Culture
- AP News
A combustible Cannes is set to unfurl with 'Furiosa,' 'Megalopolis' and a #MeToo reckoning
informed Summary
- The 77th Cannes Film Festival is set to take place amidst a backdrop of war, protest, potential strikes, and the #MeToo movement in France. Festival workers are threatening to strike, and the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's war in Ukraine are expected to spark protests.
Culture5 min read - CNN
Eurovision’s slogan is ‘United by Music.’ The reality turned out very different
informed Summary
- The Eurovision Song Contest 2024, won by Switzerland, was marked by deep political divisions over Israel's inclusion amid its government's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This led to boycotts by some fans, protests and increased security measures.
Culture5 min read - NBC
The lights are going out for Hong Kong’s iconic neon signs
informed Summary
- Hong Kong's iconic neon signs, which have been a symbol of the city's transformation into an international financial center, are disappearing due to the availability of cheaper LEDs, tightening regulations, and enhanced government safety inspections.
Culture3 min read - El Pais
‘Let It Be’: The cursed Beatles film makes a luminous comeback
informed Summary
- The Beatles' film "Let It Be," which was seen as a chronicle of the band's demise, has been remastered and released on Disney+. The film was originally recorded during stressful sessions in January 1969 and wasn't released until May 1970 -- after the band had broken up.
Culture6 min read - CNN
Israel is invited to Europe’s biggest party — and the mood is turning sour
informed Summary
- The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, is facing controversy due to Israel's participation. A pro-Palestinian protest, expecting at least 20,000 attendees, is planned to coincide with the event.
Culture6 min read - El Pais
Hugh Grant: ‘Hollywood gave me up, but it left life free for other things’
informed Summary
- Hugh Grant's acting career has been marked by a variety of roles, from romantic comedies to children's movies and, more recently, darker roles. Despite claiming to detest acting, he continues to work in the industry, with recent parts in "The Regime" and "Unfrosted".
Culture8 min read - AP News
A Chinese flavor of rap music is flourishing as emerging musicians find their voices
informed Summary
- In 2018, Chinese media censors issued a directive to the entertainment industry not to feature artists with tattoos or those who represent hip-hop or any other subculture. This led to a temporary silence in the hip-hop scene, but by the end of the year, the genre was back in full swing.
Culture8 min read - CNBC
F1's fanbase is shifting — and the 'Netflix effect' is only part of that
informed Summary
- The Netflix series "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" has been credited with increasing interest in F1 in the U.S., but its impact on actual race viewership has been smaller than suggested.
Culture4 min read - NPR
So your property has been 'Banksy-ed.' Now what?
informed Summary
- A piece of Banksy's street art, titled "Mobile Lovers," appeared on the wall of a youth center in the English city of Bristol a decade ago. The property's manager moved the piece indoors to protect it from threats of damage, Ultimately, it was sold to a private collector for £563,000 (around $700,000), with the proceeds given back to the center.
Culture4 min read - CNBC
The Louvre Museum looks to rehouse the 'Mona Lisa' in its own room — underground
informed Summary
- The Louvre Museum in Paris is considering further improvements to the room that houses the Mona Lisa, despite it being renovated only five years ago. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, said that the institution is looking at upgrading the conditions surrounding the painting and the overall visitor experience.
Culture2 min read - CNN
I just don’t get Taylor Swift
informed Summary
- The article is part of a lighthearted series by CNN where staffers discuss popular things they don't understand or connect with. In this piece, AJ Willingham discusses her indifference towards pop star Taylor Swift.
Culture4 min read - CBS
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's latest class includes Cher, Foreigner and Ozzy Osbourne
informed Summary
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its latest inductees, including Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner and A Tribe Called Quest. Other inductees include Kool & The Gang and Peter Frampton.
Culture2 min read - CBS
North Korea launches 'Friendly Father' song and music video praising Kim Jong Un
informed Summary
- North Korea's state-controlled media released a new song and music video titled "Friendly Father," praising the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. The song was also performed live at an event marking the opening of a new apartment complex in Pyongyang.
Culture2 min read - Vox
It’s impossible to be neutral about Taylor Swift
informed Summary
- Taylor Swift's persona and cultural dominance are more saturated than ever, with her actions and achievements becoming a significant part of pop culture discourse. This is partly due to her exceptional fame and the attention she garners, making her feel inescapable.
Culture6 min read - El Pais
Learning what colors suit you: How a business has been revived thanks to social media
informed Summary
- The practice of color analysis -- or skin-tone analysis -- has gained popularity on social media platforms like TikTok, creating a booming market. The discipline, which involves choosing clothing based on skin, hair, and eye color, has been led by Generation Z.
Culture9 min read - El Pais
Can focaccia dethrone pizza?
informed Summary
- Focaccia, a type of flatbread, originated in the lower levels of the Roman Empire and quickly spread throughout Europe, igniting a culinary phenomenon in Italy that continues to this day. The dish has evolved over time, with different regions in Italy each having their own version.
Culture4 min read - AP News
'Civil War' might be the year's most explosive movie
informed Summary
- Alex Garland's latest film, "Civil War," is set in a near-future America, with California and Texas joining forces against a fascist president who has seized a third term and disbanded the FBI. The film, which opens on the anniversary of the start of the Civil War, is seen as potentially Hollywood's most explosive movie of the year.
Culture4 min read - Sky News
Scrabble launches new, less 'intimidating' version of word game
informed Summary
- Mattel is launching a new version of Scrabble, called Scrabble Together, which is designed to be less intimidating and more accessible to both children and adults.
Culture2 min read - Vox
Why we never stopped talking about OJ Simpson
informed Summary
- O.J. Simpson, a former NFL player and actor, has died of cancer at the age of 76. Simpson was a beloved figure in America during his sports career in the 1960s and 70s and his fame seemed to transcend racial boundaries.
Culture5 min read - NBC
'Hey Jude' is out; 'Anti-Hero' is just right: Chechnya bans songs deemed too fast or too slow
informed Summary
- The Russian republic of Chechnya has imposed limits on the tempo of music, ruling that all musical, vocal and choreographic works should be between 80 to 116 beats per minute.
Culture1 min read
