• By Mabel Pais

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: WOMAN IN CHARGE

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2024 – Opening Night

Co-Directors/Co-Producers: Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton

Co-Producers: Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Tracy Aftergood, Sean Stuart, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton

USA; 2024; Documentary; Biography; 1h 37m

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, twice over, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton take an unprecedented look at the non-stop life of a cultural luminary. At a time when gender equality and women’s issues are at the forefront, Diane von Furstenberg’s (DVF) life exemplifies empowerment, resilience, entrepreneurship, and style. She is an inspiration to women with her unapologetic demeanor. Diane never saw herself as a victim of sexism; rather, she embraced her femininity in a strong and profound way, forging a path for her daughter and the next generation of women to follow. Few women embody the gravitas, grace, and gusto of the incomparable Diane von Furstenberg.

A citizen of the world and the child of a Holocaust survivor, her story, and its impact have uplifted people around the globe. In 1974, DVF transformed not only her destiny but also that of countless women with the introduction of the iconic “wrap dress,” a unique garment that instantly bestowed fashion and confidence upon its wearers, irrespective of their shape, background, or status.

As she approaches the eve of her retrospective exhibition, marking a 50-year distinguished career, Diane von Furstenberg contemplates her pioneering path in a male-dominated realm to erect a multi-million-dollar fashion empire – as an early visionary, and influencer, she challenged the status quo with the bold inquiry, “Why can’t a woman do what a man does?”

With resolute determination, she faced various challenges – she was a single woman balancing a career, raising two children, and bravely confronting cancer. These hurdles didn’t stop her; instead, she embraced them and they fueled her mission to inspire women everywhere to pursue their lives with equal passion and purpose and design their own lives. DVF was born to be a woman in charge. And, she was born to inspire other women to take charge of their lives.

“We aspire for this film to not only celebrate Diane’s remarkable life but also to ignite a sense of empowerment in women of all ages, at a time when women’s rights and freedoms are being challenged. It’s a call to embrace their innate power and live life on their own terms, as Diane von Furstenberg has so inspiringly demonstrated and championed.” Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy & Trish Dalton. 

U.S. Release Date (Tribeca Film Festival): June 5, 2024

Premier Date on HULU: June 25, 2024

KILL

Director/Writer: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Producers: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Achin Jain

Cast: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Raghav Juyal

Rated:R; Action, Thriller; Length: 1h 55m; Hashtag: #Kill

At its heart, ‘KILL’ is a tale of separation and an unquenchable longing for reunion. Amrit (Lakshya) and Tulika’s (Tanya Maniktala) desire to be together is met with an ever-mounting tide of adversity. Ultimately, ‘KILL’ is a journey into the human spirit, the power of love, and the extraordinary lengths one will go to protect their cherished ones.

Star-crossed lovers Tulika and Amrit find their clandestine relationship jeopardized after Tulika’s family whisks her aboard the Rajdhani Express bound for both New Delhi and an arranged marriage. But commandos Amrit and his friend are far from willing to let fate dictate their story.

They embark on a “rescue” mission that turns into a gory adventure. Just when the stakes couldn’t get any higher, the train hurtles into chaos as a gang of 40 blade-wielding bandits storms in. Amrit and his friend employ their combat skills to protect the passengers. The train’s confines transform into a claustrophobic battleground, where martial arts meet mayhem.

As the body count rises, Fani (Raghav Juyal), the black sheep of the gang, accentuates the tension, and the train’s compartments become a canvas for a furious dance of survival. Amrit isn’t just a commando; he’s a force of nature, driven by love and armed with dauntless determination. He fights against the odds, carving a path through a hail of knives to shield everyone. With every strike and every confrontation, their resilience is put to the test.

Drawing inspiration from the real-life “dacoits” who once wreaked havoc on Indian trains, ‘KILL’ takes this high-concept premise that blurs the lines between duty and emotion. In a world where every twist of the track could mean life or death, ‘KILL’ paints a portrait of how far a man can go in love to rewrite his destiny.

“Ultimately, KILL is a journey into the human spirit, the power of love, and the extraordinary lengths one will go to protect their cherished ones.” – Director Nikhil Nages Bhat.

U.S. Release Date: July 4, 2024.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Cuisine, Spirituality, Health & Wellness, Business, and Education)