Canada 'Freedom Convoy' leader found guilty over trucker protest role
One night last month, near the end of the Chicago International Film Festival, a particularly long line of moviegoers snaked down Southport Avenue by the Music Box Theatre. The hot ticket? This fall’s hottest ticket, in fact, all over the international festival circuit? Well, it’s a 215-minute drama about a fictional Hungarian Jewish architect who emigrates to America in 1947 after surviving the Holocaust. The film’s title, “The Brutalist,” references several things, firstly a post-World War II design imperative made of stern concrete, steel, and a collision of poetry and functionality. Director and co-writer Brady Corbet, who wrote “The Brutalist” with his filmmaker wife, Mona Fastvold, explores brutalism in other forms as well, including love, envy, capitalist economics and how the promise of America eludes someone like the visionary architect László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody. Corbet, now 36 and a good bet for Oscar nominations this coming January, says his unfashionable sprawl of a picture, being distributed by A24, is also about the “strange relationship between artist and patron, and art and commerce.” It co-stars Felicity Jones as the visionary architect’s wife, Erzsébet, trapped in Eastern Europe after the war with their niece for an agonizingly long time. Guy Pearce portrays the imperious Philadelphia blueblood who hires Tóth, a near-invisible figure in his adopted country, to design a monumental public building known as the Institute in rural Pennsylvania. The project becomes an obsession, then a breaking point and then something else. Corbet’s project, which took the better part of a decade to come together after falling apart more than once, felt like that, too. Spanning five decades and filmed in Hungary and Italy, “The Brutalist” looks like a well-spent $50 million project. In actuality, it was made for a mere $10 million, with Corbet and cinematographer Lol Crawley shooting on film, largely in the VistaVision process. The filmmaker said at the Chicago festival screening: “Who woulda thunk that for screening after screening over the last couple of months, people stood in line around the block to get into a three-and-a-half-hour movie about a mid-century designer?” He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with Fastvold and their daughter. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length. Q: Putting together an independent movie, keeping it on track, getting it made: not easy, as you told the Music Box audience last night. Money is inevitably going to be part of the story of “The Brutalist,” since you had only so much to make a far-flung historical epic. A: Yeah, that’s right. In relation to my earlier features, “The Childhood of a Leader” had a $3 million budget. The budget for “Vox Lux” was right around $10 million, same as “The Brutalist,” although the actual production budget for “Vox Lux” was about $4.5 million. Which is to say: All the money on top of that was going to all the wrong places. For a lot of reasons, when my wife and I finished the screenplay for “The Brutalist,” we ruled out scouting locations in Philadelphia or anywhere in the northeastern United States. We needed to (film) somewhere with a lot less red tape. My wife’s previous film, “The World to Come,” she made in Romania; we shot “Childhood of a Leader” in Hungary. For “The Brutalist” we initially landed on Poland, but this was early on in COVID and Poland shut its borders the week our crew was arriving for pre-production. When we finally got things up and running again with a different iteration of the cast (the original ensemble was to star Joel Edgerton, Marion Cotillard and Mark Rylance), after nine months, the movie fell apart again because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We couldn’t get any of the banks to cash-flow the tax credit (for location shooting in Poland). It’s completely stable now, but at that time the banks were nervous about whether the war would be contained to Ukraine or not. And then we finally got it up and running in Budapest, Hungary. Q: That’s a long time. A: Every filmmaker I know suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress (laughs). It sounds funny but it’s true. At every level. On the level of independent cinema, you’re just so damn poor. You’re not making any money, and yet from nose to tail, at minimum, a movie always takes a couple of years. With bigger projects, you might have a little more personal security but a lot less creative security with so many more cooks in the kitchen. Either route you choose, it can be an arduous and painful one. Whether you’re making a movie for a million dollars, or $10 million, or $100 million, it’s still “millions of dollars.” And if you’re concerned about the lives and livelihoods of the people working with you, it’s especially stressful. People are constantly calling you: “Is it happening? Are we starting? Should I take this other job or not?” And you have 250 people who need that answer from you. Every iteration of the project, I always thought we were really about to start in a week, two weeks. It’s just very challenging interpersonally. It’s an imposition for everyone in your life. And then there’s the imposition of screening a movie that’s three-and-a-half-hours long for film festivals, where it’s difficult to find that kind of real estate on the schedule. So essentially, making a movie means constantly apologizing. Q: At what point in your acting career did you take a strong interest in what was going on behind the camera? A: I was making short films when I was 11, 12 years old. The first thing I ever made more properly, I guess, was a short film I made when I was 18, “Protect You + Me,” shot by (cinematographer) Darius Khondji. It was supposed to be part of a triptych of films, and I went to Paris for the two films that followed it. And then all the financing fell through. But that first one screened at the London film festival, and won a prize at Sundance, and I was making music videos and other stuff by then. Q: You’ve written a lot of screenplays with your wife. How many? A: Probably 25. We work a lot for other people, too. I think we’ve done six together for our own projects. Sometimes I’ll start something at night and my wife will finish in the morning. Sometimes we work very closely together, talking and typing together. It’s always different. Right now I’m writing a lot on the road, and my wife is editing her film, which is a musical we wrote, “Ann Lee,” about the founder of the Shakers. I’m working on my next movie now, which spans a lot of time, like “The Brutalist,” with a lot of locations. And I need to make sure we can do it for not a lot of money, because it’s just not possible to have a lot of money and total autonomy. For me making a movie is like cooking. If everyone starts coming in and throwing a dash of this or that in the pot, it won’t work out. A continuity of vision is what I look for when I read a novel. Same with watching a film. A lot of stuff out there today, appropriately referred to as “content,” has more in common with a pair of Nikes than it does with narrative cinema. Q: Yeah, I can’t imagine a lot of Hollywood executives who’d sign off on “The Brutalist.” A: Well, even with our terrific producing team, I mean, everyone was up for a three-hour movie but we were sort of pushing it with three-and-a-half (laughs). I figured, worst-case scenario, it opens on a streamer. Not what I had in mind, but people watch stuff that’s eight, 12 hours long all the time. They get a cold, they watch four seasons of “Succession.” (A24 is releasing the film in theaters, gradually.) It was important for all of us to try to capture an entire century’s worth of thinking about design with “The Brutalist.” For me, making something means expressing a feeling I have about our history. I’ve described my films as poetic films about politics, that go to places politics alone cannot reach. It’s one thing to say something like “history repeats itself.” It’s another thing to make people see that, and feel it. I really want viewers to engage with the past, and the trauma of that history can be uncomfortable, or dusty, or dry. But if you can make it something vital, and tangible, the way great professors can do for their students, that’s my definition of success. “The Brutalist” opens in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 20. The Chicago release is Jan. 10, 2025. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Global Secure Messaging Software Market Size, Share and Forecast By Key Players-Micro Focus, Telstra Health, Vaporstream, Mimecast, Medical-ObjectsVincent Li is the Founding Partner at Adaverse, a Venture Capital firm based in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Adaverse supports blockchain founders in Africa through funding, mentorship, and technology. In this Interview with Nairametrics, Vincent explains the promising landscape of the Web 3 space in Africa next year while sharing the exploits of Adaverse within the African Web 3 ecosystem. Related Stories Meet the Nigerian founders of top African Crypto Exchanges Hamster Kombat turns down venture capital firms to protect 300 million user base Nairametrics: We learned from our findings that Adaverse plans to invest in 300 African blockchain startups in three years. How has that gone so far and is the accelerator still focused on that target? Vincent Li: Supporting African Web3 startups and founders remains Adaverse’s long-term vision. However, the macroeconomic environment has significantly impacted the Web3 and tech startup ecosystem in Africa. Having invested in approximately 40 African Web3 startups across the continent, we recognize the need for patience as we await market growth and founder development in this sector. Our commitment extends beyond the initial three-year timeline. Nairametrics: How does Adaverse evaluate viable African Web 3 solutions? What key things does the accelerator look out for before committing its funds? Vincent Li: Beyond technical innovation, we prioritize founders who leverage blockchain and Web3 technologies to address real-world challenges. We view blockchain technology as a powerful tool for enhancing transparency and building trust across various sectors. Our ideal founders combine deep sector expertise with an openness to embrace Web3 solutions. Nairametrics: Adaverse operates in China, the Middle East, and Africa. As the lead founder who personally led investments in 60 Web 3 startups. What can you say about the trajectory of Web 3 in the African market in terms of opportunities for builders and investors? Vincent Li: Africa presents unique leapfrogging opportunities, similar to how the continent bypassed laptops for widespread smartphone adoption. We’re seeing this pattern repeat with Web3 solutions being adopted as first-choice technologies across various sectors. For instance, our portfolio company House Africa is revolutionizing land registration in Nigeria by implementing Web3 technology, moving directly from paper records to digital on-chain verification. While numerous opportunities exist across sectors, investors should maintain realistic expectations regarding return timing. Nairametrics: Adaverse has a strong partnership with the Cardano blockchain ecosystem. Are all Adaverse Portfolio companies required to integrate Cardano blockchain products? Is it a deal breaker? Vincent Li: No, it’s not mandatory. While we provide comprehensive support and resources to our portfolio companies, we respect their autonomy in choosing technology solutions. If founders determine that alternative blockchain solutions better serve their business needs, we fully support those decisions. Nairametrics: As an Investor in the African Web 3 space with several portfolio companies in Nigeria. Did your perception of the Nigerian market change following the spat between Nigerian authorities and Binance, which led to the detention of one of their executives for seven months? Vincent Li: We remain optimistic about blockchain and Web3 technology adoption in Africa, particularly for its potential to enhance transparency and trust. However, it’s crucial to distinguish between blockchain technology with its problem-solving applications and cryptocurrency’s potential misuse for money laundering. Nairametrics: Any big prospects for the African Web 3 space in 2025? What kind of Web 3 products do you think are the next big thing in Africa as an investor? Vincent Li: We anticipate significant developments in 2025, particularly regarding regulatory frameworks in Nigeria. The next wave of innovation will likely focus on on-chain data solutions across various sectors, enhancing transparency and trust. We expect growth in DeFi addressing financial inclusion, GameFi creating new revenue streams, and stablecoins solving payment challenges. The mobile-first nature of African markets positions the continent as a key hub for blockchain innovation, particularly in gaming and decentralized finance.
HOBBY Lobby lost out on a sale after its limited payment options had pushed one shopper to ditch their selections. Following the customer's outburst over the lack of Apple Pay , an employee warned other shoppers to be prepared. Launched in 2014, Apple Pay is a mobile payment system that permits shoppers to make secure, contactless payments via an iPhone, Apple Watch, or iPad. The tap-to-pay service works with credit and debit cards from American Express , MasterCard , and Visa . The payment method is accepted by over 90% of retailers in the US, per Capital One Shopping , but the remaining percentage of stores without it has some shoppers up in arms. One Hobby Lobby shopper had gathered all her items and brought them to checkout to be promptly informed by the cashier that the arts and crafts store did not accept Apple Pay. Read More On Retail Annoyed by the prospect of having to go to her car and retrieve her wallet, the customer left her items on the checkout counter and walked out. The cashier immediately turned to the next customer in line before they could unload their items and warned them that the retailer did not accept Apple Pay. In-store and online: Visa MasterCard Discover American Express Hobby Lobby Gift Cards Online only: PayPay Apple Pay Although Hobby Lobby doesn't accept Apple Pay in-store, shoppers can pay via the mobile payment system online. BAD APPLE Hobby Lobby isn't the only retailer that has yet to integrate Apple Pay into its card readers. Most read in Money Major companies such as Amazon , H-E-B, Cabela's , and Bass Pro Shops have not fully implemented the tap-to-pay service. Walmart is also on the short list of retailers that don't accept Apple Pay, which has left many customers frustrated. Endless numbers of Walmart shoppers have called out the chain on social media for its outdated point-of-sale terminals. "Walmart not having Apple Pay has to be the most dumbest most inconvenient *$%# to ever exist," fumed one customer . "Even Dollartree has Apple Pay," pointed out another shopper. The retail giant spoke out on its decision to hold out on accepting the payment service. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon shared in an interview that the company might consider accepting it at some point, but that for the time being they hoped customers would use Walmart Pay. The touch-free payment option is available on the Walmart app, eliminating the need for cash or cards. "I think in our case, we would like to have the customers open our app in the store all the time," said McMillon. To use Walmart Pay, shoppers must save a credit, debit, or gift card to their Walmart account. Then, once consumers scan their items at checkout, they can either open Walmart Pay in the app or open their phone camera and scan the QR code on the register to pay. Read More on The US Sun Another Walmart customer was forced to abandon their full shopping cart after being denied Apple Pay. Plus, Home Depot confirmed it has rolled out Apple Pay after being bombarded with pleas from shoppers.AMBCrypto Launches Crypto Profit and Market Cap Calculators 11-25-2024 11:48 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Explore AMBCrypto's newly launched Crypto Profit and Market Cap Calculators, designed to simplify investment calculations and enhance decision-making in the crypto market. AMBCrypto launches Crypto Profit and Market Cap Calculators to empower crypto enthusiasts with user-friendly tools. These calculators simplify complex investment calculations, provide real-time data, and prioritize user privacy, enabling informed decisions in the dynamic crypto market. Accessible on all devices, they are essential for refining investment strategies and exploring market opportunities. In a significant move to empower crypto enthusiasts, AMBCrypto has launched two innovative tools: the Crypto Profit Calculator and the Market Cap Calculator. These tools are designed to simplify complex calculations, making cryptocurrency investments more accessible to everyone. Access the Calculators Here [ https://ambcrypto.com/calculator ] Simplifying Crypto Investments The cryptocurrency market is known for its volatility and complexity. Calculating potential profits or understanding market capitalization can be daunting. AMBCrypto's new calculators aim to demystify these aspects, providing users with easy-to-use interfaces and accurate results. Crypto Profit Calculator The Crypto Profit Calculator is a user-friendly tool that helps investors estimate potential returns. By inputting the amount invested, purchase price, and selling price, users can instantly see their potential profit or loss. Try the Crypto Profit Calculator [ https://ambcrypto.com/calculator/profit ] "Understanding potential gains or losses is crucial," said AMBCrypto's development team. The calculator considers fees and market fluctuations, giving a realistic picture of investment outcomes. Market Cap Calculator The Market Cap Calculator allows users to check the potential price of one cryptocurrency if it had the market capitalization of another. By comparing two different coins, users can explore hypothetical scenarios and understand relative valuations. Explore the Market Cap Calculator [ https://ambcrypto.com/calculator/marketcap ] According to AMBCrypto, "This tool provides valuable insights into the growth potential of various cryptocurrencies. By seeing what the price of a coin would be at another's market cap, investors can assess opportunities and make informed decisions." For example, users can input a lesser-known altcoin and compare it to Bitcoin's market cap to see what its price could be if it reached that level. This comparative analysis aids in identifying undervalued assets and understanding market dynamics. User-Friendly Design Both calculators feature intuitive designs. With clear instructions and responsive interfaces, even beginners can navigate them effortlessly. The calculators are mobile-friendly, ensuring access on the go. "Accessibility was a priority," noted AMBCrypto. The tools are optimized for quick loading times and minimal data usage, catering to users worldwide. Real-Time Data Integration AMBCrypto's calculators integrate real-time data from reliable sources. This ensures that calculations are based on the most current market prices and circulating supplies. "Accuracy is essential" and real-time data integration will keep users informed with up-to-date information. Security and Privacy AMBCrypto prioritizes user security and privacy. The calculators do not require personal information or account creation. All calculations are performed securely within the user's browser. "User trust is paramount," the team assured the community. By eliminating the need for personal data, AMBCrypto ensures a safe and private experience. Why These Tools Matter The launch of these calculators addresses a significant need in the crypto community. Many investors struggle with manual calculations, leading to potential errors and misinformed decisions. "Accurate calculations can make or break an investment," highlighted AMBCrypto. These tools provide clarity, reducing the risk associated with cryptocurrency trading. Enhancing Investment Strategies By providing quick and accurate calculations, users can refine their investment strategies. The Crypto Profit Calculator helps assess the viability of trades, while the Market Cap Calculator aids in comparing different cryptocurrencies. In fact, the team believes that "Strategic planning is key." These calculators enable users to analyze scenarios and make data-driven decisions. Community Feedback Early users have praised the calculators for their simplicity and utility. For instance, one crypto-enthusiast claimed that "It's a game-changer." Feedback from the community is instrumental in ongoing improvements. "User input guides our development," stated AMBCrypto. The team encourages users to share experiences and suggestions for future enhancements. Integration with AMBCrypto's Ecosystem The calculators complement AMBCrypto's suite of services. Users can access the latest news, market analysis, and educational content alongside these tools. And, this is part of AMBCrypto's "holistic support." By integrating tools and information, the platform offers a one-stop solution for crypto enthusiasts. How to Get Started Using the calculators is straightforward. Visit the links provided, input the required data, and receive instant results. * Crypto Profit Calculator [ https://ambcrypto.com/calculator/profit ] * Market Cap Calculator [ https://ambcrypto.com/calculator/marketcap ] No downloads or installations are necessary. The tools are accessible directly from any web browser. The Bigger Picture The launch of these calculators reflects AMBCrypto's mission to make cryptocurrency accessible to all. By simplifying complex processes, the platform empowers users to participate confidently in the crypto market. "Democratizing crypto is at the heart of what we do," the team highlighted. These tools lower barriers and invite more people to explore the possibilities of digital assets. Conclusion AMBCrypto's Crypto Profit and Market Cap Calculators are valuable additions to the crypto community. By offering simplicity, accuracy, and accessibility, they support both new and experienced investors. Media Contact Company Name: AMBCrypto Contact Person: Sujeev Thomas Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=ambcrypto-launches-crypto-profit-and-market-cap-calculators ] Country: India Website: https://ambcrypto.com/ This release was published on openPR.
US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office