Iranian Director Jafar Pahani Claims Cannes’ Top Prize
Asia/ Vibe/ Pop Culture

Asian Film ‘A Simple Accident’ Wins Best Film at 2025 Cannes Film Festival

78th Cannes Photo by Cannes Film Festival/Facebook

Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or for “A Simple Accident,” besting twenty-one other feature films in the category at the 78th Cannes Film Festival.

Despite the high power outage that happened across the region on Saturday morning (May 24), the festival’s star-studded closing ceremony went on without a hitch. The jury, chaired by French actress Juliette Binoche, along with other distinguished filmmakers, actors, and producers announced the night’s biggest winners, featuring the most outstanding cinematic features of the year. 

Panahi, who has been banned, arrested, and jailed several times in his home country for his provocative features, wins the competition’s top prize. “A Simple Accident” is his first Cannes feature in twenty years, with the 15-year travel ban imposed on him by the Iranian government lifted in 2023. The director previously earned the Best Screenplay Award for “Se Rok (Three Faces)” in 2018. 

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Summarized as “what begins as a minor accident sets in motion a series of escalating consequences,” the winning film portrayed the Iranian people struggling for their freedom and their rebellion in a constrained society. The director received the award from Juliette Binoche and co-presenter Cate Blanchett, and delivered an inspiring message for his fellow Iranians. 

“What's most important now is our country and the freedom of our country," he said. "Let us join forces. No one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do.”

Following the ceremony, director Panahi also shared some of his thoughts after winning the prestigious award. 

“For a filmmaker, every award is a delight. A lot of work has gone into winning this award. At one point, I had so many different images running through my mind. I was thinking about all the faces of my friends who were in prison with me. At that time, we were in prison, but the Iranian people were out on the streets fighting for freedom. Right then, I told myself that I was glad for them."

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Other notable winners of the night include the Grand Prix winner Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value,” Tawfeek Barhom’s “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now,” which won best short film feature, and the “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo” by Diego Céspedes who earned the top prize in the Un Certain Regard category. 

Here’s a complete list of the festival’s biggest winners:

Feature Films

  • Palme d'Or: “A Simple Accident” - Jafar Panahi
  • Grand Prix: “Sentimental Value” - Joachim TRIER
  • Jury Prize (tied): “Sirât” - Oliver Laxe and "Sound of Falling” – Mascha Schilinski
  • Best Director Award: Kleber Mendonça Filho - “The Secret Agent”
  • Best Screenplay Award: “Young Mothers” - Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne
  • Best Actress Award: Nadia Melliti – “The Last Girl” by Hafsia Herzi
  • Best Actor Award: Wagner Moura – “The Secret Agent” by Kleber Mendonça Filho
  • Special Award: Kuang Ye Shi Dai - “Resurrection” by Bi GAN

Short Films

  • Palme d'Or:  “I’m Glad You’re Dead Now” - Tawfeek Barhom
  • Special mention: “Ali” by Adnan Al Rajeev 
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Un Certain Regard

  • Un Certain Regard Award: “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo” - Diego Céspedes, 1st Film
  • Jury Prize: “A Poeta” - Simón Mesa Soto
  • Best Director Award: Arab & Tarzan Nasser – “Once Upon a Time in Gaza
    Best Actor: Frank Dillane – “Urchin” by Harris Dickinson
  • Best Actress: Cleo Diára – “The Laughter and the Knife” – Pedro Pinho
  • Best Screenplay: "Pillion” – Harry Lighton, 1st film

Golden Camera

  • Caméra d'Or: “The President’s Cake” – Hasan Hadi, Filmmakers' Fortnight
  • Special Mention: “My Father’s Shadow” - Akinola Davies Jr., Un Certain Regard

The Cinef

  • First prize: “First Summer” - Heo GAYOUNG, KAFA, South Korea
  • Second prize: “12 Moments Before the Flag-raising Ceremony" – Qu Zhizheng, Beijing Film Academy, China
  • Third Prize (tied): “Ginger Boy” Miki Tanaka, ENBU Seminar, Japan, and “Winter in March” – Natalia Mirzoyan, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia 

For more details and updates, visit Cannes Film Festival’s official website or follow Cannes Film Festival on FacebookInstagram, and TikTok

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This Week's Events Across Asia View more

This Week's Events Across Asia

Asia/ Delish/ Happenings
Say The Name! SEVENTEEN is bibigo’s Newest Global Brand Ambassadors
20250523 SEVENTEEN bibigo Photo by SEVENTEEN/Website

SEVENTEEN, one of the biggest names in K-Pop, now adds “Korean Food Global Ambassador” to their glowing list of endorsements. 

Announced on May 19, 2025, SEVENTEEN will now be representing Korean food brand bibigo in the global market, marking a major step in bibigo’s efforts to attract Gen Z consumers everywhere.

As the leading K-Food brand, bibigo aims to bring Korean food closer to international audiences by working with SEVENTEEN, whose influence reaches across the globe. 

Their campaign, “Taste What’s Beyond,” will include a wide array of exciting activities such as a Campaign Video Release, Collaborative Product Launches, and Online and Offline Events to promote bibigo’s products and give CARATs more content from SEVENTEEN. 

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Through this partnership, CJ aims to share bibigo’s unique stories and flavors of Korean food with a fresh and creative approach. CJ Foods picked SEVENTEEN as their global brand ambassadors because of the group’s bright and positive energy that synergizes well with bibigo’s fun and passionate brand image. 

bibigo has launched a campaign video across all its social media platforms since May 20. These short-form videos feature the SEVENTEEN members enjoying a range of bibigo products, including gimbap, corn dogs, and tteokbokki. Fans can also view the video on a dedicated SEVENTEEN microsite, which is now live! 

In the second half of the year, bibigo will be rolling out collab products with SEVENTEEN in global markets. Fans and consumers can look forward to a series of online and offline events in international markets like Japan and the United States in the future. 

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“By partnering with SEVENTEEN, we hope to connect with more consumers worldwide and significantly drive awareness for our brand bibigo,” said Stephan Czypionka, Global Chief Marketing Officer of CJ Foods. “Through this campaign, we aim to showcase bibigo and Korean food to a broader audience in a fun and engaging way.” 

SEVENTEEN will be returning for their 10th debut anniversary with their fifth studio album, “HAPPY BURSTDAY” on May 26, 2025

Follow bibigo on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for more updates. Visit bibigo’s SEVENTEEN site here

Follow SEVENTEEN on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram to catch their upcoming comeback!

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Asia/ Vibe/ Pop Culture
Here’s Why Disney’s Live Action ‘Lilo and Stitch’ is A Remake Done Right
Lilo and Stitch 1 Photo by Disney

Gather ‘round, Ohana. Our favorite Disney blue alien is back, and this time he’s fluffier, cuter, and wilder than ever!

Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” returns to the big screen in a brand-new live-action reimagining, bursting with heart, humor, and Hawaiian spirit! The feature film has already broken records before the release, being the most viewed Disney live-action trailer of all time with a whopping 158 million views! It just goes to show how much audiences loved the 2002 film and how excited they — we’re talking about the Disney Millennials and the new generation of Disney fans — are to witness a refreshed version of this timeless tale of found family, endearing misfits, and unconditional love.  

This record-breaking news, however, made us expect a little bit more, hoping the studios would do better than the recent “Snow White” reimagining, which received lackluster reviews from critics and Disney fans alike. Will “Lilo and Stitch” flip the coin? 

The Beat Asia got to attend the advance screening last May 18 at the SM Mall of Asia, where we were treated to a Hawaiian Roller Coaster ride of fun activation booths, free snow cones, and, yes, a film that brought on a wave of nostalgia and a whole lot of good fun! 

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We’re here to tell you all about the experience and how we think this latest live-action remake from Disney is done right, and why it’s bound to become the family film to watch this summer. 

A Balance of Nostalgia and Refreshed Storytelling

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

“Show us that there is something good inside you.” This is one of the lines from the 2002 animated feature, a quote from the Grand Councilwoman who stood before Stitch as he was judged before the entire Galactic Federation. 

We chose this line to show how loyal this remake was to the original from the start. From the beginning till the end, the film gave us the iconic scenes, beloved quotes, and nostalgic music, which made us tear up. And we weren’t even 10 minutes in!

The 2025 “Lilo and Stitch” separates itself from other Disney live-action movies, which are mostly about the Disney Princesses. More than a story of an alien crashing to earth, the story is about feeling out of place and alone, which remains a relevant theme today. Disney’s decision to produce this live-action remake is a testament to its enduring charm to audiences everywhere, and shows the studio’s desire to keep its legacy alive by introducing it to the new generation. 

Although many live-action reimagining have failed either in the nostalgia department or in bringing something new to the table, “Lilo and Stitch” balances both with effortless ease, so much so that it might even be better than the original. Shocker, we know, but hear us out.

Stitch
Courtesy of Disney
Councilwoman
Courtesy of Disney

So many of us know the story. Set in modern-day Hawai’i, the story follows Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a girl full of imagination with a rebellious streak, and how she meets a blue alien fugitive, Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders), who crashes into her world and changes her life forever. The live-action movie pretty much follows the same events from the original animation, with some changes in the second half. These changes didn’t feel forced or random, with every one of them an effect of an earlier scene or rooted in a character’s journey. 

We loved how Stitch’s biology was made clearer in this remake, explaining why he’s afraid of water. Even though it was mentioned in the original that he couldn’t swim, the remake reiterated that his molecular density was too great and would cause him to sink and drown, which heightened the stakes and added drama.

Lilo’s sister, Nani (Sydney Elizabeth Agudong), also got a bit more of the spotlight as the remake shed more light on her struggles in keeping Lilo and trying her hardest to be a responsible guardian. Those additional scenes where we see her working and failing, and also those glimpses of her life before they lost their parents gave us more insight into who she is as a character — how she was more than just Lilo’s big sister, but also a young girl thrust into adulthood before she even had the chance to make her own dreams a reality. 

Nani and Lilo
Courtesy of Disney
Surfing
Courtesy of Disney

We also saw an improvement in David’s (Kaipo Dudoit) role as he is now the grandson of Tūtū (Amy Hill), a new character who plays Nani and Lilo’s longtime neighbor. This dynamic explained why David was so close with Nani (childhood friends to lovers, duh!) and showcased that the concept of Ohana among the Hawaiian people goes beyond just blood relations.  

And what of the iconic alien duo, Jumba and Pleakly? Pleakly (Billy Magnussen) was pretty much the same, adding humor into the film as effortlessly as breathing, while Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) had an interesting transformation and had a more villainous image in the film, which we thought matched his whole Mad Scientist character. We liked how he remained consistent with his initial goal when he created Experiment 626 (a.k.a. Stitch), which was to create a monster of destruction, and kept pursuing Stitch till the end. This, however, would’ve made Captain Gantu’s character redundant, which was why it was understandable that the character didn’t make it into the film.

Although we have to admit that we did miss Jumba and Pleakly’s Partners-in-Crime vibes, and the actors who, though great individually, didn’t show as much chemistry as we had hoped. 

Jumba and Pleakly
Courtesy of Disney

A fresh, well-ironed storyline, well-developed characters, and fascinating new faces that were significant to the overall progression of events, the 2025 “Lilo and Stitch” just showed us how amazing a live-action remake can be when done right

On Acting and Effects

Maia Kealoha, who played Lilo, did such an amazing job that it almost felt like animated Lilo magically turned into an actual person. It’s hard to believe that this is her debut film, given how she performed the character with clever playfulness and heartfelt charm. 

Producer Jonathan Enrich even said in a press statement, “Finding Lilo was the biggest challenge. We needed someone young who could realistically play a girl growing up in Hawai’i. Maia Kealoha blew us away with her energy, humor, and dramatic ability. She truly is Lilo.” So yes, folks, they’re not exaggerating. This kid shows much promise, and we can’t wait to see her in more projects. 

Lilo
Courtesy of Disney

One thing we loved about the entire movie was how the cast looked so much like the animated characters, which added to the nostalgia, making it easier for longtime Stitch fans to connect and empathize with their live-action versions. Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, who is of Hawaiian and Filipino heritage, brought Nani to life well from her reactions to Lilo’s tantrums down to her silent tears as she struggled with her responsibilities. 

There were new and old characters, and then there was Agent Cobra Bubbles. The iconic man in a suit and dark shades played an important role in the original animation, being the social worker who monitored Nani and who turned out to be an undercover agent. The live-action remake split this character into two, which we thought made more sense as it gave us more insight into the alien side of the story and how — as Pleakly said, aliens were made to believe that mosquitoes were an extinct species, making it a protected wildlife reserve.

The social worker, Mrs. Kekoa, was played by Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the original animation. This was one of the ways the new film paid homage to the original: by letting these talented voice actors take part in the reimagining. Other characters you’ll catch include David’s voice actor Jason Scott Lee, Amy Hill, who voiced Mrs. Hasagawa, and of course, Chris Sanders, who is the then and now voice of Stitch. 

The film showcased wonderful CGI, which was expected of a big studio project from Walt Disney Studios. The space scenes looked real but still retained that whimsical charm, so it didn’t feel like we were watching a scene out of a Marvel movie. The alien characters looked impressive and so much like their animated counterparts, and Stitch looked even better in this version now that he had fur. Cute and fluffy, but 100x!

Majority of the scenes were filmed on the island, so the setting is as authentic as it gets, and truly captures the beauty of Hawaii, its culture, and people

Final Verdict

Any fan who watches this in the cinema has to be prepared to have their hearts stolen by Stitch again, because this remake is good in all the right ways, and checks off all our marks for a Disney live-action movie worth watching. While Disney had a rough journey with these movies, at least we know that they gave “Lilo and Stitch” a fresh new look but still managed to retain its emotional core, which many of the remakes lacked

New look, but same ‘ole vibes with pure Disney magic. An easy five stars! Don’t miss this heartfelt, action-packed summer adventure in theaters now!

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Follow Walt Disney Studios on FacebookX (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for more Disney movie magic.

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Asia/ Vibe/ Pop Culture
Netflix Brings Biggest Stars Together for Grand Global Fan Event on May 31
TUDUM 2025 Photo by Netflix/Website

Calling all Netflix fans! Here’s one LIVE show you need to add to your watchlists this May!

Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event is happening on May 31, 2025, where the streaming platform’s biggest stars come together for a one-of-a-kind celebration of fandoms and culture-defining storytelling. 

The event will stream live at 8 PM (ET) / 5 PM (PT) / Jun. 1, 8 AM (UTC +8) from the KIA Forum in Los Angeles. Hosted by Netflix film fan-favorite actress Sofia Carson (“The Life List,” "Carry-On,” “Purple Hearts”), this program will not only feature your favorite actors but also exciting performances, exclusive sneak previews, and jaw-dropping reveals!

Other special guests making an appearance at the event include “Emily in Paris” star Lily Collins; “Stranger Things” and “Enola Holmes” actress Millie Bobby Brown; Jenna Ortega, who played the goth icon “Wednesday;” and the stars of “Squid Game,” Lee Jung-Jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Kang Ae-Sim, and Choi Seung-Hyun (T.O.P).

Tudum 2025 lineup
Photo from Netflix/Website

Additionally, Little Monsters will be pleased to know that Lady Gaga will be performing live at the event. The Grammy-winning artist recently released her new album “Mayhem,” which topped album charts in over 20 countries. She also headlined Coachella in April and held a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach, which was attended by over 2.5 million fans — the largest crowd for a concert by any female artist in history. 

Her documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two” is currently streaming on the platform, which gives a behind-the-scenes look at the artist and documents the events around the production of her fifth studio album and preparations for her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.

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Tudum LIVE is Netflix’s signature fan event, named after the iconic sound that plays at the start of every Netflix show. This celebration first started in 2020 at the Bienal Pavilion of São Paulo, Brazil, and was a multi-title festival that celebrated Netflix’s young adult content. The festival drew more than 50,000 fans over four days. Since then, it has evolved into multiple formats from festivals to livestreams and digital almanacs, making it the ultimate global fan event. 

The 2025 broadcast is produced by Silent House Productions, with Emmy Award winners Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco, Linda Gierahn, and Elizabeth Kelly serving as executive producers. 

For more details and updates, visit Tudum.com or follow Netflix on FacebookX (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram

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Asia/ Vibe/ Artists
Frankie Cosmos: Greta Kline Talks New Album and Single 'Vanity'
Frankie Cosmos 1 Photo by The Beat Asia

Indie-rock outfit Frankie Cosmos is storming through the streaming charts, with 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and a growing cult following in Asia. 

Led by Greta Kline’s signature dreamy, minimalist lyricism, the band crafts introspective songs that explore heartbreak, self-discovery and the passage of time.

Their recent hit ‘Vanity' was released in Apr. 2025 and quickly garnered nearly 200,000 streams on Spotify.

Frankie Cosmos is the stage name of Greta Kline, who first cut her musical teeth on the internet, sharing music independently on the quintessential DIY platform Bandcamp. She began to perform under the alias Frankie Cosmos in 2011. The band is made up of Greta Kline, Alex Bailey, Katie Von Schleicher, and Hugo Stanley.

Frankie Cosmos is set to release their latest album "Different Talking," on June 27, 2025 via Sub Pop. “Different Talking” is Frankie Cosmos' sixth studio album. Their most textured album to date; "Different Talking" is a luminous meditation on the quiet conflict of growing older and holding space for our past selves. This bittersweet collection of songs honors the wide-eyed courage and comfort of her early twenties, while charting the chanteuse's evolution into uncharted emotional terrain. 

"Different Talking" marks the first time Frankie Cosmos has self-produced and arranged tracks without external studio producers. The result is an album that feels more experimental and expansive, blending elements of country-fried noodling with delicate synth textures. 

Ahead of the album’s release, Frankie Cosmos released their lead single 'Vanity,' a track that embodies the tension between “adult and kid, government and governed, planet and blade of grass,” as Greta describes it.  

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They have also followed up with their latest single, 'Bitch Heart,' released on May 7, 2025, alongside an official music video directed by Eliza Lu Doyle.

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Ahead of the album’s release, The Beat Asia spoke with Greta from her apartment in New York about the challenges of self-producing "Different Talking" and the inspirations behind the new single 'Vanity.'

Congratulations on the upcoming release of your album "Different Talking." How are you feeling as it nears release, and what does it mean to you after six albums?

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Thank you, I'm excited! There's a lot to do, which is fun. Every record feels special to me. When I’m in the world of the record, it always feels like the most exciting thing I've done, but this one is particularly meaningful because of the way that we recorded it.

I feel especially proud of what we were able to achieve without a producer, and the sound [of this album]. 

The title of the album "Different Talking" is very evocative. How did you come up with this name? Could you tell us about what sort of feelings or personal experiences inspired the songs on this album?

It came from something my three-year-old godson said. My band started using it as a slang term, and we just thought it was a cute phrase. But it started to mean that something is different based on the tone of how you're saying it, either [in a] good or bad [way]. We would use it when we were making the record to describe a guitar tone, or a take of a song, or the coffee that day. So when Alex said, 'Different Talking,' everyone in the band was like 'Yes,' because it became part of the way that all of us speak.

How do you think this album fits in with the broader scope of your work?

Different Talking
Courtesy of Frankie Cosmos

In the scope of all my records, I like to think that my songwriting follows my aging process and the way I reevaluate my feelings with distance and hopefully some more wisdom as I get older.

A huge difference is the personnel on the record, having two new bandmates from the previous albums. Katie and Hugo brought their own different styles and that changed the sound a lot. 

The fact that we recorded it ourselves had a big effect on the sonic textures we were making. We all felt close to the actual sounds, because there was nobody between us and the computer, and we gave ourselves a lot of time.

This album marks the first time Frankie Cosmos has arranged and recorded without an external producer. Can you share a bit about what your experience collaborating with the rest of the band was like?

frankie cosmos
Courtesy of Frankie Cosmos

It was exciting and scary, but not easy. We were developing our chemistry as a band, because we hadn't played that many shows the four of us, and arranging the songs while we were recording them.

I've never spent more than 10 days recording an album. We were recording ['Different Talking'] for 40 days, and it was the most time we've had to take breaks. That was a huge part of it — hanging out with each other and being able to explore and try stuff out, it was a really rewarding recording experience.

It got me back in touch with feeling naive and young about music, and it felt good, but also hard. There were times when I was losing my mind. I realized that so much of a producer's job is to tell the band when to stop and come back to something, so it was a test of strength.

Did you face any other challenges during this process?

A big challenge was trying to record to tape. We had started recording, and it kept cutting in and out. We realized the tape was defunct and had to get a new one.

Katie and I were like, it doesn't have to be tape, but Alex and Hugo really wanted to record to tape. We were just butting heads a little bit about how much the physical part of recording affects the process, and how much we all cared about that. So it all worked out, and we were able to do the basics to tape, which was really cool. Katie was working hard on the tape machine; it's a lot to maintain!

That’s an interesting way of recording music. Why did you decide to do this?

It's a cool way to record, because you don't have as much freedom, and you have to get it in a certain number of takes, you can't re-record over tape too many times or it starts to lose quality. 

I did my first two records to tape — 'Zentropy' and 'Next Thing' were both two reels of tape. It's part of why my records — up until the last two — are how the band sounds live. It’s like we're playing our live set and you're just hitting record and capturing everything at the same time. I'm glad that we ended up doing it [recording to tape], because it is a way more organic process

Given your experience self-producing this album, would you consider going down this route in the future?

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I think I would. If you had asked me the day we finished, I would be like, 'I'm never doing that again.' But now that it’s been eight months since we finished recording, it feels amazing. 

It's really up to Katie, I would say, because she did the most physical labor, being the engineer. She was cleaning the inside of the tape machine every day with a Q tip and making sure it was in good shape. Also having to play her instruments near the machine so that she could hit record, because it was just the band, there was nobody hitting record for us. 

Is there a song on "Different Talking" that you feel particularly proud of?

I picked 'Vanity' as the first single because it was the one that I wanted to play for my friends first when we finished the record. But I don’t know if I have a favorite. I guess I was really proud of 'Margareta' because we played it live a couple of times, and it was hard to get the take when we were recording it because it felt like a live song. Maybe that’s the one I’m most proud of at the moment. 

Congratulations on your lead single Vanity’s recent release! What were your inspirations for this single?

frankie cosmos
Facebook/ Frankie Cosmos

I never know what the theme of a record is until I'm done. Time is a big one for me, just being a part of the universe and feeling small in the universe in a cozy way (or a scary way!)

I’m trying to find humor in some deep rage I have and turn it into something that’s fun, and see what comes out of it. That's part of songwriting for me, just following the song and not feeling so much ownership over where it's heading.

Can you walk us through the creative process behind 'Vanity?'

I was in a part of New York that was kind of empty, and passing this big cemetery called Green-Wood Cemetery. I had just walked five and a half miles and probably had another mile left in my walk, and I was singing to myself because I was alone. 

I have the audio recordings of me singing 'Vanity' to myself, the melody, and the words for the chorus. When I went home, I tried to figure out what chords to put behind it. There's a version where I put these minor chords behind it, and it sounds a bit spooky. The part about speaking to the planet 'oh Jupiter' just happened.

What does 'Vanity' personally mean to you, and how do you think it will connect to listeners who may be grappling with similar feelings?

Frankie cosmos
Facebook/ Frankie Cosmos

It’s an angry song, but it's also fun and funny. It’s about getting older and finding outlets for your anger and laughing at it, and that being a path to forgiving yourself for having feelings. 

I'm obsessed with this old Liz Phair demo, which is about feeling like an ant in Alaska. Everyone has felt that, and the beauty of that, and feeling part of the universe is part of what 'Vanity' is about. 

I’m interested in time and that it's expanding forever in both directions. For me, 'Vanity' is about being 30, and [being] 16, and remembering being 16 when you're 30. Those are like the bookends of the song, but time makes them expand in both directions. It’s about forever being part of the line of time moving

Are you doing any upcoming tours to Asia?

We don't have any planned right now, but hopefully this is something that we will work on for next year or the coming years!

What’s next for Frankie Cosmos? Any upcoming projects or music?

Just this record. I'm really excited to get the whole thing out. Thank you for talking to me about it. I hope everyone likes the rest of the album!

Watch the Official Video for 'Vanity' on YouTube here, and the music video for 'Bitch Heart' here

Stay connected to Frankie Cosmos on their website, Facebook and Instagram

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Asia/ Vibe/ Pop Culture
Standout Screenings: Asian Films at the 78th Cannes Film Festival
Renoir Photo by IMDb.com/Website

The 78th Cannes Film Festival is ongoing from May 13 to 24, 2025, promising an exceptional showcase of films. This year, the renowned awarding body is shining the spotlight on a diverse array of movies from across the world, including entries from Asia that are making their mark on the international stage.

From poignant dramas to genre-defying thrillers, we’re listing down some of the standout films in the official lineup that highlight rich storytelling and cinematic innovation by Asian filmmakers. 

Here’s a look at some of the most anticipated Asian films premiering at Cannes 2025

Renoir (Japan, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, France)

In Competition (Palme d’Or) | Coming-of-age, Drama

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Directed and written by Chie Hayakawa, “Renoir” is a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Tokyo and is told through the point of view of 11-year-old Fuki (Yui Suzuki), who’s navigating her adolescence amid family struggles as she lives with her terminally ill father and a mother who’s constantly stressed due to work pressures and caring for her husband. 

Often left to her own devices, Fuki retreats into an imaginary world where her curiosity for telepathy grows. This Japanese film was co-produced by studios in Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, and France, and was Japan’s submission for the Oscars.  

  • Cast: Yui Suzuki, Hikari Ishida, Lily Franky
  • Screening Dates: May 17, 18, and 20
  • Running Time: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Magellan (Portugal, Philippines, Spain, France, Taiwan)

In Competition (Palme d’Or) | Historical Drama 

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Directed and written by award-winning director Lav Diaz, the film follows the story of how the Portuguese navigator Magellan rebels against the power of the King, who doesn’t support his dream of discovering the world. The film explores the truth of his journey as he becomes obsessed with conquest and conversion upon reaching the island of the Malayan Archipelago, as well as the hardships and difficulties he faced throughout the long, exhausting voyage.  

Known as one of the members of the slow cinema movement, Lav Diaz has made some of the longest narrative films on record. “Magellan,” which had to be trimmed down for the competition, was originally nine hours long and was around eight years in the making.  

  • Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Dario Yazbek, Angela Ramos, Ronnie Lazaro as Raja Humabon, Hazel Orencio
  • Screening Dates: May 18 and 19
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 36 minutes 

Sons of the Neon Night (Hong Kong)

Out of Competition (Midnight Screening) | Crime Thriller

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Also known by its Chinese title, “Feng Lin Hou Shan,” this genre-defying crime thriller by director Juno Mak starts off with an explosion in Causeway Bay, which kills a wealthy Hong Kong businessman and sparks a war between drug traffickers and those who oppose them. The movie follows Lee Mo-tung (Takeshi Kaneshiro), the heir to a major financial company, who wants to get rid of his family’s dark legacy by declaring war on the drug trade. His actions, however, ignite chaos in the criminal underworld. 

This is Juno Mak’s sophomore feature following his 2013 debut, “Rigor Mortis,” which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2013. 

  • Cast: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Sean Lau, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Louis Koo, Michelle Wai
  • Screening Dates: May 16, 17, 18, and 20
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 12 minutes

A Useful Ghost (Thailand, France, Singapore, Germany)

Critics’ Week | Dark Comedy, Fantasy

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Written and directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, who is known to weave folklore into contemporary narratives, this film centers on Nat (Davika Hoorne), whose spirit returns after passing away from a respiratory illness. She possesses a vacuum cleaner to protect her husband from falling into the same fate when he begins to show symptoms. While her family copes with their unusual human-ghost relationship, Nat proves her worth by cleaning their factory — not just literally, but also spiritually as she cleanses the place of vengeful spirits. 

This is Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s feature debut, and was co-produced by studios from France, Singapore, and Germany.

  • Cast: Davika Hoorne, Witsarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon
  • Screening Dates: May 17 and 18
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Agapito (Philippines)

In Competition (Short Films) | Science Fiction, Drama 

Agapito
Photo from Cannes Film Festival/Website

“Agapito” follows the story of a bowling pin setter named Mira (Nour Hooshmand), whose days are spent resetting pins at a rundown bowling alley. She works this dangerous job in order to support her brother, Junior (André Miguel), who suffers from cerebral palsy and developmental delays.   

The film is directed by Arvin Belarmino and Kyle Danelle Romero, and made history as the first project by a Filipina director selected in the short films category. In an interview with Rolling Stones Philippines, the directors described the film as a love letter to their families. Director Belarmino dedicated it to his brother, who also has special needs, while co-director Romero mentioned how her father had supported their family by working in a sports facility.  

  • Cast: Nour Hooshmand, André Miguel, Jeremy Calilung, Mark Emil Nolasco, Veronica Reyes, Bullet Dumas
  • Screening Dates: May 24
  • Running Time: 15 minutes 

Resurrection (China)

In Competition (Palme d’Or) | Science Fiction, Drama

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Known to create films with poetic storytelling and stunning visuals, renowned director Bi Gan weaves a sci-fi narrative in Resurrection,” which follows the story of a woman lost in a world of in-between called the eternal time zone while undergoing a surgical procedure. In her dreams, she finds an android corpse whom she tries to awaken through stories. 

This film is competing for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s highest prize, marking the director’s debut in the category following his romantic drama “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section in 2018.

  • Cast: Jackson Yee, Shu Qi, Mark Chao, Li Gengxi, Huang Jue, Chen Yongzhong, Zhang Zhijian, Chloe Maayan, Yan Nan, Guo Mucheng
  • Screening Dates: May 22 to 24
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes

A Pale View of Hills (Japan and England)

Un Certain Regard | Historical drama

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The film was adapted from the Nobel prize-winning novel of the same name by Kazuo Ishiguro, and follows the story of a young writer named Niki (Fumi Nikaido) from London born to a Japanese mother and British father

When her half-sister passes away, she reconnects with her estranged mother, Etsuko (Yo Yoshida), and uncovers her past as a survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bombing. The film is directed by Kei Ishikawa (“A Man” and “Listen to the Universe”) and takes viewers on a journey through post-war Nagasaki in the 1950s and 1980s England during the Cold War.

  • Cast: Fumi Nikaido, Suzu Hirose, Yo Yoshida, Camilla Aiko, Kouhei Matsushita, Tomokazu Miura
  • Screening Dates: May 15 to 17
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Exit 8 (Japan)

Out of Competition (Midnight Screening) | Psychological horror, Thriller

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Directed by Genki Kawamura, the author who penned the Japanese bestseller “If Cats Disappeared from the World,”  this video game adaptation is about navigating an endless underground. 

The horror game puts players in a Japanese subway station where they’re tasked to find “Exit 8” without overlooking anything out of the ordinary. A single oversight can lead them back to the very beginning, trapping players in an endless corridor. 

Yikes. Talk about being unable to get off a wild thrill ride!

  • Cast: Kazunari Ninomiya, Yamato Kôchi
  • Screening Dates: May 18, 19, 21, and 23
  • Running Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Love on Trial (Japan)

Out of Competition (Cannes Premiere) | Drama, Romance

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This film, directed by Koj Fukada, shines the spotlight on Japan’s Idol Industry as it follows the story of a rising J-Pop idol named Mai (Kyoko Saito) who finds her career in jeopardy when she falls in love and violates the “no dating” clause in her contract. 

“Living in Japan, you’re constantly exposed to idols: in films, on TV, in advertising,” director Koj Fukada said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “This project was born from my own discomfort and conflicted feelings toward idol culture, but my intention was not to totally deny or condemn it outright. I wanted to question the system, while not disregarding the efforts of young women who dream of becoming idols.”

  • Cast: Kyoko Saito, Yuki Kura, Erika Karata, Kenjiro Tsuda
  • Screening Dates: May 22 and 23
  • Running Time: 2 hours, 4 minutes

It Was Just an Accident (Iran)

In Competition (Palme d’Or) | Action, Adventure, Crime

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Another film in the competition roster is Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” which we don’t know much about and is only described by the logline: “What begins as a minor accident sets in motion a series of escalating consequences.” Apart from its secretive nature, the film seemed to be cloaked in controversy as it was also reported that the director, who was just recently released from prison, made the film without official filming permission from the Iranian authorities. 

Jafar Panahi is considered of the most celebrated directors in Iran and has previously been recognized at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin for his notable works such as “The Circle” (2000), “Offside” (2006), “Taxi” (2015), and “No Bears” (2022).

  • Cast: Majid Panahi, Ebrahim Azizi, Vahid Mobasseri
  • Screening Dates: May 20 to 23
  • Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Once Upon a Time in Gaza (Palestine)

Un Certain Regard | Drama, Comedy

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This film centers on a young student named Yahya (Naber Abd Alhay) who befriends a restaurant owner, Osama (Majd Eid), and together they start selling illegal drugs while delivering falafel sandwiches. Their business takes a turn, however, when a police officer gets in their way.

Filmed by director duo Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser, this film explores Gaza’s social and political realities and will screen in the Un Certain Regard section of the festival. 

  • Cast: Naber Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
  • Screening Dates: May 19, 20, and 21
  • Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
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To know more about this year’s Cannes entries, you can browse through the official list and screening schedule on their website or follow Cannes Film Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok

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Asia/ Vibe/ Pop Culture
Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ Delivers a Refreshing and Emotional Adventure
Thunderbolts 1 Photo by Marvel Philippines/Facebook

A new team of heroes has arrived, and who would’ve thought it’s an odd group of antiheroes who just coincidentally worked together to face a greater threat?

Marvel Studios released their second Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) theatrical release this year and despite the lukewarm reception to “Captain America: Brave New World,” this new adventure has received a wave of positive reviews from critics and moviegoers alike, earning an 88% rating from critics and 94% from verified audience on Rotten Tomatoes. 

Marvel’s “Thunderbolts*” brings together an unusual band of superhero rejects comprised of Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes, David Harbour's Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen's Ghost, and Wyatt Russell's John Walker. If you’re a fan of the MCU or have been keeping up with the films, you already probably know that these characters have been a thorn in the side of the Avengers one way or another and have done some pretty bad things. 

At first glance, this film might look like another “Suicide Squad,” DC’s popular movie about a group of criminals working together to fight off a greater villain, but after watching the film, we realize Marvel has much more in store in this action-packed adventure. With this film, the company was able to explore a darker kind of villain, one that resides in our minds. 

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Redemption Arc at Its Finest

Warning: Spoilers ahead! 

"Thunderbolts*” is a redemption film at its core, a story that tells of an unconventional group of antiheroes working together to fight a greater evil. Although trauma has been an overused plot device in many movies, this film utilizes it in all the right ways as it plunges deeply into the state of mind of each character and explores their mental health issues, a theme that is both relevant and timely. 

Directed by Jake Schreier and written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, “Thunderbolts*” gave us an original treatment of mental health issues told in a heartfelt way. We don’t think we’ve ever teared up over a Marvel film outside of character deaths, but here we are. 

Like most movies in the MCU, “Thunderbolts*” begins right into the action as we witness Yelena standing on the edge of a skyscraper. As she jumps and parachutes to a lower floor, we hear her voiceover saying, “There’s something wrong with me. An emptiness. I thought it started when my sister died, but now it feels like something bigger. Just a…void.”

Yelena
Photo from Disney/Website

She goes on a monologue about being bored and discontent with how her life has turned out as she fights her way into the building. From there, we see her wanting to leave her assassin life for a more “public-facing” role in the hopes of finding purpose in her life. Yelena explained, without ever saying the word, what depression is. 

Throughout the film, we are not only given impressive combat scenes and daredevil stunts, but also an emotional and deeper understanding of what goes on in these characters’ heads. Superhero films are mostly plot-driven, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats with back-to-back action sequences, but what makes “Thunderbolts*” unique is their treatment of emotions on a character level, the story unfolding through the choices they make, heavily influenced by their histories, and their mental and emotional states

Director Jake Schreier was quite clever with his shots from the start of the film, like how he ushered viewers into Yelena’s state of mind, which was mostly filled with darkness. This was shown in the hallway scene as she moved in to fight the guards. A single light source came from behind her at the end of the hall, and the Director intentionally placed the camera above to capture long shadows, making it look like Yelena was fighting shades — a representation of the demons she’s battling in her head. 

We suppose this also makes it the most (if not the first) artistic film in the MCU as it leans more into artistry and presentation rather than flashy stunts, which beautifully supports the theme and overall storyline.

But that doesn’t mean the movie lacked in the action department because there were plenty of explosions and hand-to-hand combat to go around, which is a signature in the franchise. CGI was also top-tier, and one of our favorite effects was how Bob, a.k.a. The Sentry, shrouded the city in darkness as he brought them into the darkest and deepest parts of their mind. 

We also loved the chemistry between the antiheroes. The concept of found family has been a recurring theme in the MCU, and we enjoyed their journey — how they found common ground to work together as a team. It was a bumpy ride where they endlessly fought and often clashed, understandable considering this band of misfits was like putting together a bunch of magnets that will inevitably repel each other, but that’s what made their teamwork rewarding in the end and why we think this group can indeed be named as — spoiler alert! — “The New Avengers.”

New Avengers
Photo from Disney/Website
Bob
Photo from Disney/Website

What made these characters an interesting group to watch was their relatability. The director had mentioned this in an interview with Disney, quoting, “I think they’re sort of your least anticipated group of Marvel heroes. *laughs* But in that way, they’re like us. There’s something that everyone can relate to in all of these characters. They’re people who have found themselves in a place they didn’t expect to be, or maybe things didn’t work out for them quite in the way that they thought. I think anyone can relate, certainly.”

It made the moral of its tale even more profound, which Yelena mentioned earlier in the film when Bob asked her about what she does when the loneliness or darkness gets too much. She advised him to shove it all down, to keep it in, but towards the end, she learned that the best way to get through it is to let go, find connection in others, and move forward. 

One thing we wished to have seen more, however, is the Ghost coming into play more. We thought she was overshadowed by the others, who all had interesting back stories. We’ve had a brush with this antihero in the “Antman” franchise, but considering this is her first film where we see her playing a role outside of being a villain, we hope Marvel develops her character more and gives her more substance. 

Final Verdict

“Thunderbolts*” may not be the strongest or flashiest film in the franchise, but it’s got a lot of heart and a strong message that makes a lasting impact, making it one of the more memorable Marvel movies out there. This is more than just a superhero film. It’s about being in one place and learning how to move forward from it. It’s about being human despite your power, strength, and capacity

More importantly, this film shows us that the “void” is an all-consuming force and can easily take over if you let it. After seeing the characters’ journey in the film, we hope people learn that staying in the void is also a choice and that the connections and relationships we build with others can lighten our load and help us step out of that darkness. Speaking of building connections, the film’s theme song, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us” by Starship, is so on point! Marvel truly knows how to tickle our ears with classic 80s music that’s not only a jam, but encapsulates what the film is about. 

The film company has succeeded in ushering in a new era for its A-Team, one that is comprised of heroes that are superhuman but still undeniable human, which gives way to more realistic and grounded stories. Action-packed, hilarious, and heartfelt, it has all the ingredients that make up a blockbuster masterpiece

It also seems that we’ll be seeing more of these family-themed stories with the upcoming “Fantastic 4: Four Steps” later this year and “Avengers: Doomsday” in 2026, and we simply can’t wait to see more of these exciting storylines unfold on the big screen. 

Go see it if you haven’t yet!

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Follow Marvel on FacebookX (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for updates on action-packed thrills within the MCU.

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