Sky Atlantic debuts the limited series The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Premiering on May 27 at 9:00 p.m., the series blends espionage and cross-cultural satire with a top flight cast, including Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles. The Sympathizer takes us into the world of a half-French, […]
Sky Atlantic Premieres Espionage Thriller The Sympathizer on Monday 27 May...
Sky Atlantic Premieres Espionage Thriller The Sympathizer on Monday 27 May...
- 5/25/2024
- by Noah Masire
- MemorableTV
When the Emmy nominations are announced July 17, something will happen that hasn’t happened in 50 years: The nominees for best drama series will include only one previously nominated show, Netflix’s The Crown. I would love to be able to say that’s because there are so many great dramas out there and that TV Academy members are diligently watching them and championing different great ones this year. But the truth is, this field, historically among the strongest each season, now looks like a wasteland.
Such perennial nominees as HBO’s Succession and Westworld and AMC’s Better Call Saul have ended, along with second-tier contenders like Paramount+’s The Good Fight and Star Trek: Picard. Some ongoing, previously nominated shows were not back in time to be eligible, in some cases because of delays caused by the writers and actors strikes, including Netflix’s Stranger Things, Squid Game and Bodyguard; HBO/Max’s Euphoria,...
Such perennial nominees as HBO’s Succession and Westworld and AMC’s Better Call Saul have ended, along with second-tier contenders like Paramount+’s The Good Fight and Star Trek: Picard. Some ongoing, previously nominated shows were not back in time to be eligible, in some cases because of delays caused by the writers and actors strikes, including Netflix’s Stranger Things, Squid Game and Bodyguard; HBO/Max’s Euphoria,...
- 5/25/2024
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Sympathizer, the HBO original series, concludes its first season with the seventh episode, titled “Endings Are Hard, Aren’t They?” airing on May 26, 2024. In this finale, Claude treats the squad to a night out in Thailand before their deployment to Vietnam. Meanwhile, he discloses some disturbing intelligence to the Captain, who finds himself […]
The Sympathizer: Endings Are Hard, Aren’t They?...
The Sympathizer: Endings Are Hard, Aren’t They?...
- 5/25/2024
- by Riley Avery
- MemorableTV
Much like “Hannibal,” it’s difficult to believe a show as spooky and complex as “Evil” ever aired on network television. But as the horror series about an unlikely trio investigating reports of demonic incidents for the Catholic Church debuts its entertaining final season on Paramount+, where the Robert and Michelle King-created series moved in Season 2, it’s also hard to believe the show exists anywhere, as it remains wholly unlike anything else on TV.
In Season 4, the first episode of which is now streaming, the series continues to balance its unique cases of the week with storylines involving overarching mythology, all while engaging with and exploring the personal beliefs and fears of Kristen (Katja Herbers), David (Mike Colter) and Ben (Aasif Mandvi). And then there’s that little issue of the antichrist and the fact it’s Kristen’s biological child. All of these things come together nicely...
In Season 4, the first episode of which is now streaming, the series continues to balance its unique cases of the week with storylines involving overarching mythology, all while engaging with and exploring the personal beliefs and fears of Kristen (Katja Herbers), David (Mike Colter) and Ben (Aasif Mandvi). And then there’s that little issue of the antichrist and the fact it’s Kristen’s biological child. All of these things come together nicely...
- 5/25/2024
- by Kaitlin Thomas
- Gold Derby
What works theatrically? And how do you turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ for a passion project in an everchanging entertainment landscape where there’s a push and pull between the big screen and streaming?
On today’s Crew Call we talk with Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell of Team Downey, who are behind the HBO limited Park Chan-wook series The Sympathizer, about knocking down walls in today’s Hollywood in order to get smart, elevated projects off the ground.
Says Burrell, who is the President of Team Downey, “Our job is to get people to say yes and that’s with our passion, with our pushing.”
Adds Downey, “The marketplace is fickle, everybody is trying to get people in theaters, or in this case, watching on their streamer…So many things contribute to you getting a ‘yes’ (on a project). Even Robert gives us a ‘No’.”
While...
On today’s Crew Call we talk with Susan Downey and Amanda Burrell of Team Downey, who are behind the HBO limited Park Chan-wook series The Sympathizer, about knocking down walls in today’s Hollywood in order to get smart, elevated projects off the ground.
Says Burrell, who is the President of Team Downey, “Our job is to get people to say yes and that’s with our passion, with our pushing.”
Adds Downey, “The marketplace is fickle, everybody is trying to get people in theaters, or in this case, watching on their streamer…So many things contribute to you getting a ‘yes’ (on a project). Even Robert gives us a ‘No’.”
While...
- 5/24/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
We will update this article throughout the season, along with all our predictions, so make sure to keep checking IndieWire for the latest news from the 2024 Emmys race. The nomination round of voting takes place from June 13 to June 24, with the official Emmy nominations announced Wednesday, July 17. Afterwards, final voting commences on August 15 and ends the night of August 26. The 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards are set to take place on Sunday, September 15, and air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Et/ 5:00 p.m. Pt.
The State of the Race
Ultimately, the decision that “Shōgun” change Emmy categories affects the Drama races more than it does the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series race. There are still more than enough worthy contenders that can take its place when nominations are announced on July 17.
Unfortunately, the category still keeps the number of nominees proportional to the submissions, so though the...
The State of the Race
Ultimately, the decision that “Shōgun” change Emmy categories affects the Drama races more than it does the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series race. There are still more than enough worthy contenders that can take its place when nominations are announced on July 17.
Unfortunately, the category still keeps the number of nominees proportional to the submissions, so though the...
- 5/23/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
As a Virgo, I’m all about order. As a kid, I created my own card catalog for my collection of books, as if I were a library. I still alphabetize and catalog all of my music on Discogs. Even my Emmy notes are neatly organized by year, going all the way back to 1996.
That’s why I wasn’t happy in the late 1990s when hourlong shows like “Ally McBeal” and “Desperate Housewives” entered the Emmy comedy race. Hourlong dramedies are not comedies! No one ever called “All in the Family” — which had some deep, dark moments — a drama, and yet there were a couple of laughs in “Desperate Housewives” (which opened with a death!) and suddenly it’s a comedy?
Sadly, I lost this battle years ago. And as we know, the comedy race is really now a dramedy race. The frontrunner, FX’s “The Bear,” is famously...
That’s why I wasn’t happy in the late 1990s when hourlong shows like “Ally McBeal” and “Desperate Housewives” entered the Emmy comedy race. Hourlong dramedies are not comedies! No one ever called “All in the Family” — which had some deep, dark moments — a drama, and yet there were a couple of laughs in “Desperate Housewives” (which opened with a death!) and suddenly it’s a comedy?
Sadly, I lost this battle years ago. And as we know, the comedy race is really now a dramedy race. The frontrunner, FX’s “The Bear,” is famously...
- 5/23/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Sympathizer is a period spy thriller and dark comedy series created by Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar. Based on a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name by Vietnamese author Viet Thanh Nguyen, the HBO series follows the story of the Captain, a North Vietnam spy planted in the army of South Vietnam but when he is forced to flee to the United States, he keeps gathering information on his community to send it back to the Viet Cong. The Sympathizer stars Hoa Xuande in the lead role with Robert Downey Jr., Toan Le, Fred Nguyen Khan, Duy Nguyễn, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Alan Trong, and Sandra Oh starring in supporting roles. If you loved the spy thriller and dark comedy aspects of The Sympathizer here are some similar shows you could watch next.
The Americans (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX
The Americans is a...
The Americans (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – FX
The Americans is a...
- 5/21/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Note: This story contains spoilers from “The Sympathizer” Episode 6.
In Sunday’s episode of “The Sympathizer,” the Captain (Hoa Xuande) murders his nemesis Sonny (Alan Trong) in his apartment, following the General’s (Toan Le) orders after concerns surfaced about his reporting on their covert mission.
But the decision is fueled by more than just the directive, after The Captain learned that his girlfriend Sofia Mori (Sandra Oh) had been having an affair with Sonny while he was away, working as a Vietnamese interpreter on Nikos’ (Robert Downey Jr.) movie.
“We have a rivalry that’s obviously spanned through our childhood because we have very similar backstories. The Captain and Sonny had American education before they split ways, so they see their causes for the Vietnamese people very similarly, but they obviously act upon it in very different ways,” Xuande told TheWrap. “I can only speak on behalf of the...
In Sunday’s episode of “The Sympathizer,” the Captain (Hoa Xuande) murders his nemesis Sonny (Alan Trong) in his apartment, following the General’s (Toan Le) orders after concerns surfaced about his reporting on their covert mission.
But the decision is fueled by more than just the directive, after The Captain learned that his girlfriend Sofia Mori (Sandra Oh) had been having an affair with Sonny while he was away, working as a Vietnamese interpreter on Nikos’ (Robert Downey Jr.) movie.
“We have a rivalry that’s obviously spanned through our childhood because we have very similar backstories. The Captain and Sonny had American education before they split ways, so they see their causes for the Vietnamese people very similarly, but they obviously act upon it in very different ways,” Xuande told TheWrap. “I can only speak on behalf of the...
- 5/20/2024
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
In the upcoming episode of “The Sympathizer” titled “Endings Are Hard, Aren’t They?” viewers are in for a gripping ride as the story delves deeper into the life of the spy embedded in the South Vietnam army. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War’s final days, tensions run high as the spy navigates his double life in the United States, torn between loyalty and survival.
As the episode unfolds at 9:00 Pm on Sunday, 26 May 2024, on HBO, audiences can expect to witness the intricate web of espionage and betrayal unravel in unexpected ways. The spy’s struggles intensify as he grapples with the moral complexities of his actions, blurring the lines between right and wrong in a world fraught with uncertainty.
With stellar performances and a riveting storyline, “The Sympathizer” continues to captivate viewers with its raw portrayal of war, identity, and the human experience. As the series reaches its seventh episode,...
As the episode unfolds at 9:00 Pm on Sunday, 26 May 2024, on HBO, audiences can expect to witness the intricate web of espionage and betrayal unravel in unexpected ways. The spy’s struggles intensify as he grapples with the moral complexities of his actions, blurring the lines between right and wrong in a world fraught with uncertainty.
With stellar performances and a riveting storyline, “The Sympathizer” continues to captivate viewers with its raw portrayal of war, identity, and the human experience. As the series reaches its seventh episode,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is the latest auteur making the migration to television. He previously dabbled in serialized narratives by directing all six episodes of the 2018 BBC spy thriller mini-series "The Little Drummer Girl." Adapting a John Le Carré novel, famous for their intricate plots, for his second English-language work? Park's pulled off that and more.
This year, Park co-created "The Sympathizer," a Vietnam War satire starring Robert Downey Jr. and Hoa Xuande. Adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen's 2015 novel (and Pulitzer winner), Park also directed the series' first three episodes. Most recently, it's been confirmed that he's producing a TV remake of his most famous film: 2003 revenge thriller "Oldboy."
Park is one of the most internationally known filmmakers from South Korea. The country has a thriving movie industry. (Check out /Film's picks for the best South Korean film directors here.) Before Park took off as a director,...
This year, Park co-created "The Sympathizer," a Vietnam War satire starring Robert Downey Jr. and Hoa Xuande. Adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen's 2015 novel (and Pulitzer winner), Park also directed the series' first three episodes. Most recently, it's been confirmed that he's producing a TV remake of his most famous film: 2003 revenge thriller "Oldboy."
Park is one of the most internationally known filmmakers from South Korea. The country has a thriving movie industry. (Check out /Film's picks for the best South Korean film directors here.) Before Park took off as a director,...
- 5/18/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for If, Bridgerton and Hit Man.
If premiere
Writer-director John Krasinski joined stars Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carell, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper, Awkwafina, Matt Damon, Amy Schumer, Maya Rudolph, Bobby Moynihan and Christopher Meloni at the New York premiere of If on Monday.
Bobby Moynihan, Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Fiona Shaw and Alan Kim Bradley Cooper
Bridgerton premiere
Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Lorraine Ashbourne, Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey walked the carpet on Monday at the New York premiere of Bridgerton‘s third season.
Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey
Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion premiere
The Paley Center for Media hosted the world premiere of documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion in Los Angeles on Monday,...
If premiere
Writer-director John Krasinski joined stars Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carell, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper, Awkwafina, Matt Damon, Amy Schumer, Maya Rudolph, Bobby Moynihan and Christopher Meloni at the New York premiere of If on Monday.
Bobby Moynihan, Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Fiona Shaw and Alan Kim Bradley Cooper
Bridgerton premiere
Nicola Coughlan, Luke Newton, Claudia Jessie, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Lorraine Ashbourne, Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey walked the carpet on Monday at the New York premiere of Bridgerton‘s third season.
Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan Simone Ashley and Jonathan Bailey
Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion premiere
The Paley Center for Media hosted the world premiere of documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion in Los Angeles on Monday,...
- 5/17/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Adapted from Joshuah Bearman’s 2012 Playboy article of the same name, The Big Cigar brings another piece of culture writing to mind: New York Times critic James Poniewozik’s “The Comfortable Problem with Mid TV.” The series has some visual panache, a lively soundtrack, a great cast, and an important story to tell. And it makes for a really good thumbnail on the Apple TV+ app. But The Big Cigar lacks the craft and conviction of the “great” shows and films it imitates. It’s good in places, bad in others, but mostly just mid.
The series follows Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton (André Holland) as he attempts to flee the U.S. before the feds can arrest him on a bogus murder charge. Without many allies to call on, Newton enlists the help of sympathetic, if slightly harebrained, movie producers Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) and Stephen Blauner...
The series follows Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton (André Holland) as he attempts to flee the U.S. before the feds can arrest him on a bogus murder charge. Without many allies to call on, Newton enlists the help of sympathetic, if slightly harebrained, movie producers Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) and Stephen Blauner...
- 5/17/2024
- by Ross McIndoe
- Slant Magazine
Sandra Oh's character in Grey's Anatomy, heart surgeon Cristina Yang, has a difficult personality and the ability to accept the blows of fate with dignity: she experienced the death of her father, a runaway bridegroom, unsuccessful pregnancies, and a plane crash.
Why Did Sandra Oh Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Sandra Oh began her career as a ballerina, but later decided to connect her life to the film industry. Unlike Ellen Pompeo, Sandra already had experience playing leading roles before filming Grey's Anatomy.
She starred in The Diary of Evelyn Lau and Bean, Last Night, The Red Violin and Waking the Dead. But her biggest work was of course Grey's Anatomy. Sandra was a member of the medical procedural cast for almost ten years: from 2005 to 2014.
However, in 2014, after ten seasons, the actress announced her departure from the television project. She felt that she had given her character everything she could...
Why Did Sandra Oh Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Sandra Oh began her career as a ballerina, but later decided to connect her life to the film industry. Unlike Ellen Pompeo, Sandra already had experience playing leading roles before filming Grey's Anatomy.
She starred in The Diary of Evelyn Lau and Bean, Last Night, The Red Violin and Waking the Dead. But her biggest work was of course Grey's Anatomy. Sandra was a member of the medical procedural cast for almost ten years: from 2005 to 2014.
However, in 2014, after ten seasons, the actress announced her departure from the television project. She felt that she had given her character everything she could...
- 5/16/2024
- by zoe-wallace@startefacts.com (Zoe Wallace)
- STartefacts.com
Stars Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey set TV screens ablaze in the romantic period drama “Fellow Travelers.” The Showtime miniseries follows two men whose love is intertwined across several decades, spanning wars and political events. Since its debut in October, it has received widespread acclaim.
Revealed exclusively to Variety, the series has been submitted for 23 potential Primetime Emmy nominations across multiple categories. In addition to outstanding limited or anthology series, the pilot episode, penned by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Daniel Minahan, will serve as the official submission in their respective categories.
For his role as Hawk Fuller, a closeted World War II veteran, Bomer is campaigning in the lead actor (limited) category, competing against heavyweights such as Jon Hamm (“Fargo”), Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”) and Andrew Scott (“Ripley”). He was a previous Emmy nominee for playing Felix Turner in the 2014 television movie “The Normal Heart, where he was heavily...
Revealed exclusively to Variety, the series has been submitted for 23 potential Primetime Emmy nominations across multiple categories. In addition to outstanding limited or anthology series, the pilot episode, penned by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Daniel Minahan, will serve as the official submission in their respective categories.
For his role as Hawk Fuller, a closeted World War II veteran, Bomer is campaigning in the lead actor (limited) category, competing against heavyweights such as Jon Hamm (“Fargo”), Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”) and Andrew Scott (“Ripley”). He was a previous Emmy nominee for playing Felix Turner in the 2014 television movie “The Normal Heart, where he was heavily...
- 5/15/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Robert Doweny Jr. has been exposed to many different methods of acting over his lengthy career. From playing envious scientists to egotistical billionaires, he has certainly explored his range as an actor throughout his decades-long career. Despite this, it would seem that his latest work has taught him something that none in the past were able to.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
The Sympathizer follows a nameless protagonist played by Hoa Xuande named The Captain through seven episodes. In his escape from the Vietnam War to the United States, he encounters an awful lot of American men who look like Tony Stark. It is quite a well-known fact that Downey is playing four different characters in the miniseries. It is safe to say that executing this was not easy.
The Four Faces of Robert Downey Jr.
The Sympathizer sees Robert Downey Jr. in four different skins. At the very beginning,...
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
The Sympathizer follows a nameless protagonist played by Hoa Xuande named The Captain through seven episodes. In his escape from the Vietnam War to the United States, he encounters an awful lot of American men who look like Tony Stark. It is quite a well-known fact that Downey is playing four different characters in the miniseries. It is safe to say that executing this was not easy.
The Four Faces of Robert Downey Jr.
The Sympathizer sees Robert Downey Jr. in four different skins. At the very beginning,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
The satirical spy-thriller “The Sympathizer” hopes to make a mark at the Primetime Emmys this year, as HBO/Max has submitted the show for 27 Emmy categories. The hopeful bids from creators Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar include acting recognition for breakout performer Hoa Xuande and superstar Robert Downey Jr., as well as outstanding limited or anthology series.
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2015 debut novel, “The Sympathizer” tells the story of “The Captain” (Xuande), a North Vietnamese soldier in the South Vietnamese army who is forced to flee to the United States with his general near the end of the Vietnam War. While living within a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues to spy on the community, struggling between his original loyalties and his new life.
Fresh off his Oscar win for supporting actor in “Oppenheimer,” Downey aims to become the first male actor to win an Oscar and...
Based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2015 debut novel, “The Sympathizer” tells the story of “The Captain” (Xuande), a North Vietnamese soldier in the South Vietnamese army who is forced to flee to the United States with his general near the end of the Vietnam War. While living within a community of South Vietnamese refugees, he continues to spy on the community, struggling between his original loyalties and his new life.
Fresh off his Oscar win for supporting actor in “Oppenheimer,” Downey aims to become the first male actor to win an Oscar and...
- 5/14/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
For decades, the Gotham Awards have honored the best in independent film as decided by select committees of industry insiders, festival programmers, and media experts. In recent years they have expanded into TV, but in 2024, for the first time, they are holding a separate awards show dedicated to the best new television programs of the year. Scroll down for the complete list of inaugural nominees. Winners will be presented on Tuesday, June 4, in New York City.
Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director, said in a statement, “In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen. As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the inaugural 2024 Gotham TV Awards will honor many truly deserving creatives while widening our reach and expanding our impact. We are enormously...
Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director, said in a statement, “In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen. As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the inaugural 2024 Gotham TV Awards will honor many truly deserving creatives while widening our reach and expanding our impact. We are enormously...
- 5/14/2024
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced today the nominations in seven competitive award categories for its inaugural Gotham TV Awards, recognizing a range of series, including Baby Reindeer, Ripley, The Curse, Shōgun, Bodkin, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Black Twitter: A People’s History as well as performances from Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder in The Curse, Andrew Scott in Ripley, Kristen Wiig in Palm Royale, Richard Gadd in Baby Reindeer, and Lily Gladstone in Under The Bridge, among others. The awards ceremony is set for June 4 in NYC.
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director.
The longstanding Gotham Awards is focused on film but includes three television categories. From here on, they will migrate to the new event.
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director.
The longstanding Gotham Awards is focused on film but includes three television categories. From here on, they will migrate to the new event.
- 5/14/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced the nominations for the first ever Gotham TV Awards taking place on Tuesday, June 4 at Cipriani 25 in New York City. With a focus on shows in their first seasons, the nominees selected by committees of film and television critics, journalists, festival programmers, and film curators feature a range of series, from “Baby Reindeer” to “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and “Black Twitter: A People’s History,” as well as performances from Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder in “The Curse” to Kristen Wiig in “Palm Royale,” and Lily Gladstone in “Under The Bridge.”
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director via statement. “As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the...
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, The Gotham’s Executive Director via statement. “As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the...
- 5/14/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
The Gotham Film & Media Institute has announced its nominees in seven categories for the inaugural Gotham TV Awards.
Baby Reindeer, Ripley, The Curse, Shōgun, Bodkin, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Black Twitter: A People’s History are among the nominees, with Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder (The Curse), Andrew Scott (Ripley), Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer) and Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge) receiving nods in the acting categories.
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, the Gotham’s executive director. “As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the inaugural 2024 Gotham TV Awards will honor many truly deserving creatives while widening our reach and expanding our impact. We are enormously proud to celebrate the remarkable talent represented in today’s nominations.
Baby Reindeer, Ripley, The Curse, Shōgun, Bodkin, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Black Twitter: A People’s History are among the nominees, with Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder (The Curse), Andrew Scott (Ripley), Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer) and Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge) receiving nods in the acting categories.
“In a historic moment for The Gotham, we’re thrilled to recognize an extraordinary collection of TV series and the brilliant creators responsible for bringing them to the screen,” said Jeffrey Sharp, the Gotham’s executive director. “As an organization dedicated to celebrating and nurturing independent media, we know the inaugural 2024 Gotham TV Awards will honor many truly deserving creatives while widening our reach and expanding our impact. We are enormously proud to celebrate the remarkable talent represented in today’s nominations.
- 5/14/2024
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The first Iron Man film led by Robert Downey Jr. was the lynchpin that kicked off the MCU more than a decade ago. The flamboyant billionaire who went on to build a suit of armor from metal scraps in a cave became a household name when it was released in 2008. Downey Jr. would become a big movie star and the character would become synonymous with him.
Tony Stark builds his prototype armor in Iron Man
The film had many memorable moments including Tony Stark’s time with Yinsen as they are kept captive by the members of the Ten Rings. As Stark is tasked with building a Jericho missile, He and Yinsen develop a great friendship through their conversation. However, a deleted scene from the film shows Tony doing some laundry for his captors. While fun, it is understandable why it was removed.
Tony Stark Fails At Laundry In A...
Tony Stark builds his prototype armor in Iron Man
The film had many memorable moments including Tony Stark’s time with Yinsen as they are kept captive by the members of the Ten Rings. As Stark is tasked with building a Jericho missile, He and Yinsen develop a great friendship through their conversation. However, a deleted scene from the film shows Tony doing some laundry for his captors. While fun, it is understandable why it was removed.
Tony Stark Fails At Laundry In A...
- 5/14/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
When prosthetic makeup designer Vincent Van Dyke first met with Robert Downey Jr., the two men somewhat immediately hit it off. And good thing, too, since just a couple of days later, Van Dyke heard from the producers of the HBO limited series “The Sympathizer” with the hope of signing him onto the ambitious project.
“Luckily we had that earlier meeting because we had to hit the ground running,” Van Dyke tells Gold Derby in an exclusive video interview. “It was a quick turnaround to start creating and designing these looks, and get them in front of everyone’s eyes.”
SEE2024 Emmy Experts predict Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. (‘The Sympathizer’) out front
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen and created for television by acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, “The Sympathizer” focuses on an unnamed man called the Captain (breakout star...
“Luckily we had that earlier meeting because we had to hit the ground running,” Van Dyke tells Gold Derby in an exclusive video interview. “It was a quick turnaround to start creating and designing these looks, and get them in front of everyone’s eyes.”
SEE2024 Emmy Experts predict Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. (‘The Sympathizer’) out front
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen and created for television by acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar, “The Sympathizer” focuses on an unnamed man called the Captain (breakout star...
- 5/13/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Unveiling the Overlay Between Fiction and History in The Sympathizer The latest episode from The Sympathizer, an adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, continues to stir attention. Directed by Park Chan-wook and backed by noted figures like Robert Downey Jr., this HBO series adeptly challenges long-standing Hollywood narratives about the Vietnam War, or as it’s referred to in Vietnam, the American War. The creative intention behind the series is marked by Viet Thanh Nguyen’s aim, I want to understand the Vietnamese experience as it relates to history and America and the world beyond. This focus has birthed a
The post The Sympathizer Explores the Complex Legacy of Vietnam War Films in Latest Episode first appeared on TVovermind.
The post The Sympathizer Explores the Complex Legacy of Vietnam War Films in Latest Episode first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/13/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Get ready for an intense and gripping episode of “The Sympathizer” as Season 1 Episode 6, titled “The Oriental Mode of Destruction,” airs at 9:00 Pm on Sunday, May 19, 2024, on HBO. In this thrilling installment, viewers will be drawn deeper into the world of espionage and intrigue as the story nears its climax.
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War’s final days, “The Sympathizer” follows a spy embedded within the South Vietnamese army as he flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community. Despite his new surroundings, the spy continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong, navigating a dangerous world of double-crosses and betrayal.
As tensions rise and the stakes escalate, viewers can expect plenty of twists and turns as the spy’s loyalties are put to the test. With its complex characters, gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes, “The Sympathizer” offers...
Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War’s final days, “The Sympathizer” follows a spy embedded within the South Vietnamese army as he flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community. Despite his new surroundings, the spy continues to gather intelligence and report back to the Viet Cong, navigating a dangerous world of double-crosses and betrayal.
As tensions rise and the stakes escalate, viewers can expect plenty of twists and turns as the spy’s loyalties are put to the test. With its complex characters, gripping plot, and thought-provoking themes, “The Sympathizer” offers...
- 5/12/2024
- by Jules Byrd
- TV Everyday
In 2019, Sandra Oh simultaneously received her seventh and eighth acting Emmy nominations for “Killing Eve” (drama lead) and “Saturday Night Live” (comedy guest). Five years later, her performance bid total is set to reach an even dozen thanks to her respective lead and supporting performances in the telefilm “Quiz Lady” and the limited series “The Sympathizer.” Earning TV academy recognition for these two roles would make her the eighth woman to compete for both possible limited program acting awards at once.
In “Quiz Lady,” which premiered on Hulu last November, Oh plays Jenny Yum, a vivacious yet reckless woman who reunites with her estranged younger sister (Awkwafina) to resolve their mother’s gambling debts. “The Sympathizer,” which began airing on HBO in April, features her in the role of Sofia Mori, a 1970s Japanese American secretary who becomes entangled with a communist spy (Hoa Xuande).
Prior to amassing her four...
In “Quiz Lady,” which premiered on Hulu last November, Oh plays Jenny Yum, a vivacious yet reckless woman who reunites with her estranged younger sister (Awkwafina) to resolve their mother’s gambling debts. “The Sympathizer,” which began airing on HBO in April, features her in the role of Sofia Mori, a 1970s Japanese American secretary who becomes entangled with a communist spy (Hoa Xuande).
Prior to amassing her four...
- 5/10/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Welcome to Emmy Experts Typing, a weekly column in which Gold Derby editors and Experts Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen discuss the Emmy race — via Slack, of course. This week, we revisit the limited races, now with “Baby Reindeer” in the mix.
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’re back to type about the limited series race, which remains fairly top-heavy despite what the odds might suggest. To wit: Netflix smash “Baby Reindeer” is only in fifth place in our odds, even though it’s all-but-assured of being extremely win-competitive in this race and could usurp “Shōgun” in the end as the year’s one true sensation of the year (if the latter doesn’t move to drama as widely speculated this week). You were the earliest adopter of the Netflix juggernaut, which made landfall in Los Angeles this week for a splashy FYC event. The show feels assured of several top nominations,...
Christopher Rosen: Hello, Joyce! We’re back to type about the limited series race, which remains fairly top-heavy despite what the odds might suggest. To wit: Netflix smash “Baby Reindeer” is only in fifth place in our odds, even though it’s all-but-assured of being extremely win-competitive in this race and could usurp “Shōgun” in the end as the year’s one true sensation of the year (if the latter doesn’t move to drama as widely speculated this week). You were the earliest adopter of the Netflix juggernaut, which made landfall in Los Angeles this week for a splashy FYC event. The show feels assured of several top nominations,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Joyce Eng and Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Love Lies Bleeding Ending Explained: Do Lou and Jackie Escape Successfully?(Photo Credit –IMDb)
A24 is quite well known for making films that do not follow the traditional path, and their latest, Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding, is no different. What starts off as a passionate and pure romance between Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian) soon turns to roads that are bloody and full of terror. Set in the southwest of the 1980s, Love Lies Bleeding is violent, toxic, and romantic, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
What Happens in Love Lies Bleeding?
Love Lies Bleeding is about Lou and Jackie and how all hell breaks loose when the two fall in love. Initially, their romance seems innocent enough, and their chemistry is sizzling on the screen right from the moment they set eyes on each other. However, things start getting complicated when Jackie learns that...
A24 is quite well known for making films that do not follow the traditional path, and their latest, Rose Glass’ Love Lies Bleeding, is no different. What starts off as a passionate and pure romance between Lou (Kristen Stewart) and Jackie (Katy M. O’Brian) soon turns to roads that are bloody and full of terror. Set in the southwest of the 1980s, Love Lies Bleeding is violent, toxic, and romantic, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
What Happens in Love Lies Bleeding?
Love Lies Bleeding is about Lou and Jackie and how all hell breaks loose when the two fall in love. Initially, their romance seems innocent enough, and their chemistry is sizzling on the screen right from the moment they set eyes on each other. However, things start getting complicated when Jackie learns that...
- 5/10/2024
- by Pramila Tripathi
- KoiMoi
One of the best recent rule changes the Television Academy recently made was the 2020 decision to expand the Drama and Comedy series categories to include eight nominees, regardless of the number of entries. But if the goal of the Primetime Emmys is to be reflective of the shows that most engaged viewers and voters alike throughout the TV season, it needs to now go one step further. The TV Academy needs to expand the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series category to eight nominees as well.
In the decade since they have re-split the Limited Series and TV Movie categories there have been plenty of winners that were a cultural moment, from “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” to “Big Little Lies” to “Watchmen,” but these event series were not as common an occurrence. Then the Covid-19 pandemic happened, an event that has had ramifications to the television schedule still present today.
In the decade since they have re-split the Limited Series and TV Movie categories there have been plenty of winners that were a cultural moment, from “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” to “Big Little Lies” to “Watchmen,” but these event series were not as common an occurrence. Then the Covid-19 pandemic happened, an event that has had ramifications to the television schedule still present today.
- 5/8/2024
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
(Welcome to Under the Radar, a column where we spotlight specific movies, shows, trends, performances, or scenes that caught our eye and deserved more attention ... but otherwise flew under the radar. In this edition: the haunting genre-bender "The Beast," the farcical indie "Hundreds of Beavers," and HBO's "The Sympathizer" all stand out as clear highlights.)
Buckle up, folks: The theme of this month's edition of "Under the Radar" falls under the category of weird and wild.
More so than in previous years, this past April marked something of an awkward transition point in the overall release calendar. While Oscar season is well and truly behind us, the summer blockbuster season still remains a few weeks away from truly ramping up in earnest. Sure, the one-two punch of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and "Furiosa" technically kick off the festivities in short order, but June and July are when the real heavy-hitters -- hello,...
Buckle up, folks: The theme of this month's edition of "Under the Radar" falls under the category of weird and wild.
More so than in previous years, this past April marked something of an awkward transition point in the overall release calendar. While Oscar season is well and truly behind us, the summer blockbuster season still remains a few weeks away from truly ramping up in earnest. Sure, the one-two punch of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" and "Furiosa" technically kick off the festivities in short order, but June and July are when the real heavy-hitters -- hello,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
The MCU is about to mutate. The arrival of Deadpool & Wolverine is set to bring an all-new flavour to the Marvel universe – teaming up Ryan Reynolds’ Merc With A Mouth and Hugh Jackman’s adamantium-clawed Logan for a mad, meta buddy movie. The new issue of Empire takes a world-exclusive deep-dive into the film speaking to its stars and filmmakers – and you’ll find it on newsstands from Thursday 9 May.
For now, take an early peek at what’s inside the magazine. Hold onto your chimichangas!
Deadpool & Wolverine
What happens when you team up two volatile agents of chaos, take them out of their respective worlds, and plunge them into the MCU? You get Wolverine & Deadpool, a no-holds-barred Marvel movie set to change the game. Empire speaks to Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, director Shawn Levy, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and more about unleashing mutant mayhem in the Marvel universe.
For now, take an early peek at what’s inside the magazine. Hold onto your chimichangas!
Deadpool & Wolverine
What happens when you team up two volatile agents of chaos, take them out of their respective worlds, and plunge them into the MCU? You get Wolverine & Deadpool, a no-holds-barred Marvel movie set to change the game. Empire speaks to Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, director Shawn Levy, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and more about unleashing mutant mayhem in the Marvel universe.
- 5/8/2024
- by Ben Travis
- Empire - Movies
The Sympathizer took the Max streaming service by storm, leading fans to want to know more about one of the show's brightest rising stars, Vy Le.
Based on the debut novel of the same name by Vietnamese-American professor and writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Sympathizer is a political drama that follows a North Vietnamese plant placed in a refugee camp in the United States full of South Vietnamese people.
In the show, actress Vy Le portrays Lana, the daughter of Toan Le's The General.
Read full article on The Direct.
Based on the debut novel of the same name by Vietnamese-American professor and writer Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Sympathizer is a political drama that follows a North Vietnamese plant placed in a refugee camp in the United States full of South Vietnamese people.
In the show, actress Vy Le portrays Lana, the daughter of Toan Le's The General.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 5/7/2024
- by Nathan Johnson
- The Direct
Robert Downey Jr. is making his Broadway debut this fall in a new play by Ayad Akhtar.
The play, called McNeal, will see Downey portraying a talented writer who grapples with a new novel, a broken family life and “an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.” Bartlett Sher, resident director at the Lincoln Center who also helmed To Kill a Mockingbird, among others, is directing.
Downey’s production company, Team Downey, is producing, in association with Lincoln Center Theater.
The play will run at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater starting Sept. 5 and opening on Sept. 30. The play will be a strictly limited engagement running through Nov. 24. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
The Iron Man star won his first Oscar this year for his role in Oppenheimer. His recent projects include the HBO and A24 adaptation of the novel The Sympathizer. He is also slated to appear in Paramount Pictures’ Vertigo.
The play, called McNeal, will see Downey portraying a talented writer who grapples with a new novel, a broken family life and “an unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.” Bartlett Sher, resident director at the Lincoln Center who also helmed To Kill a Mockingbird, among others, is directing.
Downey’s production company, Team Downey, is producing, in association with Lincoln Center Theater.
The play will run at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater starting Sept. 5 and opening on Sept. 30. The play will be a strictly limited engagement running through Nov. 24. Complete casting will be announced at a later date.
The Iron Man star won his first Oscar this year for his role in Oppenheimer. His recent projects include the HBO and A24 adaptation of the novel The Sympathizer. He is also slated to appear in Paramount Pictures’ Vertigo.
- 5/7/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Robert Downey Jr. has been instrumental in building the MCU and making it what it is today. Downey Jr.’s Iron Man was the first character that Marvel Studios kicked off within their planned cinematic universe. The character became the leader of the Avengers and also dealt with some personal issues and complexities within him in his solo films as well.
A soldier insists on taking a picture with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in Iron Man
One of the trademark actions of Tony Stark is his frequent use of the peace sign in different films. In the first Iron Man, a soldier who’s protecting him does the same pose while trying to take a photo together with Stark. However, the soldier died saving him and there has been an ongoing discourse that Tony frequently does the now-iconic move to honor the fallen soldier.
Tony Stark’s Trademark...
A soldier insists on taking a picture with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in Iron Man
One of the trademark actions of Tony Stark is his frequent use of the peace sign in different films. In the first Iron Man, a soldier who’s protecting him does the same pose while trying to take a photo together with Stark. However, the soldier died saving him and there has been an ongoing discourse that Tony frequently does the now-iconic move to honor the fallen soldier.
Tony Stark’s Trademark...
- 5/7/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
After a decade and change playing superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sandbox, Robert Downey Jr. wants to remind everyone there's more to him than Tony Stark. In the years since permanently (?) retiring his MCU alter ego in "Avengers: Endgame," the actor has lined up an ambitious slate of projects. Between getting an Oscar for his supporting role in Christopher Nolan's Best Picture-winning "Oppenheimer" and pulling a Peter Sellers by tackling multiple colorful characters in Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar's "The Sympathizer" miniseries, it's fair to say Rdj the character actor is officially back.
As chance would have it, we're now 10 years removed from the last time Downey tried (but failed) to renew his acting bonafides with "The Judge." Directed by David Dobkin, the 2014 drama stars Downey as Hank Palmer, a big-shot lawyer from Chicago who returns to his podunk hometown in Indiana to attend his mother's funeral.
As chance would have it, we're now 10 years removed from the last time Downey tried (but failed) to renew his acting bonafides with "The Judge." Directed by David Dobkin, the 2014 drama stars Downey as Hank Palmer, a big-shot lawyer from Chicago who returns to his podunk hometown in Indiana to attend his mother's funeral.
- 5/6/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for The Sympathizer Season 1 Episode 4, “Give Us Some Good Lines.”] The Sympathizer Episode 4 is one of the best episodes of 2024 so far. The episode breaks form from its previous installments and plants the Captain (Hoa Xuande), a double agent pretending to be loyal to the Southern Vietnamese cause and its CIA allies, on the set of an American-made Vietnam War movie directed by Nikos Damianos (the fourth of Robert Downey Jr.‘s characters). The Captain was hired as the cultural consultant for The Hamlet, a noteworthy section of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. As the man in charge of representing the Vietnamese community, the Captain was in a unique position to both witness the racist depiction of Vietnamese people in this film and do something about it. What resulted in the making of this Apocalypse Now-style movie was a meta commentary that criticizes how Hollywood portrayed the Vietnam War...
- 5/6/2024
- TV Insider
Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man shepherded the MCU in its first three phases, leading the Avengers and being one of the leading heroes that catapulted the franchise to its peak. His journey from an arrogant and flamboyant billionaire to a selfless hero who sacrifices his life for the greater good has made him the most iconic character in the franchise.
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame
The actor has played the character over 10 times in the MCU and that is an admirable record. However, another unlikely actor has surpassed Downey Jr. in terms of voicing several MCU characters. X-Men ’97 actor Ross Marquand now holds the record for the most voice roles in the MCU across different formats.
Ross Marquand Now Holds a Unique MCU Record for His Incredible Voice Roles
Ross Marquand is the voice of Professor X in X-Men ’97
Many actors in the...
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame
The actor has played the character over 10 times in the MCU and that is an admirable record. However, another unlikely actor has surpassed Downey Jr. in terms of voicing several MCU characters. X-Men ’97 actor Ross Marquand now holds the record for the most voice roles in the MCU across different formats.
Ross Marquand Now Holds a Unique MCU Record for His Incredible Voice Roles
Ross Marquand is the voice of Professor X in X-Men ’97
Many actors in the...
- 5/6/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
Hoa Xuande’s life changed on Sept. 21, 2022.
It was nine months after he had sent in his audition tape for HBO’s series “The Sympathizer”; he had gone through the gamut of Zoom calls, he’d met with director Park Chan-wook, he’d traveled to South Korea and even made some trips to Los Angeles as part of the audition process. But there was no word on whether he’d gotten the part — radio silence after readings and tests had to mean the worst. But on that fateful September morning, he learned that he’d be playing the Captain, starring in the series opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh. “I felt like I won the lottery,” says Xuande.
The series is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2016 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The Captain is a spy for North Vietnam who comes to Los Angeles and finds himself with conflicted loyalties.
It was nine months after he had sent in his audition tape for HBO’s series “The Sympathizer”; he had gone through the gamut of Zoom calls, he’d met with director Park Chan-wook, he’d traveled to South Korea and even made some trips to Los Angeles as part of the audition process. But there was no word on whether he’d gotten the part — radio silence after readings and tests had to mean the worst. But on that fateful September morning, he learned that he’d be playing the Captain, starring in the series opposite Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh. “I felt like I won the lottery,” says Xuande.
The series is based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s 2016 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The Captain is a spy for North Vietnam who comes to Los Angeles and finds himself with conflicted loyalties.
- 5/6/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Note: This story contains spoilers ahead from “The Sympathizer” Episode 4.
Sunday’s episode of “The Sympathizer” saw The Captain (Hoa Xuande) go to work as an interpreter on auteur Nikos’ (Robert Downey Jr.) film about the Vietnam War.
Co-showrunner Park Chan-wook revealed in an interview with TheWrap that one key change that the series made from Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pultizer Prize-winning source material was moving the location of the film’s set from the Philippines to California.
“I think in the original novel, because it’s inspired by ‘Apocalypse Now,’ they changed the Philippines into Vietnam. But because of the financial restraints, we set this in California and changed that into Vietnam for this movie set,” Chan-wook said. “I think in hindsight, it turned out better in terms of our creative aspect… we were able to bring in our secondary characters into our story to have them play the...
Sunday’s episode of “The Sympathizer” saw The Captain (Hoa Xuande) go to work as an interpreter on auteur Nikos’ (Robert Downey Jr.) film about the Vietnam War.
Co-showrunner Park Chan-wook revealed in an interview with TheWrap that one key change that the series made from Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pultizer Prize-winning source material was moving the location of the film’s set from the Philippines to California.
“I think in the original novel, because it’s inspired by ‘Apocalypse Now,’ they changed the Philippines into Vietnam. But because of the financial restraints, we set this in California and changed that into Vietnam for this movie set,” Chan-wook said. “I think in hindsight, it turned out better in terms of our creative aspect… we were able to bring in our secondary characters into our story to have them play the...
- 5/6/2024
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Robert Downey Jr.’s brilliant string of roles in A24’s “The Sympathizer” (streaming Sundays on HBO) is a tour de force reminiscent of Peter Sellers’ legendary turns in “Dr. Strangelove.” But Downey does Sellers one better by portraying four characters that serve as interconnected projections of American patriarchy to the Captain (Hoa Xuan Nguyen), a communist spy embedded in the South Vietnam army with a severe identity crisis. It was all part of an ingenious plan by director Park Chan-wook.
After the fall of Saigon, the Captain is forced to flee to the U.S. to continue his post-war mission. He winds up in L.A., where he continues interacting with Claude, a pop music-loving CIA operative, and his college mentor, Hammer, a gay East Asian studies professor who sponsors him. In addition, the Captain gets introduced to Ned Godwin, a military vet-turned-congressman, and Niko, a counter-culture film director,...
After the fall of Saigon, the Captain is forced to flee to the U.S. to continue his post-war mission. He winds up in L.A., where he continues interacting with Claude, a pop music-loving CIA operative, and his college mentor, Hammer, a gay East Asian studies professor who sponsors him. In addition, the Captain gets introduced to Ned Godwin, a military vet-turned-congressman, and Niko, a counter-culture film director,...
- 5/6/2024
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane rarely put in anything less than stellar performances, but the Emmy winner and Oscar nominee are rarely as good as they are in Netflix’s adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s A Man in Full.
In a fortnight that has seen the premieres of Hulu’s Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough starring Under the Bridge, the Elisabeth Moss spy thriller FX series Veil, HBO’s The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize winner and a third season of the still wonderfully wicked Hacks launching today on Max, executive producers Regina King and David E. Kelley have put a real winner on the track for Netflix with A Man in Full.
On any other show, the never better Daniels as a pugnacious Atlanta real estate tycoon Charlie Croker on the brink of bankruptcy, and Lane as his revitalized razor-sharp ex-wife Martha would be more than enough of a payoff.
In a fortnight that has seen the premieres of Hulu’s Lily Gladstone and Riley Keough starring Under the Bridge, the Elisabeth Moss spy thriller FX series Veil, HBO’s The Sympathizer, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize winner and a third season of the still wonderfully wicked Hacks launching today on Max, executive producers Regina King and David E. Kelley have put a real winner on the track for Netflix with A Man in Full.
On any other show, the never better Daniels as a pugnacious Atlanta real estate tycoon Charlie Croker on the brink of bankruptcy, and Lane as his revitalized razor-sharp ex-wife Martha would be more than enough of a payoff.
- 5/2/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s hard to believe that it’s already May 2024, especially on the TV front. We have standing weekly appointments with “The Sympathizer” and “Under the Bridge,” are still reeling from “Baby Reindeer,” and still can’t get enough of Kristen Wiig in “Palm Royale” — but there’s a whole new crop of May shows about to debut that deserve the audience’s dutiful attention.
May brings some big names back to TV, including Sean Bean with Hulu’s “Shardlake,” Jeff Daniels with Netflix’s “Man in Full,” and Benedict Cumberbatch with “Eric.” Joel Edgerton headlines Apple’s twisted thriller about a man unmoored from reality in “Dark Matter,” while André Holland plays Black Panther party founder Huey P. Newton in “The Big Cigar.” Many new shows are based on novels or articles, and on the reality front there’s “Love Undercover” — about soccer stars searching for romance; on the documentary side “Pillowcase Murders,...
May brings some big names back to TV, including Sean Bean with Hulu’s “Shardlake,” Jeff Daniels with Netflix’s “Man in Full,” and Benedict Cumberbatch with “Eric.” Joel Edgerton headlines Apple’s twisted thriller about a man unmoored from reality in “Dark Matter,” while André Holland plays Black Panther party founder Huey P. Newton in “The Big Cigar.” Many new shows are based on novels or articles, and on the reality front there’s “Love Undercover” — about soccer stars searching for romance; on the documentary side “Pillowcase Murders,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Dev Patel, Jason Momoa, Olivia Rodrigo and James Wan are the entertainers topping Gold House’s A100 list of the most influential Asian Pacifics across culture for 2024.
Annually released on the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month since 2018, this year’s A100 also includes Keanu Reeves, Hayao Miyazaki, BTS member Jung Kook, Academy president Janet Yang and — in a sign of the relative plenitude of Api-fronted content today — key creatives and cast members from Avatar: The Last Airbender, 3 Body Problem, Past Lives, One Piece, Expats, Elemental, Shōgun and The Sympathizer.
“This year was special: Asian Pacific leaders had a record number of records broken while building a more inclusive tomorrow for all, particularly in new avenues like AI,” Gold House CEO Bing Chen and COO Jeremy Tran said in a joint statement. “Gold House is honored to celebrate so many new and established leaders who are committed to both equity and excellence.
Annually released on the first day of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month since 2018, this year’s A100 also includes Keanu Reeves, Hayao Miyazaki, BTS member Jung Kook, Academy president Janet Yang and — in a sign of the relative plenitude of Api-fronted content today — key creatives and cast members from Avatar: The Last Airbender, 3 Body Problem, Past Lives, One Piece, Expats, Elemental, Shōgun and The Sympathizer.
“This year was special: Asian Pacific leaders had a record number of records broken while building a more inclusive tomorrow for all, particularly in new avenues like AI,” Gold House CEO Bing Chen and COO Jeremy Tran said in a joint statement. “Gold House is honored to celebrate so many new and established leaders who are committed to both equity and excellence.
- 5/1/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Projects about the Vietnam War and its aftermath are so plentiful as to be practically their own genre, and they’ve starred a who’s who of Hollywood icons, including John Wayne, Robert De Niro, Marlon Brando, Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson and Christian Bale.
Notably missing from the casts — at least among the substantive speaking parts — have been performers of actual Vietnamese descent. That’s finally changed with The Sympathizer, HBO and A24’s limited series adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel. Robert Downey Jr. (who also executive produces) and Sandra Oh are the big names involved, but they are led by relative newcomer Hoa Xuande and joined by Vietnamese costars to tell a story about spycraft and personal and collective identity immediately following the conflict, centering the people whose lives and country were torn apart as a result.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with eight of...
Notably missing from the casts — at least among the substantive speaking parts — have been performers of actual Vietnamese descent. That’s finally changed with The Sympathizer, HBO and A24’s limited series adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer-winning novel. Robert Downey Jr. (who also executive produces) and Sandra Oh are the big names involved, but they are led by relative newcomer Hoa Xuande and joined by Vietnamese costars to tell a story about spycraft and personal and collective identity immediately following the conflict, centering the people whose lives and country were torn apart as a result.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with eight of...
- 4/30/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michael Douglas is in terrific form as Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV’s new historical limited series “Franklin” but he isn’t the only actor to emerge with awards whispers whizzing through the air. Veteran actor Eddie Marsan features in a key supporting role as John Adams and delivers one of the finest performances of his career while also shining a new light onto a man that many actors have depicted before.
The limited series follows Franklin’s eight years in France as he tried to persuade King Louis XVI (Tom Pezier) to join the colonies’ cause and aid them in the American Revolutionary War. The scenes between Douglas and Marsan are nothing short of spectacular and Marsan nails his performance as Adams, as noted by critics.
Clint Worthington (Roger Ebert) noted: “Marsan’s energy as Adams is decidedly different from Paul Giamatti’s in Ellis’ original 2008 miniseries—“Franklin” feels...
The limited series follows Franklin’s eight years in France as he tried to persuade King Louis XVI (Tom Pezier) to join the colonies’ cause and aid them in the American Revolutionary War. The scenes between Douglas and Marsan are nothing short of spectacular and Marsan nails his performance as Adams, as noted by critics.
Clint Worthington (Roger Ebert) noted: “Marsan’s energy as Adams is decidedly different from Paul Giamatti’s in Ellis’ original 2008 miniseries—“Franklin” feels...
- 4/30/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
[Warning: The following contains Major spoilers for The Sympathizer Season 1 Episode 3, “Love It or Leave It.”] All four Robert Downey Jr. characters came out to play in the same scene The Sympathizer Episode 3, and director Park Chan-wook tells TV Insider it was a masterclass in acting to film it. Viewers met the first two Downey characters, Claude and Professor Hammer, in The Sympathizer Episodes 1 and 2. Claude works for the CIA and has been training the Captain (Hoa Xuande) as his “protege” (he still hasn’t figured out that the Captain is a double agent with loyalty to the Northern Vietnamese cause). Hammer was the Captain’s professor during his brief stint in America. It’s through Hammer that the Captain meets his new lover, Sofia (Sandra Oh). Downey’s third character was revealed earlier in Episode 3, “Love It or Leave It.” The politician Ned Godwin is nicknamed “Napalm Ned” and is sympathetic to the Southern Vietnamese war efforts.
- 4/29/2024
- TV Insider
Getting ready to make your 2024 Emmy predictions for Best TV Movie/Limited Series Actor? Be sure to scroll through our photo gallery showcasing the men who are most likely to land in the lineup. Out in front is “Fargo” star and former drama lead winner Jon Hamm, who could also pick up dual supporting bids this year for the comedy and drama series “Good Omens” and “The Morning Show.”
Hamm would be the first actor to win this award for “Fargo,” following the unsuccessful bids of inaugural season cast members Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton and third season lead Ewan McGregor. As the star of “A Gentleman in Moscow,” McGregor happens to be seeking a second win in this category after being honored for “Halston” in 2021.
Others vying for bookend trophies here are Michael Douglas (“Franklin”; formerly of “Behind the Candelabra”) and Benedict Cumberbatch (“Eric”; “Sherlock”). Also in the mix is Tony Shalhoub,...
Hamm would be the first actor to win this award for “Fargo,” following the unsuccessful bids of inaugural season cast members Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton and third season lead Ewan McGregor. As the star of “A Gentleman in Moscow,” McGregor happens to be seeking a second win in this category after being honored for “Halston” in 2021.
Others vying for bookend trophies here are Michael Douglas (“Franklin”; formerly of “Behind the Candelabra”) and Benedict Cumberbatch (“Eric”; “Sherlock”). Also in the mix is Tony Shalhoub,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Park Chan-wook doesn’t actually know how Robert Downey Jr. responded to his characters in “The Sympathizer.”
The acclaimed Korean director worked with Downey for the first time while adapting Viet Thanh Nguyen’s bestselling novel for HBO, and he expected a big-name star at that level to drag out the negotiation process after getting an offer. To Park’s surprise, Downey circled back quickly, and the two of them started to dig into his character — his characters.
Downey, who also executive produced the series along with wife Susan, plays four characters (so far) in the limited series, each with a unique look and voice and motivations — all of which were built in process. There’s C.I.A. agent Claude, the Orientalist Professor Hammer, filmmaker Niko, and Congressman Ned Godwin, and Downey appears to thoroughly enjoy embodying every single one. In his review of the series, IndieWire’s Ben Travers...
The acclaimed Korean director worked with Downey for the first time while adapting Viet Thanh Nguyen’s bestselling novel for HBO, and he expected a big-name star at that level to drag out the negotiation process after getting an offer. To Park’s surprise, Downey circled back quickly, and the two of them started to dig into his character — his characters.
Downey, who also executive produced the series along with wife Susan, plays four characters (so far) in the limited series, each with a unique look and voice and motivations — all of which were built in process. There’s C.I.A. agent Claude, the Orientalist Professor Hammer, filmmaker Niko, and Congressman Ned Godwin, and Downey appears to thoroughly enjoy embodying every single one. In his review of the series, IndieWire’s Ben Travers...
- 4/29/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Robert Downey Jr. eyes the Primetime Emmy next after his Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer. Downey Jr. plays not one but four roles in the new HBO series, The Sympathizer. While the Dolittle actor surprised fans with his different looks in the trailer of the series, fans were not ready for one scene in the third episode. In this scene, Downey Jr. brought out all four characters in a single sequence, and Sandra Oh hijacked an interview to hear all about it.
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from The Sympathizer
The Iron Man actor’s four characters represent different aspects of the American establishment. These characters include CIA agent Claude, Professor Hammer, auteur filmmaker Niko, and Southern California congressman Ned Godwin.
Robert Downey Jr.’s One Scene In The Sympathizer Was Challenging To Shoot
Robert Downey Jr. and Hoa Xuande in the steakhouse scene in The Sympathizer...
Robert Downey Jr. in a still from The Sympathizer
The Iron Man actor’s four characters represent different aspects of the American establishment. These characters include CIA agent Claude, Professor Hammer, auteur filmmaker Niko, and Southern California congressman Ned Godwin.
Robert Downey Jr.’s One Scene In The Sympathizer Was Challenging To Shoot
Robert Downey Jr. and Hoa Xuande in the steakhouse scene in The Sympathizer...
- 4/29/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
The Captain has a big morale dilemma in the first season of The Sympathizer TV show on HBO. As we all know, Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like The Sympathizer is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustrated when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we invite you to rate all of the first season episodes of The Sympathizer here.
An HBO historical dark comedy-drama series, The Sympathizer TV show stars Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, Alan Trong, Sandra Oh, and Robert Downey Jr. (in multiple roles). The story revolves around the struggles of the Captain (Xuande), a half-French, half-Vietnamese...
An HBO historical dark comedy-drama series, The Sympathizer TV show stars Hoa Xuande, Fred Nguyen Khan, Toan Le, Phanxine, Vy Le, Ky Duyen, Kieu Chinh, Duy Nguyen, Alan Trong, Sandra Oh, and Robert Downey Jr. (in multiple roles). The story revolves around the struggles of the Captain (Xuande), a half-French, half-Vietnamese...
- 4/29/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
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