Culture

Olivier Derivière: The Composer Who Brings Video Games to Life
Olivier Derivière: The Composer Who Brings Video Games to Life

Since the age of 6, Olivier Derivière has never left the world of video games, a passion that has led him to become one of the most prominent composers of video game music. At 46, this French musician works tirelessly, game controller in hand and sheet music in front of him, to provide players with a unique sonic experience. Scheduled for release ...

The Italian Film Festival Launches at Metropolis Cinema in Beirut
The Italian Film Festival Launches at Metropolis Cinema in Beirut

The inaugural edition of the Italian Film Festival in Lebanon, a collaboration between the Italian Embassy in Lebanon, its Cultural Institute, and Metropolis Art Cinema, has been a success. Together, they attracted a diverse audience of Italian cinema fans, art enthusiasts, and curious cinephiles eager to explore contemporary Italian ...

Yingge Dance: Martial Arts and Opera Spark Lunar New Year Excitement
Yingge Dance: Martial Arts and Opera Spark Lunar New Year Excitement

In the bustling streets of Shantou, a city in southern China, 40 young dancers clad in vibrant costumes and painted faces bring traditional performance art to life as they move to the rhythm of gongs and drums. Spectators line the streets, captivated by the energy and skill on display. This spirited celebration is part of a centuries-old dance ...

Hans Zimmer to Rearrange Saudi National Anthem as Part of Cultural Reforms
Hans Zimmer to Rearrange Saudi National Anthem as Part of Cultural Reforms

Saudi Arabia has enlisted Hans Zimmer, the Oscar-winning German composer known for his film soundtracks, to "rearrange" (meaning to reorchestrate) its national anthem, a senior official from the kingdom announced. The artist, recognized for his iconic works such as those for The Lion King, The Dark Knight trilogy, and Dune (2021), has agreed to ...

Manel Mallat Brings Edith Piaf’s Legacy to Life at Casino du Liban
InterviewsManel Mallat Brings Edith Piaf’s Legacy to Life at Casino du Liban

Manel Mallat will take the stage at Casino du Liban on February 7 and 8, 2025, to perform Mon Hymne à Piaf, a tribute to the iconic Edith Piaf. Orchestrated by Danny Bou-Maroun and produced by Cats Production, the show is directed by Kristian Abouanni. This musical celebration promises to bring Piaf's timeless legacy to life, with ...

Timothée Chalamet Steps into Bob Dylan’s Shoes
Timothée Chalamet Steps into Bob Dylan’s Shoes

Hollywood's prodigy, Timothée Chalamet, embodies the iconic folk artist Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a biopic that earned eight Oscar nominations. Directed by James Mangold, known for Walk the Line and Le Mans 66, the film focuses on Dylan's early years in 1960s New York, a time when he carried a guitar on his back and shared ...

'Emilia Pérez': French Cinema Renaissance at 2025 Oscars Nominations
'Emilia Pérez': French Cinema Renaissance at 2025 Oscars Nominations

The 2025 Oscars are marked by a strong presence of French cinema, with several films in contention in top categories. Among them, Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard has set a record with 13 nominations, a rare feat for a non-English language film. This musical drama on gender transition has been praised for its cosmopolitan dimension, with sets ...

Ravel’s Boléro: A Timeless Masterpiece Shadowed by Heirs’ Greed
ExplainerRavel’s Boléro: A Timeless Masterpiece Shadowed by Heirs’ Greed

In 1928, at a time when the artistic world was in full effervescence and musical experimentation was at its peak, Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) composed his Boléro (M.81), a work that would quickly become one of the most famous pieces of Western 20th-century art music. Commissioned by the Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein for a ballet, the piece ...

Sundance Festival Opens With Olivia Colman Amid Wildfire Aftermath
Sundance Festival Opens With Olivia Colman Amid Wildfire Aftermath

The US film industry's first major gathering since wildfires devastated Los Angeles begins Thursday at Sundance, where Olivia Colman and John Lithgow will kick off the indie movie festival under somber circumstances. Hollywood's annual pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains to debut the coming year's top indie films takes place two weeks after blazes ...

Georges Khabbaz Starring in Berlinale-Nominated Film 'Yunan'
Georges Khabbaz Starring in Berlinale-Nominated Film 'Yunan'

The film Yunan, written directed by Amir Fakhr el-Din and starring Georges Khabbaz and Hanna Schygulla, will compete in the official selection at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). This prestigious competition positions Yunan for the coveted Golden Bear award alongside globally acclaimed films. As one of the world’s top ...

When Fashion Meets Politics: The Silent Language of Power
SpotlightWhen Fashion Meets Politics: The Silent Language of Power

In a world where optics often speak louder than words, the intertwining of fashion and politics has become a language of its own. Few people encapsulate this better than Melania Trump. On January 20, 2025, during her husband’s second inauguration, First Lady Melania Trump made a significant fashion statement that blended elegance with subtle ...

Harassment: A Symptom of a Sick Society?
SpotlightHarassment: A Symptom of a Sick Society?

Harassment, a devastating phenomenon that infiltrates both personal and professional spheres, reveals a complex mechanism where a profound psychological tragedy unfolds. Beyond appearances, it is an expression of unconscious dynamics where human fragility is revealed in its full opacity. Beneath the harasser's apparent confidence lies a deep ...