Two African films compete for Foreign Language Oscar.

Two African films, Outside the Law from Algeria and Life Above All from South Africa are among the 9 films that will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 83rd Academy Awards. They were selected from 66 films that qualified in the category.Notably is Rachid Bouchareb’s “Outside the Law,” the French-Algerian film that annoyed French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy’s political party, who wanted the film banned at the last Cannes Film Festival, because “it denigrates France and the French military.”
“Outside the Law”, tells the story of three brothers who fought for Algeria’s independence from France after World War II. After losing their family home in Algeria, three brothers were scattered across the globe. Messaoud joined the French army fighting in Indochina; Abdelkader became a leader of the Algerian independence movement; whilst Said moved to Paris to make his fortune in the shady clubs and boxing halls of Pigalle. Gradually, their interconnecting destinies reunited them in the French capital, where freedom is a battle to be fought and won.
“Life, Above All” an emotional and universal drama about a young girl who fought the fear and shame that have poisoned her community. It was directed by South African filmmaker Oliver Schmitz who adapted the international award winning novel “Chanda’s Secrets” by Allan Stratton.
Chanda, 16, is a smart and determined South African girl on track to win a scholarship – but she’s suddenly thrust into an impossible situation, forcing her to adopt maturity beyond her years. When we first meet her, she’s making funeral arrangements for her year-old sister, Sara. If people begin to suspect Sara’s death was due to more than a passing flu, Chanda will be faced with shame and stigma, not only for the victim, but also for their entire family.
When Lilian’s (Chanda’s mother) illness becomes impossible to hide, their nosy, eccentric next-door neighbor, Mrs. Tafa, engages a spirit doctor to perform a startling ritual. The spirit doctor determines that a curse is hanging over her and her children. In order to lift it,
Lilian must return to the village from where she was banished decades before, leaving Chanda alone to care for her siblings.
Meanwhile, Chanda’s best friend, Esther, has turned to prostitution in a desperate attempt to survive and reunite her own family. Though the community shuns Esther, Chanda refuses to reject her friend. To the horror of those around her, Chanda opens her house to Esther at her friend’s moment of greatest need. That’s just the beginning of Chanda’s fight against convention.
When Chanda discovers that her mother may have gone away to die in order to spare her children shame, she ignores the cautions of the meddling Mrs. Tafa, and embarks on a fateful journey to bring her mother home. And in doing so, challenges the people around her to reject their prejudices and embrace the truth.
The 9 films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:
Algeria, “Outside the Law”), Rachid Bouchareb, director;
Canada, “Incendies,” Denis Villeneuve, director;
Denmark, “In a Better World,” Susanne Bier, director;
Greece, “Dogtooth,” Yorgos Lanthimos, director;
Japan, “Confessions,” Tetsuya Nakashima, director;
Mexico, “Biutiful,” Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, director;
South Africa, “Life, above All,” Oliver Schmitz, director;
Spain, “Tambien la Lluvia” (“Even the Rain”), Iciar Bollain, director;
Sweden, “Simple Simon,” Andreas Ohman, director.
 

‘If I Choose To Marry A Man, Its My Business’- Denrele Edun and charly boy

Don’t bother to schedule an interview appointment with one of the best and outstanding VJs of this time Denrele Edun, if you are not ready to be playful. If you won’t be able to tolerate his humour and eccentricity; don’t just bother!
‘I was sick of the whole Charly Boy saga, everybody just kept buzzing me and talking about it. Different men were calling me non-stop and asking me out on date’.
‘Soundcity is the kind of work that swallows you up, you can’t have time to do anything else but I just said to myself, I’m a brand and would have to move on; I can’t be with Soundcity for ever’.
‘People have labelled me bisexual, heterosexual, transexual, and all that. If I answer that right now, what’s the point in clearing it. I want to be as mysterious as I want to. If I choose to marry someone of the same sex, it’s my business.’

Annie Macaulay - Tuface and I Never Did Any Secret Wedding..(interview)

                                                                    Annie Macaulay


She ventured into the movie industry not too long ago and from the look of things; she is already making a statement in the industry. Annie Macaulay, one of the women who had kids for Africa’s hip hop singer Tuface Idibia is a Computer Science graduate of the Lagos State University. Speaking with MURPHY FADAIRO on various issues such as her career, relationship with Tuface Idibia, being a single mother and other sundry issues, the pretty mother spoke at lenghth. Excerpts.
Q.You are one of Tuface’s baby mamas; do you think you are lucky to be part of the lucky ladies who bore children for the hip hop star?
A.I cannot categorically say if I am or not lucky to have had a baby for Tuface Idibia. All I know is that I am happy that I am lucky to have a beautiful baby in this world and she is Isabella. She turned two last December and I tell you it was a wonderful time. Her dad was also around to make the day a loving one; not all dads most especially for a guy like Tuface find time for this but he was still here for the party and with his daughter. All I can say is that I have a baby for one of the best daddies in the world.
Q.So you are saying the relationship between you and Tuface is perfectly okay just for the sake of your daughter and nothing more.
A.He is a wonderful and loving dad to his kids and mine is not an exception. We have a fantastic relationship; we are happy parents.
Q.Is it true that you are the favourite of the many women in Tuface’s life and that you guys actually contacted a secret wedding last year?
A.Where did you hear that (laughs in between). I don’t know ooo. I am not married to Tuface or any other man, I am a single hardworking mother and my only joy is that I am proud to have my baby; Isabella is my world.
Q.If you are not why is there no love lost among the three of you I mean yourself, Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajaba?
A.I don’t have any problem with any of Tuface’s women; we are all cool with one another. I am cool with all of them and I love my baby’s brothers and sister. It is all love.
Q.But this is not what is been speculated out there. What about the confrontation you had with Pero Adeniyi sometime last year at the after party of the Tuface’s live in concert and another confrontation that happened at Airport hotel?
A.All these accusations are the past and happened a long time ago; I don’t want to say anything about it again. And please don’t ask me anything concerning this again; let’s moves to another question.
Q.Why; do you have something to hide? You need to clear your name.
A.I don’t have anything to hide; I am innocent. OK I said i don’t want us to talk about this.
Q.Okay then tell the world who the real Annie Macaulay is and what is it that the public do not know about you?
A.Well as you know my name is Annie Macaulay, am from Akwa-Ibom state from Ifiki local government. The only girl of a family of four studied Computer Science at the Lagos State University LASU. I did Theatre Arts at UNILAG. I have a fantastic beautiful lady Isabella and a full time Actress. It is what I have always wanted to do and i am working on several other projects coming out soon.
Q.Talking about your acting career; when did you actually debut in Nollywood professionally and how rewarding has it been financially? How rich are you.
A.I have always acted all my life; while in school I have done a couple of productions but now that i am done with my studies I will say professionally it is 2008. 2010 is one of my best years and I know it will only get better by the day. In the money aspect now, o boy it hasn’t really paid off oo but I thank God that I am comfortable.
Q.So how soon is marriage coming in, as you can see that seem to be the new trend in the entertainment industry now looking at the number of celebrities that have wedded of late?
A.For now I don’t think am ready for marriage. I want to focus on my career and build the brand Annie Macaulay so that I can make more money. Right now what I am concerned about is my baby and my career. There is no man in my life right now; he would come when God says he will. It’s never too late. I don’t have to follow the trend.
Q.Have you ever been sexually harassed?
A.A capital No is the answer. Never been and doubt if I will ever be because I don’t walk in that direction. I know what I want and believe in myself. One other thing that must be considered is the way you present yourself. If you dress provocatively and expect not to be sexually harassed then you are wrong. The way you dress has a lot to do about this. Moreover it has become a menace to our society. It is everywhere in the banking, telecoms, insurance, entertainment and what have you.
Q.And what is this story about Lesbianism cabals in Nollywood; are you aware of this?
A.I don’t know anything about that; wouldn’t know if such a thing exist because I have never experience it and don’t if I ever will. I am straight and have never believed in such things.
Q.Do you see yourself as an A-list actress?
A.I don’t know what you mean by an A-list actress or what have you. All I can say is that I am an actress and I do my work as professionally as possible. So far my producers or directors have never been disappointed.
Q.What about mentors in the industry?
A.Well I respect the elders in the industry. I am not too much of a mentor person but no doubt there are legends in the industry I hold in high esteem. I wouldn’t want to mention names.
Q.You look very pretty even after a kid; can you tell us your beauty routine?
A.Well I will say that I do a lot of exercise and workout at the gym. I watch what I eat; I do a lot of fruits as you may know it helps nourishes the body. Apart from all these I don’t any other special thing I do to keep fit. I eat well, exercise and don’t want to be on the fat side. That is why you see that I have lost so much weight. I am very happy about the way I look now and am so glad that you like it.
Q.Your baby Isabella is still very young and considering the fact that you are a single mother; how do you combine having to raise a baby and the rigours of acting which requires travelling all the time?
A.Remember that she is over two year old now. It was not easy at first because I had to take her everywhere I go but right now she is of age now and has started school. The Nanny is always there for her while I don’t abuse her motherly privileges too. I am always with her no matter what and my Mother is still very much around and available to take care of her too. She couldn’t have been in better hands. So i have time for my career and can spend weeks, months in location if I have to just the job to be done. If you look you will see that i have lose a lot of weight, it’s all because of having to be there for my baby and at the same time do my job as an actress. God have been my pillar and strength.
Q.Give us an insight into some of the movies that you have featured in and some that you are presently working on?
A.I have done some that I can’t start counting now. And I tell you in the next couple of weeks you will be seeing more of me on the screen now ever than before. Just watch out for Annie Macaulay.
Q.I saw this advert on TV about a show which you are planning; what is it all about?
A.It is just the other artistic side of Annie that my fans will be seeing. It will be coming out soon. Just like you have seen it is called Unwind with Annie Macaulay and the advert is everywhere. We are already shooting and in just a matter of weeks you will start seeing it run on TV station across the country. That is all can say for now.
Q.What is this misconception that people have about you and when you hear all these stories about you that are not true, how do you react?
A.People think that I am a snub; it is what i have been trying to be with over the years. All I will say is that they should get to know me and am sure they will have a change of heart. It is never good to judge a book by its cover. I am easy going person, they will see. And about bad stories, before I used to be very down when I read this and that not true about me but now I have developed a thick skin to it. They don’t move me as I have realized that it is one of the prices you have to pay for being in the limelight.
Q.What does it take to make a head way in this industry; it is not as easy as it seem I suppose?
A.I would say if you have got the talent, believe in yourself and go for your goal. You will get there.

TOP ACTOR CAUGHT IN THE ACT WITH GAY LOVER IN HOTEL ROOM

Talks about homosexuality becoming so entrenched in the Ghanaian society has been rife in the recent past months, with the fear that the rate at which guys and babes, especially in the showbiz sector are turning into gay practice has become so alarming. This incidence that took place last week, might just have lent credence to that fact.
The incidence carries more weight considering the personality of the person involved. It is the story of a popular top actor who was caught in the act with his gay partner inside a hotel room. The tall, dark-skinned actor, who is well loved by ladies got all those who got wind of the story shocked, because no one expected him to be involved in such acts.
The actor, who is fast becoming one of the biggest actors in Ghana was said to have excused himself from a movie location at Spintex area in Accra to attend to an urgent meeting, but unknown to them he was going to meet with his gay partner. Unfortunately for him, the producer of the movie being shot at the location from where the actor had excused himself and some upcoming actors had to visit the hotel where he and his gay partner had gone to have a private session, to make some enquiries.
It was while one of the workers of the hotel was opening the rooms in the hotel for the visiting crew to have a view of the facilities they have that he mistakenly opened the door of the room where they were both seen in a compromising position. Meanwhile, to save the face of this popular actor, the producer had decided to keep the story under the rugs. The hotel, where the gay lovers were caught in act is located close to Coca Cola junction on Spintex Road.

TOP ACTOR CAUGHT IN THE ACT WITH GAY LOVER IN HOTEL ROOM

Talks about homosexuality becoming so entrenched in the Ghanaian society has been rife in the recent past months, with the fear that the rate at which guys and babes, especially in the showbiz sector are turning into gay practice has become so alarming. This incidence that took place last week, might just have lent credence to that fact.
The incidence carries more weight considering the personality of the person involved. It is the story of a popular top actor who was caught in the act with his gay partner inside a hotel room. The tall, dark-skinned actor, who is well loved by ladies got all those who got wind of the story shocked, because no one expected him to be involved in such acts.
The actor, who is fast becoming one of the biggest actors in Ghana was said to have excused himself from a movie location at Spintex area in Accra to attend to an urgent meeting, but unknown to them he was going to meet with his gay partner. Unfortunately for him, the producer of the movie being shot at the location from where the actor had excused himself and some upcoming actors had to visit the hotel where he and his gay partner had gone to have a private session, to make some enquiries.
It was while one of the workers of the hotel was opening the rooms in the hotel for the visiting crew to have a view of the facilities they have that he mistakenly opened the door of the room where they were both seen in a compromising position. Meanwhile, to save the face of this popular actor, the producer had decided to keep the story under the rugs. The hotel, where the gay lovers were caught in act is located close to Coca Cola junction on Spintex Road.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon expecting girl, boy

Taking a page from the JLo and Marc Anthony pregnancy playbook, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are expecting a boy and a girl.

"Even before we announced it was twins, I was trying to keep everything gender neutral because I didn't want to impose an identity on them too soon," Carey tells Life & Style. She links to the story from her Twitter page.

The twin babies are due to arrive in April, reports Life & Style. "It's been a long journey—but a happy one," says Carey, 40.

We'll be able to see how Mariah's doing at midnight on Feb. 11, when she broadcasts live from her home in Los Angeles on HSN to unveil her newest collection of footwear, jewelry and fragrance.

Charlie Sheen's health info to remain private.

If you were hoping for a play-by-play of Charlie Sheen's latest stint in rehab, sorry, you're out of luck.
The Two and a Half Men star's rep Stan Rosenfield released a statement to USA TODAY's Alison Maxwell announcing that no further information about the actor's health or his stay in rehab will be released without Sheen's written consent.

In compliance with the national health privacy laws (HIPPA), no further information relating to Charlie Sheen's health or his rehab experience will be released without his written permission. I can say that all of us who know Charlie care about him very much. We will support him in any we can in this journey, beginning by respecting his privacy.