Press Conference: Erykah Badu Banned In Malaysia

Erykah Badu was banned on Tuesday from performing in Malaysia because of a photo of her with tattoos on the top half of her body.  One of them being the word "Allah".

Muslims were offended by the temporary tattoo.

Badu says, she got the idea for the photo from the 70's film "The Holy Mountain" by her favorite filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky.

She's not upset with the cancellation.  She wants to return to the country.

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Filmmaker Josh Fox Arrested on Capital Hill

Filmmaker Josh Fox.

via politico

Director Josh Fox was arrested and charged on Wednesday morning for Unlawful Entry on Capitol Hill.

Fox attempted to film a House of Science Committee Hearing on fracking(hydraulic fracturing), according to Politico.

He was led out of the hearing in handcuffs by Capitol Police.

He shouted, "I'm within my First Amendment rights, and I'm being taken out."

The Oscar-nominated filmmaker is best known for his award winning documentary "Gasland."

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Spike Lee's Premiere of 'Red Hook Summer' Full Q&A at Sundance Film Festival

At Spike Lee's Q&A session of the premiere of 'Red Hook Summer' comedian Chris Rock asked, "What would you had done differently, if you actually gotten a bunch of studio money."

Lee explained(in a way some folk didn't went to hear), why he didn't go to Hollywood studios to make this film.

His plan was to film the project independently.

You tell 'em Spike Lee!

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'The City Dark' Trailer

Filmmaker(amateur astronomer) Ian Cheney takes us on a journey to answer the simple question, "do we need stars?".

His edgy visuals from NYC to Maine support how light pollution effect people and the planet Earth.

This documentary opens in NYC on January 18th.

To see more theater listings click here...

Watch the trailer...

The "Award Season Roundtable Series": Animation - Stephen J. Anderson, Jamie Beard, John Lasseter, Chris Miller, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Carlos Saldanha and Gore Verbinski

Guests of the "Award Season Roundtable Series" were Stephen J. Anderson("Winnie Pooh"), Jamie Beard("Tintin"), John Lasseter("Cars 2"), Chris Miller(Puss in Boots) Jennifer Yuh Nelson("Kung Fu Panda 2"), Carlos Saldanha("Rio") and Gore Verbinski("Rango").

They discussed making the top animation films of the year with hosts director Matt Belloni and Senior Editor Noela Hueso.

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5 Hollywood Female Directors You Need to Know

Dir. Dee Rees(Breakthrough Director of the Year at the Gotham Awards '11). Photo: The Hollywood Reporter

If you seriously follow film, you know there are no more directors now than in the past.

The Hollywood Reporter has a short list of women filmmakers you should know.

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via thr

"Soul Food Junkies" Teaser - A Film by Byron Hurt

Filmmaker Byron Hurt has done it again with his new documentary "Soul Food Junkies".

In this film he examines soul food and why it's loved by so many. He also points out some of the health issues that come with the love of eating southern-style recipes.

Love his work!

Watch the teaser...

"The Award Show Roundtable Series: The Directors" - Part Two

Director Steve McQueen(the only black director on the panel) was asked the question(which we've been asking for damn near a century), "why aren't there more black directors in Hollywood?"

"It's shameful that filmmakers live in America and won't cast more black actors," McQueen said.

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"The Award Season Roundtable Series: The Directors" - Part One

An interview with film directors Alexander Payne, Steve McQueen, Mike Mills, Jason Reitman, Michel Hazanavicius and Bennett Miller.

They were asked the question, "In your minds, what makes a good director?"

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"My Drink with Hollywood": An Interview with Director Zeke Pinheiro

"My Drink with Hollywood" is a web show that let's us in on the real deal in Hollywood.

The show is hosted by actor/director Michael Mays and actor/artist Nik Manikatos.

They recently interviewed up and coming director Zeke Pinheiro about his new project "Enter the Wolf" and he gives us some film-making wisdom.

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BAFTA Guru: The Early Years With Quentin Tarantino

An interview with filmmaker Quentin Tarantion.

An Exclusive: Tyler Perry's Alex Cross Movie Erupts Into Legal Fight

Actor Tyler Perry - Photo: The Hollywood Reporter

The movie "I, Alex Cross" starring Tyler Perry as Alex Cross a Detroit detective hits the theaters in 2012, but not without a legal fight.

On Wednesday, the producers of "I, Alex Cross" with Perry sued another set of producers who aren't involved with the project, but they're demanding credit and money.

The character Alex Cross was made famous by award winning actor Morgan Freeman in "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came the Spider."

"I, Alex Cross", "Kiss the Girls" and "Along Came the Spider" are all films based on novels by author James Patterson.

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via thr

REWIND: Spike Lee - "She's Gotta Have It" Movie Trailer

"She's Gotta Have It" was filmmaker Spike Lee's first independent theater released project.

The film premiered in 1986 on one movie screen in New York City.

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Sidney Lumet Dies at 86

Director: Sydney LumetOn Saturday, four-time Oscar nominee, Sidney Lumet died of lymphoma at his home in New York.

He was 86.

Lumet has directed over seventy films("12 Angry Men"(1957), "Serpico"(1973), "The Wiz"(1978), "The Verdict"(1982) and "Network"(1976), too name a few). 

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via latimes