THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2017 lifestyle

MUSIC & MOVIES Cult Japanese film director Seijun Suzuki dead at 93

apanese B-movie director, Seijun Suzuki, whose prolific out- Nikkatsu for 12 years, with his films drawing attention for a known for his long white hair, white beard and sheepish put from gangster films to fantasies influenced internation- unique and vivid sense of colour that his fans came to call demeanour, also appeared in movies and TV dramas as an Jal filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino, has died, his for- "Seijun bigaku (Seijun aesthetic)." actor, public broadcaster NHK reported. Chazelle name- mer studio announced yesterday. He was 93. Suzuki died of But his work, sometimes derided as strange and hard to checked Suzuki during a visit to Japan last month when asked if chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on February 13, the understand, wasn't for everyone. Kinema-Junposha, which he had included any references to other films in the movie. "I Nikkatsu studio said in a statement expressing "deep gratitude publishes movie-related magazines and books, said Suzuki was feel like I took a little" from Suzuki's "Tokyo Drifter" as well as and respect to his great achievements". In a career spanning fired in 1968 after releasing his gangster opus "Branded to Kill". "his whole kind of oeuvre of movies," Chazelle said. "His super five decades, Suzuki's works "had a great influence on movie Nikkatsu's president deemed his films to be "incomprehensi- wide frames and very pop-art colours-they feel like musicals to fans and film makers around the world," the company said. ble". Suzuki did not return to filmmaking for a decade, despite me, but with guns," Chazelle said. — AFP Though Suzuki was not widely known among audiences an outcry from his colleagues and fans as well as court proceed- outside Japan, he had an impact on other directors. The ings. But he roared back in the early 1980s with the surreal Hollywood Reporter said he inspired filmmakers including mystery "Zigeunerweisen", which won the Honorable Mention File picture shows Japanese director Seijun Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Wong Kar-wai and fellow countryman at the 31st Berlin International Film Festival. Suzuki posing during a photo call for the Takeshi Kitano. Suzuki's cinematic style was recently described His last film was "Operetta Tanukigoten" ("Princess presentation of ‘Pistol opera’ out of competi- by "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle as "like musicals... but Raccoon") in 2005, a fantasy in which a prince falls in love with a tion at the 58th International Film Festival, with guns". Debuting in 1956, Suzuki directed B-movies at racoon princess, starring Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi. Suzuki, organized by Venice’s Biennale. — AFP Chris Brown restrained from model after abuse account roubled singer Chris Brown has been ordered to stay away from an ex-girlfriend, model TKarrueche Tran, after she said he punched her and threatened to kill her. In documents made public Tuesday, a Los Angeles court granted a restraining order requested by Tran, with Brown facing arrest if he comes near her. Tran, who has had an on-off relationship with Brown, said that the 27-year-old singer punched her in the stomach and pushed her down the stairs several years ago but that she did not call the police. The model, who has also appeared in television series, said she requested the restraining order as Oscar statues are waiting to be cleaned and painted for the 89th Annual Academy Brown had recently sent her threats by text mes- Awards in Hollywood, California. — AFP sage. "He told a few people that he was going to kill me. He said if no one else can have me, he's gonna 'take me out,'" she wrote. Brown, who rose Israel invited 26 Oscar to fame at a young age with his R&B voice and later rap, has become notorious for allegations of abuse. In this file photo, Karrueche Tran arrives at In this file photo, rapper Chris Brown performs He was convicted of beating Rihanna, then his girl- the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards at the at the 2015 Hot 97 Summer Jam at MetLife stars to visit. So far none has friend, before the 2009 Grammy Awards, forcing Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. — AP photos the pop superstar to miss the music industry's year ago Israel offered Leonardo long-time critic of Israeli policies, con- annual gala. Last year, he was arrested on suspicion ing feud with another artist in legal trouble, the too many middlemen "got in the way because they DiCaprio, Matt Damon and other firmed to AFP he would not visit. Jewish of assault with a deadly weapon after an hours- rapper Soulja Boy. want to get a piece of the pie." The latest woes have AHollywood stars all-expenses paid Voice for Peace spokeswoman Granate long standoff with police. The two stars have been trading punches over apparently not dented Brown's star appeal as he luxury trips, but it seems they have chosen Sosnoff said it was part of a wider cultural A woman had called for assistance in that inci- social media and had dared each other to settle announced a major tour on Tuesday. His promoters to miss their cues. Campaigners are claim- boycott. "(Our campaign) brought tension, dent, but Brown's lawyers insisted she had set him scores with a real-life fight-a boxing match, which said that Brown would headline a 33-date tour of ing victory as it appears none of the 26 interrupted the normalcy of brand Israel up amid a feud. Brown on Tuesday posted an may prove lucrative for the two of them. Brown North American arenas joined by the rapper 50 Oscars stars offered a free personalized and reminded Hollywood elites that expletive-filled video on Instagram in which he confirmed that he has walked away from the box- Cent and other stars, starting on March 31 in tour valued at up to $55,000 has visited. there's a social cost of being associated said to fans: "Make sure you all don't be listening to ing proposal, amid online taunts by Soulja Boy, Baltimore. — AFP The offer, part of gift bags given out by a with military occupation," she said. this." It was unclear if he was commenting specifi- who is facing unrelated felony weapons charges. marketing firm around the time of the cally on the restraining order or solely on his ongo- Brown called the match "immature" and said that 2016 Oscars each worth an estimated Left-wing shift $200,000 and including other items such Dan Rothem, a researcher on US-Israel as ultra-expensive toilet paper, sparked a relations, said Israel wanted to use celebri- backlash. ties "as a way to break the impression Campaign groups accused Israel of try- there is some sort of isolation or boycott". Russian film revives memory ing to use the celebrities to gain positive Musicians performing in Israel are often coverage and downplay alleged abuses in put under pressure to boycott from the occupied Palestinian territories. A few activists, with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters a days ahead of the 2017 ceremony on major campaigner against such trips. But of slain Putin foe Nemtsov February 26, it appears none of the nomi- in recent weeks a number of global bands, nees has visited themselves. Hunger including Radiohead, who are known for Games star Jennifer Lawrence did take up social activism, have announced gigs in wo years after he was gunned portrait not just of a person but of a the offer but gave it to her parents, said the country, leading left-wing newspaper down in Moscow, Russian opposi- period when genuine political debate the agency that came up with the idea. Haaretz to ponder if boycott moves are Ttion politician Boris Nemtsov's existed in Russia, said Krichevskaya, a "This is a success," said Yousef Munayyer failing. Andris Nelsons, music director of the Boston Symphony murder remains shrouded in controver- former journalist for the NTV channel of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Last week controversy erupted over Orchestra, conducts at Tanglewood, the orchestra’s sy, as supporters insist the masterminds which was forced under state control in which ran the campaign against the visits American footballers visiting Israel, with summer retreat in the Berkshires near Lenox, are yet to be unmasked. Now a new doc- 2001. "It's about the time we've lost," she along with American organisation Jewish only five of the 11 players from the NFL Massachusetts. —AFP umentary film is set to shine a fresh said. In 1997, Nemtsov was plucked from Voice for Peace. "I am very glad there's no joining a trip after the Superbowl. Seattle spotlight on a tumultuous career that being governor of the industrial Nizhny evidence that people went. I think it is Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett saw him go from deputy prime minister Novgorod region to serve as deputy clear the objective of using the actors to said he would "not be used" by Israel, Boston Symphony to fierce Kremlin critic-at a time when prime minister by an ailing Yeltsin, who whitewash Israel has failed." Given several quoting reports the itinerary was being his memory is still a sensitive subject for encouraged him to aim for the Kremlin. days notice, Israel's tourism ministry sculpted by the government for publicity. plans major additions the authorities. Nemtsov was shot dead Handsome, young and eloquent, declined to comment or confirm which "When I do go to Israel-and I do plan to go- on a bridge just meters from the Kremlin Nemtsov swiftly became a household celebrities had taken up the offer. it will be to see not only Israel but also the as he walked home through central name but then found himself inextrica- West Bank and Gaza so I can see how the to summer home Moscow late on February 27, 2015. bly associated with a period of political The shock killing was the highest- instability in which many people lost Kick back Palestinians, who have called this land he Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home of profile assassination of a Kremlin critic savings in the 1998 ruble default when Ahead of the 2016 Oscars, in which home for thousands of years, live their Tanglewood, one of the premier outdoor venues in classi- since President Vladimir Putin came to it plummeted in value. "A time has a DiCaprio scooped best actor for The lives," he said in a statement. cal music, will undergo a major expansion that will include Revenant, Israel's tourism ministry Academic Margaret Campbell, who has T power. While five men have gone on tri- face. He personified all that," current a year-round building. Nestled in the Berkshire hills of western al accused of carrying out an alleged opposition leader Alexei Navalny says announced the nominees for the top five written about celebrity endorsements, said Massachusetts, the rustic 212-hectare (524-acre) estate has been contract hit, Nemtsov's family and sup- in the film, admitting he asked prizes as well as host Chris Rock would be the biggest risks of backfire is "that people the orchestra's base each summer since 1937, offering tranquili- porters say the murder trail points to Nemtsov not to publicly campaign for offered individually tailored trips, includ- end up with a worse idea of the brand (the ty for student musicians and a weekend destination for cultured more senior officials in the North him. Nemtsov and his allies ultimately ing first class flights and luxury hotels. country 'brand' in this case) than before". travelers. In a $30 million expansion announced late Tuesday, Caucasus Chechnya region but com- failed to convince voters to back his lib- Israeli officials said they were seeking to Chuck Norris visited Israel this month and the orchestra plans to build four interconnected buildings that plain that those who ordered the killing eral values of freedom and protection show the real Israel at a time of conflict. met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin include a performance space, a lecture hall and a dining area have got off scot-free. The new film, of property rights. After initially back- "Every celebrity that is coming to visit us Netanyahu. Rothem said right-winger meant to encourage interaction between musicians and visitors. entitled "The Man Who Was Too Free", ing fellow Yeltsin protege Putin, can put online a selfie somewhere and the Norris' visit would not break the "right-left The complex, which will open in the summer of 2019, will does not delve into Nemtsov's murder Nemtsov became disillusioned at what value is huge," tourism ministry director divide", but more traditionally left-wing be climate-controlled and available for rental in the off season. but focuses instead on his political con- some saw as the strongman's cold- general Amir Halevi told AFP at the time. Hollywood could help reverse a negative The performance area will accommodate an audience of up to victions as he went from Kremlin insider blooded response to the 2000 sinking But US-based campaigners placed trend for Israel. The percentage of 200 people. The orchestra said the expansion would support under former president Boris Yeltsin to of the Kursk nuclear submarine and the adverts in the Los Angeles Times and Democrats who sympathise more with the Tanglewood's long-term financial health. "Our investment in its one of Putin's most prominent critics. 2002 Moscow theatre siege. urged the actors to #skipthetrip on social Palestinians than with Israel has nearly future is essential as we continue to expand Tanglewood's It is due to roll out across 20 cities, media. Campaigners then monitored tradi- doubled since 2014, research by the Pew many wonderful offerings," music director Andris Nelsons said including Moscow, from yesterday after A 'good death' tional and social media to see if any of the Research Center found, and in 2016 was in a statement. getting officially certified for release in In the film, billionaire Mikhail celebrities made public trips. "So far we higher than the percentage favoring Managing director Mark Volpe said the orchestra is also cinemas to the surprise and delight of Prokhorov calls Nemtsov a rights activist have not seen any," Munayyer said. Sam Israelis (40 percent and 33 percent respec- designing a new Tanglewood Learning Institute which will aim those behind it, in a country where not a politician because he always said Gee from exploreisrael.com agency that tively). "The left and the right in America to bring newcomers to the retreat through educational pro- works on sensitive subjects can face what he thought. "He wasn't a political devised the idea said Lawrence gave the no longer view Israel through the same gramming. The Boston Symphony, historically considered one of hurdles. "I didn't expect that we would animal," agreed Krichevskaya. "He fol- trip to her parents as a birthday gift and prism," Rothem said. — AFP the big five US orchestras, said that some 350,000 visitors come get such a release," the film's director lowed his principles absolutely consis- they have already visited. Mark Rylance, to Tanglewood each summer. The venue also draws a selection Vera Krichevskaya. "I hope that all will tently." When the opposition found itself winner of the Best Supporting Actor and a of major acts outside of classical music, with rock legend Bob be well." The film's credited backers pushed out of mainstream politics, Dylan performing last year.—AFP include ex-telecoms magnate Dmitry Nemtsov "went onto the streets," she Zimin, who has come under pressure added. He regularly got detained at from authorities over his funding of civ- street protests and became a lawmaker Brit Awards to honor George Michael il society. But producer Yevgeny Gindilis in the provincial city of Yaroslavl. The said that documentary films had a freer filmmakers said they consciously he Brit Awards were to pay tribute to the late Bowie nominated twice hand to deal with subjects frowned on steered clear of the elephant in the George Michael yesterday, in a ceremony also But the awards will be tinged with sadness. by the authorities than Russian-made room-the trial of his alleged killers and Tgiving greater recognition to ethnic minority Michael, who died on December 25 last year aged feature films, which often rely on at accusations linking the murder to those artists, following a backlash last year. Late rock legend 53, is to be remembered at the 37th edition of the least some government funding. close to the Kremlin-loyal leader of David Bowie could also be in line for two posthumous Brits, being held at the O2 Arena in London. And "Documentaries let you talk about the Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. accolades at the British music industry's annual Bowie, who died on January 10 last year, is nomi- topics that concern Russian society," he But despite focusing on Nemtsov's awards, as he is up for best male artist and best nated for best British male solo artist alongside said. "In feature films, this has become life, rather than his death, the film still album. The Brits shook up the judging panel after the Craig David, Kano, Skepta and Michael Kiwanuka. much more difficult." could not avoid touching on his shock- 2016 event, following criticism about a lack of diversi- He is also shortlisted in the British album of the ing end. Former oil magnate and ty, and there are many more black nominees this year. year category for "Blackstar", released on his 69th 'The time we've lost' Kremlin critic Mikhail Khodorkovsky says "People feel there might actually be a breakthrough. birthday-two days before he died. The other nomi- With a budget of just over 100,000 in the film that Nemtsov would have The question is whether this is going to be long-term nees are Skepta for "Konnichiwa"; The 1975's "I Like euros ($105,400), the two-hour film fea- wanted to die this way, in the public eye or short-term," said Keith Harris, who chairs UK Music's It When You Sleep For You Are So Beautiful Yet So tures interviews with major figures from and from a bullet. This was a "good diversity taskforce. "As long as it's not just a reaction to Unaware Of It"; Kano's "Made In The Manor" and Nemtsov's political career and archival death," he says. — AFP the publicity given last year-as long as it's genuine." Kiwanuka for "Love and Hate".—AFP footage. Most interviews were done by This year's Brits have given greater recognition to the Mikhail Fishman, editor-in-chief of The grime movement, with Skepta-who won the Mercury Moscow Times newspaper. The film is a Prize for best British album with "Konnichiwa"-Kano George Michael and Stormzy among the nominees.