Arts and Culture

Central Cee releases his debut album 'Can’t Rush Greatness', blending UK rap with global hip-hop trends and featuring collaborations with international stars.

Adrien Brody stars in *The Brutalist*, a historical drama exploring the life of a Hungarian-Jewish architect and Holocaust survivor rebuilding his life in post-war America. The film, directed by Brady Corbet, delves into themes of immigration, ambition, and identity, and has sparked both acclaim and controversy for its use of AI technology.

Adrien Brody delivers a career-defining performance in 'The Brutalist', a sweeping epic directed by Brady Corbet, exploring themes of ambition, identity, and the immigrant experience in post-World War II America.

Brady Corbet’s *The Brutalist* is a critically acclaimed historical epic starring Adrien Brody, exploring themes of survival, art, and the immigrant experience. The film's use of AI technology has sparked debate, adding to its significance in the awards season.

The Brazilian film 'Ainda Estou Aqui', directed by Walter Salles, has made history by securing three nominations for the 2025 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best International Feature Film, and Best Actress for Fernanda Torres. This marks a significant achievement for Brazilian cinema, highlighting the story of Eunice Paiva, a human rights activist during Brazil's military dictatorship. The film, an adaptation of Marcelo Rubens Paiva's book, has already garnered over 20 international awards, showcasing the power of culture in social transformation and historical memory.

The 2025 Oscar nominations have spotlighted 'Emilia Pérez', a French-Spanish musical film with 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, potentially the first openly trans actor to win an Oscar. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film explores the story of a Mexican drug cartel leader's gender transition, starring Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. Despite its critical acclaim, the film faces backlash for its portrayal of trans identity and the use of AI in enhancing Gascón’s singing voice, sparking debates on representation and ethics in filmmaking.

The article commemorates the life of Liz Hatton, a young photographer from Harrogate who battled desmoplastic small round cell tumour. Her brave journey included fulfilling a photography bucket list, reaching out to high-profile figures, and leaving behind significant contributions to cancer awareness. Liz's legacy is celebrated by her remarkable achievements and enduring influence in the photography community.

The UK government is considering adding an extra bank holiday in 2025 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This would coincide with either Victory in Europe Day or Victory over Japan Day, offering a long weekend to honour the 'Greatest Generation'. While discussions are ongoing and a decision is not yet final, the government aims to balance economic impacts with public celebration benefits. A budget exceeding £10 million has been allocated for events marking these anniversaries.

Legendary rock star Rod Stewart is set to perform in the famed 'legends slot' at Glastonbury Festival 2025, marking his first return to the event in over two decades. At 79, Stewart is thrilled to entertain audiences with his classic hits. Known for songs like 'Maggie May' and 'Sailing,' his appearance is highly anticipated. The festival, taking place from 25 to 29 June at Worthy Farm, heralds a historic moment with Stewart being the first artist to both headline and appear in the legends slot. This edition of Glastonbury is especially notable as it precedes a fallow year in 2026.

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues its thrilling 2024 series, captivating audiences with nightly broadcasts on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX. In a recent episode, tensions flared between campmates Dean McCullough and Alan Halsall, as viewers took to social media criticising Dean's conduct. Meanwhile, Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles prepare for a challenging Bushtucker trial titled 'Terrifying Teddy Bear's Picnic'. As contestants navigate through trials and relationship dynamics, fans eagerly anticipate new episodes filled with drama and evolving alliances.