Entertainment News Roundup: Smaller, glitzy amfAR gala for AIDS research back at Cannes; Actor Ashton Kutcher backed out of Virgin Galactic space flight and more

Actress and amfAR Global Campaign Chair Sharon Stone hosts this year's star-studded gala, with Grammy Award winning singer Alicia Keys set to perform for guests gathered to raise money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Cannes film 'Paris 13th district' shows another side of the French capital French director Jacques Audiard's new film "Paris 13th district" ("Les Olympiades") does not show the Eiffel Tower, Haussmann buildings or the River Seine.

Following is a summary of current entertainment news briefs.

Smaller, glitzy amfAR gala for AIDS research back at Cannes

Hollywood A-listers, music stars and fashion models mingled at the amfAR charity gala on the French Riviera on Friday, as the swanky dinner and auction returned to the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival, slimmed down due to the pandemic. Actress and amfAR Global Campaign Chair Sharon Stone hosts this year's star-studded gala, with Grammy Award winning singer Alicia Keys set to perform for guests gathered to raise money for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Cannes film 'Paris 13th district' shows another side of the French capital

French director Jacques Audiard's new film "Paris 13th district" ("Les Olympiades") does not show the Eiffel Tower, Haussmann buildings or the River Seine. He trains his lens instead on the brutalist apartment towers of the 13th arrondissement, known as the Chinatown of Paris, where he once lived.

Actor Ashton Kutcher backed out of Virgin Galactic space flight

Ten years ago actor Ashton Kutcher was planning to be among the first people to ride on Virgin Galactic's private spaceship, but he changed his mind after having children with Mila Kunis. The former "Two and a Half Men" star said he was supposed to be on the next Virgin Galactic flight but pulled out years ago.

Cannes to screen Hong Kong protest documentary, risking controversy

The Cannes Film Festival will show a new documentary on Friday chronicling the 2019 Hong Kong pro-democracy protests and shining a light on protesters' stories, in a surprise addition to the line-up for the cinema showcase. "Revolution of Our Times," by native Hong Kong filmmaker Kiwi Chow, follows several protesters and documents clashes with police, in what the director previously described to Reuters as his attempt to help the movement live on.

Russian drama 'Unclenching the Fists' wins Cannes prize

Russian filmmaker Kira Kovalenko's "Unclenching the Fists" triumphed in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes on Friday, winning the top prize in the more art-focused section of the film festival. The drama, which is based in a former mining town in Russia's southern region of North Ossetia, tells the story of a young women trying to break free from her family's grip.

Golden Globe organizers agree ban on freebies

The organizers of the Golden Globes on Friday banned its members from receiving gifts and free trips from movie studios and TV networks seeking to clinch awards for their shows and stars. The reforms, approved by members of the small Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), are among a raft of changes to the organization following an uproar over ethical practices and lack of diversity that led to the 2022 Golden Globes ceremony being cancelled.

Cannes awards pick wide open after film festival's crowded comeback

A Moroccan film about hip-hopping youth in Casablanca, a hero's tale by Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, and a wildly imaginative French movie featuring sex with a car are among contenders for the top Cannes Film Festival award on Saturday, in one of the more unpredictable contests in years. The world's biggest film festival returned to the French Riviera after a 2020 hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, drawing a host of movie stars, from Bill Murray and Matt Damon to Sharon Stone, to the red carpet.

Duchess Meghan creates TV project aimed at girls for Netflix

Britain's Duchess Meghan has created an animated family series for streaming platform Netflix Inc that she will also executive produce, her production company said on Wednesday. Archewell Productions, the company formed by Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, said in a statement the series would be centered on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl, who is inspired by a variety of influential women from history.

Ex-porn star brings trouble to Texas town in Cannes film 'Red Rocket'

A former porn star returns to his Texas home town in American director Sean Baker's "Red Rocket", a raw character study, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Set in the run-up to the 2016 U.S. election, the comedy drama follows award-winning adult film actor Mickey Saber, played by Simon Rex, who flees Los Angeles for Texas City, hoping to stay with his estranged wife Lexi.

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