Mark Cousins's "The Story of Documentary Film" presents two chapters on the 1980s, exploring themes of empathy, investigative journalism, and challenging societal norms through documentary cinema. The episodes feature films from Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Iran, and the US, highlighting both political commentary and personal narratives.
A documentary follows British nerve surgeon Mohammad Tahir and his colleagues as they work in Gaza's barely operational hospitals during the 2024-25 war, treating severe injuries, including those of children, amidst bombings, blackouts, and critical supply shortages, supported by FAJR Global.
Amazon has dropped its distribution of Luca Guadagnino's Sam Altman biopic, 'Artificial,' citing a desire for a different studio to release it. This decision follows Amazon's significant $15bn investment in OpenAI, Sam Altman's company, and Jeff Bezos's friendship with Altman. The film, starring Andrew Garfield as Altman, is reportedly not a flattering portrayal.
Ash Koosha's "Dreams of Violets," an AI-generated drama about Iran's protest crackdown, premieres at Tribeca. Koosha used AI for all visuals and characters, citing safety and cost-efficiency, and believes AI will democratize filmmaking.
Directors Gareth Edwards and Paul Schrader enthusiastically endorse generative AI in film-making, citing its potential in pre-production and future possibilities like AI protagonists, despite current criticisms of AI-generated content.
A "Baywatch" reboot's production halt on Venice Beach due to unexpected restrictions has ignited a political firestorm in Los Angeles, with mayoral candidates criticizing Mayor Karen Bass's administration and highlighting the city's struggle to retain film productions amid competition and technological shifts.
Gossip Goblin, a small AI film-making outfit led by Zack London, is gaining popularity with its satirical sci-fi shorts made using off-the-shelf AI tools, attracting Hollywood's attention despite criticism over copyright and creativity concerns.
