News and stories on CULTURE, movies, music, literature

CINEMA

Banned Iranian director Jafar Panahi makes a movie, and a statement

After being smuggled into Cannes last May, banned Iranian director Jafar Panahi's "This is Not a Film" hits French screens this week. A video diary of life under house arrest, the movie is both a nimble entertainment and an act of political defiance.

FASHION

Dolce&Gabbana bring 'Italian Beauty' to the runway

Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana brought multicoloured prints popping with aubergines and chili peppers to the runway on Sunday as part of their "Italian Beauty" spring/summer 2012 collection for Milan Fashion Week.

BRAZIL

Hundreds of thousands turn out for Rock in Rio festival

Rock in Rio, the world's largest music festival, drew about 100,000 fans as it kicked off on Friday with a star-studded line-up that included pop queens Rihanna and Katy Perry, as well as music legend Elton John.

MUSIC

Singing legend Cesaria Evora retires

Cesaria Evora, the “Barefoot Diva” who toured the world singing ballads from her native Cape Verde, has decided to end her career at the age of 70 because of health problems, her producer said Friday.

MUSIC

R.E.M. calls it quits after more than 30 years of music

After more than 30 years and 15 albums together, rock'n'roll band R.E.M. have decided to "call it a day", in a website message thanking fans for their loyalty and support. The band produced hits including “Losing My Religion” and "The One I Love".

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

'Where Do We Go Now?' takes best film in Toronto

The Lebanese director Nadine Labaki's second film won the People's Choice Award for best picture at the Toronto film festival on Sunday. Set in Lebanon, it tells the bittersweet story of a group of women trying to protect their village from violence.

EXHIBITS

‘Lowbrow’ art show crashes highbrow Paris

A new exhibition in Paris brings together dozens of international artists, bound by a penchant for the weird and their collective unwillingness to be defined.

PAINTING

London exhibition sheds new light on Degas artworks

USA

Recordings reveal a candid, critical Jackie Kennedy

In a new oral history compiled from interviews recorded in 1964, a year after her husband’s assassination, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy reveals an opinionated side that differs from her discreet, soft-spoken public image.

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