Hollywood star Stanley Tucci on why acting does not fulfil him as much as it used to

Stanley Tucci in “The Witches.” Supplied
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Updated 11 November 2020
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Hollywood star Stanley Tucci on why acting does not fulfil him as much as it used to

DUBAI: Stanley Tucci does not like to waste time. The acclaimed star of “The Witches,” who has been stealing scenes in films such as “The Devil Wears Prada”, “The Hunger Games” and “Spotlight” for decades, has reached a point in his career where he is universally beloved for his performances while simultaneously growing a bit weary of the whole process of putting them together.

“It doesn’t fulfil me as much as it used to,” Tucci told Arab News. “I get different things out of it. I think the hardest thing for me, which always was hard but it’s harder now, is waiting. Just waiting. Because if you think about it, people don’t really realize that you can be on set for 12-13 hours a day and you may actually only act, in a larger film, for a total of 20 minutes during those 12 hours. You’re just like, ‘There has got to be a better way of doing this!’”

When Tucci directs, as he has since the classic film “Big Night” was released in 1997, he holds steadfast to this belief, usually dismissing the whole crew by 5 or 6 p.m. so they can enjoy their evenings at home. Tucci, like many of his characters, loves life and wants to make all the time he can to live it.




“Big Night” (1997). Supplied

“I’m very impatient as a director. I just want to keep going and going. I like to shoot a lot in one day, and if you can do seven, eight pages a day, that’s great,” he said.

“I can’t bear the thought of like shooting one page or something. You’re just like, ‘Oh God,’ because you’re just waiting!”

Tucci, however, could not resist re-teaming with Anne Hathaway for “The Witches,” 14 years after their iconic pairing in “The Devil Wears Prada.”

He said: “I’ve run into her every now and again. We live in totally different places, but I’m always happy when I see her. Then when I heard that she was doing this, I was thrilled.”

He added: “Obviously here the status is completely different than in the first movie we did together. She was very low status in the first film and I was very high status. Here she’s incredibly high status and I’m very low status. That’s always great fun to play with. That’s part of the joy being an actor.”




“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006). Supplied

Enticing, as well, was the opportunity to work with Robert Zemeckis, one of the greatest living Hollywood directors and the man behind “Back to the Future”, “Forrest Gump”, “Cast Away” and “Flight.”

Tucci used every opportunity he had to observe Zemeckis and learn what he could from him so as to apply it to his own directing.

“Watching Bob direct was really, for me, very informative and very helpful, because I always like to learn from every director. I loved his clarity of vision and his staggering efficiency. He’s a heck of a lot better (than me), that’s all I can say,” said Tucci. 




“The Witches” (2020). Supplied

“The Witches,” which began as a 1983 book by Roald Dahl, was previously made into a very scary children’s film by Nicolas Roeg in 1990, with Rowan Atkinson filling Tucci’s role of the hotel manager.

While Tucci loved that adaptation, even though he admits it gave him nightmares even as an adult, the film he has made with Zemeckis carefully balances terror with levity and fantasy, a balance the original missed.

In tone, the film feels much more like a dedicated parent reading the book aloud to their children, something Tucci particularly appreciated.

“I like the energy of it. I like that there’s a sweetness to it, and a sadness to it, and a darkness to it,” he said.

“It’s definitely scary, but then it sort of flips on you again. It’s funny and charming. And you know, that’s pure Roald Dahl.”


Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

Updated 25 June 2025
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Kneecap ‘welcome’ at Glastonbury

  • Irish hip-hop trio have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza
  • Some UK politicians, including PM, want group to be axed from iconic festival

LONDON: Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are “welcome” at the Glastonbury music festival despite objections by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event’s co-organizer has said.

The band, which have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza, are scheduled to play at the iconic British festival this week.

Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with a terrorism offense last year after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London. The band said the charge was a “distraction.”

Some politicians, including opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the trio’s performance at Glastonbury — set for Saturday — to be axed. Starmer this week said Kneecap’s presence at the event would not be “appropriate.”

Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer, told the BBC: “We’re just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here … We remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and … everyone is welcome here.”

Kneecap responded to Starmer in a social media post, saying: “You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide.”


Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

Updated 25 June 2025
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Review: A cinematic dining experience at Munchies in Safwa

  • With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it
  • Menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics

SAFWA: Munchies in Safwa city, Qatif governorate, may not catch your eye at first. There are no flashy signs or strong online presence to draw you in. But those who visit will find a unique dining experience.

Ahmed Al-Quraish opened the restaurant in 2023. It operates on a reservation basis and relies mostly on word of mouth.

The low-key approach continues inside, where the interior feels more like a carefully designed set than a typical restaurant.

With dim lighting, cozy seating, and attention to music and mood, the ambiance supports the food without overshadowing it.

The menu offers variety, with more than 50 items ranging from Italian comfort dishes to bistro classics.

A recent visit started with a crispy Caesar salad, generous in size and flavor, followed by hot arancini with a molten center. Both had a good balance of texture and temperature.

The main dishes were well prepared. The wagyu steak arrived cooked as requested, served with creamy mashed potatoes. It was tender, well seasoned and satisfying.

The pasta was rich and silky with a proper bite, and the fish and chips were golden and crisp.

The dessert menu focuses on enjoyable flavors. The chocolate cake was fudgy, the choux pastries flavorful, and the vibrancy and refreshing nature of the passion fruit cake stood out.

Munchies occasionally offers live music or themed events, but at its core are thoughtful food and atmospheric surroundings, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

Munchies is open from 3:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This spot delivers consistent quality and ambiance.

The overall experience is worth making a reservation for. Check their Instagram, @munchiesksa, for more details.


Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

Updated 25 June 2025
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Nora Fatehi, Amina Muaddi attend Louis Vuitton’s star-studded Paris Fashion Week show

PARIS/DUBAI: Paris Fashion Week kicked off with a bang — a Louis Vuitton show unveiling the French brand’s Menswear Spring/Summer 2026 collection.

The front row was packed with A-list stars, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Steve Harvey, Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, PinkPantheress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast.

Part-Arab guests also made an appearance, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi, as well as Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi.

Part-Arab guests attended the show, including Moroccan Canadian singer, actress and model Nora Fatehi. (Getty Images)

Fatehi attended the show in a taupe double-breasted suit featuring a structured blazer with wide lapels, metallic buttons and flap pockets. She paired the blazer with loose, pleated wide-leg trousers in a matching fabric. She layered the suit over a white shirt and a white tie.

Meanwhile, Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. Underneath, she wore a black knee-length leather skirt and a white top.

In this collection Pharrell Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026.

Muaddi opted for a structured brown jacket with oversized flap pockets and a contrasting dark collar. (Instagram)

The Pompidou’s iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a life size “Snakes and Ladders” board, alluding to both the child’s game and the adult risks of fashion’s global game. 

The models walked the runway in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. 

Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or, in some cases, a puffy hood covered in rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai’s film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers.

Of course, with Vuitton, accessories make the man — and this season’s bags, jeweled sandals, and bold, hardware-heavy necklaces delivered Instagram bait. It’s maximalist, yes, but not just for the TikTok crowd. The craftsmanship — from sun-faded fabrics to hand-loomed stripes — rewards anyone who takes a closer look.


Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

Updated 25 June 2025
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Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash

DUBAI: US actress Rachel Zegler has responded to the backlash she received for speaking out in support of Palestine, saying, “Nothing is worth innocent lives.”

The “West Side Story” star, who played the lead in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Snow White,” came under fire during the film’s press tour for her political posts about the war in Gaza. In a new interview with i-D, she addressed the vitriol she faced — not just for her stance on Palestine, but also the widespread online narrative blaming her for the film’s poor box office performance.

Zegler pushed back against the idea that actors should stay silent on humanitarian issues for fear of professional fallout.

“I can really only echo Hannah Einbinder in saying that a platform becomes a responsibility, and that responsibility is ours to use as we please,” Zegler said, referencing the “Hacks” actor’s powerful remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner earlier this year, in which Einbinder criticized Israel’s assault on Gaza and emphasized the need for public figures to speak up.

“My compassion has no boundaries, is really what it is, and my support for one cause does not denounce any others. That’s always been at the core of who I am as a person. It’s the way I was raised,” Zegler continued.

“There are obviously things that are at stake by being outspoken, but nothing is worth innocent lives. My heart doesn’t have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? There are worse things.”

In August 2023, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” actor expressed support for Palestine when she shared the first official “Snow White” trailer on X. She thanked her fans for their support, before adding in a separate post: “And always remember, free Palestine.”


Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

Updated 24 June 2025
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Haifaa Al-Mansour appointed to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors

DUBAI: Pioneering Saudi filmmaker Haifaa Al-Mansour has been appointed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors, the Red Sea Film Foundation announced on Instagram.

“As one of three newly named governors-at-large, Al-Mansour will represent the Directors Branch and bring her singular voice, vision, and global perspective to the Academy’s leadership for the 2025–2026 term and beyond,” they captioned the post.

“An incredible milestone for one of Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated filmmakers. We’re proud to see her continue shaping the future of cinema on a global stage.”
In 2012, Al-Mansour made history as she released her first feature film “Wadjda.” It was the first feature film shot entirely in the Kingdom and the first feature-length film made by a female Saudi director.

Over the years, Al-Mansour has also become one of the most in-demand television directors in Hollywood, helming episodes of hit series including “Archive 81,” “City of Fire,” “Tales of the Walking Dead,” and “Bosch: Legacy.”

In 2019, Al-Mansour’s feature film “The Perfect Candidate” was submitted as Saudi Arabia’s official entry for the International Feature Film Award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.