James Cameron has described the idea of generative AI replacing actors as “horrifying.” While the Avatar: The Way of Water director—who also sits on the board of Stability AI—has spoken positively about AI’s role in filmmaking, he draws a clear line when it comes to substituting human performers.

Cameron, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, praised motion capture as the “purest form” of performance and admitted he regretted not fully revealing the CGI-assisted techniques in 2009’s Avatar to preserve the “magic” for audiences. Speaking on CBS Sunday Morning, he emphasized the difference between motion capture and AI, describing traditional techniques as a celebration of actors’ performances and interactions.

“In contrast, generative AI can fabricate characters, actors, and performances entirely from text prompts,” he said. “That’s horrifying to me. That’s the opposite of what we’re doing.” He stressed that he never wants technology to replace actors, saying, “I love working with actors.” However, Cameron believes AI can still benefit filmmaking, particularly in reducing VFX costs. He noted that imaginative, high-budget science-fiction films are increasingly rare because studios favor safe, established IP, making projects like Avatar unlikely today.

He also argued that AI might challenge filmmakers to push their creativity further, as generative models can only remix existing works and cannot produce truly original ideas. “You won’t find the idiosyncrasies of a particular actor or a screenwriter’s unique lived experience,” he said. “The act of performance—the real-time creation by an artist—will become even more sacred.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/James Cameron.

The 22nd Marrakech Film Festival opened on Friday with a star-filled screening of Gus Van Sant’s new film Dead Man Wire. The event was attended by Bong Joon Ho, Jenna Ortega, Anya Taylor-Joy, and other international film personalities, according to Variety. Bong, whose Oscar-winning film Parasite earned worldwide praise, is serving as this year’s jury president. He received a standing ovation at the opening ceremony and reflected on his early filmmaking years, saying his passion for cinema remains as strong as ever. He added that the festival, now in its 22nd year, carries a special energy. Bong will also conduct a masterclass during the event.

The opening film, Dead Man Wire, which premiered earlier at the Venice Film Festival, features Bill Skarsgård as Tony Kiritsis, a real-life criminal who kidnapped his mortgage officer in 1977 and led police on a dramatic chase. The movie will release in select theatres on January 9 before expanding worldwide on January 16. Joining Bong on the jury are Ortega, Taylor-Joy, filmmaker Celine Song, Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau, Brazilian director Karim Aïnouz, Moroccan filmmaker Hakim Belabbes, and Iranian-American actor-director Payman Maadi, Variety reported.

The ceremony also paid tribute to 85-year-old Egyptian actor Hussein Fahmi, who received enthusiastic applause. After a montage of his notable films, Fahmi greeted the jury members and was celebrated warmly by the audience. Running until December 6, the festival will honour Foster and Guillermo del Toro and screen their latest works. It will also feature talks with Kleber Mendonça Filho, Kramer, Laurence Fishburne, Jafar Panahi, and Andrew Dominik.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/@marrakechfilmfestival.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday that Farhan Akhtar’s war film 120 Bahadur, which portrays the legendary bravery of the Charlie Company of the Kumaon Regiment, has been declared tax-free in the national capital with immediate effect. The Chief Minister highlighted that the movie showcases the inspirational leadership of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, whose courage and selflessness remain a defining symbol of heroism in India’s military history.

Gupta stated on X that 120 Bahadur honors the extraordinary courage, leadership, and sacrifice of the 120 soldiers of Charlie Company, 13 Kumaon Regiment, who fought valiantly in the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. She added that, as a special mark of respect to these brave soldiers, the Delhi Government has decided to grant the film tax-free status in Delhi from November 28.

Farhan Akhtar had earlier expressed his desire for the movie to be tax-free so that it could reach a wider audience. Speaking to PTI at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), he said that making the film tax-free would allow the story to reach more people and hoped the decision would come into effect. Prior to the tax exemption, PVR listed tickets for prime rows of 120 Bahadur at ₹410. With the 18% GST removed, the ticket price for Delhi viewers will be reduced by ₹62.54 starting November 28, making it more affordable for audiences.

120 Bahadur, a 2025 Hindi-language historical war film, narrates the true events of the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Farhan Akhtar plays Major Shaitan Singh, who led 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company against overwhelming Chinese forces. The film highlights the incredible bravery and selflessness of these troops, most of whom belonged to the Ahir community, as they defended a post at Rezang La, a Himalayan pass at freezing high-altitude conditions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

Veteran actor Mohanlal expressed his joy and pride as the 4K restoration of the Malayalam classic Kireedam (1989) premiered at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The restored film, screened under the Special Screenings section, received an enthusiastic response from audiences and cinema enthusiasts alike. Sharing his thoughts on X, Mohanlal expressed deep gratitude for the effort behind reviving a film so close to his heart. Calling the experience both “delighted” and “an honour,” he highlighted the meticulous restoration work undertaken before the premiere.

He stated, “Delighted to share the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Kireedam (1989), presented as part of the Special Screenings at the 56th IFFI, Goa. The film has been meticulously restored by NFDC-National Film Archive of India from a 35mm release print, thankfully preserved by the archive for decades after the original camera negative had deteriorated. The final grading was supervised by the film's cinematographer, S. Kumar. It is an honour to witness this classic return to the screen.”

Mohanlal also praised India’s archival initiatives, emphasizing their importance for future generations. He described the revival as “heartening,” adding, “It is heartening to see Kireedam revived under the National Film Heritage Mission. My best wishes to NFDC-NFAI as they continue preserving and presenting India’s cinematic heritage for future generations, in both digital and analog formats.”

Directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A.K. Lohithadas, Kireedam is one of Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated dramas, portraying the tragic downfall of Sethumadhavan, a young man whose dream of becoming a police officer is shattered by fate—a performance that earned Mohanlal a National Award Special Jury Mention. On the work front, Mohanlal was last seen in Hridayapoorvam and is now preparing for the release of Vrusshabhaa, a Telugu-Malayalam bilingual period action drama set to hit theatres this Christmas.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from insta/@Mohanlal.

In the episode of ‘Culture Club,’ Melanie Oliveiro chats with Claire Javier, an emerging indie-pop singer-songwriter, about her music, focusing on her latest single, “Easy.” Javier shares the story behind the dreamy and playful track, which captures the surreal feeling of a past romance. The Filipino-Singaporean artist also discusses her other single, “Misbehave,” her experiences performing live, and her evolution from introspective songwriting to a more narrative and confessional style. To explore more Singaporean artists like Claire Javier, visit Hear65.com, an initiative by the National Arts Council, produced by independent music media company Bandwagon.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

The 2025 Emmy Award nominations are out, with Severance leading the pack with 27 nominations. The Penguin follows closely with 24, while The Studio and The White Lotus each earned 23 nods, highlighting the top contenders in television over the past year. Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng discuss the most unexpected omissions and surprise nominations with Dr. Nasya Bahfen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

He’s spent a full day submerged in slime, stayed underground for 48 hours, and given away huge sums of money to fortunate contestants. But are MrBeast’s videos just clever clickbait – or bold experiments in creative innovation?
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from The Guardian

New Zealand artist Marlon Williams dedicated five years to creating his latest album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka, which is sung entirely in the Māori language. Its release comes at a politically charged time, as the current coalition government in New Zealand restricts the use of Māori in public services and recently suspended three MPs for performing a haka in protest of a bill seen as undermining Indigenous rights. Williams discusses with Reged Ahmad the experience of performing in his first language on a global stage and also shares a live performance of a song from the album at the Guardian Australia studio.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Guardian.