Mr Marcus Chin had been paying her S$1,500 since June 2009. Fifty-seven-year-old Mr Chin must also fork out another S$7,000 – which is the cost incurred by his wife in the case. The court heard the pair tied the knot in 1986 but separated in 2008 when Mr Chin decided to move out of their flat. Television host and radio deejay Marcus Chin must now pay his estranged wife S$4,000 every month for her maintenance and for loan instalments for their matrimonial HDB flat. This decision came followin
Huma Abedin, 35, is in the early stages of pregnancy, according to the Times, and has not been seen since the the scandal broke. Anthony Weiner, 46, a New York congressman, emotionally told reporters Monday that he and Abedin, an aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton, had no plans to split. Two days after Anthony Weiner admitted to sending a lewd photo of himself and engaging in online relationships with several women, the New York Times is reporting his wife is pregnant with their first child. “We
In my last 2011 summer movie preview entry , I highlighted mainstream, studio blockbuster releases — from titles like Transformers: Dark of the Moon , to Captain America: The First Avenger . This time around, I will focus chiefly on alternate summer movie fare; “alternate” as in those relatively smaller films, mostly independently-financed and -produced, and/or foreign titles that a lot of you likely won’t have the opportunity to see in theaters, because they will all be distributed in a limited number of cities, as is often the case with films of their ilk. Limited theatrical distribution usually means release in New York and/or Los Angeles first, with any later expansion into other cities determined by how well the film does in those initial markets. But, at the very least you’ll know about them so that when they eventually become available on DVD or Blu-ray, the titles won’t be unfamiliar and you might consider adding them to your Netflix queue. Viva Riva! I’ll begin with a film that’s opening this weekend in New York and Los Angeles – a Congolese crime thriller titled Viva Riva! set in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in central Africa. Viva Riva! is directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga, who has said that he wants to put a new face on African cinema, portraying aspects of life in his hometown that are rarely seen on screen. Having seen the film earlier this year at the New York African Film Festival, I can say that he accomplishes just that and more, with a film that’s audacious in its depictions of violence and sexuality, in ways African films in general avoid, and isn’t at all for the PG-13 crowd. Viva Riva! centers on Riva, a small time hustler who, after several years away, has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo, with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline, in a country where it’s scarce, in high demand, and thus more of a luxury. Wads of cash in hand and out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by the beautiful, mystifying Nora while at a night club, only to find out that she’s the kept woman of a local gangster. But that doesn’t stop Viva from pursuing her, though not without repercussions. Throw into the already volatile mix a sadistic Angolan crime lord relentlessly seeking Riva for the return of his stolen shipment of gasoline, as well as other greedy, manipulative hands with Viva’s booty in their crosshairs, and what you’ll uncover is a pulsating look at a post-war city. The film excelled at the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards, winning both the Best Film and Best Director trophies. If you live in New York City, or Los Angeles, you’re encouraged to check it out when it debuts this Friday, June 10 th . Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest Opening about a month later, on July 8 th , is actor Michael Rapaport’s documentary on the legendary hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest (Q-tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi), aptly titled, Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest . Rapaport shot more than 2 years worth of footage of the group, including interviews with various hip-hop luminaries, music, and behind–the–scenes recordings of them on tour, and more. The final version — a 2011 Sundance Film Festival selection (which is where I saw it, earlier this year) — is a 97-minute time capsule that those of you who frequently reminisce about the “good old days” of hip-hop, when groups like ATCQ, De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Leaders Of The New School, and the rest of the self-labeled Native Tongues, reigned boom boxes, car speakers, house parties, and the like. Those unfamiliar with the group should consider this a primer, and may even be inspired to buy a track or two after watching it. Beats Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest , like Viva Riva!, opens first in New York City and Los Angeles, although, according to the film’s web page, there are plans to expand it into several other cities around the country, through mid-August. So, it just might play at a theater near you. Life, Above All The following week, on July 15 th , is a drama called Life, Above All , South Africa’s official “for your consideration” entry into the Best Foreign Language Film category in this year’s Academy Awards. The film, which screened out of competition in the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, and is based on the award-winning novel Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton, centers on 12-year old Chanda, who, after the death of her newly-born baby sister, learns of a rumor about her family that spreads throughout the small village near Johannesburg, where she lives; a rumor that destroys her family and forces her mother to flee, causing Chanda to leave home and school in search of her mother and the truth. Of the four films mentioned in this post, this is one that I have yet to see, but will, in a press preview next week. So my awareness of its contents is limited to what I’ve read about it thus far – mostly impressed reviews from other critics who have seen the film while it traveled the film festival circuit. The trailer looks strong, and I’m looking forward to watching and experience the entire film. When will you be able to see it? Sony Pictures Classics acquired all North American distribution rights to Life, Above All last year, and now plans to open it in New York and Los Angeles first, on July 15 th , with other cities possible, depending on how well it does during its early release. Gun Hill Road And on August 5th, once again, for those in New York and Los Angeles, you’ll have the opportunity to see NYU MFA graduate Rashaad Ernesto Green’s feature film debut, titled Gun Hill Road , when it opens in those 2 cities. In Gun Hill Road , a Sundance 2011 selection, an ex-con (played by Esai Morales) returns home to the Bronx after three years in prison to discover his wife (Judy Reyes) estranged and his teenage son (Harmony Santana) exploring a sexual transformation that challenges the already fragile bonds of their family makeup. Isiah Whitlock also features in the film, which I saw earlier this year and loved. It’s a contemplative, compelling drama, with all-around wonderful, naturalistic performances from the cast, notably newcomer Harmony Santana, who director Green found after an exhaustive search. The film has been travelling the country (and the world) rather aggressively since its Sundance debut, garnering fans, acclaim and support along the way, leading up to its eventual August release; so, some of you may have already seen it. And between today, the date of this posting, and the film’s official commercial theatrical debut, it’ll screen at festivals in Salt Lake City, UT, San Francisco, CA, and Philadelphia, PA; so, if you live in any of those cities, you’ll have an opportunity to see the film. Follow the film on Facebook and/or Twitter to be kept abreast of its release schedule. And that’s about it! There might be a surprise release or two here and there worth mentioning, but if you are able to see all four of the films listed above, you’ll be in good shape, as far as indie/foreign cinema by and/or about people of African descent, released in the US this summer, is concerned. There are some films that played at film festivals earlier in the year, with and without distribution, which might surface at film festivals or other screening series during the summer, so look out for them; they may be closer to you than you realize. And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are a few upcoming black film festivals over the next three months, during which audiences will be introduced to new works by independent black filmmakers. Kicking things off will be the American Black Film Festival in South Florida, which runs in early July; and closing out the summer will be the Martha’s Vineyard Black Film Festival, in early/mid August. And there are certainly others. You’re encouraged to attend these festivals, especially if they are happening in your city, and check out films that you may never get to see elsewhere. I hope that between my two summer preview entries, you’ll be able to find something(s) of interest. And if not, there’s always content available on television, the web, old movie rentals, and more. Or you could always read a book… or two or three! Tambay Obenson is editor of Shadow And Act on the indieWIRE Network , which can be found at http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact .
Congressman Anthony “Let Me Show You My” Weiner finally decided to come clean about his online peen game today. And it turns out the one picture we knew about is just an example of how he’s been getting down for the last three years! A week after claiming a hacker had posted a lewd photo to his Twitter account, U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner on Monday apologized for lying about the ordeal and admitted carrying on inappropriate relationships with several women he’d met online. Weiner, a New York Democrat, said he is not resigning his seat, nor is he planning on separating from his wife. But he said he took responsibility for his actions — both the relationships and for lying about sending the photo of his bulging underwear on his Twitter account. “To be clear, the picture was of me, and I sent it. I’m deeply sorry for the pain this has caused my wife, and our family, my constituents, my friends, my supporters and my staff,” he said, claiming he’d posted the Twitter photo accidentally as a “joke” and then “panicked.” “I lied because I was ashamed at what I had done, and I didn’t want to get caught.” Weiner described his actions as “dumb,” “destructive” and “deeply, deeply hurtful” — both for his admitted cover-up and for carrying on relationships with six women he’d met online, mostly via Facebook. The congressman claimed that he never met any of these women in person, and that his wife Huma only learned he’d been lying about the Twitter picture on Monday morning. “I have made terrible mistakes,” Weiner told reporters. “I have not been honest with myself or my family … I should not have done this, and I should not have done this particularly when I was married.” Weiner claimed he does not believe he used any government resources while sending various photos and otherwise having inappropriate relationships with the women. He admitted that some of these relationships began before his marriage, and some continued afterward. They should have never gave you married men Twitpic. Source
In the face of mounting evidence – including an investigation of his Twitter platform and the discovery of another inappropriate photo – New York Congressman Anthony Weiner held a press conference today and admitted: I lied. I did send lewd photos to multiple women online. The scandal first erupted at the end of May, as a picture of Weiner’s covered crotch was found online, purported to be Tweeted to a 21-year old follower. Weiner immediately hired a lawyer, but also gave interviews in which he blamed the incident on a “prank.” But that defense became more untenable in the following days, resulting in today’s admission. During the press conference, Weiner said: He never met any of the women in question. He’s exchanged sexually explicit photos with “at least six women.” He dodged a question about whether or not he had “phone sex” with them and simply said they were adults and all actions were “consensual.” He told his wife the truth this morning and she was “very disappointed.” She also said she loved him and wanted the couple to “pull through.” He never asked anyone to lie or orchestrated any kind of cover-up. His staff was unaware of his actions. He labeled his actions “a personal failure” and said “I did a regrettable thing and for that I apologize.” He will not resign. You can watch the press conference below: Anthony Weiner Press Conference – I Lied.. We’ll have more on this story as news breaks. For now, you tell us: Should Weiner resign?
In this picture taken late Saturday, June 4, 2011, renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev reacts hours before being arrested by police during his hunger strike in New Delhi. Police officers swooped down Sunday on the venue of a hunger strike by the charismatic Indian yoga guru and forcibly removed him and thousands of his supporters. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was detained early Sunday morning by the New Delhi police from the stage when he was sleeping with his followers. Ramdev, who is on a fast against c
If you knock up Rielle Hunter (and make a sex tape) while your wife’s terminally ill, then use her cancer to win sympathy from voters while seeking your party’s nomination for President of the United States, you are a pretty bad person. Still, John Edwards says, he didn’t do anything illegal. With daughter Cate Edwards standing behind him, he pleaded not guilty to using campaign money to cover up his affair and love child with Hunter. “There is no question that I’ve done wrong ,” the two-time former presidential hopeful said outside the federal courthouse in Winston-Salem, N.C. “I take full responsibility for having done wrong. I will regret for the rest of my life the pain and the harm that I’ve caused to others. But I did not break the law, and I never, ever thought I was breaking the law.” A federal grand jury indicted John Edwards for breaking federal campaign finance laws while he was running for president back in 2008. In 2007, the National Enquirer f irst got wind of – and reported – John’s affair with Rielle. He denied it all profusely and that was that. After the 2008 primaries, the Enquirer busted him visiting Rielle. He confessed the affair, but still maintained the child was not his. More than a year later, with Andrew Young set to blow the whistle on his role in the ordeal, he finally admitted paternity as well. Prosecutors allege funds were paid to Rielle Hunter and onetime Edwards aide Young – who for a long time claimed he knocked up Rielle – to cover up Edwards’ affair with Hunter and the child they had together. Prosecutors claim the money came from political donors and can be considered campaign funds since they aided Edwards’ presidential bid.
Actor James Arness of Gunsmoke fame has passed away at age 88. “Jim passed away this morning at home with his wife of natural causes. He went quietly in his sleep,” Arness’ rep, Ginny Fazer, said earlier. “He is survived by his wife Janet, two sons and six grandchildren.” The 6’6” actor was best known for his role of Marshal Matt Dillon in the classic weekly series, which he played for an amazing 20 years. The funeral will be private, but fans are encouraged to make donations in Jim’s name to his favorite charity, United Cerebral Palsy. It’s unknown if he was ailing for an extended time period, but Arness left a farewell letter of sorts on his official website for his fans. “I had a wonderful life and was blessed with some many loving people and great friends,” he writes. Continue reading the full letter .
First Lady Michelle Obama announced that she will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone,during an official visit to Africa from June 21 – 26 focused on youth leadership, education, health and wellness. Mrs. Obama’s visit will highlight the important stake the U.S. has in the success of Africa’s many nations, as well as the historic connections between the American people and those who live on the African continent. President Barack Obama’s late father was Kenyan. In addition to advancing her international youth engagement agenda, the First Lady’s events will amplify the President’s support for democracy, development and economic opportunity across Africa. During her trip, Mrs. Obama will deliver the keynote address to a U.S.-sponsored Young African Women Leaders Forum in South Africa. Forum participants include young women from across sub-Saharan Africa who are leading or involved in social and economic initiatives in their own countries. The Forum will build on the Obama Administration’s ongoing engagement with the next generation of African leaders and the momentum of the August 2010 President’s Forum with Young African Leaders held at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama To Unveil New Food Pyramid Michelle Obama Discusses The Sacrifices Of Military Families [VIDEO]
