Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, Dec 9, (AP): Kelly Marie Tran still can’t quite believe she’s in a Star Wars movie. The 28-year-old was about to give up on her dreams of becoming an actress when she landed a breakthrough role in “The Last Jedi.” So after years of toiling and hoping and …

RIYADH, Dec 9, (AFP): Saudis took the stage one by one to poke fun at the world — and themselves — introducing a hissing, cackling audience to an art form widely unknown in the conservative kingdom: stand-up comedy. Chuckles and squeals ran through the crowd at a rare amateur comedy …

LOS ANGELES, Dec 6, (RTRS): World premiering in Dubai, Sarra Abidi’s shattering debut feature “Benzine” tells the story of a Tunisian couple agonized by loss. They have heard nothing from or about their only son who left for Italy nine months earlier. The film will open in Tunisian cinemas on …

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec 6, (Agencies): These last few years, Chris Stapleton is often surprised by early-morning texts of congratulations from his friends. Take, for instance, last week, when the Grammy Award nominations were announced. “That’s how I usually find out. People go ‘Congratulations’ and I go ‘What for?’” Stapleton said. …

PARIS, Dec 6, (AP): Johnny Hallyday, France’s biggest rock star for more than half a century and an icon who packed sports stadiums and all but lit up the Eiffel Tower with his pumping pelvis and high-voltage tunes, has died. He was 74. President Emmanuel Macron announced his death in …

DUBAI, Dec 4: Fourteen vibrant short films have been confirmed for the highly anticipated Muhr Gulf Short category at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), running from Dec 6-13, 2017. With six further short films added to the lineup, the celebrated competition category will once again treat Festival audiences to …

LOS ANGELES, Dec 4, (RTRS): Iranian debut film, “Disappearance” was the winner of the best film prize at the Silver Screen Awards, the competitive section of the Singapore International Film Festival. Directed by Ali Asgari, the film tells the story of two young lovers who run from hospital to hospital, …

LOS ANGELES, Dec 4, (Agencies): Carrie Fisher’s death caused a huge disturbance in the Force, but the women of “The Last Jedi” vowed Sunday to honor her legacy in the latest girl-powered “Star Wars” chapter. The cast came together in a secret location in Los Angeles with director Rian Johnson …

‘Made in Kuwait’ session sheds light on Kuwaiti cinematic vision DOHA, Dec 3, (KUNA): The Qatari ‘Ajyal’ Film Festival presented six short films by Kuwaiti directors in a special “Made in Kuwait” session to shine light on Kuwaiti cinematic visions. In a statement to KUNA on Sunday, film director at …

LOS ANGELES, Dec 2, (Agencies): Selena Gomez received top honors Thursday at the annual Billboard Women in Music event, but the singer felt the recognition may have been misplaced. “To be honest, I think Francia should be getting this award because she saved my life,” a tearful Gomez said of …