A world-famous event in the ’60s and early ’70s, closed for 20 years due to the civil war, the music/dance/theatre festival held at Baalbek’s famous Roman ruins has been making a steady comeback since it was relaunched in 1996. But with the town being near the Syrian border, and with weapons and refugees passing through daily, organizers aren’t canceling the festival but are moving it to the relatively safe capital.
Author: Matthew Westphal
Hollywood And China Near Resolution Of Dispute Over Movie-Ticket Taxes
“A heated Chinese business and political dispute that has stopped about $200 million in box-office payments to Hollywood studios appears near a resolution, just as outlines of the fight were first emerging in public.”
Frida Kahlo’s Collection Of Photos To Be Restored
“The archive includes photos taken by a host of well-known 20th-century photographers, such as Man Ray, Edward Weston, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Lola and Manuel Alvarez Bravo. The collection also includes images shot by Frida as well as photos taken by her father, Guillermo, who was a famous photographer in the 1930s.”
If The Ballad Of John Henry Became A Hollywood Blockbuster
“Well, I think the first thing that would happen is you would say the fundamental, most important part of the story is that he dies – [and that] he is victorious, he beats the machine. It’s the triumph of the human spirit over technology. But with that comes a price. And all the studio execs would say, ‘Absolutely. That’s what we love about this story.’ Two drafts later somebody would say, ‘Does he have to die?'” Screenwriter Damon Lindelof walks us through the studios’ likely development process.
If You Insulted A Dolphin 20 Years Ago, He’s Probably Still Bitter About It
“Dolphins, it turns out, have the longest social memories of any species besides humans. And we’re learning more and more about how lengthy those memories can actually be.”
At Amazon, Customer Reviews Of The Monet For Sale Are Coming In
“I ordered this product back in June for $1.4 million, but in July I found a similar painting by Van Gogh on sale at Target for only $800k, so I returned this one and had to pay a $14.99 restocking fee, ridiculous!!!” (There’s lots more where that came from.)
What More Fitting Way To Celebrate Andy Warhol’s Birthday –
– than to watch a live webcam of his grave?
Sculptor Ruth Asawa Dead At 87
“Her wire sculptures, which sway gently in air currents and cast kinetic shadows, earned her a global reputation – several have recently sold at auction houses for more than $1 million.”
Deborah Warner Drops Out Of Directing Met’s New Onegin, And Fiona Shaw Steps In
“The Met, in a statement, said that [Warner] bowed out because of ‘an unexpected surgical procedure and the expected recovery time’.” Shaw, who has worked closely with Warner for decades, is known primarily as an actress but has directed theater before.
The Book That Changed Reza Aslan’s Mind About Religion, Jesus, And Everything Else
The religious historian and author talks about the profound effect that the Grand Inquisitor scene from The Brothers Karamazov had, and still has, on his life.