German comedian Jan Böhmermann has been nominated for the Grimme Online Award following the uproar surrounding his poem about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The 35-year-old was submitted in a “special” category. The Grimme jury said the decision to nominate Böhmermann had predated the recent controversy surrounding his rendition of a snide poem about Turkish President Erdogan. The poem, delivered ... Read More »
Category Archives: Entertainment
Feed SubscriptionImmersive experience: Testing out Germany’s first virtual cinema
One of the world’s first virtual reality cinemas has opened its doors in Berlin. DW’s Elizabeth Grenier tried it out, survived – and was surprised to find a quirky atmosphere and a short film on the refugee debate. I was a bit nervous on my way to the Virtual Reality Cinema. I wondered: To avoid the famous virtual reality sickness, ... Read More »
Young Syrians rap for revolution on Berlin’s stages
Jailed for his activism in Syria, the rapper Abu Hajar and his band Mazzaj Rap are pursuing their fight for justice in Berlin. They’ve found freedom of expression in the city – but also face humiliation as refugees. It’s after midnight in one of Berlin’s oldest surviving squats and around 200 people are rocking to the beat of a Syrian ... Read More »
The quotable maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Hardly any other musician has been the source of so many thought-inspiring quotes. Here are some of Nikolaus Harnoncourt’s notable sayings – and those of others about him. “The term ‘loss’ doesn’t suffice for what I feel,” wrote conductor Franz Welser-Möst on the death of Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Pointing to his late colleague’s “unshakable creativity,” Welser-Möst placed Harnoncourt in the context ... Read More »
Former US first lady Nancy Reagan dies at 94
Nancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of her husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and Alzheimer’s disease, has died. Joanne Drake, a spokesperson for the Reagan Foundation, confirmed the death of the former first lady Nancy Reagan. “Nancy Davis Reagan, former first lady of the United States, ... Read More »
Celebrated conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt dies, aged 86
World-renowned Austrian conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt has died at the age of 86. He was a leading pioneer in “period performance practice” of renaissance, baroque and classical works. The Austrian Press Agency reported on Sunday that Harnoncourt had died surrounded by his family, after succumbing to a serious illness. One of the most highly regarded classical music conductors of recent times, ... Read More »
‘Spotlight’ wins best picture at Academy Awards, DiCaprio takes home first Oscar
Amid the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, journalism drama “Spotlight” has won the Oscar for best picture. First-time winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Brie Larson took home top acting honors. Hollywood’s biggest night was an evening of surprises and long-awaited wins, as five-time nominee Leonardo DiCaprio finally snagged a golden statuette for his role in the snowbound survival epic “The Revenant.” DiCaprio’s win for ... Read More »
#OscarsSoWhite: Is Hollywood part of a much bigger problem?
After an onslaught of criticism from Hollywood stars and film fans over lack of diversity at the Oscars, the Academy promised to reform itself. But critics say the changes don’t go far enough in addressing racism. “Enough is enough,” said Frederic Kendrick, communications professor at Howard University in Washington, D.C. “We’ve had it up to here.” That once again black ... Read More »
Eurovision Song Contest changes voting rules
From this year, Eurovision votes cast by professional juries in each country and viewers will be announced separately. Organizers hope the change will help keep viewers guessing about who has won until the end. Eurovision officials said the current voting system ruined the surprise for viewers, as it often becomes apparent who has won long before the end of the ... Read More »
Kanye West: The calculated impulsiveness of a hit maker
The rapper knows how to build up hype. On February 11, Kanye West will be presenting his seventh solo album and a new fashion collection in New York. Will Kanye West’s next album be called “So Help Me God,” “Swish” or “Waves”? The 38-year-old rapper from Chicago has changed the name of his upcoming seventh studio album several times. According ... Read More »