Oscar winner back in India for her next film

November 18, 2014

Oscar winnerNew Delhi, Nov 18: Six years after her documentary Smile Pinki a story of a child with cleft lip got her the Oscar, director Megan Mylan is back in India with another short film After My Garden Grows.

Supported by women and child development (WCD) ministry, it is another India-based story about a teenage girl Monica in rural Bengal seeking independence from childhood marriage by growing a rooftop vegetable garden.

“Smile Pinki was a great experience and I always wanted to come back to India for my next film. I hope Indians see it and feel proud. It is a brilliant story,” said the Manhattan girl who has been hoping to and fro from India and Manhattan for her film and her two-year-old son.

Mylan’s 10 minute film is not just about child marriage but showcases other problems in India like poverty, maternal health, strategies to overcome hunger and economic development.

In the movie After My Garden Grows, Monika shuns the idea of becoming a child bride by growing her own garden, thereby becoming an asset to the family.

The family had married the older sister of Monica, who faced maternal problems etc. However, Monica decided for herself that it was not the path for her.

In the story later, Monica goes to the market and made Rs 60, a significant contribution to the family. “The film shows that she is not only bringing food to the table. She is back into the school,” Mylan said.

While, Oscar was a “confidence builder” for Mylan, she is not eyeing or expecting the Oscar award. “I am not expecting an 0scar. I think if you try and make a film for an award, you make a bad film,’’ said Mylan.

Attracted to ideas of social change and stories about people, Mylan’s favourite from the B- town is Aamir Khan.

“I have watched Lagaan and sometimes watch Satyamev Jayate. His idea to bring forward ordinary people on the fore is immense,” she added. Mylan’s film is helped by Sundance Film Institute in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, finds support from WCD, Aamir Khan, Shadi.com, PVR and designer Sabyasachi.

“I feel privledged to share the story. Hope the message goes wide and clear to many others,” she added.

Mylan now plans to produce short stories on gender issues with the directors from India, Bangladesh and Nepal. She is also planning a documentary on how Japan cares for its elders.

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News Network
May 24,2020

Los Angeles, May 24: Hollywood star Salma Hayek says her daughter Valentina Pinault is a talented 12 year old who wants to be a director and star as a lead in a film one day.

The Oscar-nominated actor shares Valentina with husband, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault.

Hayek said she has confidence in her daughter's abilities and believes she has a long way to go.

"She has so many talents. She draws, she wants to shoot movies - both as a director and as the lead - and she writes great pieces. Sometimes when I read her work, I have an urge to produce these stories.

"But she tells me that she will do it by herself when she's older. I don't know what's coming next for her but it seems that she has a lot of ways to go," the actor told HELLO! magazine.

Hayek, 53, added she is concerned about Valentina who has always lived a sheltered life.

"Valentina has always done what she wanted, I've never made her do anything and this means she hasn't yet learned how to oppose pressure, how to overcome obstacles.

"I know by experience that only the overcoming of some difficulties can lead you in the right direction," she said.

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Agencies
June 6,2020

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie feels discrimination and impunity cannot be justified in any way, and says she hopes people in the US can come together to "address the deep structural wrongs in our society".

The Oscar-winning star, who turned 45 on Thursday, also donated $200,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, reports people.com.

"Rights don't belong to any one group to give to another. Discrimination and impunity cannot be tolerated, explained away or justified. I hope we can come together as Americans to address the deep structural wrongs in our society," Jolie said.

"I stand with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in their fight for racial equality, social justice, and their call for urgent legislative reform," she added.

Meanwhile, the actress celebrated her birthday amid lockdown with her six children -- Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

The actress and activist has been active since the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world and has donated to different organisations.

Jolie previously donated $1 million to No Kid Hungry, the organisation working to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I knew that there were problems in America, that there was poverty, but I could not believe when I realised how many school children in America were dependent on a meal to not go hungry. I was so disgusted that we have gotten to this point as a country and that we would let the most vulnerable be in such a state. I can't imagine what it feels like for those parents," she said while opening up about her reason to get associated with the organisation.

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News Network
May 20,2020

New Delhi, May 20: Singer Justin Bieber on Wednesday thanked his Indian fans for showering love on his newly-launched song 'Stuck With U'.

The 26-year-old singer shared a video on Twitter, that featured many Indian music enthusiasts crooning and making their own individual creative videos with the song playing in the background.

In reaction to it, the 'Yummy' singer tweeted: "Thank You India"

Bieber and American singer Ariana Grande teamed up for the song earlier this month to help the people affected and who are in need during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The official music video was dropped on May 8. The romantic track marks the first collaboration of the duo.

The music video has cameos by the singer's partners and features many special moments shared by the couple amid lockdown.

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