Greg James: "We’re all going to die at some point, so it’s every man for himself!"

Congratulations on being the last broadcaster to survive the zombie apocalypse… how did that happen!?

In my head, when I’m in the apocalypse, I’m thinking that I, like Liam Neeson, have a particular set of skills to get through this, but in reality I’ve just fluked the whole thing.

Fans of mine will be very pleased, but people will who hate me will be like; ‘oh my god I’m gonna kill myself if he’s the only presenter left – the broadcasting industry will be in disarray…’ but that’s fine – I’m happy to be the last surviving presenter!

In real life, what skills would you employ to survive?

I feel like I would be absolutely terrible in this sort of situation. I would panic and become really selfish and not want to help anyone – we’re all going to die at some point, so it’s every man for himself!

Your parents have both seen the show - who do you think would be best at surviving an apocalypse, you or your mum?

My mum! She is a very tough lady, with a soft exterior. She’s a wonderful woman; she’s resourceful and she’d keep me and my dad (who’s a worrier like I am) calm. She’d go for it – she’d be fine.

Of the ten survivors we’ve met so far, are there any you’ve enjoyed watching?

I think Jonas is great and I really love Thom. I think that, looking at Twitter, he’s the character that everyone’s been like, ‘oh my god, who is this guy?’ These shows are amazing because you immediately, as a human, try and find a connection with one of the contestants, so most people would be like, this guy Thom is either amazing or really annoying – you find your favourites straight away.

As the series goes on you really get involved with these characters, and when they die, it’s really interesting to see the reactions from the rest of the group – they really grieve. They take it so seriously, and that’s part of the humour of it. They buy into the whole world.

And when Luke died they were sad, but the were also really excited about the chocolate biscuits!

That’s the thing! There’s a brilliant juxtaposition of this very frightening, creepy world - you've got mad people and zombies! But also, the things they say are genuinely funny and, in context, completely stupid – you’ve got zombies banging on the window, while people are worrying about the food they’ve dropped! You get a glimpse into what people would be like in a real emergency situation.

There are rumours that there might be a ‘super zombie’ on the horizon…

All I can tell you is that we have a ‘super zombie’ called the 'Abomination' and he’s a pretty big deal. He causes quite a lot of havoc and it’s a very funny episode – to see the contestants’ faces is wonderful.

Imagine there’s an apocalypse – you’re presenting a live show on Radio 1 and you can save three of your fellow presenters. Who would you choose?

I would pick Yasmin Evans from Radio 1Extra because she came to Uganda [for Comic Relief] with me. 

She was a great travel buddy and we really bonded. I think she’d be good in a crisis because we were in quite hairy situations in Uganda and we stuck together. And apparently she’s a really good cook too!

I’d pick Zane Lowe because he’s tough and I’d also pick Scott Mills because we just make each other laugh a lot. He’d be light relief!

He could bring his Strictly Come Dancing crab costume!
Yeah - he must be dressed as a crab. A zombie crab!

Source : BBC

Entertainment Venues Brace for Lower Return in Ramadan

Jakarta – Chairman of nightclub businessmen association Adrian Maulite said the return of nightclubs during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan would likely plummet by 50 percent. 

“The return must be dropping because of the consequences of people abiding by the rules and appreciating Muslims,” he told Tempo on Thursday, June 26, 2014.

Adrian said nightclub operators did not plan any strategy to deal with the possible lower return, adding that they had already braced for it long ahead of the Ramadan month.
According to the Jakarta administration’s regulation No. 

10 Year 2004 on tourism, he continued, all entertainment venues excluding starred-hotels such as karaoke parlors, discotheques, bars, and massage parlors would be barred from operations during the Ramadan month.

He added that entertainment venues inside starred hotels, meanwhile, would be allowed to operate only from 9.00 p.m-01.00 a.m, or from after tarawih (extra prayer service during Ramadan) to before sahur (pre-dawn meals before fasting). “They must be closed off those hours,” he said. 

Source : Tempo

Walt Disney House Sold at Rp887.4 Billion

The mansion where American producer, director, animator, and dubber Walt Disney once lived was sold at US$74 million or equal to about Rp887.4 billion.  

Hollywood Reporter stated Carolwood Drive property in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, United States was offered at US$90 million on the price list by Jay Harris and Mauricio Umansky property agent. 

The seller is an investor Gabriel Brener who also owns US soccer club, Houston Dynamo. The house was sold to an international buyer who asked to be anonymous. Brener purchased the house in the 1990s at almost US$ 8.5million and done some renovations on the empty spaces.

According to the President of Pacific Carolwood Society History, Michael Campbell, Walt Disney bought the house in 1949 and lived there until he passed away. 

It was this house that the foundations of the Walt Disney theme parks supposedly took shape, inspired by the one-eighth scale railroad train, dubbed the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, which Disney built around the house.

Source : Tempo

Rowan "Mr. Bean" Atkinson Save Accident Victims

Actor cast figure of Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson, rescue a casualty in Tuscany, Italy, on Tuesday (27/05/2014).  

Atkinson was joined McLaren F1 car group that was exploring the outskirts of the city when the accident Tuscany occur.  

A sports car driven by an American businessman lost control of the car to crash into a tree and overturned on the edge of a steep road. "Mr. Bean" was the first to help victims, while police and firefighters on the way to the crash site.  

In photo, British actor was seen picking up pieces of the car body. While the victim was taken by helicopter to a hospital in the city of Pisa.Reports say, he suffered minor injuries.  

Atkinson never had a serious accident in his McLaren F1 car in 2011., when he crashed into a tree in Haddon. The wound is not serious.

Source : Kompas

Should Killer Robots be Banned in Policing?

The United Nations will debate the use of killer robots for the first time at the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) this week, but human rights activists are calling for the robots to be banned.

Human Rights Watch and Harvard Law School's International Human Rights Clinic have published a new report entitled "Shaking the Foundations: The Human Rights Implications of Killer Robots", which calls for killer robots to be banned to prevent a potential arms race between countries.

Killer robots, or fully autonomous weapons, do not yet exist but would be the next step after remote-controlled armed drones used by the US military today.

Fully autonomous weapons would have the ability to identify and fire on targets without human intervention, putting compliance with international humanitarian laws in doubt.
"In policing, as well as war, human judgment is critically important to any decision to use a lethal weapon. 

Governments need to say no to fully autonomous weapons for any purpose and to pre-emptively ban them now, before it is too late," said Steve Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch.

Among the problems with killer robots highlighted in the report is the risk of criminal liability for a military officer, programmer or weapons manufacturer who created or used an autonomous weapon with intent to kill.

If a robot killed arbitrarily, it would be difficult to hold anyone accountable.
It would also be difficult for a robot to judge how much force should be used on the battlefield. Judgment relies on the human capacities of reason and reflection to interpret information and formulate an opinion.

Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: "All human beings ... are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Police officers have to weigh up factors when prosecuting a crime, such as the perpetrator's mental state, background and demands, meaning the degree of force varies from case to case.

Without human characteristics such as compassion and the ability to identify with other people, robots could contravene the right to life and undermine law enforcement, say critics.

"Proponents of fully autonomous weapons might argue that technology could eventually help address the problems identified in this report, and it is impossible to know where science will lead," the report states.

Last year, over 270 artificial intelligence experts, roboticists and scientists from 37 countries signed an open letter calling for the development and deployment of autonomous robot weapons technology to be prohibited.

"Governments need to listen to the experts' warnings and work with us to tackle this challenge together before it is too late," said Professor Noel Sharkey, Chair of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control (ICRAC).

"It is urgent that international talks get started now to prevent the further development of autonomous robot weapons before it is too late."

Source : Yahoo

A Style Tribute on Kartini Day

As is customary each year, today Indonesians commemorate the life and struggles of local heroine Raden Ajeng Kartini. 

During her brief lifetime (1879 to 1904), Kartini has inspired many with the letters that she wrote during home seclusion and the school for women that she established in Rembang, Central Java.

In her tribute, women across the country typically wear traditional attire on Kartini Day.
It is a rare and precious spectacle, especially in big cities. 

And unfortunately, one is unlikely to see something similar again — until Kartini Day the next year.

There are many reasons why today’s women no longer wear traditional attire on a daily basis. First is the fact that the kebaya (Javanese traditional blouse) and kain (pareo) tend to be tight-fitting, thus limiting movements in today’s fast-paced lifestyle.

But today’s kebayas vary much in styles, silhouettes and colors. Every woman can find one that suits their personality and daily needs, if they want to. Thus, by wearing today’s modified kebayas, they can present a graceful feminine look just like Kartini’s, without having to scale back on their daily activities.

Here is an overview of some of the best modern kebaya collections by the top Indonesian fashion designers of today.

Anne Avantie

Indonesia’s kebaya maestro, Anne Avantie recently featured her latest collection “Legong Srimpi” at the Jakarta Convention Center.

“Legong Srimpi is a combination of Javanese and Balinese traditional cultures, which are rich in colors and bold embellishments,” said the 59-year-old.

According to Anne, she got the idea for this collection during a visit to Bali.
“I saw these fabrics piling up in a market,” she said. “They’re very beautiful and unique, yet sold very cheaply in bulk.”

The fabrics that Anne saw in the traditional market were kain prada (gold-embellished fabric) and kain poleng (black-and-white checkered fabric).

Kain poleng is usually used to dress Balinese statues in temples, while Kain prada is generally used to make ider-ider (traditional banners) and Balinese ceremonial umbrellas.
Anne combined these decorative fabrics with French lace, silk satin and brocade to create beautiful modern kebayas.

And the designer is convinced that her kebayas, made of these rather heavy and coarse fabrics, are indeed comfortable to wear.

“I don’t design something that’s pleasing to the eyes only,” she said. “My designs are all very easy and comfortable to wear.”

A very charming kebaya in her collection is the one that combines sheer black lace, kain poleng and prada. All of these materials are rich and bold in color and texture. Yet Anne manages to marry them all tastefully in a beautiful kebaya.

Another enchanting kebaya in the collection is one that combines sheer tulle, champagne-hued brocade and kain poleng. The front of the bodice is enhanced with pearls and crystals, while the kain poleng at the skirt has elaborate embroideries around the hemline.

In spite of the bright, glossy colors of the fabrics and embellishments used, the kebaya looks elegant on the model.

Anne herself is an example of a modern-day Kartini. Born in Solo, Central Java, she survived an impoverished childhood, divorce and the May 1998 riots that burned down her very first boutique.

With no formal education in fashion and unable to sketch even to this day, Anne still managed to catapult herself from being a small-time tailor in Solo to a highly sought-after kebaya designer on an international level.

Among her clientele are Indonesian pop singer Agnes Monica, Indonesian-German actress and singer Cinta Laura and many other top celebrities, government officials and socialites.

Despite her fame and success, Anne remains humble and generous. Unlike many other designers, this mother of three doesn’t mind if her creative works are copied by other designers and tailors.

“Anyone can do what I do,” she said. “The materials are readily available in traditional markets in Bali.

“And I hope my collection will open a new horizon for Indonesian tailors and designers to use the overlooked materials around us and turn them into something beautiful,” she said.

Didiet Maulana

Didiet Maulana is a rising star in Indonesia’s fashion industry. Like Anne Avantie, the 33-year-old is a self-taught designer.

Didiet graduated from architecture studies in at Parahyangan University in Bandung before joining MTV Indonesia’s creative division.

He then worked for a retail company for seven years before starting his own label, Ikat Indonesia, in 2011.

“Ikat [‘tie or knot’ in Indonesian] in the label doesn’t only refer to tie-dye,” Didiet said.
“But it shows my commitment in featuring Indonesian traditional fabrics in my collections.”

Since its inception, Ikat Indonesia has consistently highlighted Indonesia’s traditional fabrics, including batiks, tie-dyes and songket (gold/silver-embroidered fabrics) in its collections.

The designer recently launched his exclusive ready-to-wear line for women, “Svarna by Ikat Indonesia,” at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Jakarta.

In its debut fashion show, Svarna presented its spring/summer 2014 collection themed “Romansa Flora.”

The collection featured a modern version of Indonesian women’s traditional attire, including kebayas, baju kurung (a loose-fitting blouse from Sumatra) and baju bodo (a traditional blouse from Sulawesi) in intense earthy colors.

“In designing this collection, I was inspired by a friend who was falling in love,” Didiet said.

“I think women in love are very beautiful and feminine, just like blossoming flowers.”
The kebayas in the collection are modeled after Javanese traditional kebayas, with a fitted long bodice and kutu baru (bridge) between the lapels.

These traditional blouses are paired with long pencil skirts, made of the traditional kain tapis from Lampung, Balinese endek and Palembang songket.

These skirts are neatly designed to resemble traditional pareos.

“When I designed this collection, I envisioned my friends wearing it,” Didiet said. “So I’ve made the items very easy to wear and functional.”

At the end of the show, Indonesian jazz singer Andien appeared wearing a glamorous baju bodo and red-and-gold Palembang songket skirt. The 28-year-old then performed a couple of romantic songs.

“Songket is something that my mom would usually wear to weddings,” Andien said after the show. “Yet I wear it tonight and, I think I look young and fabulous in it.”
Andien is both Didiet’s good friend and muse.

“For me, Andien represents Indonesian modern women who are strong, dynamic and very talented,” the designer said.

Didiet said he hoped that Indonesian women would include more traditional attire in their daily wardrobe.

“If more women wear traditional clothes, they’d help improve the livelihood of Indonesian traditional artisans and perpetuate Indonesian traditional cultures,” he said.

Lenny Agustin

Lenny Agustin is perhaps a far cry from the demure and obedient portrayal of Kartini. With her closely cropped hair, which is usually dyed according to the color of her dress that day, sassy style and dynamic energy, you can easily mistake her for an Asian rock star.
And yet she is an Indonesian fashion designer and proud to be so.

Since establishing her eponymous label in 2003, Lenny has consistently designed kebayas and dresses with traditional materials from many different parts of the archipelago.

In Lenny’s hands, kebayas become modern and funky. The 41-year-old designer usually combines shocking colors, unique silhouettes and adorable embellishments into her kebayas.

Recently, Lenny released her spring/summer 2014 collection, themed “Radin.”
“Radin means beautiful in the Madurese language,” she said. “In making this collection, I was inspired by the exotic beauty of Madurese traditional attire.”

For this collection, Lenny collaborated with Turmidzi Djaka, traditional batik artisan from Sumenep in Madura.

“Turmidzi’s batiks are as beautiful as paintings,” Lenny said.

According to the designer, all of Turmidzi’s batiks are made with natural dyes.
“Turmidzi and his workers harvest the raw materials from their own garden in Sumenep,” she said.

“They also gather tree branches and leaves from the nearby forests for the natural dyes.”
The natural dyes give Turmidzi’s batiks profound earthy colors. Lenny then turns these batiks into mini dresses for her new collection, which she pairs with kebaya-inspired boleros, made of shiny polyester.

“I think kebayas can be made into jackets and boleros these days, as long as they still maintain their signature styles,” Lenny said.

The signature styles of kebayas, according to Lenny, are their streamlined silhouette, V-shaped hemlines at the front, and flared sleeves.

“I believe designers can be as creative as they want to be in designing kebayas within these limits,” said Lenny, a mother of three.

A chic outfit in Lenny’s latest collection is a batik sun dress with a pattern of brown partridges, which she combined with a cute cocoa-hued kebaya-inspired bolero.

The bolero is beautifully embellished with colorful floral cut-outs at the yoke. The model looks effortlessly chic in this outfit.

Another adorable dress by the designer is a creamy-colored batik tube dress, which she combined with a saffron-hued kebaya-inspired jacket. The outfit exudes the sexy confidence of today’s modern woman at the fashion show.

Lenny said she admired Kartini and her valiant struggle for women’s emancipation.
“I’ve read Kartini’s book and truly admire her spirits,” Lenny said.

“Things were very different from the way they are now. Women were not allowed to speak their minds. Yet despite such circumstances, Kartini moved forward and made a major breakthrough for us all.”

Source : Jakartaglobe

Painting of Indonesian Artist Sold at Rp200 Million in Singapore

A painting made by Yarno (44), an artist from Pagar Alam, South Sumatera, Yarno (44), has been sold at SGD 20,740 or almost Rp200 million at the Masterpiece Singapore auction room. 

“Many art collectors attended the auction in search of Yarno’s painting, which is titled Power Struggle and was made in 2011.  At the end of the auction, the painting was sold at SGD 20,740,” said Galeri Apik director Rahmat in Jakarta on Thursday.

Rahmat said that Yarno was still considered a new artist in the nation and his works had only reached 58 paintings.

He added that Yarno’s works were still sold at around Rp9 million at joint exhibitions in March 2010, but later doubled to Rp18 million at the end of 2011 after being displayed in Seoul, South Korea; and Singapore.

In mid 2012, his paintings’ prices rose to Rp25 million and later soared to Rp40 million in 2013.

Rahmat said Yarno's works were considered unique because of his combination of colors and powerful strokes. 

Source : Tempo

U.S. website picks 2NE1 as girl group to love

South Korean girl group 2NE1 has been chosen by U.S. media website BuzzFeed as one of "11 girl groups from around the world to love right now."

According to an article posted on the popular website Monday, 2NE1 is riffing on the format all over the world, along with British "X-Factor" champs Little Mix.

The article further mentioned that the four members -- CL, Park Bom, Dara and Minzy -- are amazing dancers who create wild, over-the-top videos and that each have a distinct personality.

The bands second full-length album "Crush" landed on No. 61 on the Billboard 200, giving K-pop its best-ever sales week in the U.S, according to the article.

The Los Angeles Times also cited 2NE1 as the female quartet that showcases K-pops bright future in the U.S.

According to an article posted on the dailys website Monday, the groups latest album "is doing more important work than crossing over -- its ushering in K-pops future, in America and everywhere."

The article also said that singer-rapper-writer CL, in particular, gets the albums best track in "MTBD," billed as a solo cut.

The group is currently on its second world tour, titled "AON." The tour, which kicked off in March in Seoul, will bring the group to 13 cities in nine countries including Japan and China this year, according to the company.

Source : Antara

Captain America Sales Plunge in South Korea

The popularity of box office movies fades in South Korea in light of the Sewol ferry incident that claimed hundreds of its passengers’ lives on last Wednesday in the waters of Jindo, Incheon, Joella province. 

 Many moviegoers have canceled to watch the movie as they are still grieving from the incident. 

Korean Movie Board stated that the number of theater audience slumped as much as 30 percent.  For example, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which reached box office in the country.  

In the prime show, the number of audiences jumped.  However, since the incident, the number of audiences slumped to 50 percent to 108,779 sold tickets compared to last weekend's sales. 

Divergent movie also meets the same response. This science-fiction movie ranked second in the box office with the number of audiences slumping: only 91,580 tickets were sold.  In third position is Broken with 80,544 tickets.  Son of God sits in fourth position with 28,685 audiences, followed by Need For Speed with only 27,723 tickets sold.

The decreasing audience had begun since last April 19.  The box office movies should have lured around 600,000 – 800,000 audiences per weekend.  But after the incident, the numbers plunged to 435,000. 

Source : Tempo

Indonesian Artists Participate in Roppongi Art Festival

Four Indonesian visual artists participates in the Roppongi Art Night 2014 in Tokyo,  Japan, for the first time. 

Saleh Husein, Henry Irawan, Kemal Reza Gibran and Mateus Bondan submit their work, which are curated by Ade Darmawan to the art festival that will be held on April 19 to April 20.

Adopting the Roppongi theme this year, "Move Your Body", the four artists create a performance that encourages the audience to move their body.

Henry, a member of the Goodnight Electric music group, who is also known as Batman, makes a collage measuring 300 x 200 centimeters, consisting of icons commonly known by the community, such as the Mona Lisa and Rolling Stones. He will ask people to rearrange the pictures in the collage to create a new picture.

"It will be messy and colourful.  Viewed from a distance, it might looks like an abstract [painting]," he said.

Meanwhile, Gibran creates a two dimensional lenticular trilogy about a bicycle, his favorite transportation.  He wants to tell a story about riding a bicycle in the capital city.
Saleh Husein creates a mural called "Human Instrument", which tells a story about transportations in Jakarta.

Roppongi Art Night is an art festival that is held in the streets of Roppongi. A festival scattered in the district of Roppongi, centered in a museum, art institute up to a shopping center.

Source : Tempo

The Raid Barred in Malaysia

Despite having seized the international limelight, Indonesian action-packed movie The Raid: Berandal has been barred from Malaysian theatre screens. 

The movie, featuring a string of Indonesian A-list actors, is scheduled to premiere in several other countries, including Thailand, Belgium, Ireland, England, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Johann Affendy, an Indonesian national residing in Malaysia, has complained about the disappointing news to director Gareth Evans. The Welsh director has also expressed his sympathy, saying "I feel sorry about that."

The Malaysian authority has yet to issue any official statement concerning the ban. The movie, starred by Iko Uwais, has lured a number of reviews following its domestic debut last weekend.

Source : Tempo

Senayan City Holds 2014 Fashion Nation

The eighth 'Fashion Nation' is being held in the Senayan City shopping center starting March 27 until April 6. 

The annual fashion event is said to be spoiling Indonesian fashion lovers with designs made by Indonesian and international fashion designers. 

"This time we go with the theme 'Senayan City Fashion nation The 8th Edition Infinite Style'. This event will be presenting works of designers such as Denny Wirawan, Sapto Djojokartiko, and several international designers, and both local and foreign labels," said Veri Y. Setiady, the CEO of Senayan City to Tempo on Friday, March 28.

Indonesian fashion designer Denny Wirawan opened the 'Fashion Nation' with his top haute couture and ready-to-wear collections. Denny, who is known for his feminine details on designs, presented embroidered and flowery applications to origami details and other typical Japanese prints.

"I know that Indonesian fashion lovers value artistry and elegance that still reflecting beauty," said Denny. "This time I bring along the beauty of Japanese spring."

Other Indonesian designer, Sapto Djojokartiko from Solo presented his collections that seem mystical and mysterious at a glance. Sapto said that he was inspired by Spain movies that he translated the mystical impressions through palettes in black and red colors.

Also participating in the '2014 Fashion Nation' runway are Patrick Owen whose designs have been worn by celebrities in the prestigious 2014 Golden Globe awards, Jhoe Chia of Malaysia, and Rauson Tan of Singapore. Indonesian international fashion designer Tex Saverio is said to receive an award during the event.

Source : Tempo

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay's Chris Martin separate

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and husband Chris Martin, the lead singer of alt-rock band Coldplay, said on Tuesday they are separating after 10 years of marriage. 

"It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate," the couple said on Paltrow's lifestyle website, Goop.com, in a post entitled "Conscious Uncoupling."

"We have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate. We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways we are closer than we have ever been," they added.

Paltrow, 41, who won a Best Actress Academy Award for "Shakespeare in Love," and British singer Martin, 37, were married in December 2003, and have two children, Apple and Moses. 

The notoriously private couple, who avoid being photographed together in public, will "consciously uncouple and coparent" their children, the couple said.

Source : Yahoo

Rolling Stones gigs rescheduled to late 2014

The Rolling Stones gigs in Australia and New Zealand, cancelled following the death of Sir Mick Jagger's girlfriend L'Wren Scott, are to be rescheduled for later in the year.

A statement from Frontier Touring said "every effort" was being made to move the gigs to October and November.

Fans have been told that if any new dates are not suitable, a full refund will be offered.
Sir Mick is believed to have travelled to the US ahead of Scott's funeral.
The fashion designer's death has been ruled as suicide by hanging, New York City authorities have said.

Her body was discovered in her flat by her assistant on Monday.

In a statement following the news, Sir Mick said he failed "to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way".

The Stones cancelled the tour on Wednesday, thanking fans for their support.
They said they were "deeply sorry and disappointed" to postpone of the rest of their 14 On Fire tour.

It had been due to start in Perth that same evening.

Guitarist Ronnie Wood said: "As a band we are one big family and we've all come together to support Mick, and will do everything we can to help him."

It is understood the rest of the band have flown to the US along with their singer.
While still in Australia, drummer Charlie Watts performed with the band's saxophone player Tim Ries in a last-minute gig at the Ellington Jazz Club in Perth.

Source : BBC

Fatwa Issued Against Hollywood's Noah Film

Three Arab countries, Qatar, Bahrain, and UEA, ban Hollywood motion picture Noah. Paramount Pictures has announced that there has been censorships towards the movie that stars Russell Crowe and Anthony Hopkins.

 

The movie, reportedly cost US$125 million, seemingly faces the same faith in Egypt, Jordan, and Kuwait for opposing Islamic values, according to Reuters. Noah itself is scheduled to premiere on March 28, telling a story of Prophet Noah in saving the animals from massive flood.

The highest authority of Sunni Moslem and and Al-Azhar's center for Islamic Education also issued a fatwa upon the movie, stating that the movie is provoking. Some of Hollywood movies have experienced banning as well, including controversial movies like Omar dan The Passion of The Christ. Paramount responded by issuing disclaimer in the movie's trailer.

Sumber : Tempo

The Raid 2 Premieres at ARTE Festival

Indonesian action film 'The Raid 2: Berandal' will be the opening event of the ARTE Indonesia Arts Festival which will be held on March 14 to 16 at Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta. 

The screening will be the premiere of the movie in Indonesia after its opening at the Sundance festival on December 2013. 

"The Raid 2: Berandal will be screened in the festival's opening. However, not all ARTE members will be able to watch the film, only the festival participants will have the opportunity," said Bayu Aji, the Executive Chairman of ARTE Indonesia Arts Festival 2014 on Wednesday, March 5. Maya Evans, one of the producers of 'The Raid 2: Berandal', said it is an honor to open the festival.

'The Raid 2: Berandal' will be launched on cinemas in Indonesia starting from March 28. The film by Gareth Evans had previously garnered a standing ovation from audiences of Sundance Film Festival in the United States.

Source : Tempo

Japan teen girl group AKB48 invites mature applicants

Japanese commercial music juggernaut AKB48 is looking to build on its wildly successful all-girl group by adding a more mature member to its teen-dominated line-up, an advert released Wednesday said.

The collective, whose 90-plus singers and dancers are rotated in and out of the limelight according to their waxing and waning popularity, regularly pump out songs that sell more than a million copies.

But now the management group behind one of the most successful brands in showbiz is looking to branch out of the teen and early-20s demographic.

"AKB48 is inviting applicants for a project called Otona (adult) AKB48," announced a full-page advertisement in the Yomiuri Shimbun, the worlds biggest-selling newspaper, which shifts 10 million copies a day.

"The only condition for qualification is that the woman is over 30 years old, with no upper limit.

"Applicants can be entertainment professionals or amateurs, married or single, self-appointed or recommended -- none of these matter."

Applications are being accepted until March 28, and the winner will be selected on April 12.

The putative appointee -- dubbed "juku-doru" ("Ripe Idol") by Japans tabloid press -- will have a limited run with the group and will be signed only until the summer.

AKB48, one of the most lucrative groups of all time, is part pop act, part talent show, where a members time on the front line is determined by how much adoration they inspire from fans.

The most popular girls or young women remain a part of the core group that sings and dances their way through formulaic bubblegum tunes. Those who fall out of public favour are demoted to a sub-group in an organisation structured somewhat like a football league.

Much of the groups appeal lies in frequent opportunities for fans to meet them, chat with them or befriend them on social networking sites.

This strategy, combined with flesh-baring outfits, has also given them a huge following among Japanese businessmen.

The new member of the Otona AKB48 project will take part in hand-shaking events and live concerts as well as a television commercial for confectionary maker Glico, the advert said.

The pop collective has previously courted controversy in what commentators say is a brazen marketing strategy.

In one commercial, several attractive girls were shown passing bite-sized candies seductively from mouth-to-mouth, sparking criticism from conservative quarters that they were "encouraging homosexuality".

The group is in constant demand for advertising and has been involved in promotions for products as diverse as canned coffee and government bonds, while fronting a campaign aimed at reducing teenage suicide.

Source : Antara

2014 Indonesia Fashion Week: Prêt-à-porter party with a Paris promise

Indonesia Fashion Week (IFW) has arrived with casual and cutting edge work from renowned local and foreign designers.

The four-day event started on Thursday with ethnic-tinged daily wear from five designers Ali Charisma, Votum, Mardiana Ika, Japanese Steven Tach and Moroccan Said Mahrouf.

Tach opened the night with his “Nature” collection that was dominated with casual outfits.

His collections show how sweatshirts and sweatpants can look fashionable but still very comfortable to wear.

The grey, loose tops and tight layered sweatpants looked perfectly stylish when combined with high heels.

A predominantly-black sweater with a scarf accent looked elegant with Capri pants and high heels.

Tach also presented his minimalist style with monochrome leather jackets and white knee-length coats that will make women feel warm on cold days and classy at the same time.

The second performer was from Votum that colored the hall with its flowery and bright-colored pieces. Orange and yellow colors came with different styles, from a cheongsam-style Chinese neckline dress, a one-shoulder sheath dress and a halter neck dress.

Votum collections also featured accessories made from beads and crystal that could give the impression of a belt and a necklace on the dresses.

The designs of Hong Kong-based Indonesian designer Mardiana Ika came third, presenting her “Ode to Autumn” collection. She collaborated with Bandung’s Tegep Boots to complement her edgy designs.

The first model appeared on the runway in a reddish dress with wood-like decoration stuffed on the shoulders combined with thigh-high boots and sunglasses.

Models walked down the runway with oversized hats, chef-like hats, gold and silvery outfits, snake-leather pants and jackets, gloves and cropped jackets.

Softer cuts were also showcased in the parade when models presented mermaid lace gowns that were combined with sheer materials. In her autumn/winter 2014 collection, Mardiana wants to bring out her fun, carefree and loving side.

She uses faux leather in many pieces of her collection along with satin, printed jerseys, velvet and chiffon.

The fourth performance was from Mahrouf with his ready-to-wear collection that was dominated with working outfits for urban women.
Slim-fit grey blazers, blouses, pencil pants and skirts were presented on the runway.

Several outfits were made as if to cover the body by simply wrapping and tying some parts.The last performer, Ali Charisma, presented his 2014 fall/winter collection, “Lush Haze”.

For his collection, Ali played with patterned blue and black fabrics that were turned into cropped tops and jackets.

He also offered cloaks in several designs, from black cloak to cover a silver swimming suit, a waist-long brown cloak to a full-body long robe to cover the front of the body and ends on the back.

When the audience thought the show was over, 20 models reappeared on the stage simultaneously and made a formation to present different pieces.

Lining up together with Ali, they closed the first night of the IFW. Earlier in the day, 10 young designers who participated in the Indonesia Fashion Design Competition, whose winner will participate in Hong Kong Fashion Week, presented their ready-to-work collections.

More fashion parades were showcased on the first day, featuring collections of Indonesian traditional fabric from, among others, Paramparaa, Java Batik, Roemah Kebaya and Romantic Cotton.

The third edition of IFW, organized by Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI) features a total of 550 brands and hosts 20 fashion shows from 150 local and international designers.

It also heralded a collective move of five local brands — Tex Saverio, Major Minor, Toton, Yosafat Dwi Kurniawan and Vinora — that will venture to the Paris Fashion Week at the end of this month. A glimpse of their collection featured a day before the event kicked off.

Under Fashion Forward program, the Jakarta Fashion Week —the pioneer in the country’s fashion week events — has trained the designers to make ready-to-wear niche for European market.

On Friday, Muslim wear highlighted the shows, featuring collections of Itang Yunasz, Dian Pelangi, and Shafira boutique.

Today, fashion shows from, among others, APPMI new members, Lenny Agustin, Argentinian designer Gabriel Lage and Priyo Oktaviano Couture will be presented.
The runway will highlight urban contemporary designs and collections for men on Sunday. 

Source : Jakartapost

Lady Gaga reaches settlement with plaintiff in royalty lawsuit

Lady Gaga and a producer have settled a lawsuit in which the latter accused the pop star owed him royalties, local media reported Frdiay.

Teddy Riley, a Grammy Award winner, filed the breach-of-contract accusation in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging he was promised a 25-percent writing fee after producing the song "Teeth" back in 2009. He asked for 500,000 U.S. dollars in compensation and punitive damages.

The 27-year-old superstar, whose real name is Stephani Germanotta, was sued along with her company, Team Love Child LLC, and Interscope Records.

Rileys attorney, Joseph Porter, told local media that "both sides are pleased with the settlement," but did not reveal the terms of the deal.

"Teeth" was part of Lady Gagas 2009 album "The Fame Monster".

Source : Antara

Tex Saverio brings the fantasy of high couture to the streets

Known for his elaborate high-fashion pieces, Tex Saverio is branching out into ready-to-wear fashion.

Following the successful international debut of his ready-to-wear collection at the recent Spring/Summer 2014 Paris Fashion Week, Tex was bringing his new collection home to Jakarta.

Taking the theme Fantasy Made Reality, the collection – revealed in an exclusive trunk show -- features a range of separates and dresses that can be mixed and matched in different combinations, while maintaining the drama and intricacy of Tex’s high couture style.

“I’m really happy that people here in Indonesia are so enthusiastic about my work,” said the 29-year-old designer, who will shortly be returning to Paris for the Autumn/Winter 2014 Paris Fashion Week in late February.

Tex has designed breathtaking pieces for a variety of famous names, from Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga to Jennifer Lawrence.

His edgy yet whimsical designs have invited comparisons with late British designer Alexander McQueen and have earned him acclaim throughout the world of international couture.

Vice President of Branding and Events from Saverio & Liu Limited, Joe Saverio, said it was an honor to represent Indonesia on the world stage.

He said the label was named Tex Saverio Jakarta to show how proud he was to be Indonesian.

“We’re showing the world that Indonesian fashion is not just about traditional batik cloths, but can compete on the international fashion stage,” said Joe.

“Indonesian designers are just as capable of creating complex, detailed designs, filled with craftsmanship, as any international designers,” he added.

The ready-to-wear pieces are indeed strikingly modern and elaborately crafted, featuring plenty of quirky detailing and embellishments.

A palette of cerulean blue, chartreuse green, soft champagne and dramatic black dominates the designs, which also feature embroidery and decorative laser-cuts. The intricate laser-cut process, which has been carried out on a wide range of materials including silk, hologram and leather, is one of the stand-out features of the collection.

Although there is a lot of black present, Tex has made use of different textures to balance and lighten the designs.

Translucent materials such as organza, tulle and even triacetate are employed to great effect, and help maintain Tex’s signature intricate and highly crafted aesthetics in more wearable everyday pieces.

Lou Prunier, Marketing Associate for Saverio & Liu Limited, explained that these design choices aimed to bring the dream of couture to a ready-to-wear collection.

The collection indeed displays all the key characteristics of Tex’s high-fashion pieces, but in a far more accessible form, and fashion lovers both in Indonesia and beyond will definitely be awaiting, with great anticipation, the next chapter of the Tex Saverio fashion journey.

Source : Jakartapost