The Academy Award-winning filmmaker expressed his thoughts on "The F—ing News" podcast about Trump's return to the presidency, stating: "I think it's horrific, I think it's horrifying."
"I see a shift away from all things decent," Cameron explained. "America loses its meaning if it abandons what it has traditionally represented. It turns into an empty concept, and I believe they are emptying it quickly for their own gain."
James Cameron to Get New Zealand Citizenship After Trump's ... (Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com)
Although Cameron visits the United States often, he lives mainly in New Zealand. He has been shooting and developing the "Avatar" series there for over ten years.
Considering that "we are all in this together globally," Cameron said he's not certain "if I feel any safer here."
"But I definitely feel like I don't have to see it on the front page every day. And it's just disgusting," Cameron continued. "There's something pleasant about New Zealand news outlets — at least they'll place it on page three. I simply don't want to view that guy's face anymore on the front page of the newspaper. It's unavoidable there, it resembles watching a vehicle collision repeatedly."
James Cameron Calls Donald Trump's Re-Election 'Horrifying' (Source: www.rollingstone.com)
Regarding his soon-to-be New Zealand citizenship, Cameron explained it "means a lot" and "it's something I've worked for, something I've had to give up things for."
"If you're going to move your family somewhere new, you must invest, you must participate, you must earn standing," the filmmaker said. "I just think you must earn your right to live in a place... There's a natural respect and a requirement for respect [here]. Everyone has this kind of equal status as people. And I appreciate that – that's what I wanted my children to experience."
Cameron is finishing post-production on the third "Avatar" film, titled "Avatar: Fire and Ash." The movie will be released on December 19 from Disney and 20th Century Studios. He has two additional "Avatar" sequels planned, portions of which have already been filmed.
Trans actress Hunter Schafer furious as new passport lists her as 'male' after Trump's executive order
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Transgender performer Hunter Schafer is discussing the "wake-up call" she encountered following Donald Trump's January inauguration. The 26-year-old actor, recognized for performances in 'Euphoria' and 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', recently uploaded an eight-minute video to her social accounts. This video detailed the apparent consequences of the President's gender-related executive order, according to The Express.
When assuming leadership, Trump promptly signed an order acknowledging just two genders and establishing a person's sex as male or female determined by birth assignment - effectively removing legal safeguards for transgender people. Due to this new regulation, Schafer indicated her replacement passport now identifies her as "male" rather than "female."
Schafer Describes 'Tough Reality Check' After Viewing New Passport Gender Designation
Euphoria''s Hunter Schafer 'Shocked' Her New Passport Has ... (Source: people.com)
Schafer explained that thieves stole her passport in Barcelona, necessitating a replacement document. Despite completing the application in her usual manner, when the new passport arrived, it designated her sex as "male."
In her social media update, Schafer stated, "I seldom post anymore but I received quite a tough reality check today and believed it was vital to share with those who might be listening."
She added, "I believe most people recall that during Trump's first presidential day, he authorized an executive order establishing just two genders, male and female determined at birth."
"Because of this action, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has suspended passport applications seeking gender marker alterations or renewals or new requests with gender indicators differing from an applicant's birth-assigned gender," the actor pointed out.
Previously, American citizens could indicate their gender for passports and opt for an "X" designation, available for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons.
"My first thought about this, since our president talks extensively, was that I needed to see proof before believing it, and today I witnessed that proof on my new passport," noted the 'Cuckoo' performer.
Hunter Schafer attends the 'Kinds Of Kindness' Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2024, in Cannes, France (Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
"Male, so...," divulged Schafer, then musing, "For clarity, my gender identifiers first changed during my teenage years when I initially received my driver's license, and every passport afterward has shown female. This has never created issues before."
After explaining her need for a replacement passport, the 'Kinds of Kindness' performer mentioned she marked "female" on her application form. Yet, she felt shock when her newly issued passport arrived with her gender designation altered to "male."
"This makes me think that the offices handling passports and similar documents must now verify original certificates," Schafer explained, then added, "I'm not certain what exactly changed in the processing procedures, but this represents the first occurrence since I modified my gender marker."
She commented dejectedly, "It's been almost ten years now, and I strongly suspect this directly results from the leadership currently governing our country."
Schafer States Her Video Aims Not to 'Spread Fear' or 'Gain Sympathy'
Hunter Schafer reveals that her new passport now lists her sex as male instead of female, following Trump’s instatement:
“I’m not making this post to fear-monger, or to create drama, or receive consolation, I don’t need it. But I do think it’s worth posting to sort of note the… pic.twitter.com/C9DDJEtf4u
Later in her recording, Hunter Schafer emphasized that her purpose for sharing the video was not to "spread fear, generate controversy, or receive sympathy" but instead to highlight the transgender community's current circumstances under the present administration.
She also expressed worry for individuals who don't match the description of a "well-known transgender woman who is white and slim and meets current beauty expectations."
"I feel somewhat frightened by how these policies gradually take effect because events simply start occurring, similar to what we've observed in historical increases of authoritarian control and everything this new leadership somewhat embodies," Schafer expressed.
The 26-year-old continued, "Much discussion happens, then actual changes begin, and we gradually accept our new conditions."
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
"And I simply feel compelled to communicate that these aren't just statements, this reflects reality happening now, and nobody, regardless of their situation - no matter their wealth, race, appearance or other factors - remains unaffected. This represents our actual situation," Schafer emphasized about current developments.
She explained that although she hasn't used her new identification yet, she expects to "explain myself to immigration officers and that entire process much more frequently than I'd prefer, or is actually needed" once she begins traveling again.
"I also want to mention that I honestly don't care that they marked an M on my passport," stated the 'Euphoria' star, then clarifying, "It truly changes nothing about my identity or transgender status. Still, it creates additional obstacles in daily life."
Hunter Schafer arrives at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
"And thinking about other transgender women experiencing similar situations, or other transgender individuals, the challenges multiply when considering all the difficulties this introduces into actual daily circumstances," the performer noted.
"Transgender individuals are magnificent. Our existence will continue forever. My transgender identity remains permanent. A symbol on official documents cannot alter that fact. This leadership deserves criticism," Schafer expressed, before ending with, "I lack specific solutions for this situation, but I believed sharing this information was essential. This situation exists in reality."
Adrien Brody Wins Oscar for Best Actor for ‘The Brutalist’
After twenty-two years since his initial Academy Award victory, Adrien Brody secured his second Best Actor Oscar on Sunday evening for his performance in Brady Corbet's grand film "The Brutalist." Brody stood as the predicted frontrunner in the competition against nominees Timothée Chalamet ("A Complete Unknown"), Sebastian Stan ("The Apprentice"), Ralph Fiennes ("Conclave"), and Colman Domingo ("Sing Sing"). Director Corbet rushed to embrace his visibly elated star, who expressed gratitude to him and his co-writing partner for giving him this "triumph of a work."
Adrien Brody wins his second Oscar for 'The Brutalist,' (Source: thesun.my)
"Thank you, God, for this blessed life," Brody stated upon reaching the podium, before acknowledging the film community for "the tremendous outpouring that I've felt from this world" regarding his performance. When the orchestra attempted to cut short his speech, Brody responded with "I've done this before," prompting the music to stop. He then voiced his worries about growing "anti-semitism and racism and othering" in society today, expressing hope for "a happier and more inclusive world." He concluded with a timely message: "If history has taught us anything, it's not let hate go unchecked. Let's fight for what's right... let's rebuild together."
In the A24 production, Brody portrays László Tóth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor (inspired by designers Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Louis Kahn, and Marcel Breuer) who moves to America seeking artistic fulfillment and better prospects for himself and his wife (played by Oscar nominee Felicity Jones), but encounters further hardship instead.
Oscars: 10 Times the Academy Awards Shouted "Surprise!" (Photos) (Source: www.hollywoodreporter.com)
Following its celebrated Venice Film Festival debut last August, the 215-minute epic (including a 15-minute break) became an awards season favorite, garnering 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, acting nominations for Brody, Jones, and supporting actor Guy Pearce, plus numerous technical category nods.
Brody dominated the awards circuit, collecting trophies at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and festival honors from Palm Springs International Film Festival (Desert Palm Achievement for Best Actor) and Santa Barbara International Film Festival (Cinema Vanguard Award).
For Brody, finding another Oscar-caliber role—let alone a winning one—has been challenging. After his 2003 "Pianist" victory, when he became the youngest-ever Best Actor winner at 29, Brody struggled to secure roles matching that Holocaust drama. In December, he told IndieWire about making the Roman Polanski film: "It was such an awakening for me to do that movie at that relatively young age."
The impact, pressure, and duty I carried for that film during 22 weeks of six-day work weeks was immense," Brody reflected. "I had to portray someone whose individual experience represented the deaths of 6 million people and those historical atrocities—the unimaginable suffering, vile hatred, and societal transformation—all on my shoulders for coming generations, as told by a Holocaust survivor, while also physically transforming myself."
Adrien Brody wins best actor for 'The Brutalist,' his second ... (Source: www.reuters.com)
"'The Brutalist' essentially starts where 'The Pianist' finished," he explained to IndieWire. "It follows a Jewish immigrant's survival journey. Those particular difficulties and grief, and desire to start over, and the fantasy of America—where the ideal of the American dream, particularly in the 1950s—suggests the chance to escape that persecution and possibly build a new life."
He told IndieWire's Anne Thompson that creating "The Pianist" transformed his existence, providing him stability that "makes me grounded every single day," he remarked, "and I owe it to that experience. There is a natural comprehension I possess that allows me, when embodying a character, the emotional depth visible in my eyes as I convey a story about hope and aspirations."
Regarding his second Academy Award journey, Brody added, "I value the affection I've received, and it has taken 22 years to experience this level of appreciation again. That means so much to me, because this work is my entire life's focus, and it's not as if I wasn't searching for material of this quality or a role with this significance."
Mikey Madison Wins Oscar for Best Actress for ‘Anora’
Mikey Madison, the 25-year-old performer who stars in "Anora," has claimed the Academy Award for Best Actress. She triumphed over expected front-runner Demi Moore from "The Substance" and potential upset Fernanda Torres of "I'm Still Here." By this stage in the ceremony, "Anora" had already secured victories for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
Mikey Madison wins Best Actress over Demi Moore at Oscars 2025 (Source: ew.com)
Upon receiving the trophy from Emma Stone, Madison remarked, "I was raised in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always seemed very distant to me." She expressed gratitude to her fellow artists, both actors and crew members, plus Brighton Beach "for sharing your stunning scenery and remarkable neighborhood."
"I want to acknowledge the sex worker community. I will keep supporting and standing as an ally. All the exceptional individuals, the women I've been fortunate to meet... have been some of the best parts of this whole amazing journey. I want to honor the... stunning performances of my fellow nominees... This fulfills a lifelong wish. I will likely think I'm dreaming tomorrow. Thank you to Sean. Everything stems from you. I cherish you."
Earlier that evening, Sean Baker, while accepting his Best Director prize, celebrated movie theaters and asked the industry to continue backing them. "We gather here tonight and watch this show because we love films. Where did our passion for movies begin? At the cinema. Viewing a film in a theater with others creates an experience... During times when the world can feel extremely divided, this becomes more essential than ever. It offers a shared moment you simply cannot get at home. Currently, the theater experience faces threats. Cinemas, particularly those independently owned, are finding it difficult to survive. We must support them. During COVID, nearly 1,000 screens disappeared across America, and we keep losing more regularly," he stated.
Mikey Madison wins best actress Oscar for 'Anora' | Reuters (Source: www.reuters.com)
Madison portrays Ani, a sex worker whose existence gets disrupted by promises from Russian heir Vanya (Eydelshteyn) in Baker's film. The movie won the Palme d'Or at Cannes in May 2024, strengthening its Oscar prospects.
Baker continued his earlier remarks, "Without reversing this pattern, we'll lose a crucial element of our culture. This serves as our rallying cry. Filmmakers, continue creating for large screens. I certainly will. Distributors, please prioritize theatrical releases for our projects. Neon did this for me, and I'm deeply thankful. Parents, show your children feature films in movie theaters, and you'll shape the next wave of cinema enthusiasts and creators."
The Best Actress competition remained unpredictable throughout awards season, with no clear favorite, though Madison previously won the BAFTA for Best Actress in February.
Madison's BAFTA victory increased her Oscar chances, despite Moore's compelling narrative as an actress who has dedicated significant time to her career and taken a role in "The Substance" that highlights the challenges faced by supposedly "too old" actresses - a storyline that gained traction in recent months.
"Anora" began filming in Brighton Beach in February 2023, a location Madison had never visited before. Living there alongside the film team helped her connect more deeply with her character, as she told IndieWire last year.
Mikey Madison Shocks with Best Actress Win at Oscars 2025 ... (Source: www.justjared.com)
"I had never been to Brighton Beach before production started in early 2023, which is why I wanted to spend as much time there as possible," Madison explained. "I had already spent many months doing other preparation for the role. I thought, 'If I don't understand what living here feels like, it won't seem authentic or familiar to me.' I relocated there and lived near the subway station, and I really enjoyed it. The community is wonderful, and I found it fascinating. I purchased several pieces of my character's wardrobe, visited my preferred coffee shop, and listened to conversations. This helped me ground myself in both the character and the setting. Leaving Los Angeles for that environment was beneficial. You can do all the preparation, but when you're still at your house in L.A., it doesn't feel connected to what you're about to do."
Madison has not yet revealed her next project following "Anora." She previously received praise for her work in FX's "Better Things," created by Pamela Adlon who played her mother, and for her performance in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." The Academy typically favors young newcomers, which added strength to her potential Oscar win narrative.
