Film Actors Network

Polanski's 'Venus' seduces on last day of Cannes Film Festival - Metro.us

Anurag Kashyap: He's India's Man at Cannes - Variety

Sir Alan Parker - Film Director - BBC News

Aleksei Balabanov, 54, Russian Film Director, Dies - New York Times

5 Lost Directors Who Still Have One Great Movie In Them - WhatCulture!

Finally, Cannes Dealing! Radius-TWC Nabs Director's Fortnight Film 'Blue Ruin' - Deadline.com

Directors have enjoyed setting movies at the Cannes Film Festival - Los Angeles Times

TOWIE's Lucy Mecklenburgh 'Meets Film Director' At Cannes Film Festival ... - Huffington Post UK

Credo: Actor and horror-film director Eli Roth on phobias, nightmares - and ... - The Independent

Which literary novels should daredevil film directors adapt next? - The Guardian (blog)

‘Pacific Rim’ Trailer: Idris Elba cancels the apocalypse

Warners Bros. Pictures Idris Elba returns to the big screen in Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim, which released it’s explosive main trailer online today. In the film, Elba plays Stacker Penetcost, a commanding officer who leads an army of human-controlled robots against alien sea creatures trying to take over Earth. The official film synopsis reads: When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes—a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)—who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse. Elba, who’s last big movie role was in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus, is seen in the new trailer wearing an illuminated helmet similar to the one in his previous movie role while he vows to cancel the apocalypse. Pacific Rim opens in theaters on July 12.

‘Fruitvale Station’: Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer star in haunting new trailer

The new trailer for Ryan Coogler’s Sundance award-winning film, Fruitvale Station, has been released online and it looks incredible. The film is based on a true story and stars Michael B. Jordan (Friday Night Lights, Chronicle) as Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old San Francisco Bay Area man whose 2009 shooting by Oakland BART police sparked outrage and protests in the city. The official synopsis reads: FRUITVALE STATION follows the true story of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident who wakes up on the morning of December 31, 2008 and feels something in the air. Not sure what it is, he takes it as a sign to get a head start on his resolutions: being a better son to his mother (Octavia Spencer), whose birthday falls on New Year’s Eve, being a better partner to his girlfriend Sophina (Melonie Diaz), who he hasn’t been completely honest with as of late, and being a better father to Tatiana (Ariana Neal), their beautiful four year-old daughter. Crossing paths with friends, family, and strangers, Oscar starts out well, but as the day goes on, he realizes that change is not going to come easily. His resolve takes a tragic turn, however, when BART officers shoot him in cold blood at the Fruitvale subway stop on New Year’s Day. Oscar’s life and tragic death would shake the Bay Area – and the entire nation – to its very core. Fruitvale Station, which received a standing ovation at Cannes, will be released in theaters on July 26. RELATED ARTICLES: Tristan Wilds Joins Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer in ‘Fruitvale’  Michael B Jordan, Octavia Spencer in talks to star in ‘Fruitvale’

Norm Lewis to reprise ‘Les Misérables’ role at MUNY

Broadway vet Norm Lewis is set to reprise his role as Javert in a MUNY stage production of Les Miserables, which will play the outdoor St. Louis venue from July 15 – 21.  The Muny announced principal casting on Wednesday for the fifth show of its fantastic 95th season, Les Misérables. Broadway veterans Lewis and Hugh Panaro make their Muny debuts starring as Javert and Jean Valjean, respectively. Also starring is Michael McCormick as Thénardier. The production is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, who served as the associate director and executive producer of the original Broadway, touring and Canadian companies of Les Misérables. Joining these veterans is a thrilling group of five of the nation’s finest up-and-coming university musical theatre students who were personally selected by Jay-Alexander from the more than 1,500 performers who auditioned. They are: Charlotte Maltby (University of Michigan) as Fantine, Alex Prakken (University of Michigan) as Marius, Bobby Conte Thornton (University of Michigan) as Enjolras, Katie Travis (Central Michigan University) as Cosette, and Lindsey Mader (University of Oklahoma) as Eponine. Rounding out the cast will be Tiffany Green as Madame Thénardier, Lily McDonald as Young Eponine, Lilly Kanterman as Young Cosette, and Jimmy Coogan as Gavroche. They will be joined by an ensemble of 11 women and 14 men. Lewis was last seen as Senator Edison Davis on the hit ABC drama, Scandal. He recently received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. His Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Miserables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, Tommy. West End/London: LES MISERABLES, LES MISERABLES 25th Anniversary Concert (London’s O2 Arena, PBS). Off-Broadway: Ragtime with the New York Philharmonic (Avery Fisher Hall), Dessa Rose (Drama Desk nomination, AUDELCO Award), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Drama League nomination), Captains Courageous, A New Brain. Regional: Porgy in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.), Ragtime, Dreamgirls (with Jennifer Holliday), First You Dream, Sweeney Todd, The Fantasticks. Film: Sex and the City 2, Confidences, Preaching to the Choir. Television: Scandal, Mystery Women, All My Children, As the World Turns, Cosby, Strong Medicine. CD: Norm Lewis: This Is the Life! To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900, extension 550, or order online at www.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. RELATED ARTICLES: Is Norm Lewis the Sexiest Man on Broadway? (Video)  Broadway star Norm Lewis Joins ABC’s ‘Scandal’  A Closer Look at ‘The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess 

‘The Butler’ Trailer: Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker and David Oyelowo Lead Ensemble Cast

The first trailer for Lee Daniels‘ The Butler has been released online and it’s pretty stunning! The film tells the true story of Eugene Allen (Forest Whitaker), an African-American man who served as a butler in the White House for over thirty years. As an employee of the White House,  Allen sat front row through significant changes in American society, such as the Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam war. The super star-studded cast includes, among others, Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey,  David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, Colman Domingo, Aml Ameen, Nelsan Ellis, and Michael Rainey Jr. The Butler opens in theaters on Oct. 18. RELTED ARTICLES: Nelsan Ellis to Play Martin Luther King in ‘The Butler’  A Closer Look at Forest Whitaker in ‘The Butler’ (PHOTO)   Forest Whitaker featured in first official image for Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler” (Photo)  Forest Whitaker, David Oyelowo, and Oprah Winfrey in talks for Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” 

Watch Damon Wayans Jr. in new comedy web series ‘Just Face It’ (Video)

Damon Wayans Jr. has teamed up with Nivea Men (you know, the company behind that racist ad) to create a branded comedy series to promote the brand’s grooming products. In this new original web series “Just Face It,” viewers follow Ty (Wayans) as he silences one irritation after another in pursuit of a smoother life. In the premiere episode, Ty reflects on the merits of bachelorhood when his girlfriend Mandy abruptly moves out. Can his best friend Nicky cheer him up or will a chance encounter with a beautiful co-worker help him move on? In the second episode, Ty discovers finding a new roommate isn’t as easy as it sounds. Check it out below. For more episodes, head over to their Youtube channel and subscribe.

Kerns: Sunday night will find young cast shaking up Cactus stage - LubbockOnline.com

Theater 101 Productions: 'Phantom' star to school young Temecula, Murrieta actors - Southwest Riverside News Network

Actors' Summit brings new work to stage with 'Manning Up' - Akron Leader Publications

Little Lake Theatre directors to teach summer acting class - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Why Actors' Equity is So Important to American Theater - TheaterMania.com

Wellfleet Theater to stage young crash victim's play - Boston Globe

SC Children's Theatre lessons go far beyond acting - Greenville News

Stage actor Vincent Dowling, founder of Miniature Theatre of Chester, dead at 83 - MassLive.com

Colorado Actors Theatre has kinks to work out with new venue - Longmont Daily Times-Call

Dinner theater cast hosts special Mother's Day matinee - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Sundance Institute to Host 4-Day Summer Film Festival in Los Angeles, Aug. 8-11

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins to Receive Tennessee Williams Award

Peaches to Perform and Premiere Her Directorial Debut at Sundance London

Sundance Institute and TED Announce New Collaboration, Sundance Institute | TED Prize Filmmaker Awar

Sundance Institute Announces FILM FORWARD: Advancing Cultural Dialogue Returns to Imperial Valley, C

Connected: An Autoblogography About Love, Death & Technology Makes Its Digital Premiere

Sundance Institute Begins 2013 Playwrights Retreat at Ucross Foundation

2013 Sundance Film Festival Announces Feature Film Awards

Kentaro Hagiwara Wins 2013 Sundance/NHK International Filmmaker Award

Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize Awarded to Computer Chess at 2013 Sundance Film Festival

Mariska Hargitay Inks New Deal to Return to 'Law & Order: SVU'

The actress will continue on as Detective Olivia Benson in the veteran NBC procedural.

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Will Smith Hosts 'Fresh Prince' Theme Song Reunion on BBC One (Video)

The "After Earth" actor rapped and broke out dance moves with Alfonso Ribeiro on the program.

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Jimmy Fallon Unleashes Epic 'Game of Thrones' Parody (Video)

“Game of Desks” has it all: political intrigue, swordplay and a familiar face in drag.

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Jennifer Hudson in Negotiations to Judge 'American Idol'

The season 13 panel is starting to take shape with the former finalist close to coming onboard, says a source.

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'Real Housewives' Salary Dispute: LuAnn de Lesseps Is 'New York's' Lone Holdout

Fellow cast member Aviva Drescher signs as production gets underway, leaving the original cast member unlikely to return to the Bravo series in her previous capacity -- if at all.

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