Lights, camera, action: Why does France shine on the silver screen?

The latest "Fast and Furious" action adventure film cruised to the top of the international box office at the weekend, trade magazine Variety reported, making a $162.4 million overseas debut outing. According to Variety, the figure came from ticket sales in eight markets, including China, Hong Kong and Korea. It marked the best opening weekend for a Hollywood blockbuster since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The US actor, a longtime admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, says he wants to crack down on businesses that harm the environment.

In 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday', director Lee Daniels focuses on a period of Holiday's life that was marred by government persecution. The blues singer persisted in performing protest song "Strange Fruit", a wrenching description of the racist and murderous practice of lynching. Her act of resistance attracted unwanted attention from the authorities. FRANCE 24's film critic Lisa Nesselson tells us how the biopic argues for Holiday's rightful place as a civil rights activist as well as a gifted entertainer.

Sharon Stone, Bryan Cranston and other jury members hit the red carpet on the opening night of the 20th Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, as the festival returns to in-person action. The film gathering started 20 years ago, in the wake of 9/11, and actors and actresses say it has brought healing to the city again in the midst of the pandemic.

Oscar-winning actor Angelina Jolie on Sunday visited a refugee camp in Burkina Faso sheltering thousands of Malians who have fled jihadist violence in the region.

Critic Lisa Nesselson joins us to discuss modern French horror flick "The Swarm" and reveals just how unsettling a choreographed collective of grasshoppers can be. We also talk about Samir Guesmi's first foray behind the camera after three decades as a memorable face on screen here in France. His debut feature, "Ibrahim", renders a real-life dilemma credible and touching. The film has picked up awards at various French film festivals.

Usually a reliable big seller for cinema, this year's July 4 weekend box offices sales brought about an improvement on last year's dismal revenue, thanks in part to the release of three new films, Hollywood publication Variety reported on Monday.

Members of the Cannes Film Festival jury and actors, directors and cultural figures pose for the press following the festival's opening ceremony and first screening.

The Israeli filmmaker is back on the French Riviera after 2008's groundbreaking animated documentary, "Waltz with Bashir". This time, he's exploring the identity and legacy of the world's most famous diarist: Anne Frank. His animated feature "Where is Anne Frank" transports the young woman's alter ego, Kitty, to present-day Amsterdam.

He set the French Riviera alight in 2017 when the "The Florida Project" screened in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar. Sean Baker is back in Cannes with his latest film "Red Rocket" in competition. Simon Rex plays Mikey, a washed-up porn star who charms, cheats and hustles his way to success. Once again, the filmmaker's eye and ear for small-town America make for a touching and wry portrait of the margins of society.

A full moon hangs above the Tokyo skyline as Japan marks moon-viewing festival 'Tsukimi' on Tuesday. Japan celebrates Tsukimi on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar every year, which falls between mid-September and early October.

There are few casting decisions as hotly anticipated as the question of who will be the next 007, with many expecting that a black Bond or even female Bond is on the cards. Londoners discuss whether they think a woman should play the role, ahead of the much-delayed world premiere of the latest James Bond film, "No Time To Die", in the British capital. Daniel Craig has already weighed in on the matter, saying in an interview: "Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?"