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Femme Fatale: How I Made it As a Female Director in Hollywood

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Rachel Wolchin once said, “If we were meant to stay in one place, we would have roots instead of feet.”  

Elenore believes that women are the true architects of society.  She once told me, “We women mold and shape the future generation to become the best versions of themselves.” This interview with her has been as intriguing as I tried to map out what being a woman means to her in today’s society.

Looking back, I wasn’t aware at first how lucky I was to grow up with wonderful women around me—women who inspired me to step out of my comfort zone, and pursue my hopes and dreams. Most of my teachers have been women throughout my life – from my mother, my spiritual mentors to my academic mentors. I truly belie that women are the driving force of the world that goes unappreciated. Throughout my life, I have seen amazing women jiggling plates among hundreds of things at the same time and yet keeping their poise and kindness. I have learned resilience and greater love from women who have such big hearts – it was because of them I learned that complaining doesn’t solve anything and how to perform under pressure.

I believe that every woman has unique talents and abilities that are not visible to the world.  I am the lucky few who, thanks to my mother and my mentors, never felt like there are things I can’t do only because I am a woman. I was taught that it’s okay to dream, to want to fly, to want to achieve your goals. When I started playing the piano and showed interest in things like art, photography, books, and music, my mother never discouraged me. In fact, she always encouraged me to explore my artistic abilities.

Another woman who is important to me is my childhood piano teacher. She was a true maverick. She came from an art teacher’s family whose lives were heavily impacted by the culture revolution in China. Yet she showed nothing but dignity, professionalism and positivity throughout her career and her interaction with anyone.  Running her own piano school soon after free economy was restored in China, she not only told but showed me that the world is my oyster as long as I don’t give up in face of hardships.

When I got into the Northwestern University, I met a lot of wonderful teachers and female mentors who shaped and molded me into who I am today. They taught me that dreams are achieved when you step out of your comfort zone. When I got the opportunity to work on my To the Moon documentary with Harvard, I took inspiration from my favorite female directors such as Agnes Varda, Claire Dennis and Chantal Akerman. I have always been inspired by their sensitivity and unique voice, and I made it my goal to create something along the same caliber one day.

Some of my work has also been heavily inspired by contemporary Chinese female directors such as Vivian Qu and Chloe Zhao.

If I’ve learned one thing from life, it’s the fact that gender doesn’t define you. It’s not your identity. But women have, and will always be the unsung heroes of the filmmaking world.

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“Him” Teaser: Jordan Peele’s New Sports Horror Film Tackles Obsession and Sacrifice

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How far would you go for greatness?

The first chilling teaser for “Him”, a Jordan Peele-produced psychological sports horror film, has dropped—and it raises an unsettling question: What must athletes truly sacrifice to achieve superstardom? From blood and sweat to faith and identity, the film looks to unpack the cost of ambition in the most terrifying way possible.

A Dark Tale of Fame and Obsession

“Him” stars Tyriq Withers, a real-life former college wide receiver, as Cameron Cade, a fictional rising-star quarterback whose dreams are crushed after a brutal attack by an obsessed fan. Just when his future in football seems over, Cade is offered a lifeline from his idol: Isaiah White, an NFL legend played by Marlon Wayans.

Isaiah invites Cade to train at his secluded compound—an invitation that seems too good to be true. As their training intensifies, Cade discovers that his mentor’s charm masks a much darker force. What starts as a chance at redemption turns into a psychological descent that threatens Cade’s mind, body, and soul.

Official Synopsis

“Cameron Cade (Withers) is a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life and identity to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma. Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.”

A Star-Studded, Genre-Bending Cast

Joining Withers and Wayans are Julia Fox as Isaiah’s enigmatic wife, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, MMA star Maurice Greene, hip-hop artist Guapdad 4000, and Grammy-nominated musician Tierra Whack.

Directed by Justin Tipping, the film is based on a Black List screenplay by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, with Tipping contributing to the final script. The production is helmed by Monkeypaw Productions, the creative powerhouse behind Peele’s genre-defining hits like Get Out and Nope.

Monkeypaw’s Latest Mind-Bending Vision

“Him” is the latest project under Monkeypaw’s ongoing five-year deal with Universal Pictures, signed in 2019. Producers include Jordan Peele, Ian Cooper, Win Rosenfeld, and Jamal M. Watson, with David Kern and Kate Oh serving as executive producers.

Jordan Peele has teased his own fourth directorial project is in the works, calling it potentially his “favorite movie yet.” In a 2024 interview on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Peele emphasized the importance of “grounding characters” in both horror and comedy, “The fantastical and the imagination… that becomes a certain type of project and exercise. But the exercise of grounding it is always what makes it work. That to me, in horror especially, is the hardest part.”

Conclusion: A New Era of Horror and Sports Collide

With a unique mix of psychological horror, sports drama, and social commentary, “Him” promises to be a genre-defying thriller that pushes the boundaries of what a sports movie can be. As the line between dedication and obsession blurs, audiences are left to ask: How much would you give to be the best?

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Danny Boyle Drops Second Trailer for ’28 Years Later

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Danny Boyle Drops Second Trailer for '28 Years Later

The undead are back, and they’re angrier than ever. Columbia Pictures has unveiled Official Trailer 2 for 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to Danny Boyle’s iconic post-apocalyptic film 28 Days Later. This marks the first in a new trilogy from the original team—director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—joined by a high-profile cast and a grittier vision of the infected-plagued UK.

A New Generation Faces the Rage Virus

Set nearly three decades after the original outbreak, the film follows a small band of survivors quarantined on an isolated island connected to the mainland by a single fortified causeway. When one member ventures into the devastated mainland, he unearths horrifying truths—not just about the infected, but about what humanity has become.

The trailer offers a grim and suspenseful look at a UK transformed by chaos, brutality, and survival instinct.

Star Power and New Horrors

The cast includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, and Ralph Fiennes. Original franchise lead Cillian Murphy, now an Oscar winner for Oppenheimer, is confirmed to executive produce—and hinted to appear later in the trilogy.

At CinemaCon, Boyle said, I still love an apocalypse, British-style. I still love the infected. And I still love blowing shit up.”

Meanwhile, director Nia DaCosta teased the second sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, calling it “very different” and creatively liberating.

The Legacy Continues

From the gritty terror of 28 Days Later to the haunting vision of 28 Years Later, this new chapter expands the franchise while holding true to its roots. With advanced visuals, chilling plot twists, and deep social commentary, the rage virus saga evolves for a new generation of horror fans.

If Trailer 2 is any indication, 28 Years Later is set to reignite the apocalyptic horror genre. With the original creative duo at the helm and a powerhouse cast, this is one sequel fans won’t want to miss.

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HBO Confirms Hogwarts Staff Casting in Harry Potter TV Series

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HBO Confirms Hogwarts Staff Casting in Harry Potter TV Series

The magic is officially returning! HBO has confirmed the first wave of casting for its highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series, unveiling fresh faces who will take on the legendary roles of Hogwarts’ iconic staff.

New Cast Revealed for Hogwarts Roles

Here’s who has officially joined the cast:

  • John Lithgow (The Crown, Conclave) as Albus Dumbledore
  • Janet McTeer (The White Queen, Tumbleweeds) as Minerva McGonagall
  • Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) as Severus Snape
  • Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as Rubeus Hagrid
  • Luke Thallon will play Quirinus Quirrell in a recurring role
  • Paul Whitehouse joins as Argus Filch, also in a recurring role

Showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod praised the casting, stating, “We’re delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard and can’t wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life.”

HBO has promised a faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s bestselling book series. Each season will explore one book in-depth, aiming to expand the magical universe while staying true to the original stories.

Filming is expected to begin this summer, and while the main trio—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—has yet to be cast, over 30,000 actors submitted auditions following HBO’s open casting call.

The series is being written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner, with direction and executive production by Mark Mylod. The production is a collaboration between Brontë Film and TV, Warner Bros. Television, and Heyday Films.

Executive producers also include J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman, who produced all eight original Harry Potter films.

With such a powerhouse team and a carefully selected cast, HBO’s Harry Potter series is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated TV events in years. Stay tuned for more magical updates from the wizarding world!

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