What’s Going on With Wong Kar-wai?

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The current controversy stems from a long-running disagreement over who should be credited with writing the screenplay for Blossoms Shanghai. In 2022, a former crew member named Cheng Junnian, writing under the pseudonym Gu Er, began posting on WeChat about his experiences working on the show. After the show aired in 2023, listing Qin Wen as the sole screenwriter, Cheng publicly accused her of taking credit for his work. According to the World Journal, Cheng claims he originally was meant to be the writer and director of Blossoms Shanghai and had spent three years developing the scripts. He alleges that Qin Wen, who won an award for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2024 Magnolia Awards, only made minor changes to his work and presented it as her own. Cheng says he was then demoted to Wong’s personal assistant, earning only 3,000 yuan a month (around $424). Despite being credited as a preproduction script editor, he claims his duties ranged from writing key plotlines to running personal errands for Wong, like cooking and bringing him snacks. Cheng, who has Kennedy’s disease, also alleges he was bullied at work and that when he requested time off due to worsening symptoms from the stressful job, Wong responded dismissively.

High On Life 2 Trailer Encourges You To Take Drugs Made From Humans

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The trailer mimics the style of American pharmaceutical commercials. It includes all the familiar elements, like scenes of cheerful aliens enjoying the effects of the drug. Interestingly, the ad specifically warns humans not to use ‘Humanzapro’ due to potential side effects, leading us to believe the drug might be a beneficial item or power-up within the game.

Jafar Panahi Sentenced to a Year in Prison by Iranian Government

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Throughout his career, filmmaker Jafar Panahi has consistently challenged the Iranian government through his films, which often highlight social injustice. As a result, he has faced increasing repercussions for his work, including three arrests and two jail sentences. His most recent imprisonment lasted six months, from July 2022 to February 2023, in Evin Prison. Following his release, a 20-year travel ban imposed in 2010 was lifted. Despite being prohibited from filmmaking, Panahi continued to create movies between 2010 and 2022, secretly getting them out of the country and earning international acclaim. These include the 2011 documentary This Is Not a Film and the 2023 film No Bears.