lifestyle WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2013 MUSIC & MOVIES Bhutanese monk s Prince delivers ‘Breakfast’ film to for his new song

open Busan film -fes he artwork may have made of Dave Chappelle dressed as Prince people laugh, but Prince’s new - on YouTube. Prince has been rais- tival Tsong is no joke. The mercurial ing his profile lately with perform- superstar announced yesterday that ances worldwide with his new Bhutanese monk’s he’s released “Breakfast Can Wait.” It group, 3rdeyegirl. movie about a South caused a stir when Prince released He also recently started tweeting AIndian dance will the cover art for the song - a photo from the group’s account, surprising open the Busan some, given his negative comments International Film Festival about the Internet in the past. The next month. Officials say it’s In this March 2, 2007 file photo, song is being released through his the first time the conti- Prince accepts the award for new distribution deal with the inde- nent’s showcase film festi- outstanding male artist at the pendent Kobalt Label Services. He’s val has chosen a movie 38th NAACP Image Awards working on a new album that’s set to from Bhutan for the red car- in Los Angeles. —AP be titled, “Plectrum Electrum.” —AP pet event usually taken by a Chinese or Korean fea- ture. Festival director Lee Yong-kwan said yesterday that “Vara: A Blessing,” the dance drama about Bharatanatyam South In era of leaks, Toronto film Indian dance, will be shown Oct 3. The movie has inter- esting themes the festival wants to showcase, he said. Filmmaker Khyentse festival tackles transparency Norbu is a Buddhist monk and cannot attend the Lee Yong-kwan, director of the glitzy showing of his third s director Bill Condon was finishing Busan International Film Festival, feature film because of a up his film “The Fifth Estate” about speaks during a press conference in scheduling conflict with AJulian Assange and anti-secrecy Seoul, South Korea, yesterday. —AP religious training. The 10- website WikiLeaks, former spy agency day festival will end with contractor Edward Snowden started leak- “The Dinner,” a South Korean movie about an ordinary family’s ing US security documents, reigniting the misfortunes after screening 300 movies from 70 countries. public debate over secrecy, security and Among them are two movies from Mongolia and many from whistleblowing in the Internet era. “The Kazakhstan. There are three single-shot movies, while more than same lines were being used, the same 50 films are being premiered at Asia’s largest film festival. Other script was being recited, it was fascinat- highlights include Kim Ki-duk’s controversial “Moebius” and Bong ing,” said Condon. “And then Assange appeared and became part of the story.” “The Fifth Estate,” which will open the 38th annual Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, comes just months after Snowden leaked documents about spying at the U.S. National Security OSN gets a new look Agency with the support of Assange and WikiLeaks. The film boldly leads the way on a prevalent theme throughout this year’s lineup - transparency and secrets. “It’s the tension between transparency and privacy in the Internet age and how far each one goes and how those ideas butt up against each other,” said Condon, who directed “Dreamgirls” and won a screenwriting Oscar for “Gods and Monsters.” “The Fifth Estate” stars English actor Benedict Cumberbatch as Assange and is based on the book by Assange’s once trusted lieutenant Daniel Domscheit-Berg (From left) British actor and co-writer Steve Coogan, Scottish actress Sophie Kennedy Clark, British actress Judi Dench about events that led to the largest leak of and British director Stephen Frears arrives for the screening of ‘Philomena’ — AFP official secrets in American history in 2010. earned rave reviews after a surprise films like “The Armstrong Lie,” a documen- Audience is ‘secret sauce’ For Condon, Toronto is the best place to screening in the Colorado mountain town tary about disgraced cyclist Lance What sets Toronto apart from the other premiere his first foray into government of Telluride. “Gravity,” a space thriller by Armstrong, and “Trap Street,” a Chinese festivals, Bailey said, is the public audience, and politics: not only is it “a generous Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron and a film that looks at the disappearance of what he calls its “secret sauce.” “It’s why film- movie-loving audience, it is also a well- two-person cast of Sandra Bullock and people and places in the rush to modern- makers love to bring their films here, it’s informed one.” It is also a festival that has George Clooney, opened the Venice festi- ization in China. why people who are selling their movies for come to be known as the starting block in val to widespread acclaim. The documentary lineup also reflects a distribution like to bring their films here to the race for Oscars six months down the “Philomena,” starring Judi Dench as an trend of filmmakers shedding light on the see how they play in front of the Toronto road. The coveted People’s Choice Award elderly Irish woman searching for a child big news topics of the times. “The Square” audience,” Bailey said. propelled the fortunes of “Slumdog she was forced to give up for adoption, is a chronicles Egypt’s revolution in Cairo’s It is also a place where a young director Millionaire,” and “The King’s Speech,” which favorite to win Venice’s top award, the Tahrir Square, while Oscar-winning docu- like Ned Benson can get a career-making both went on to win the Academy Award Golden Lion. mentarian Errol Morris conducts an inter- bounce. Benson is premiering his feature for best picture. Some 366 films, including 146 world view with former US Defense Secretary debut “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: premieres, will screen at the Toronto Donald Rumsfeld in an exploration of Him and Her,” starring Jessica Chastain and Oscar buzz abounds International Film Festival over 11 days. post-9/11 American policy. James McAvoy as a couple whose relation- The Toronto winner could also emerge World premieres of note in Toronto “It seems to be something that a lot of ship is told from his and her perspectives. from a number of films that already pre- include “August: Osage County” starring filmmakers in many parts of the world are He is looking for a buyer. “The taste and the miered at the Venice and Telluride festivals Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts in a drama dealing with and trying to understand: curation of the festival make it a fantastic in the last week, stealing a bit of Toronto’s of a dysfunctional family, and “Dallas what this new world means when some- place,” said Benson. “I remember when thunder and picking up early Oscar buzz. Buyers Club,” in which Matthew times governments, or corporations, or ‘American Beauty’ premiered there ... com- “12 Years a Slave,” the story of a free black McConaughey plays an AIDS activist who different sources of power have so much ing out of nowhere and becoming best pic- man who is kidnapped and sold into slav- smuggles treatment drugs from Mexico. control over information,” said festival ture (Oscar). It just has a way of being a plat- ery, by British director Steve McQueen, The theme of transparency crops up in artistic director Cameron Bailey. form into the rest of the year.” — Reuters Big in Japan: American DUBAI: OSN, the region’s leading the region’s broadcast sector.” pay-TV network has refreshed its Bethany Bunnell, OSN’s on-air brand identity further Creative Marketing Director Chris Hart finds J-pop home strengthening the network’s added: “We know that our brand In this Sunday, position as an iconic and premi- is a key source of differentiation eaving San Francisco, singer Chris Hart has made him- Music companies are getting creative,” said Tomonobu Feb 13, 2011 file um brand that is relevant to and that guides our customers’ pur- self at home in “J-pop.” His album of cover versions of Yonai, a spokesman for the recording industry group. resonates with its viewers. chase decisions. Our brand Japanese pop tunes is rising on the charts. And the Hart’s career took off with an appearance in a popular photo, Jennifer L Lopez arrives at Now live, the modern and refresh is designed to ensure crooner is scoring on this nation’s equivalent of “American Japanese TV show called “Nodojiman The! World,” in March unifying on-air brand identity that our brand promise and val- Idol,” being billed as a genius who understands the musical 2012, where foreigners compete in karaoke. the 53rd annual creates more synergy between ues come through in everything soul of Japan. His success highlights a music industry that’s Hart blew away the judges, mostly singers and celebri- Grammy Awards the OSN brand, its channels, gen- we do from programming and still booming, and increasingly eager to internationalize. ties who not only praised his technique but also his under- in Los res and services at the same time technology to the customer It’s even ready to eclipse the US music standing of the lyrics and the emotions Angeles. —AP reinforcing and highlighting experience. world, where CD sales have plunged with of the tunes. He was crowned “the OSN’s key differentiators - con- “There’s no other pay-TV the arrival of digital technology. world’s best foreign J-pop singer.” tent, technology and world-class brand quite like OSN and we Hart, 29, says he is living his dream. “I feel embarrassed to come on stage,” customer service. want this to come out loud and And he doesn’t mind a bit that his fame said singer Masahiro Nakai after Hart ‘American Idol’ taps The network has set the stan- clear in our on-air spots. Our cre- has come so far from home. “I am a part covered one of his songs in his clear, dard for regional broadcasting ative approach was to be emo- of the J-pop world now,” he said in a smooth tenor. Akiko Wada, another with the breadth and depth of its tive and apparitional while rein- recent interview, using the term for pop singer, called him “just perfect.” Hart Lopez, Connick as judges premium content and has deliv- forcing our key differentiators. music in the world’s third-biggest econo- started learning Japanese when he was ered an impressive array of inno- Our objective was to leverage my. 12. He wanted to study Korean because merican Idol’ is betting that a judges’ remix with vative firsts to enhance the view- our on-air platform to expand Hart has won over Japan by focusing his aunt was of Korean descent, but his Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban er experience, including the the conversation. The new OSN on adaptations of local hits such as school offered only Japanese. He was ‘A will fare better with viewers than bickering divas introduction of High Definition platform ids are focused on the “Home,” a 2008 ballad popularized by quickly drawn to Japanese culture. A Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj did last season. The rumored (HD) and 3D television, On- amazing moments that happen singer Yusaku Kiyama about the joys of year later, he went on a home-stay pro- addition of Lopez and Connick as judges for season 13 was Demand and PVR (Personal in life and integrate actual becoming a father. Hart’s rendition, gram in Japan, where he fell even deeper announced yesterday by Fox. They’ll join Urban to make up Video Recording) technology. tweets and Facebook messages released as a single in May, surged to No. in love with Japan. Hart started a rock the talent show’s first panel consisting solely of singers - a la The new on-air look marks so our viewers are now part of 13 on the Oricon music charts, Japan’s band performing Japanese songs in San NBC’s successful 2011 upstart “The Voice.” another significant first for the the conversation and the view- equivalent of Billboard. A month later, Francisco, while working over the years Pop star and actress Lopez will be back on “American Idol” region’s broadcast industry inte- ing experience.” Hart released his first album, “Heart as a police officer and a clerk at a cos- after a two-season run as judge in 2011 and 2012 that was a grating customer engagement As part of the on-air revamp, Song,” which reached third on Oricon. In this photo taken Monday, metics company. In 2009, Hart stumbled boon for the show and her career. Connick, a respected jazz via social media with the TV OSN has also aligned its genre That’s saying a lot, given the size of Aug 5, 2013, San Francisco- on an opportunity to go back to Japan viewing experience. “Our objec- colors for movies, sports, series, singer and musician, proved adept as a mentor in several Japan’s market. Japan’s music industry is born Chris Hart sings at an out- with a job at a vending machine compa- tive was to create an emotional Arabic and news. estimated at $4.42 billion, closely trailing ny. He uploaded videos of himself “Idol” appearances. Urban’s return to the contest was door concert in Tokyo. —AP connection with our viewers and New packaging has been the US at $4.48 billion, although Japan singing in Japanese on YouTube. To his announced last month by Fox Chairman Kevin Reilly, who move the customer conversation developed for OSN’s box office has less than half the population, accord- surprise, he got invited to be on the TV said the singer didn’t get a chance to show his personality in from an online environment to a series making the customer ing to the International Federation of the Phonographic show. Although some music critics say Japanese tunes are his first turn as a judge. Urban appeared overwhelmed last richer on-air experience,” said experience richer underlining Industry, which tracks such data. While other countries bland and unsophisticated, Hart believes music is more season by the Carey-Minaj crossfire that drew complaints David Butorac, CEO of OSN. “The OSN’s position as a premium have shifted to digital music, CDs still make up 80 percent personal and emotional in Japan, rather than focused on from some viewers. advent of social media has entertainment provider. of Japan’s music sales, according to the Recording Industry catchy riffs. “I think this season of ‘Idol’ is gonna be a blast,” Urban said changed the way people con- OSN’s new and refreshed look Association of Japan. Only 34 percent of music sales are That’s why he prefers to call his fans “family.” Hart has in a statement yesterday. “New team, new energy and a sume entertainment. We recog- draws on the power of info- CDs in the US, and 58 percent is digital. also made a point of adopting Japanese mannerisms, whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a nize that viewers want to be graphics and the unmatched Recent albums from established Japanese acts such as such as bowing. “People feel more inclined to buy the chance!” Fox also announced that original judge Randy more involved and be part of the technological strengths of the B’z and Southern All Stars are setting off a CD revival. album out of the support, like a friend,” said Hart, wearing Jackson, who exited along with Carey and Minaj at the end of conversation. They want to be network. The new brand AKB48 and other groups featuring young women, known his trademark fedora and vest. In a recent outdoor con- last season, will be back in a new role as in-house mentor to heard and seen. We therefore approach is also reflected in as “idols,” are boosting CD purchases among the younger cert in Tokyo, hundreds of people, some with children in the contestants. Ryan Seacrest, also part of “Idol” from the developed a strategy that OSN’s logo, which is now crowd. The CDs sometimes come with concert tickets and their arms, crowded the stage as Hart sang in near-per- start, will again host. “Surprise, surprise! I am so happy to be weaves social media and OSN’s brighter and crisper, reflecting other benefits, so some fans are buying multiple copies of fect Japanese. “I think it’s really special that somebody added value benefits into our the network’s strength and lead- the same one. from another country sings Japanese songs because he back as part of this amazing show that started it all,” said on-air communication - a first for ership in high definition TV. “Japanese people tend to want the physical CDs or the thinks it is great music,” said Akane Kawano, a 31-year-old Jackson. “The original talent show is back with a vengeance gifts and trinkets that come as perks with many albums. receptionist. — AP and ready to discover the best talent in America.” —AP