Farewell Gene Hackman, brawling genius of film

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Can you feel that? The sun is shining… the birds are singing… Could it be that spring has sprung? I don't know about you but March seems to be getting off to a good start, not least because of these longer days. That said, it's been a heartbreaking week of celebrity deaths including Harriet the Spy's Michelle Trachtenberg and the brilliant Gene Hackman. 

It's the Oscars tomorrow, with Conan O'Brien at the helm. The late-night host is an odd choice for presenter, but he could well be the thing this fusty ceremony needs. Meanwhile, the Indy culture team have been busy placing bets – or rather writing op-eds – on who will win Best Picture. Personally, I'd love to see Sean Baker's Anora clinch it, whereas Louis is a fan of The Brutalist and Lydia is crazy about Conclave. Plenty of Brazilians will be pulling for I'm Still Here, starring Fernanda Torres, the daughter of Fernanda Montenegro who was beaten to an Academy Award by Gwyneth Paltrow in 1999. Adam dives into the fascinating backstory here. 

Over in the music world, Ellie interviewed Canadian pop star Tate McRae about those Britney Spears comparisons, while Hannah spoke with Julien Baker (of Boygenius fame) and Torres about their queer country album, and Mark sat down with Sports Team fresh from an experience of armed robbery in the US.

See you later, 

Annabel

Also in the news this week:

Written by Annabel Nugent

Jodie Whittaker shines a light on another hidden British scandal in Toxic Town

Picked by TV critic Nick Hilton

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