Culture

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

This is Beirut 25/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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 ...

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

Marie-Christine Tayah 24/01 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Music Concert Singer Lebanon Beirut Culture

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

This is Beirut 24/01 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Music Film Cinema Culture Art Actor

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

This is Beirut 24/01 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Oscars Film Cinema France Culture Hollywood

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 ...

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

Alain E. Andrea 23/01 16:20 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Art Music Ravel France

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

This is Beirut 23/01 14:00 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Los Angeles USA Cinema Art Culture

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'

Marie-Christine Tayah 23/01 10:30 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cinema Berlinale Competition Film Actor Culture

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 ...

SpotlightWhen Fashion Meets Politics: The Silent Language of Power

Salam El Zaatari 23/01 10:30 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Melania Trump Fashion USA Politics

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 ...

SpotlightHarassment: A Symptom of a Sick Society?

David Sahyoun 22/01 18:00 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanon

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 ...

Louis Vuitton at the Louvre: Pharrell Williams in a Paris show

This is Beirut 22/01 14:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Fashion Show FashionWeek Paris France

Designer Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton inaugurated Paris Men's Fashion Week on Tuesday evening with a show at the Louvre, which was much more subdued than usual and confirms the end of streetwear's dominance. A fifth collection titled Remembering the Future, created in collaboration with his friend Nigo, Kenzo's artistic director, was ...

PortraitBertrand Blier: The Legacy of a Bold, Unapologetic Filmmaker

Madeleine Cadoux 22/01 10:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Cinema Legacy Film Director Movie Art

Bertrand Blier, a trailblazing filmmaker and master of dark humor, has passed away in Paris at the age of 85. Renowned for cult classics like Les Valseuses and Too Beautiful for You, he leaves an indelible mark on cinema with his sharp dialogues and provocative style. Let’s revisit the career of a director who redefined French filmmaking. The ...

Italian Film Festival in Lebanon at Metropolis Cinema

This is Beirut 21/01 18:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Cinema Beirut Lebanon Metropolis Itlay Film

The Italian Embassy in Lebanon and the Italian Cultural Institute, in collaboration with Metropolis Art Cinema, proudly announce the first edition of the Italian Film Festival. This one-of-a-kind event will take place in Beirut, at the newly reopened Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael, from January 24 to February 2, 2025. It highlights contemporary ...