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AFP: Two US films draw ire of Gulf Arab censors

Two Oscar-winning US films have caused headaches for government censors in the conservative Muslim Arab states of the Gulf, including booming and relatively tolerant Dubai. "Syriana" and "Brokeback Mountain" have run a foul with local censors. Before "Syriana" could be released, it took four months for censors to comb through the movie, partly shot in Dubai two years ago. As far as "Brokeback," homosexuality is a serious offence in the Gulf, punishable by flogging and imprisonment. In February, 11 men were sentenced to six years in jail in the UAE after a raid on a gay party in a desert hotel. The film is unlikely to be released there. Agence...

Lords of the Rings: Zhang + Spielberg

James Madison vs. King James

AFP: Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi to join Cannes jury

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi said she has accepted an invitation to be a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival in France next month, state media reported. "I'm anticipating taking up the post and it would be an honor," Zhang was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency at a press conference on Friday in Beijing, where she was promoting her new movie "Jasmine Women." "I hope to use my influence to make more Chinese movies, if I simply want to make money, I can do that in the United States," she told reporters, according to Xinhua. Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai has been named to head the jury at the prestigious film festival, the first time tha...

Animal Collective: Lu Chuan's "Mountain Patrol: Kekexili"

"Mountain Patrol: Kekexili" is, happily, nothing that it quite seems to be. Eco-friendly, "National Geographic"-funded story of an endangered species? Ripped-from-the-headlines true-life murder tale? Grandiose Herzogian treatise on man versus nature? None of those easy tags seem particularly applica...

"Four Eyed Monsters" By Request

Susan Buice and Arin Crumley, filmmakers who will join indieWIRE next week for the monthly indieWIRE Presents event at the Apple Store Soho, elaborated a bit on the their distribution plans for the film in a video announcement today. They are encouraging fans of their "Four Eyed Monsters" video podc...

AMPAS Sets '07 Oscar Dates

While it will still be a good 4 months before months insiders start buzzing about awards season, AMPAS has set the dates and deadlines for the 79th Academy Awards, which will be held on February 25, 2007. Nominations will be announced on January 23, 2007.

INDUSTRY MOVES: Lash Leaving IFC Films for Agency Post

Sarah Lash is leaving her job as VP, Acquisitions and Co-Productions at IFC Films to join talent agency ICM. Lash spent five and a half years at IFC and is expected to join ICM in NYC on May 1st; a formal announcement is expected at that time.

Sarasota Dreamin'