United News of Bangladesh

The 78th Cannes Film Festival opens Tuesday with expectations running high for what could be a banner edition. All of the ingredients — an absurd number of stars, top-tier filmmakers, political intrigue — seem to be lined up for the French Riviera spectacular. Over the next 12 days, Cannes will play host to megawatt premieres including those of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest” and Ari Aster’s “Eddington.” Things get underway Tuesday with the unveiling of Juliette Binoche’s jury, a three-film tribute to Ukraine and the opening night film, Amélie Bonnin’s French romance “Leave One Day.” At the festival’s opening ceremony, Robert De Niro will receive an honorary Palme d’Or, 49 years after “Taxi Driver” won Cannes' top prize. Cannes is coming off a 2024 festival that produced a number of eventual Oscar contenders, including “Emilia Perez,” “The Substance,” “Flow” and the best picture winner, “Anora.” Asked if he's feeling the pressure this time around, festival director Thierry Frémaux said the only kind of pressure he believes in is in beer. (Beer on tap in France is "bière à la pression.") “Indeed last year was a beautiful year,” Frémaux said Monday. “But at the very time when I was with (journalists) as the festival started, we didn’t know if it was going to be a good year or not.” Cannes is kicking off the same day Gérard Depardieu, one of France’s most famous actors, was found guilty of having sexually assaulted two women on a 2021 film set. In one of France’s most prominent #MeToo cases, Depardieu was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence. The 76-year-old has long been a regular presence at Cannes. This year’s Cannes Film Festival, the premier international cinematic gathering, is also unspooling following U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for tariffs on movies made overseas. While Frémaux expressed sympathy for the cause of strengthening local movie production, he said it was too soon to comment on the still-unformed plans. Cannes, Cinema’s Global Arena, prepares for 78th edition amid fresh challenges “It’s far too early in the game,” said Frémaux. “But if I say one thing here at the Cannes Film Festival, we wouldn’t want the American cinema to cease to be strong. And right now, it’s very strong.” Cannes will follow up Tuesday’s festivities with the return Wednesday of Tom Cruise to Cannes. Three years after he brought “Top Gun: Maverick” to the festival, he’s back with the latest “Mission: Impossible” movie. Twenty-two films will vie for Cannes’ top prize, the Palme d’Or. Those films include Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme,” Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague,” Lynne Ramsay’s “Die, My Love,” Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind,” Oliver Hermanus’ “The History of Sound,” Julia Ducournau’s “Alpha” and Jafar Panahi’s “A Simple Accident.” Binoche will be leading the jury that picks the Palme d’Or winner, along with jurors including Halle Berry and Jeremy Strong. The festival closes May 24. In Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, three prominent actors are making their directorial debuts: Harris Dickinson (“Urchin”), Kristen Stewart (“The Chronology of Water”) and Scarlett Johansson (“Eleanor the Great”). Geopolitics are likely to play a starring role at Cannes, which is beginning by screening three 2025 Ukraine documentaries: “Zelensky,” Bernard-Henri Lévy’s “Notre Guerre” and The Associated Press-Frontline coproduction “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” by “20 Days in Mariupol” Oscar-winner Mstyslav Chernov. “This ‘Ukraine Day’ is a reminder of the commitment of artists, authors and journalists to tell the story of this conflict in the heart of Europe,” the festival said in a statement. Cannes will also celebrate its opening by turning to an old favorite. A restoration of Charlie Chaplin's “The Gold Rush” is to debut Tuesday, timed to the film's centenary.

The last time Kim Kardashian faced the men that police say robbed her, she was bound with zip ties and held at gunpoint, and feared she might die. On Tuesday, nearly a decade later, she returns to Paris to testify against them. One of the most recognizable figures on the planet is expected to take the stand against the 10 men accused of orchestrating the 2016 robbery that left her locked in a marble bathroom while masked assailants made off with more than $6 million in jewels. Kardashian is set to speak about the trauma that reshaped her life and redefined the risks of celebrity in the age of social media. Her appearance is expected to be the most emotionally charged moment of a trial that began last month. Court officials are bracing for a crowd, and security will be tight. A second courtroom has been opened for journalists following via video feed. Kardashian’s testimony is expected to revisit, in painful detail, how intruders zip-tied her hands, demanded her ring, and left her believing she might never see her children again. Twelve suspects were originally charged. One has died. Another has been excused from proceedings due to serious illness. Most are in their 60s and 70s — dubbed les papys braqueurs, or “the grandpa robbers,” by the French press — but investigators insist they were no harmless retirees. Authorities have described them as a seasoned and coordinated criminal group. Kim Kardashian’s Paris robbery changed celebrity culture around privacy Two of the defendants have admitted being at the scene. The others deny any involvement — some even claim they didn’t know who Kardashian was. But police say the group tracked her movements through her own social media posts, which flaunted her jewelry, pinpointed her location, and exposed her vulnerability. The heist transformed Kardashian into a cautionary tale of hyper-visibility in the digital age. In the aftermath, she withdrew from public life. She developed severe anxiety and later described symptoms of agoraphobia. “I hated to go out,” she said in a 2021 interview. “I didn’t want anybody to know where I was … I just had such anxiety.” Her lawyers confirmed she would appear in court. “She has tremendous appreciation and admiration for the French judicial system,” they wrote, adding that she hopes the trial proceeds “in an orderly fashion … and with respect for all parties.” Cannes, Cinema’s Global Arena, prepares for 78th edition amid fresh challenges Once dismissed in parts of the French press as a reality TV spectacle — and lambasted by Karl Lagerfeld for being too flashy — Kardashian now returns as a key witness in a case that has forced a wider reckoning with how celebrity, crime, and perception collide. Her lawyers say she is “particularly grateful” to French authorities — and ready to confront those who attacked her with dignity.

Music artist and activist Farzana Wahid Shayan has condemned the use of hateful and offensive language in slogans targeting opponents, women, and religious minorities during recent political events, believing that such acts of retaliation only fuel hatred in society and ultimately harm the country’s well-being. In a long Facebook post on Monday, Shayan urged the interim government and law enforcement to act against incitement to violence and hate through speech and slogans. She emphasized the need for a 'Hate Control Commission' to outlaw such practices through legal means. "I strongly urge the current government to take firm action in this regard,” she wrote, addressing authorities directly. “Identify hate speech, monitor aggressive language, and set minimum standards for civil behavior among civilians,” Shayan said, pointing to the rising instances where public speakers casually call others offensive terms or even incite violence, such as by chanting “slaughter them all.” “How can this be acceptable in any civilized society? Such open threats of murder must not go unpunished,” she questioned. Shayan referred to the 2013 Shahbagh movement under the Awami League government as an example of seeking justice without promoting violence. “There was no joy then either. Seeking justice is not the same as calling for slaughter, that is not a justice culture,” she added. 'Gaane Gaane Shayan':Farzana Wahid Shayan's solo concert at BSA on Nov 22 The singer expressed concern about normalizing violent speech in public and warned against the desensitization of society. According to her, ordinary crowds may include extremists, but the role of law enforcement is crucial in setting behavioral standards. She wrote, “Why should someone get away with calling another person a prostitute? Why should slaughter threats be normalized?” Calling for institutional reform, she again stressed the need for a hate control body to combat discrimination against religious minorities and women. “Why can hate-filled sermons go unchecked for generations against other faiths and women? A commission is overdue,” she said. Shayan criticized political slogan practices that openly promote violence, saying such chants are unacceptable in a democratic society. “From a rally stage I heard chants like ‘catch one League member and slaughter them all’. Why are state officials silent?” she asked. She demanded that such expressions be treated as criminal offenses and called for proper judicial procedures to address wrongdoing. Singer-musician Rhiannon Giddens calls off Kennedy Center show, citing Trump takeover “There was no patriotism in such slogans in 2013, nor is there now. This is not justice, nor national pride,” she wrote. Reflecting on past war crimes, Shayan noted that key perpetrators are no longer present, and justice remains a goal for many. She called for ending the cycle of revenge politics, emphasizing the need for campaigns and active efforts to change the culture. “People believe cursing and threatening others proves patriotism. That must end. We need legal, cultural change,” Shayan insisted. She also urged the government to refrain from using vague or politically motivated charges to silence dissenting voices. “Don't abduct people under ghost cases for speaking out. Make a list of which words are violent and offensive,” she concluded. Shayan believes banning hate speech is legally simpler than banning a political party and should be treated as a priority.

Kim Kardashian’s habit of sharing her luxurious lifestyle on social media was second nature—until it led to a terrifying robbery. On October 3, 2016, five masked men pretending to be police broke into her Paris residence during Fashion Week. They tied her up, locked her in the bathroom, and stole around $6 million in jewelry. The incident sparked global concern and highlighted the risks celebrities face from constant exposure online. Kardashian had posted real-time updates and photos of her diamond ring and location, which investigators believe helped the robbers track and target her. Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld criticized her public display of wealth, arguing that it made her an obvious target in a time when privacy matters more than ever. Nearly a decade later, Kardashian is set to testify in a Paris courtroom against the men accused of planning and executing what became one of the most high-profile celebrity heists in recent memory. Carrie: A 49-Year-Old Stephen King Classic Set to Reboot What made the crime stand out wasn’t just Kardashian’s fame, but how the attackers used her own social media posts — not digital hacking — to plan the robbery. The thieves followed her updates, used old-fashioned surveillance, and struck at just the right moment. Kardashian later admitted that she feared for her life and thought the attackers were terrorists. The experience deeply changed her. Once known for flaunting her wealth, she scaled back her public presence, strengthened her security team with elite professionals, and stopped sharing her location in real time. Expensive items largely disappeared from her online posts. She reflected later that the incident changed her priorities. “I was definitely materialistic before … but I’m so happy that my kids get this me,” she told Ellen DeGeneres in 2017. Her shift influenced others in the fashion and entertainment industries. Models like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner increased their security, and publicists began advising celebrities to delay posts, avoid location tags, and be more cautious online. Though visibility is still valuable in celebrity culture, the rules have clearly changed. French police cracked the case thanks to DNA left on the zip ties used during the robbery, which led them to veteran criminal Aomar Aït Khedache. Further investigations and phone surveillance helped identify several other suspects, many with long criminal histories. While one suspect later claimed he didn’t know who Kardashian was, police say the robbery was carefully planned, involving burner phones and coordinated timing. Once dismissed by some in France as a mere reality star, Kardashian now stands at the center of a case that has reshaped how fame and security intersect in the digital age.  

Indigenous fashion designers from across North America are showcasing clothing inspired by their cultural roots and daily lives during a three-day fashion event that began Friday in Santa Fe, a key center for Native art and creativity. The event, which is part of the historic Santa Fe Indian Market, has joined forces with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week this year, highlighting unity and creative expression among Indigenous artists. An additional independent show in the city’s railyard district has nearly doubled the activity behind the scenes, with models, makeup artists, and final preparations in full swing. Runway shows will feature a mix of professional and family models, Indigenous dancers, and public figures, all presenting designs accompanied by music. The garments range from flowing silks to traditional animal hides, embellished with beadwork, ribbons, and jewelry. Contemporary styles include digitally crafted designs and urban streetwear with Native influences, especially from Phoenix. Patricia Michaels, a Taos Pueblo designer and former "Project Runway" contestant, said Indigenous fashion is a way to express both personal identity and community ties. “Designers are sharing what drives them — their heritage and lived experience,” she said. A Santa Fe Tradition Evolves The spring fashion week is a newer addition to Santa Fe’s art calendar, evolving from the high-fashion elements of the city’s long-standing summer Indian Market, which attracts massive crowds for its display of Native artwork. Designer Sage Mountainflower, who grew up attending the Indian Market with her artist parents in the 1980s, left a career in environmental policy to pursue fashion. She began by creating regalia for her children and eventually gained international acclaim. Now 50, she is unveiling her “Taandi” collection — meaning “Spring” in the Tewa language — featuring satin and chiffon garments with embroidered designs rooted in her heritage from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, and the Navajo Nation. “I follow trends a little, but mostly I go with what I love,” Mountainflower said. “This collection is about how spring transforms around us — it’ll be vibrant and full of color.” Over 20 designers are participating by invitation from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts. Fashion is an essential part of Santa Fe’s broader creative culture, supported by local vendors, academic programs at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and daily arts markets in the city center. Fashion designers this week have been honored at events including a gala at the governor’s mansion, social gatherings in galleries and bookstores, and pop-up shops selling runway pieces. Cross-Border Collaboration The partnership with Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week brings Canadian First Nations designers into the spotlight. Secwépemc artist Randi Nelson traveled from Whitehorse, Yukon, to present clothing made from elk and caribou hides, using traditional tanning methods passed down through her family. “There’s no one-size-fits-all Indigenous fashion,” said Nelson, a member of the Bonaparte/St’uxwtéws First Nation. “Each designer draws from their own nation’s teachings and reinterprets them in a contemporary way.” Urban Indigenous Style Phoenix-based designer and jeweler Jeremy Donavan Arviso is adding a bold, streetwear perspective to the shows, aiming to push Santa Fe’s fashion scene onto the global stage. A panel discussion on Thursday addressed rising tariffs and supply costs, along with the tension between fast fashion and Indigenous values of sustainability. Arviso, who has Diné, Hopi, Akimel O’odham, and Tohono O’odham roots, said his fashion reflects his upbringing in Phoenix more than traditional ceremonial influences. “I didn’t grow up with those customs — I grew up on the streets,” he said, comparing his style to musical sampling in early hip-hop. He’s debuting his “Vision Quest” collection, introduced by Toronto-based ballet dancer Madison Noon in a dramatic performance. Prominent figures walking the runway include former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo, dressed in designs by Patricia Michaels and jewelry by Zuni Pueblo artist Veronica Poblano.

The Bangladesh Film Directors’ Association has elected a new executive body following a long-delayed election held on Friday. The results were officially announced on Friday night at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) by the Election Commission Chairman, Abdul Latif Bachchu. Shahin Sumon has been elected as the new President of the association for the upcoming term, defeating Mushfiqur Rahman with 166 votes. In the race for General Secretary, Shahin Kabir Tutul secured victory with 180 votes, surpassing his contender Safi Uddin. The newly elected Vice President is Abul Khair Bulbul, while Kabirul Islam Rana has been elected as Joint Secretary and Simon Tariq was chosen as Treasurer.  Wazed Ali Babul will serve as Secretary of Publicity and Office Affairs, Bondhon Bishwas as Secretary of International and Information Technology Affairs, and Mostafizur Rahman Manik has been elected as Secretary of Culture and Sports. The Executive Member posts have been filled by Chotku Ahmed, Shahadat Hossain Liton, Polli Malek, Zakir Hossain Raju, Bazlur Rashed Chowdhury, Saeedur Rahman Saeed, Habibur Rahman Habib, and Joynal Abedin (Joy Sarkar). Originally scheduled to take place in late 2024, the election faced multiple postponements due to unavoidable circumstances.  A revised date was set for January 10, but voting was again suspended on that day. The election was further pushed and once again postponed on May 8. However, after overcoming all hurdles, the long-anticipated election was finally held on Friday, featuring participation from two panels.

Indian film stars are known for their opulent lifestyles, often flaunting private jets, luxury cars, and sprawling bungalows. Yet, one Bollywood actress stands out with an exceptionally rare asset — a private island. Jacqueline Fernandez, a Sri Lankan actress who has been part of the Indian entertainment industry for over two decades, is the only Bollywood actress reported to own a private island. Located off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the four-acre island was purchased by Jacqueline in 2012 for approximately $600,000, which was around Rs 3 crore at the time, reports Hindustan Times. Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ kicks off with $31.5m opening day While many of her peers invest in luxury homes or international properties, Jacqueline’s decision to acquire an island sets her apart. Reports at the time of purchase suggested she intended to build a lavish villa on the property. However, it remains unclear whether the project was meant for her personal retreat or for commercial use, such as leasing it for tourism purposes. Although details about the island’s development remain undisclosed, Jacqueline is still believed to be the owner.

Benedict Cumberbatch will serve as executive producer for a new six-part limited series “The Annecy Murders”, based on the real-life Chevaline killings that shocked the world in 2012.The drama, inspired by true events, centres on the still-unsolved murders of a British-Iraqi engineer, his wife, her mother, and a French cyclist, who were all gunned down on September 5, 2012 near Lake Annecy in the French Alps. Two young girls, aged four and seven, miraculously survived the attack but were not discovered by first responders for hours. The case triggered a sprawling, multinational investigation involving authorities in France, the UK, Spain, Israel, Switzerland, and Iraq. Hundreds of officers were deployed and nearly a thousand witnesses interviewed. The mystery regained public and media attention last summer when French investigators officially reopened the case. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series is being produced by Carrousel — the company founded by Louis Leterrier, Omar Sy, and Thomas Benski — in collaboration with Cumberbatch’s SunnyMarch and Bob Cooper’s Landscape. Sweet Home Poised to Be the Next The Walking Dead: Netflix’s Apocalyptic K-Drama Dominates Streaming Charts “When we first came across this story, we immediately saw its incredible potential,” said Cooper. “It’s a haunting case that has everything — a compelling mystery, international intrigue, and profound human drama. It demanded to be told.” Cécile Gaget, executive producer at Carrousel Studios, added, “This was a no-brainer for Carrousel. With the recent reopening of the case, the international resonance, and the unique cultural perspectives on the investigation, we are committed to delivering a powerful and authentic narrative.” Filming is set to begin across France and the UK in early 2026. However, casting details remain undisclosed.

Disney will build its seventh theme park, this one in the United Arab Emirates, the entertainment company said Wednesday. The waterfront resort will be built on Yas Island on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi city, already home to Formula One’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari and Warner Bros. amusement parks, SeaWorld and a waterpark, AP reports. Disney and Miral, the Abu Dhabi developer overseeing the project, hope to capitalize on the 120 million airline passengers that travel through Abu Dhabi and Dubai each year. While long viewed as more buttoned up than the beaches and raucous nightlife in neighboring Dubai, Abu Dhabi also is home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and there are more museums currently under construction. Disney Bets Big on Live-Action Remakes of Lilo & Stitch and Moana The theme park announcement is being made ahead of a visit by US President Donald Trump to the region next week. Trump has promised a series of business deals with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. The theme park will be built and operated by Miral, but Disney will handle the design and development. Disney will also license its intellectual property and provide development and management services, according to a regulatory filing. The California company will not be providing any capital for the project. It will earn royalties based on the resort’s revenues. It will also earn service fees. Miral has been involved in the development of almost all of the entertainment complexes built on the island. A projected opening date has not been announced. Shares of Disney, which also reported second-quarter financial results on Wednesday that beat Wall Street's expectations, jumped more than 9% in morning trading.

Renowned Bangladeshi singer Kumar Bishwajit is set to return to live performances, after taking a step back from music following the 2023 road accident that seriously injured his only son Nibir in Canada. Since the incident, Bishwajit and his wife have been living in Canada, where Nibir received treatment. However, with signs of gradual recovery in his son’s condition, the legendary singer has decided to return to live performances. Speaking to the media, Bishwajit confirmed that his concert tour will begin next month, starting with Toronto, Canada. He will then perform in cities across Paris, New Zealand, Qatar, and several states of Australia. Nibir was initially treated at St Michael's Hospital after the accident and has been undergoing rehabilitation at a center in Mississauga for the past year. During this period, Bishwajit visited Dhaka briefly a few times, but he currently has no plans to return unless absolutely necessary. "Even though event organizers kept inviting me, I didn’t feel the emotional drive to sing," Bishwajit said. "Music is something that comes from the heart, and I felt that the emotion was missing during this difficult time." However, he also realized how deeply connected his audience is to his life, stating: "After sharing my musical journey with them for over four decades, I felt I should return for them, as they are my extended family." Rotary Club of Uttara awards Kumar Bishwajit, 21 others for their excellence With Nibir’s condition slowly improving, Bishwajit decided to accept a few international concert invitations, mentioning that organizers had been reaching out for some time, and he agreed after carefully considering the situation. “I’m set to resume live shows this year, starting with a concert in Toronto on June 22. A show in Paris is scheduled for July, and talks are underway for an event in New Zealand. Several concerts in Australia for August are confirmed — on August 23 in Melbourne, August 30 in Sydney, August 31 in Brisbane, and September 6 in Perth; and my regular band members will be accompanying me in all concerts,” the revered artist said. Along with the concert announcement, Bishwajit also shared updates on Nibir's condition, saying, “Recovery is very slow, so we can’t call it major progress yet.” Nibir is currently receiving speech therapy, physiotherapy, and other forms of stimulation therapy in rehab, Kumar Bishwajit informed. Expressing satisfaction with the rehab center’s care in Mississauga, Kumar Bishwajit said that such specialised medical facilities are rare even in Canada. He added that there have been success stories of patients fully recovering after years of rehab, and they are waiting for Nibir's recovery. Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid’s concert abruptly postponed, artists left in the dark Grateful for the support and prayers from fans, Bishwajit thanked everyone who stood by him and his family. With hope in his heart, the revered artist is now looking forward to reconnecting with his audience through music.