The streaming space has something new to offer every weekend, often leaving viewers spoiled for choice. A few days ago, Amazon MiniTV released a short film titled Gray, starring Dia Mirza and Shreya Dhanwanthary. The 30-minute short film that revolves around consent shines a light on the concept with an empathetic vision. Pinkvilla sat down for a brief chat with the short’s two main actors, Dia and Shreya, who are the focus of the story. We talked about consent, why the script spoke to them, and how much the space for female performers has changed. Read interview excerpts:

Directed by Sakshi Gurnani, Gray is about consent. How important do you think it is to have a female point of view on such topics?

Shreya: With a concept like consent, it’s a black-and-white concept. But because we don’t talk about so many things in our country, whether it’s gender, boundaries, body image, when an uncomfortable situation arises with someone we know, I don’t think we’re equipped with the tools to manage this situation. So when a movie is trying to shed some light on something like that, having an empathetic voice really helps. This is a situation that women face most often. So that helps.

Diameter : I generally try to avoid assigning a genre to a lens from which any narrative is viewed. I think there are men who are perfectly capable of looking at things with great empathy and sensitivity. But, I think, it’s definitely been a huge plus for Sakshi to have directed this narrative. It is an experience that women most often have and it is good that a woman told this story.

What spoke to you the most in this scenario?

Diameter : The story itself and the fact that it’s not typical. The nuance and simplicity of the narrative really touched me and the fact that this is a subject that really needs attention. Also, the way he was treated. These are the aspects that really attracted me to the project. I was glad Shreya was on board. She is a very intelligent and fine actress. I really learned to love her, her work and the choices she makes.

Shreya (laughs): Dia makes me sharminda (shy). The script and the story were in a gray area where we probably all found ourselves at some point. Even if the concept of consent is black and white, people do not know how to recognize a “no”. It focuses on a particular incident, particularly with someone you know. I think it’s important that something like this exists and we are nevertheless taking a small step forward.

One thing you learned about each other while filming for Gray?

Dia (laughs enthusiastically): I didn’t know Shreya had a photographic memory. She can read 6 pages of dialogue and remember every word. She’s also an amazing singer. I discovered her because she was embarrassing my life by singing songs.

Shreya (intervener): There are other things too but they are NSFW.

Dia Mirza is exactly what I had imagined. I said earlier it feels like a safe place. For someone who epitomizes safety and warmth, that would be the photo of Dia Mirza – smiling and a pretty face with the word “warmth” written next to it.

Priyanka Chopra recently said that at first the women were pitted against each other and the casting was based on the male lead. Dia, have you witnessed this since you started back then? How is it different for you today?

Diameter : It’s pretty much the same today. Unfortunately, the majority of men still control the industry. Little has changed. I think what digital media has done is at least opened up opportunities for us. We get space to be part of stories we really want to be part of.

I feel like digital media has democratized the space a lot more. So at least now we’re not ruled by the box office and things like that…which determines the selection process. Shreya is a perfect example.

And Shreya, your initial journey was very different from Dia’s. Today, screenplays are written only for women. How do you see this change that has taken place?

Shreya: The digital medium has not only changed this aspect, but it has also increased the size of the cake. The cake is bigger for everyone. Previously, I feel that access was a bit restricted. Thus, those who had a lot of luck, privilege and tenacity would come out on top. The playing field is now huge and the opportunities in front of and behind the camera have multiplied. Our sense of discernment must improve so that we can have much more quality than quantity.

Future plans?

Diameter : I am currently cycling for Dhak Dhak and have already learned to ride a bike for it.

Shreya: I do Chup with R Balki and Adbhut with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Diana Penty. Both films are different and you will like it.

Shreya, do you consciously choose intense roles? Or are you ready to make fun, airy characters?

Shreya: I want to do everything but no one looks at me and says, “Chalo, we’re going to give him something fun. In fact, pleasure is very difficult to represent on screen. Now I’m a little worried…

Diameter : I think it will be totally effortless for you because I think you are inherently a fun person.

Shreya: But no one knows.

Diameter : I’ll tell them everything, don’t worry.

Shreya: There! Next work because of Dia Mirza.

ALSO READ: Dhak Dhak: Dia Mirza previews her perfect start to the day as her son Avyaan accompanies her on sets; PEAK

Always rally allies on the Hill, ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day, in support of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s Menstrual Fairness for All Act – which would help end period poverty in the United States systemically

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Always, the global leader in menstrual care, and International Paper, the world’s leading supplier of renewable fiber products, are partnering to deliver systemic solutions to help #EndPeriodPoverty. Ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28, they hosted an event in Washington DC in support of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s Menstrual Fairness for All Act. This bill would ensure that all young people have access to free menstrual products at school, so no one has to miss their period.

This press release is multimedia. View the full press release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220518006167/en/

Event attendees pack 500 period product kits to donate to the local community to help #EndPeriodPoverty (Photo: Ian Wagreich)

Lack of access to periodic protection is often known as menstrual poverty – and it affects people all over the world, even in the most economically developed countries. In the United States, nearly one in five girls missed school because they did not have access to menstrual products¹.

Since Always’s #EndPeriodPoverty program launched in 2018, Always has donated more than 160 million menstrual products to people in need around the world, including more than 50 million in the United States, in partnership with organizations such as Feeding America®, the nation’s largest national market. hunger relief organization. While donations can help people stay in school and improve their self-confidence, donations alone cannot solve menstrual poverty because poverty itself is a systemic problem. The stigma surrounding menstruation can also make matters worse, preventing those affected from voicing their needs and preventing potential solutions from being widely discussed and implemented. As several US states have stepped up to help #EndPeriodPoverty, 56% of society thinks they should be doing more to get free products to those in need². If passed, Congresswoman Grace Meng’s Menstrual Fairness for All Act would help do just that across the United States.

The story continues

“Millions of people across our country suffer from a lack of access to vintage goods and are forced to forgo education or employment opportunities because of it,” said MP Grace Meng ( D-NY). “As we celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28^and, I urge everyone, including lawmakers, to support my Menstrual Fairness for All Act. This is the first whole-of-government approach to addressing this problem and would help end the problem of menstrual poverty. »

To further help raise awareness of the prevalence of period poverty across the country and motivate society at large to support the bill, Always is also partnering with actress and activist Jameela Jamil, who spoke at the event in Washington DC on the issue – watch here.

“I was shocked to learn that approximately 3.5 million girls have missed school here in the United States due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.³. It’s way too much. When people don’t have access to menstrual products, not only do they feel unprotected, but it also puts their confidence, dignity and education at risk,” said Jameela Jamil. “I’m very proud to partner with Always and support their mission to help #EndPeriodPoverty. I encourage everyone to join us in supporting the Menstrual Fairness for All Act to help keep young people in school.” To help you, you can contact your elected officials here and ask them to show their support for the law.

“Always has been championing youth confidence for more than 35 years, through puberty and self-confidence education, providing access to menstrual products and driving societal change,” said Melissa Suk, Vice President feminine care in North America at Procter & Gamble. “When I entered puberty, I remember my own confidence being shaken as I wasn’t sure what was going on in my body – I wondered what products to use and felt too embarrassed to even speak.Today, as the mother of a 6-year-old girl, I am motivated to do more so that she can enter puberty feeling supported and nurtured.To make this change for the next generation, collaboration and alliances with individuals and organizations who share the same mission will play a vital role in helping to resolve the period We are delighted to support MP Grace Meng’s bill and continue our partnership with International Paper and Feeding America as part of our continued commitment to bringing about change so that lack of menstrual protection never again impedes nurturing and confidence.”

To help address the ongoing need for menstrual products, Always and International Paper – alongside congressional staff and Feeding America – hosted an event in Washington DC on May 12 to discuss period poverty, while also packing 500 kits with menstrual products to donate to the local community. . Always, with the support of Jameela Jamil, will also donate an additional one million napkins to the Feeding America food bank network. In addition, International Paper will host more than 45 packaging events throughout the year at its facilities around the world.

To learn more, visit always.com/en-us/about-us/end-period-poverty.

Footnotes :

¹ 1000 American Women, 16-24, Research Now ’17

² 4000 US respondents, One Poll ’21

³1000 American Women, 16-24, Research Now ’17 & US 2016 Census

About Always®

Always®, the world leader in menstrual protection, offers a wide range of pads, wipes and pantiliners designed to fit different body types, menstrual flows and preferences. For more than 35 years, Always has supported millions of young people around the world through puberty and self-confidence education, providing products to those in need and tackling social barriers to poverty. girls confidence.. Together, Always believes we can create a world where neither rules nor sex stand in the way of young people reaching their full potential. Please visit www.always.com for more information.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE:IP) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of renewable fiber products. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods and enable global trade, as well as pulp for diapers, tissues and other personal care products that promote health and The well-being. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, we employ approximately 38,000 colleagues worldwide. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2021 were $19.4 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting InternationalPaper.com.

About Feed America

Feeding America® is the largest hunger relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and more than 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries, and meal programs, we’ve helped provide $6.6 billion in meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security for the people we serve; draws attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our country; and advocates for legislation that protects people from hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

See the source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220518006167/en/

contacts

Charlotte LeFlufy
+41 79 449 13 36
[email protected]

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – The “GI Film Festival” opens today at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park.

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 is the opening night of the GI Film Festival San Diego at MOPA.

Opening night tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for military, veteran, or KPBS members. All tickets can be purchased online at GIFilmFestivalSD.org.

On Good Morning San Diego, KUSI’s Jenny Milkowski was talking to some of the filmmakers showcasing their work this week.

She spoke with Mark Pedri, director, and Carrie McCarthy, producer, of “Dear Sirs”. “Dear Sirs” is a 92-minute feature-length documentary that details the horrific experiences of prisoners of war during World War II and shines a light on the stigma surrounding post-traumatic stress (PTS) and military mental health.

She was also able to chat with Jodi Cilley, founder and president of the San Diego Film Consortium, and Benito Bautista, producer of “A Long March”.

Finally, Jenny spoke with filmmakers Scott Campbell, director, and Aaron Neely, subject of the film, about “Down on the Ranch.”

“Dear sirs” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cui3PnUmDcI”

“A Long Walk” https://gifilmfestivalsd.org/2022/movies/a-long-mars/

“Down the Ranch” https://vimeo.com/688714812

For more information visit: GIFilmFestivalSD.org

]]> https://w-mappy.com/freeze-frame-gulf-weekly-online/ Tue, 03 May 2022 14:14:46 +0000 https://w-mappy.com/freeze-frame-gulf-weekly-online/

The photograph of a Bahraini photographer capturing the kingdom’s youth in a new light has been captured to be featured among the much-vaunted stream at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, USA, report Naman Arora and Mai Al -Khatib Camille.

When 29-year-old Ishaq Madan set off with a group of thobes-clad skateboarders to Isa Town’s newly-named Bahrain Youth Avenue educational area, he didn’t expect MoMA to make it one of their favorites, even if the idea of ​​the coup came “as if by magic” for him.

“I was reading the news when I saw the opening ceremony of the avenue and as soon as I saw it, the idea came to my mind – It was like magic, to be honest,” the photographer explained.

“That was the first thing that came to mind – I have to take skateboarders and tell this story. Basically, my photographs are visual storytelling – I like to tell stories through images, and that was a story I wanted to show and tell.

“It’s a very different side of Bahrain – not the traditional genre you would normally see, in terms of photography, and it was a lot of fun.”

The photograph is a slice of time in the truest sense of the word, capturing the moment a decked-out skateboarder flips his board in the air, his gutra flying in the wind, past the street sign, artfully hiding the “Avenue” part of this one .

The result is a moment in a bottle that illuminates Bahraini youth today – a mix of cultures where tradition finds its place alongside modernity as they yearn to flourish and fly.

MoMA Photo Club member Ishaq shared the photo with the club and it was quickly picked up by the group, as they celebrated the Photo Club winning a Webby Award.

“It’s amazing. It was so surreal because I didn’t expect it at all. I just got a notification that MoMA posted my picture on their account and I was in shock,” he said. added Ishaq.

Ishaq’s photographs have previously been featured in a series of exhibitions ranging from the Sharjah Art Foundation’s Vantage Point 5 in 2018, to the Paris Biennale in 2019, to Arab Street Vol. 2 and the 46th Annual Bahrain Fine Arts Exhibition in 2020.

He was also commissioned by Bahrain International Airport to create a piece for the new airport terminal.

What distinguishes his images are his techniques. He often combines natural light with soft reflections and unusual perspectives to create painting like photographs featuring figures captured in frame.

His inspiration is drawn heavily from his desire to bridge the gap between Bahrain and the world through pictorial masterpieces.

“It’s amazing to see Bahrain on the world stage,” he added. I’m sure we all feel the same way when we watch a TV show or a movie, and they mention Bahrain out of the blue. And we would get excited and start pointing at the screen.

“It’s always nice to represent our island. It’s a special place and it deserves to be there.

While the young photographer shines in the afterglow of this honour, he is anything but resting on his laurels, already hard at work on his next project, adding: “Right now I am working on the publication of my first book photo but I can’t share all the details about it at this time.

A photographer on TikTok exposed both sides of a roll of 35mm film to create some stunning and unusual images.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Evan Purney is a photographer and content creator who enjoys experimenting with photographic film to produce extraordinary results.

As seen in a TikTok video that racked up 1.2 million views, Purney first turned a roll of film to the wrong side where the emulsion is exposed through the base of the film to get a full scale background. red. Then he moves the film through an empty roll and turns it right side up to create unique overlapping images.

The technique is known as “two-sided exposure” (EBS) and it combines double exposure with redscale photography.

Purney used a Ricoh KR5 Super 2 with an SMC Pentax-FA f2.8 50mm macro lens. For the film, he chose a Fuji Superia Xtra 400 for its vivid blues and greens which he said would contrast well with the “redscale” effect.

“Honestly, the unpredictability of the film is why I love it. The amount you can experiment with the process at every stage fascinates me,” Purney said. PetaPixel. “BSE is a really cool process that’s been around forever, but I haven’t seen a lot of people use it since this photographic film revival.”

It took two attempts and some experimentation with exposure times for Purney to get the results he wanted.

“I was delighted with the results! I have already tried it once but I did not find the effect pronounced enough. This time I made some adjustments to the exposure times and was really happy to see the improvement,” he says.

“I shot the redscale side at around ISO 125 (overexposed) and the normal side at around ISO 800 (underexposed). Normally with double exposures you want to underexpose a bit on one or both exposures, but when shooting “redscale” (wrong side) you usually overexpose a bit (2-3 stops) so I deducted like 0.5 from this. Based on my first attempt adjusted to these values, but it’s definitely something to experiment with.

Purney is fascinated by the endless possibilities of film photography and aims to set himself apart from other photographers through his use of experimental techniques and practical effects. In another TikTok video, Purney uses his old Nintendo DSI equipped with a 0.3 megapixel camera to take a series of photos.

Other works by Purney can be found by visiting his website and instagram while his photographic experiences and tutorials can be found on ICT Tac.

Picture credits: All photos by Evan Purney.

Amazon now offers Twelve South PowerPic mod wireless charger for $50.58 shipped. Down $60, this is the second best price of the year within $2 of the all-time low. Providing a single place to refuel your smartphone, this wireless charger doubles as a photo frame to blend in with the rest of your home décor when not in use. It has a clear acrylic construction that houses a 10W Qi holder with white or black accents. We found the PowerPic mod to be a notable gift recommendation or just a way to customize your loadout setup in our Tested with 9to5Toys review. See below to find out more.

If you’re just looking for something a little more basic to rest on the nightstand or desk, Anker PowerWave Stand is a notable solution unless $20. Sure, you don’t get the eye-catching design that lets you show off family photos and the like, but it will power your smartphone at the same 10W charging rate and is less than half price.

As for other accessories to upgrade your iPhone setup, OtterBox has just launched a new discount of 20 Sale on the whole site for Mother’s Day which is worth the detour. Packed with the latest iPhone 13 cases, MagSafe gear, and other accessories, these are some of the best deals of the year.

Twelve South PowerPic Mod Features:

PowerPic mod is a world-class wireless phone charger with a design as radical as wireless charging itself. With a blend of modern elegance and versatile charging options, the PowerPic mod charges all phones, including phones in cases, with an aesthetic unlike anything else. The lucite framed PowerPic mod can be positioned vertically or horizontally and is even customizable with any 4×6 photo or graphics to match the part. Charge your phone wirelessly on the stand that looks more like a work of art than a typical charging station. Order the beautiful PowerPic mod today.

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According to an AP press release issued on Monday, the Associated Press will open an NFT marketplace for collectors to acquire AP photojournalists’ photographs. The first collection of photographs, which includes Pulitzer Prize-winning images, https://ipass.net/ will be released over many weeks, beginning on January 31.

According to the release, with each NFT purchase, collectors will gain access to the metadata connected with each shot, which includes the time, date, location, equipment, and technical settings used. Xoom, a blockchain technology startup, will build the marketplace.

“For 175 years, AP’s photographers have captured the world’s most important stories through captivating and poignant photos that continue to resonate today,” Dwayne Desaulniers, AP director of blockchain and data licensing, said in a statement. “We are happy to offer these tokenized pieces to a rapidly rising global audience of photography NFT collectors, thanks to Xooa’s technology.”

Collectors will be able to buy, sell, and trade the AP NFTs, which will range in theme from space to climate to conflict and will feature the work of individual AP photojournalists, according to reports. The NFTs were not given precise prices, but the press release stated that they will vary in price and that the proceeds will “go back into financing factual, balanced AP journalism.”

According to the news release, collectors will be able to buy NFTs with a credit card or a cryptocurrency wallet.

An NFT, or nonfungible token, is a one-of-a-kind digital token linked to a blockchain that serves as a certificate of ownership for its owner. NFTs are typically in the form of an image, gif, or video, and they can be purchased and sold for millions of dollars, much like art collections. Individual NFTs from popular collections like CryptoPunks and Bored Ape Yacht Club are being snapped up by celebrities ranging from Snoop Dogg to Jimmy Fallon.

Pictured: Mike Wartell and the cast of The Wanderer bring Dion’s songbook to life on stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Daniel / Provided by The Press Room with permission.

MILLBURN, NJ — The Vagabond, a new musical set to music by Dion, has arrived at the Paper Mill Playhouse, and the wait was worth it. The musical jukebox tells the story of Dion DiMucci’s life, from his upbringing on Belmont Avenue in the Bronx to his eventual musical career, which produced such hits as ‘The Wanderer’, ‘Runaround Sue’, ‘King of the New York Streets” and “Abraham, Martin and John.” Throughout the ups and downs of his formative years, Dion remained focused on a personal and professional journey that matched who he was and what he was trying to accomplish with his music. this unwavering approach meant he had run-ins with his parents, record executives, and drug addiction that he struggled to shake off.

The expansive stage at the Paper Mill Playhouse features a stylized version of Belmont Avenue in the Bronx, a Little Italy alternative to Manhattan. Dion grew up amidst the stoops, sidewalks and, most importantly, lampposts of this part of New York. He combined this physical gear in his lyrics and advanced the doo-wop style, which was often sung under the glow of a street lamp. It’s those recognizable songs from the 1950s and 1960s that have catchy hooks, easy-to-digest lyrics, and winning harmony.

After Dion started his band (aptly named the Belmonts), his music began to take off and he found himself propelled from humble beginnings in the Bronx to the national stage. One of the highlights of his career – which would become a chilling cautionary tale – involved a winter tour with the likes of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Dion, the story goes, ultimately didn’t take the doomed flight that would kill these three musicians, but the tragedy of that situation stayed with him, seemingly, forever.

Recovering from this incident, Dion wanted to continue on his own path and he was tired of the doo-wop style (just like the United States at the time). Despite criticism from his team, he molded himself into a folk artist and changed his musical style and physical appearance. The move was a big risk, but it paid off with a big hit called “Abraham, Martin and John,” which came to life quite emotionally in The Vagabond.

The musical, which lasts just under three hours, is a great spectacle with many characters moving in and out of Dion’s life. There are love interests, relatives, neighbors, fellow musicians and friends. Most of them are solid, positive influences in his life, but some – notably a character named Johnny – are toxic to the young singer.

The cast is near perfect and brings Dion’s songbook to life with verve and liveliness. Mike Wartella gives a star turn as Dion. His vocal chops are up to the challenge, especially with those high-pitched harmonies on early doo-wop songs like “A Teenager in Love.” He also has the dramatic ability to make audiences feel empathy for Dion’s meteoric rise and impending drug-induced death spiral. It’s an effective and engaging performance.

Joli Tribuzio, who actually grew up on Belmont Avenue, and Johnny Tammaro are pretty good at Frances and Pat DiMucci, respectively. They are loving and sometimes stern parents to Dion, and they shower him with adulation and hard-earned wisdom about his life choices. Joey McIntyre (yes, that Joey McIntyre) is enjoyable as Johnny, the devil on Dion’s shoulder, telling him about life’s shortcuts and ways to squander the opportunities presented to him. Kingsley Leggs (Willie Green) is also a wonderful addition to the cast, as is Jasmine Rogers as Melody Green. Christy Altomare (playing Susan, who ends up marrying Dion) has one of the best voices in the cast.

The Vagabond is a fun and poetic journey into the life of a Bronx resident who made him nationally known. The songbook that comes to life in the show is catchy and sing-along-worthy. The scenes captured by director Kenneth Ferrone and writer Charles Messina are beautifully done, especially the opening of “King of the New York Streets.” Some may draw parallels to this other jukebox musical about a group of Italian-American singers, but Dion’s story is unique enough to keep your head held high. The connection to that doomed robbery, the drug overrun, the doo-wop culture of the Bronx in the 1960s – it all makes for dramatic and important storytelling. The songs are pure entertainment and a pleasure to tap your feet. With a little adjustment here and there, The Vagabond is on track for a longer river crossing in New York.

By John Soltes / Editor / [email protected]

The Wanderer continues to perform at the Paper Mill Playhouse until Sunday, April 24. On the music of Dion DiMucci. Book by Charles Messina. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone. With Christy Altomare, Kingsley Leggs, Joey McIntyre, Jasmine Rogers, Jeffrey Schecter, Johnny Tammaro, Joli Tribuzio and Mike Wartella. Duration: 2 hours 50 minutes. Click here for more information and tickets.