Film review: ‘22 July’ is a horrific tragedy in which children become political pawns

69 boys and girls were killed terrorist Anders Behring Breivik on July 22, 2011. (Image supplied)
Updated 09 October 2018
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Film review: ‘22 July’ is a horrific tragedy in which children become political pawns

  • With the current political thinking on immigration, Breivik’s hate philosophy may appear less shocking than in 2011

CHENNAI: It is never easy to depict a tragedy, especially when children are killed, but when British director Paul Greengrass, the man behind titles such as “Bloody Sunday,” “United 93” and “Captain Phillips,” takes up a subject such as the Norwegian neo-Nazi terrorist attack on a summer youth camp, it can be engaging without appearing overdone.

“22 July,” which premiered at the Venice film festival in September as a Netflix original and will be streamed on Oct. 10, gives not only a bird’s-eye view of the shootout on Utoya island on July 22, 2011, but also a moving personal account of the 69 boys and girls who died horrifically when terrorist Anders Behring Breivik entered the camp and began spraying bullets. It could not have been easy for Greengrass to tell the story in a country where the wounds of that bloody day have not quite healed.

So it is good that the movie allocates only a brief time out of its 143 minutes for the massacre, with the rest given to the lives of the killer, Breivik (Anders Danielsen Lie), as he stands trial, and a survivor, 17-year-old Viljar Hanssen (Jonas Strand Gravli). The teenager (a real-life character) survives the carnage with one eye gone and bullet fragments lodged in his brain that can kill him at any time.

Greengrass recreates the atmosphere of deadly tension as the killer in a policeman’s uniform walks toward the children after shooting dead a couple of the camp’s volunteers. Later, as the court proceedings go on, the film cuts to Hanssen’s enormous suffering and painful recuperation.

The courtroom drama is intriguing, with Breivik seeking the services of a liberal lawyer, Geir Lippestad (Jon Jigarden), who is mystified at this request. Even more puzzling is Breivik’s on-and-off plea of insanity. But the fact that his agenda was to keep immigrants out of Norway is painfully clear. However, with the current political thinking on immigration, Breivik’s hate philosophy may appear less shocking than in 2011.


Disneyland to open in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi 

Updated 13 sec ago
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Disneyland to open in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi 

DUBAI: The UAE is set to host the Middle East’s first Disney theme park, with Disneyland Abu Dhabi confirmed for Yas Island.

An official opening date has yet to be revealed.

The project is a collaboration between Miral, an Abu Dhabi-based entertainment developer, and The Walt Disney Company.

(Supplied)

Once completed, it will be Disney’s seventh global destination, adding to its parks in California, Florida, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

The new resort will be developed and constructed by Miral, while Disney will handle creative design, attraction development and overall experience planning

Bob Iger, chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company, said in a statement: “This is an extraordinary opportunity for Disney to bring its renowned storytelling to yet another region of the world with a completely new theme park experience that will be a cultural, entertainment and technological marvel.” 

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, said: “The concept for this resort will push the boundaries of theme park design, showcasing groundbreaking technology and visionary architecture, including a modern castle unlike anything we’ve ever created.”


Deal signed to promote Saudi cultural heritage 

Updated 25 min 33 sec ago
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Deal signed to promote Saudi cultural heritage 

  • MoC signs agreement with Boutique Group
  • Agreement covers several cultural fields

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has signed a cooperation agreement with Boutique Group to promote the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

Deputy Minister of Culture for National Partnerships and Talent Development Noha Kattan signed the agreement with Boutique Group CEO Christophe Mares in Diriyah. 

Kattan emphasized that the partnership aligns with the ministry’s goals of preserving the nation’s heritage and culture, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

She added that the agreement honors the Kingdom’s rich history and contributes to building a future that values tradition and encourages global cultural creativity.

Mares expressed his company’s pleasure in the new partnership, which will focus on providing a unique and luxurious experience that reflects Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity.

He said the company will represent each region’s culture by incorporating its visual styles, sounds, and traditions into palace operations.

The agreement covers several cultural fields to showcase the Kingdom’s heritage in creative and contemporary ways, the SPA reported.

This will be achieved by integrating Saudi cuisine into the culinary experience, dressing hotel staff in traditional attire, and infusing palace designs with cultural symbols.


Jameela Jamil lands role in new film on Korea

Updated 07 May 2025
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Jameela Jamil lands role in new film on Korea

DUBAI: Actress, body positivity activist and presenter Jameela Jamil, known for her role in “The Good Place,” is set to star in “Pyongyang Home Video,” a new drama based on true events. 

She will star alongside “Squid Game” actor Won Ji-an. 

Won Ji-an will star in the movie. (Getty Images) 

The film follows North Korean sisters Nari (Ji-an) and Hana, who grow up secretly watching banned Hollywood movies. When their father’s black market VHS operation is exposed by a neighbor, the sisters are forced to flee the country. As they navigate their dangerous escape, they use scenes from their favorite films to deal with the mental toll the journey takes on them. Years later, Nari meets American talk show host Serena (Jamil), who vows to reunite the sisters on live television — only for the broadcast to take an unforeseen and revealing turn.

Hailing from Imagine Entertainment and South Korea’s Desert Bloom Pictures, the film will be directed by award-winning Korean filmmaker Yoon Sung-hyun, famous for his movie “Bleak Night.”

The screenplay comes from Liz Kerin, an American screenwriter, novelist and acclaimed playwright best known for the vampire series “Night’s Edge.”

 

 

Jamil shared the news on Instagram, writing: “She’s doing a proper movie!!!!”

The actress has a few productions in the works. 

Jamil is set to star in “Hysterical,” a feminist dramedy created by Olivia Lee and loosely based on real-life events involving controversial internet personality Andrew Tate. 

Jamil stars alongside Naomie Harris and Romesh Ranganathan.

Jamil has also lent her voice to the Pixar animated film, “Elio,” which is set for release on June 20. Jamil will be voicing the character of Ambassador Questa.

“Elio” follows an 11-year-old boy named Elio, who accidentally becomes the ambassador for Earth after being transported across the galaxy.

The movie also features the voices of Yonas Kibreab as Elio, Remy Edgerly as his alien best friend Glordon, Academy Award winner Zoe Saldana as Elio’s Aunt Olga, Brad Garrett as Lord Grigon, and Shirley Henderson as OOOOO.

Directed by Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi and Adrian Molina, the film is produced by Mary Alice Drumm.


Review: Exhilarating South Korean anime ‘Solo Leveling’ packs a punch

Updated 53 min 16 sec ago
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Review: Exhilarating South Korean anime ‘Solo Leveling’ packs a punch

RIYADH: One of South Korea’s hottest anime series, “Solo Leveling” takes viewers on an electrifying adventure, blending themes of fantasy and action in a mystical world.

In its second season, main character Sung Jinwoo struggles to find his purpose as a low level hunter in a world with powerful warriors who travel through portals to fight magical beasts. One day, after a strenuous battle which wiped out his peers, Jinwoo was left in a dungeon.

In a plot twist, Jinwoo is spared and “reawakened” by the “System” with a new life, immersing him in a video game-like world where he becomes an iconic fighter.

Once a hunter awakens, their ranks are set and they have no possibility for leveling up, leaving them to hone their skills through training.

As Jinwoo’s strength increases and he gains fighting skills, his battles with monsters become more intense, intricate, and fast paced. The battle scenes have gained tremendous popularity and rightfully so — Jinwoo partakes in provoking conversations with his enemies, enraging them and defeating them with ease.

The battle scenes are epic and portrayed through colorful animations shown at every angle. Anime fans describe Jinwoo to be “aura farming,” a trending term describing the act of an individual intentionally doing something “cool” and always winning seamlessly. 

Anime series often start with a slow burn, but “Solo Leveling” starts off strong, packing a punch with its gripping fantasy storyline from the first episode.

 The only downside is that the fast-paced nature of the show introduces new characters and scenes without a buildup, potentially causing confusion for some viewers.

 Based on an anime series by author Chu-Gong, the on-screen adaptation is worth watching if you are looking for your next binge-worthy anime.

 


Review: The final season of ‘You’ is a damp squib

Updated 07 May 2025
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Review: The final season of ‘You’ is a damp squib

LONDON: Back when it debuted in 2018, “You” was a wonderfully trashy, pulpy thriller that invited audiences to snigger at the sheer silliness of its lead character’s likability. After all, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) might have been a charming, literature-loving bookstore manager – but he was also, we learned during that excellent first season, a serial killer with a tendency to stalk and emotionally manipulate his latest fixation before finally revealing his psychopathic tendencies.

Having a charismatic serial killer at the heart of a show is nothing new – just look at the irrepressible “Dexter” – but “You” set itself apart by not taking itself too seriously, acknowledging the ridiculousness of its central conceit and reveling in the silliness of making us ‘root’ for its really bad good guy. The last series, for example, saw Joe move to London and wind up getting blamed for the murder of a cadre of vacuous socialites, only to discover that he was, in fact, guilty of the crimes after having had a psychotic break – that’s the level of silliness we’re dealing with here. And, for the most part, it works. “You” remains a rip-roaring good time – albeit one with a problematic heartthrob as its protagonist.

A still from the series that is available on Netflix. (Supplied)

The fifth and final season sees Joe return to New York with new wife Kate, cleared of any previous crimes thanks to her influence and power – trying to be on his best behavior, but using his unique skillset to ‘protect’ his family from perceived threats when he can’t keep his murderous tendencies to himself. That setup makes the first half of the final season a decent enough watch – there’s plenty of commentary on high society and its hypocrisy, of the immunity granted to those with money and status, however awful they might be.

But “You” too quickly sets Joe back on a path we’ve seen him tread in the past – his head turned by new muse Bronte (Madeline Brewer), killing anyone who threatens his perception of their romantic connection. With the show now deviating from the Caroline Kepnes books that inspired the earlier seasons, there’s a rush to a finale that feels reductive – given how much we’ve invested in Joe’s character arc, the violent conclusion feels overblown and overly dramatic. Whether or not Joe gets what he deserves is open to debate – but we’ve been robbed of the finale we’ve earned for sticking with him.