as is often claimed."
A representative for the embassy did not immediately return a request for comment.
10 Best LGBTQ Films of the 2010s, From 'Moonlight' to 'Call Me by Your Name' (Photos)
Whether a curse or a blessing, "May you live in interesting times" certainly applies to the LGBTQ community -- the past decade saw the legalization of same-sex marriages and the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, but every advancement has been met with pushback and threats to overturn equal protections under the law. Trans characters (played, for a change, by trans performers) got their largest public spotlight on television shows like "Pose" and "Transparent," while at the same time they remain the targets of violence and of hysterical and reactionary lawmakers. Whatever triumphs and travails the community faced in day-to-day life, their lives and loves continued to be reflected on the big screen; here are some of the decade's greatest examples, listed alphabetically.
Runners-Up: "1985," "Appropriate Behavior," "Booksmart," "BPM," "Cola de Mono," "Drunktown's Finest," "Kiki," "Love, Simon," "Paris 05:59 Théo & Hugo," "Portrait of a Lady on Fire"
"Call Me By Your Name" and "Carol" (2017/2015) One was set in the relatively permissive 1980s and the other in the restrictive 1950s, but both films were gorgeous portraits of aching longing and rapturous passion among the wealthy and artistic. These were lush dramas that scratched an old-movie itch while taking a very contemporary look at same-sex relationships.
Sony/The Weinstein Company
"Concussion" (2015) This unpredictable tale of a lesbian housewife shaking off the suburbs for sophisticated sex work had the erotic moxie of "Belle de Jour" and the knowing, arch qualities of "The Stepford Wives," but it also represented the arrival of an important new voice -- writer-director Stacie Passon, making one of the decade's most exciting debuts.
RADiUS-TWC
"The Handmaiden" (2016) Park Chan-wook transferred Sarah Waters' novel "Fingersmith" from Victorian England to Japanese-occupied Korea, but the psychological gamesmanship and breathless lesbian eroticism remained intact. Boasting gorgeous production values and a script where characters are constantly gaining and losing the upper hand, this was a riveting thriller that took queer relationships as a given, even in what we think of as the buttoned-down olden times.
Amazon Studios
"How to Survive a Plague" (2012) David France's incredibly vital piece of activist cinema documented the rise of ACT UP in New York City in the 1980s, and how the members of that group fought the system -- before, essentially, taking it over themselves -- as the U.S. government and pharmaceutical industry turned its back on people with HIV and AIDS. It's one of the great "yes, you can fight city hall" documentaries ever made.
IFC
"Moonlight" (2016) The subtle ways in which children come to understand -- and are taught to be afraid of -- their true selves, and the obstacles for adults seeking to overcome a lifetime of negative messaging are just some of the threads that weave their way through this gorgeous tapestry of a life, as portrayed brilliantly by three actors and captured by writer Tarell Alvin McCraney and director Barry Jenkins.
A24
"Pain and Glory" (2019) Legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar offered some of his most tenderly romantic moments late in this autobiographical film, as director Salvador (Antonio Banderas) has an unexpected reunion, decades later, with his onetime lover. In just a few scenes, the two convey the depth and breadth of a relationship, from beginning to inevitable end, and it helps provide the full picture of Salvador, an artist whose past provides the possibility of unlocking his creative block.
Sony
"Take Me to the River" (2014) What starts out as a dark comedy about a gay California teenager forced to attend a family reunion in Nebraska unfurls into an unsettling thriller about family secrets and unresolved longings. Writer-director Matt Sobel subtly but inexorably tightens the vise, and it's not until the closing credits roll that you allow yourself to exhale fully again.
Netflix
"Tangerine" (2015) A Christmas Eve in the lives of two trans sex workers (played memorably by Mya Taylor and Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) provides a glimpse into both the grind of their day-to-day existence and their hopes and dreams. The leads consulted on the script, and the results are both quotidian and poetic.
Magnolia Pictures
"Weekend" (2011) Writer-director Andrew Haigh ("45 Years") starts with a simple premise -- two guys meet and hit it off, just as one of them is about to leave the country -- and turns it into a riveting two-hander, with Tom Cullen and Chris New capturing those moments of connection and curiosity and chemistry that mark the beginning of every new relationship, even as we know this one will end before it can even really start.
Sundance Selects
1 of 11
Decade in Review: "Pain and Glory," "Carol" and "How to Survive a Plague" rank among the highlights of the decade
Whether a curse or a blessing, "May you live in interesting times" certainly applies to the LGBTQ community -- the past decade saw the legalization of same-sex marriages and the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, but every advancement has been met with pushback and threats to overturn equal protections under the law. Trans characters (played, for a change, by trans performers) got their largest public spotlight on television shows like "Pose" and "Transparent," while at the same time they remain the targets of violence and of hysterical and reactionary lawmakers. Whatever triumphs and travails the community faced in day-to-day life, their lives and loves continued to be reflected on the big screen; here are some of the decade's greatest examples, listed alphabetically.
Nothing in fashion is static — so why should your accessories be? Brands and designers across the world are creating kinetic jewellery featuring moveable parts, a subtle accent that adds character and quirk to the piece. While they are making their presence felt now, the art form was first developed in the 1950s by German artist and goldsmith Friedrich Becker.
Brands like Cartier and De Beers aren't shying away from putting precious stones like diamonds on these moving parts. Brazilian designer Yael Sonia's 'Perpetual Motion' collection features an oversized rectangular ring with the playful detail of two green tourmalines gliding up and down in unison. Closer home, Farah Khan's couture collection draws from nature — an iguana does the bend-and-snap on a dual ring, while a tourmaline-encrusted dragonfly flips its golden, tiered body as it sits on a bed of pink stones. Here is Weekend's pick of kinetic jewellery to rock the festivities.
"Birds of Prey" had its world premiere in London on Wednesday night and attendees have started to weigh in with their reactions on social media.
So what did they think of DC's first ensemble female superhero movie? The reactions are positive with critic Courtney Howard calling the film "Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high."
#BirdsofPrey is an absolute blast & undeniably fun live wire jolt of adrenaline. Delightfully devilish & deliriously wicked,this irreverent, rule-breaking riot delivers a contact high. Cathy Yan is a genius. Robbie, Smollett, Winstead, Perez & Basco are perfection. @birdsofpreywbpic.twitter.com/D72F2D1apY
#BirdsofPrey is like if John Wick were run through a crazy funhouse filter and stuffed full of glitter and f-bombs. It's everything you could ever want from #HarleyQuinn and her badass girl gang. Into this movie completely. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Y2DZgPYN2Y
Forbes' Scott Mendelson said "it's a bonkers bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie."
#BirdsofPrey is delightfully unassuming and unconcerned with its place in a larger context. It's a bonkers bananas crime comedy and a genuine party movie. Everyone is having a blast but Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays Huntress like a supporting character from THE TICK. It rocks. pic.twitter.com/7MRMKkZ0oi
#BirdsofPrey is a thrill ride filled with two terrifying villains in Black Mask and Victo Zasz. Fans worried about Harley taking the shine have nothing to worry about. This very much a Birds of Prey movie with Harley Quinn. Black Canary and Huntress are awesome.
#BirdsOfPrey has terrific action, humor & some of the more memorable characters we've seen in a DC movie, but the biggest highlight is Margot Robbie. She is fantabulous as Harley, while also proving that sometimes our most valued relationships are the ones we have w/ good food pic.twitter.com/EDQ3sr5JtL
#BirdsOfPrey isn't a Birds of Prey movie so much as it's a Harley Quinn movie feat. BOP – and that creates issues story-wise & in fleshing out characters – but it's a hell of a lot of fun. It's at its best when going full Harley-vision, & Margot Robbie is clearly having a blast. pic.twitter.com/hyF7CpFCmk
Birds of Prey is solid. The unpredictable structure keeps the first half moving and the action boosts the rest. Robbie is excellent, as is McGregor. It's tamer than expected and the basic story can get lost in the complex setups but it works more often than not. #BirdsofPreypic.twitter.com/H6TxjiudjI
#BirdsOfPrey is a lot of fun and violent as hell. The Birds are so entertaining and distinctly different from each other. Ewan McGregor is so sinister and often hilarious. pic.twitter.com/4scxbS6GwT
In "Birds of Prey," Margot Robbie once again plays former Joker-accomplice Harley Quinn, now teaming up with Black Canary (Jurnee Smollet-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to stop the villain Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) before he can have Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco) murdered.
Christina Hodson wrote the "Birds of Prey" spinoff for Warner Bros. and DC Films based on the "Birds of Prey" comics by Chuck Dixon, Jordan B. Gorfinkel and Greg Land.
"Birds of Prey" is produced by Kroll & Co Entertainment's Sue Kroll and Clubhouse Pictures' Bryan Unkeless, as well as Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment.
The film hits theaters Feb. 7.
9 Female-Led Superhero Films in 2020, From 'The Eternals' to 'Wonder Woman 1984' (Photos)
Next year is going to be a big one for super-powered women, with 9 female-led superhero movies hitting theaters in 2020. And if rough estimates pan out, these films could combine to gross over $4 billion at movie theaters worldwide. Not only that, but if 12 months from now "Birds of Prey," "Mulan," "Black Widow, "Wonder Woman 1984," and "Eternals" are among the year's 10 highest grossing films, it will be the first time ever that the list will have gender parity among directors. Read on to see which women will be kicking asses in movie theaters throughout 2020.
1. "The Rhythm Section" -- Jan. 31
January kicks off with Blake Lively's long-anticipated spy thriller "The Rhythm Section," a possible franchise-starter led from the long-time producers of the James Bond films, Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli. Lively's got dark hair, an icy cold stare and is looking to settle things violently in the movie written by Mark Burnell based on his book of the same name. Directed by Reed Morano, best known for her work on Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale," it also stars Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown.
2. "Birds of Prey" -- Feb. 7
Margot Robbie once again plays Harley Quinn, now broken up with the Joker and teaming up with a crew of badass women like Black Canary (Jurnee Smollet-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to stop the villain Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) before he can have Cassandra Cain (Basco) murdered.
3. "Mulan" -- March 27
Director Niki Caro's live action take on Disney's 1998 animated stars Liu Yifei as the legendary Chinese warrior woman who risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest fighters the middle kingdom has ever known.
4. "The New Mutants" -- April 3
Staring Maisie Williams ("Game of Thrones" and Anya Taylor-Joy, this horror film set in the X-universe was filmed two years ago -- but has been in limbo ever since. It was originally supposed to debut in April 2018 but has been delayed over and over again. The film's director confirmed the film was still being tinkered with as of December 2019, but with release scheduled for April, the first trailer is supposedly coming in January.
5. "Black Widow" -- May 1
Set immediately after the events of "Captain America: Civil War"; "Black Widow" follows Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) as she reunites with former members of the (former) Soviet assassin squad she grew up with to defeat an even greater threat.
6. "Wonder Woman 1984" -- June 5
Set during the late height of Cold War tensions, the film sees Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) facing two new enemies, including the villain Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), and dealing with the unexpected return of Steve Trevor (Chris Pine). Patty Jenkins returns to direct the sequel to the 2017 box office hit. Watch the spectacular trailer here.
7. "Monster Hunter" -- Sep. 4
Based on the Capcom video game series, "Monster Hunter" stars Milla Jovovich as the leader of a military unit transported to a parallel world dominated by ferocious monsters. In her desperate battle for survival, she teams up with a mysterious man (Tony Jaa) who has found a way to fight back.
8. "The Eternals" -- Nov. 6
Starring Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and Gemma Chan, Marvel Studios' next heroic team up movie centers on a race of ancient human beings created a million years ago by the cosmic entities known as the Celestials. There's still no trailer, but fans at Comic-Con experience Brazil saw the first public showing of footage. Read about that here.
9. "No Time to Die" - April 2 (UK)/April 8 (U.S.)
Yes, technically this is a James Bond outing fronted by Daniel Craig in his final appearance as James Bond. But we're including it because the story sees 007 teaming up with the first female OO, "Nomi," played by "Captain Marvel's" Lashana Lynch. "So stay in your lane. You get in my way, I will put a bullet in your knee. The one that works," Nomi tells Bond during the recent trailer.
1 of 10
Move over boys — 2020 looks like it will go down as the year female-fronted superhero movies will dominate the box office
Next year is going to be a big one for super-powered women, with 9 female-led superhero movies hitting theaters in 2020. And if rough estimates pan out, these films could combine to gross over $4 billion at movie theaters worldwide. Not only that, but if 12 months from now "Birds of Prey," "Mulan," "Black Widow, "Wonder Woman 1984," and "Eternals" are among the year's 10 highest grossing films, it will be the first time ever that the list will have gender parity among directors. Read on to see which women will be kicking asses in movie theaters throughout 2020.
0 Yorumlar