#cannes concept?!

[ikonsnet]

iKON SPECIAL SINGLE [PANORAMA] TRACK LIST

2023.08.23 6PM KST

📎 혼잣말 (T.T.M) Talking to Myself

Lyrics by: Donghyuk (DK) and BOBBY

Composed by: DK, The Proof, and BOBBY

Arranged by: The Proof

📎 PANORAMA

Lyrics by: Kim Seung Soo, SERO, and BOBBY

Composed by: Kim Seung Soo, SERO, and 정준

Arranged by: Kim Seung Soo and 정준

[britishchick09]

a 1989 print ad for the 1990 mini series!! :o

[manuhigueras]

Believe in chicken.

The mad world we live in is an unreliable place. Disappointment haunts you wherever you turn. The weather, your partner, your job, your team, your ability to get a seat on the train, the fact that crisp packets are half full. What can we even believe in anymore? Don’t lose hope. There’s still something to trust. Something to believe in. Chicken. It’s always good. Always there. And always crispy.

[cherryl4na]

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ `"lamborghini miura and date nights pt. 1"

abstract || you and lando enjoy life outside of all the chaos that comes with him being 'The Ace'

fem!reader || fluff. steamy. mafia au. lamborghini miura. will be a pt. 2. heavily inspired by the suit at a mclaren event and the outfit at cannes. 3.6k words

Lando Norris’ penthouse is the epitome of luxury and power, a sanctuary high above the city’s restless heartbeat. The expansive living space is a testament to modern elegance, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the skyline, the city lights twinkling like distant stars.

When stepping out of the private elevator, you’re greeted by a foyer with polished marble floors, leading into an open-concept living area. The décor is a blend of classic and contemporary, with rich, dark wood paneling and sleek, minimalist furniture. A grand piano sits in one corner, its black lacquer finish reflecting the soft glow of the overhead designer lighting.

The lounge area is dominated by a large, plush sofa that faces a state-of-the-art entertainment system, and a glass coffee table holds an array of high-end spirits and crystal decanters. Original artworks adorn the walls, and a collection of rare books fills the built-in shelves, revealing Lando’s taste for the finer things in life.

The dining area features a long, ebony dining table surrounded by leather-upholstered chairs, perfect for hosting intimate gatherings or conducting discreet business meetings. Adjacent to it is a gourmet kitchen, fitted with professional-grade appliances and a sleek breakfast bar.

The penthouse also boasts a private gym, a spa-like bathroom with a Jacuzzi and a rain shower, and a walk-in wardrobe that houses an impressive collection of designer suits and racing memorabilia.

Lando’s personal quarters are a sanctuary within a sanctuary. The master bedroom is spacious, with a king-sized bed taking center stage, draped in the finest silk linens. A private balcony extends from the bedroom, offering a secluded spot to take in the breathtaking views or simply enjoy a moment of solitude.

Every detail in Lando’s penthouse speaks of a man who commands respect and enjoys his success, yet values privacy and comfort above all else. It’s a space that’s both a showpiece and a retreat, reflecting the complex character of ‘The Ace’ himself.

As of now, the evening had settled over the city like a velvet shroud, the skyline a jagged silhouette against the twilight sky. Inside the luxurious penthouse, Lando Norris watched you with an intensity that belied his calm exterior.

You stood before the full-length mirror, the soft fabric of your Versace dress cascading down in waves of midnight blue, a stark contrast to the elegance of your skin. The room was filled with the quiet rustle of silk and the subtle scent of vanilla from your perfume. It was a rare occasion, this dance of preparation, and Lando found himself captivated by the ritual.

He leaned casually against the mahogany door frame, arms crossed over his chest covered with a white Nordstrom silk shirt that has been left unbuttoned just slightly to exude enough sensuality but keeping it decent, his two usual gold chains around his thick, tan neck as his eyes followed your every move. There was something about the way you moved, the confidence in your gestures, that drew him in. It was a dance he had seen many perform but none with such genuine disregard for the world’s expectations.

“You don’t have to impress anyone,” Lando finally spoke, his voice a low rumble in the opulent room.

You met his gaze in the mirror, a small smile playing on your lips. “I’m not trying to impress,” you replied, your voice steady. “I’m trying to remember who I am beyond all this,” you gestured vaguely, encompassing the grandeur of the room and, by extension, the life you had found yourself entwined in.

Lando pushed off from the doorframe, his steps silent on the plush carpet as he approached. “And who are you exactly, in this world?” he asked, stopping just a breath away from you.

You turned to face him, the intensity of his gaze compelling you to answer with truth. “Someone who still believes in a bit of normality, even in a world as cynical as ours.”

His chuckle was soft, a sound that warmed you more than any embrace. “Then perhaps this will serve as a reminder,” Lando said, producing a small, black velvet box from his pocket.

He opened it to reveal a delicate gold chain, from which hung a pendant crafted in the shape of a lotus, its petals open as if reaching for the last rays of the sun. “The lotus blooms in the mud,” he murmured, his fingers deft as he clasped the necklace around your neck. 

The lotus flower, revered across cultures and spiritual traditions, embodies profound symbolism and meaning. Emerging from muddy waters yet remaining unstained, it symbolizes purity of heart, mind, and spirit. Its ability to bloom immaculately amidst adversity speaks to resilience and strength, teaching us to persevere and flourish despite life's challenges.

It serves as a timeless metaphor for the human experience — a reminder that through adversity, purity, and spiritual growth, we can rise above the murky waters of life and blossom into our fullest potential.

You reached up to touch the pendant, its cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his fingers still lingering on your skin. “It’s beautiful,” you whispered, gratitude lacing your words. Lando stepped back, his eyes never leaving yours. “As are you,” he said, not as a compliment, but as a simple statement of fact.

With a smile that matched the warmth of his words, you followed Lando out of his luxurious penthouse. The evening air greeted you with a gentle breeze as you made your way towards the private garage, where a sleek, vintage Lamborghini Miura awaited. Its navy paint gleamed under the soft glow of the penthouse's exterior lights, exuding elegance and power in equal measure.

"You're driving this?" you asked, your voice a mixture of surprise and excitement, a smile slowly inching its way on your face.

Lando nodded, a playful glint in his eyes as he held open the passenger door for you. "Well, how else did you think we’d travel? I figured we could take a little drive before our reservation. Trust me, it'll be an experience you won't forget."

As you move to settle into the plush leather seat, Lando places a hand on your head to make sure it’s protected from the roof of the car. Heading around the car, Lando enters the driver side, and effortlessly starts the engine, causing the powerful rumble to fill the air around you. The car eased out of the garage with grace, navigating the city streets with the familiarity of a seasoned driver. The night enveloped you both, the city lights painting a canvas of twinkling stars overhead.

With each turn and straight away, the Lamborghini carried you through the cityscape, the wind whispering secrets as it tousled your hair. In the midst of this exhilarating journey, Lando's presence beside you remained a constant source of comfort and excitement, his occasional glance your way a silent promise of more adventures to come.

As you ventured further into the night, the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the hum of the engine and the shared moments between you and Lando. In the soft glow of passing street lamps, you realized that this impromptu drive wasn't just about the destination—it was about the connection forged in the quiet moments between heartbeats, where each glance and smile spoke volumes about the budding romance in the air.

And as the Lamborghini carried you both towards an unknown horizon, you couldn't help but feel that this night was just the beginning of a journey filled with endless possibilities, where every twist of fate was waiting to be explored together.

With each mile that passed beneath the Lamborghini's wheels, the cityscape transformed into a mesmerizing blur of lights and shadows. Lando navigated the streets with effortless precision, occasionally stealing glances at you, his expression a mix of anticipation and contentment.

As the vibrant pulse of the city gradually gave way to quieter, tree-lined avenues, the Lamborghini slowed to a stop in front of a stately building adorned with ivy-covered walls and softly glowing lanterns. You looked up, realizing you had arrived at a charming and exclusive restaurant known for its exquisite cuisine and intimate ambiance.

Lando turned off the engine, and the sudden silence enveloped you like a comforting embrace. He stepped out of the car, swiftly coming around to open your door with a gentlemanly flourish. As you emerged, the cool evening air wrapped around you, carrying with it the tantalizing aroma of fine dining and the promise of a memorable evening ahead.

The entrance of the restaurant welcomed you with a warm glow from within, casting a soft halo around Lando as he extended his hand, inviting you to walk with him towards the door. You accepted graciously, feeling a flutter of excitement mingled with a touch of nervousness. This evening had already surpassed any expectations you might have had, and yet, you couldn't help but wonder what surprises lay in store.

Inside, the ambiance was elegant yet inviting, with soft music playing in the background and flickering candlelight casting a soft glow over linen-covered tables. The maître d' greeted you warmly, confirming your reservation and guiding you both to a secluded corner table with a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

As you settled into your seats, Lando's gaze met yours across the table, his eyes sparkling with a quiet intensity that mirrored your own emotions. The evening stretched out before you like an uncharted path, each moment unfolding with a delicate grace that seemed to deepen the connection between you.

Conversation flowed effortlessly between bites of exquisitely prepared dishes and sips of fine wine, punctuated by shared laughter and stolen glances that spoke volumes. In the intimate setting of the restaurant, surrounded by the soft murmur of other diners and the gentle hum of city life beyond the windows, it felt as though time had slowed to a perfect cadence, allowing you both to savor every fleeting second together.

And as the night progressed, you found yourself caught in a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, attraction, and a growing sense of intimacy that seemed to bloom with each passing moment. Across the table, Lando's smile was a beacon of warmth, his presence a reassuring anchor in the sea of possibility that stretched out before you.

As dessert arrived, accompanied by a flourish of culinary artistry that mirrored the magic of the evening itself, you couldn't help but marvel at how a spontaneous drive in a Lamborghini had led to this moment of shared connection and undeniable chemistry between you and Lando.

The restaurant hummed with a subtle buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses, yet your attention was solely on the man sitting across from you. Lando, with his easy charm and magnetic presence, had swept you off your feet from the moment you met. His laughter was infectious, his stories captivating, and as the evening progressed, you found yourself drawn deeper into his orbit.

The evening had been filled with unexpected turns—a scenic drive through desert landscapes that stretched endlessly under a starlit sky, conversations that ranged from lighthearted banter to deeper musings about life and dreams. Each moment seemed to unfold effortlessly, as if fate had orchestrated this encounter.

And now, as dessert was served—a masterpiece of flavors and presentation—you felt a surge of anticipation mingled with a hint of nervous excitement. Lando caught your gaze, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of mischief and admiration. Without a word, he reached across the table, his hand finding yours with a gentle yet confident touch.

"Care to dance?" he murmured, his voice low and filled with a magnetic charm that sent a shiver down your spine. You couldn't resist the invitation, nor did you want to. With a smile that matched his own, you nodded, allowing him to lead you onto the small, cleared space between tables where other diners watched with subtle curiosity.

As "Hola Senorita" by GIMS and Maluma began to play softly in the background, Lando pulled you close, his hand firm on your waist as he guided you in a slow, sensual sway to the seductive rhythm of the music. The heat of his body pressed against yours, sending a wave of electricity through every nerve ending.

In that intimate embrace, the world around you faded into a blur, leaving only the two of you moving together in perfect synchronization. His touch was both gentle and possessive, his gaze never leaving yours as if trying to convey a thousand unspoken words.

The sensual dance unfolded like a whispered promise of what could be—an unspoken acknowledgment of the undeniable chemistry that simmered beneath the surface. Each step, each turn spoke volumes of desire and connection, drawing you closer to Lando in ways words could never capture.

As the song neared its end, you found yourself breathless yet exhilarated, caught up in the intensity of the moment shared between you. Lando's lips curved into a tender smile as he guided you back to the table, where dessert awaited—a sweet ending to a night that had begun with a drive and culminated in a dance that resonated with the magic of newfound connection and possibility.

And deep down, beneath the surface of whispered promises and shared glances, you knew that this evening was only the beginning—a prelude to a story waiting to unfold, where each chapter would be written in the tender moments and stolen kisses that danced on the edge of tomorrow.

After settling the bill, not without a bit of banter over who pays, you both stepped out into the cool night air, the echoes of laughter and shared stories still resonating between you. The Lamborghini awaited, a sleek silhouette against the dimly lit street, its engine purring with restrained power.

"Where to now?" you asked, half in jest, half in earnest curiosity.

Lando grinned, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes, "Anywhere but here."

With that, you slipped into the passenger seat with his help of course, the leather embracing you with its luxurious warmth. The engine roared to life, the city lights streaking past in a blur as you navigated the winding roads together. The night was young, and so were you, in this ephemeral moment where time seemed to slow down just for the two of you.

Conversation flowed effortlessly, weaving through dreams and aspirations, fears and triumphs, each revelation knitting your souls closer together. It was as if the universe conspired to create this perfect interlude, where nothing existed beyond the confines of the Lamborghini and the burgeoning connection between you.

As the city lights began to fade into the rearview mirror, you found yourselves on a quieter stretch of road, surrounded by a tapestry of stars overhead. The car slowed to a stop, and you both stepped out onto an overlook, the city sprawling below like a sea of twinkling lights.

Lando's eyes held yours, their intensity magnified by the intimacy of the moment. You could feel his heartbeat, steady and reassuring, echoing the rhythm of your own. The night draped around you like a velvet cloak, cocooning you in a world where only the two of you existed.

His hand found yours, fingers intertwining effortlessly as if they had always belonged together. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver of anticipation through you, a silent invitation to let go of any lingering doubts or hesitations.

Leaning closer, his breath mingled with yours, warm against your lips. The air crackled with unspoken words, each heartbeat resonating like a whispered promise of what could be. You could smell the subtle scent of his cologne, a comforting familiarity that grounded you in the present moment.

When his lips finally brushed against yours, it was like a symphony of emotions unfolding in slow motion. Soft yet insistent, his kiss spoke of desire tempered with tenderness, a delicate balance of passion and restraint. Time seemed to stretch and bend around you, the world narrowing down to the sensation of his lips moving against yours, tracing the contours of a connection that defied words.

His arms encircled you, pulling you closer until there was no space left between your bodies. The warmth of his embrace cocooned you in a sanctuary of shared vulnerability, where every touch and caress spoke volumes of unspoken longing and mutual understanding.

Under the canopy of stars, the Lamborghini Miura stood sentinel, bearing witness to a moment that transcended the mundane. The engine's purr became a backdrop to the symphony of your shared breaths, the quiet rustle of fabric as you leaned into each other, seeking solace and passion in equal measure.

As the kiss deepened, the world around you faded into insignificance. There was only the taste of him on your lips, the press of his body against yours, and the electric current that surged between you, binding your souls in a dance as ancient as time itself.

In that timeless embrace, you felt a surge of emotion swell within you—love in its purest form, unguarded and unfiltered. It was a declaration whispered in the language of touch and sensation, a silent vow that this connection was worth cherishing, nurturing, and exploring with every fiber of your being.

When you finally pulled apart, breathless and exhilarated, Lando's eyes held a glimmer of unspoken promises yet to be fulfilled. His thumb gently brushed against your cheek, a tender gesture that spoke of reverence and devotion.

In the quiet aftermath, as you stood entwined under the stars, you knew that this night had forever altered the course of your story together. Each heartbeat echoed the cadence of a new beginning, where the chapters ahead would be written in the shared moments of vulnerability, passion, and the unwavering bond forged in the embrace of that unforgettable night.

Feeling the cool metal of the Lamborghini Miura against your back, you smiled as Lando drew you close, his touch tender yet commanding. His fingers traced a delicate path along your jawline, sending a thrill through you that echoed in the warm summer night around you.

His lips met yours in a kiss that was both soft and consuming, a perfect blend of longing and urgency. You leaned into him, feeling the strength of his embrace against the smooth, cool surface of the car's hood beneath you. The night seemed to hold its breath as you lost yourself in the sensation of his lips moving against yours, the mingling of your breaths creating an intimate symphony.

His hands, strong yet gentle, explored your back with a reverence that made your heart race before finally reaching their destination. He grips the back of your plush thighs in a way that makes you feel weak all over. The hood of the car digs into you as he places you gently on it, moving to stand between your legs. 

Making this moment as intimate as possible, his veiny hands move to grip your waist and pull you closer till there is absolutely no space between the two of you. Every touch, every caress deepened the connection between you, amplifying the heat that coursed through your veins. Time seemed to stand still as you savored each moment, each kiss a testament to the unspoken desire and passion that burned between you.

In that moment, surrounded by the soft night air and the distant murmur of the city, you were entwined in a dance of intimacy and yearning, where nothing else existed except the electricity of his soft lips against your own, his touch caressing you as if you’re made of glass.

As you both pull away from each other, the air between you thick with unspoken words and the promise of what the future might hold, Lando reaches out to gently stroke your cheek. His touch is warm against your skin, sending shivers down your spine that have nothing to do with the cool night air. 

"Let's head back," he murmurs, his voice low and filled with emotion, lips plumped up and red. You nod in agreement, feeling a sense of contentment settling over you like a soft blanket. Together, you gather yourselves and step back towards the waiting Lamborghini Miura.

The drive back to Lando's penthouse is quiet, the purr of the engine providing a soothing soundtrack to your thoughts. You steal glances at each other from time to time, exchanging small smiles that speak volumes about the bond you've forged this evening.

Arriving at the penthouse, Lando parks the car with practiced ease. He takes your hand as you both exit the vehicle, his touch reassuring and grounding. The night feels alive with possibilities as you step into the elevator, riding it up to his luxurious apartment high above the city.

Inside, the penthouse is a sanctuary of modern elegance and comfort. Lando leads you to a balcony overlooking the glittering skyline, where the city lights twinkle like stars in the night sky. He wraps his arms around you from behind, pulling you close as you lean against the railing together.

"This night," he begins softly, his voice carrying a hint of wonder, "it feels like everything has changed, but at the same time, hasn’t."

You turn in his arms to face him, your heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in his eyes. "It has," you reply, your voice barely above a whisper. "In the best possible way."

Lando smiles, a smile that reaches his eyes and fills you with warmth. "I'm glad," he says, leaning in to kiss you gently for the third time that night, as if sealing a promise made by the night itself.

And as you stand there, in each other's arms, the Lamborghini Miura waits below like a silent witness to the beginning of your love story — a story that started with a car, a journey, and two hearts finding their way to each other.

an || hey guys! i've had this in the works since early june and finally got around to semi finishing it. this will have a pt 2 and i apologize if it takes a while to come out. hope you enjoyed this and there will be more to come! and to my girls, you know who you are, i hope you loved this.

©2024 cherryl4na. - please do not copy, repost or translate any of my works on other platforms without my permission.

[ghibli-collector]

An interesting read about the future of Ghibli

[tracy-lorde]

4K images of Cate Blanchett at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival discussing Dirty Films' 'Proof of Concept'

[waratah-vroom]

conversations (cl16)

🖤my head and my heart are at war and I'm stuck in the crossfire🖤

You kept finding yourself in these situations... these situationships... And this time, even though the man is so stupidly charming, you're deadset on walking away with your dignity intact. Fingers crossed.

prologue - profile (1st june) part 1 - paris (4th june) part 2 - islington (7th june) part 3 - noosa (10th june) part 4 - melbourne 18+ (11th june) part 5 - new york (18th june) part 6 - cannes (26th june) part 7 - monte carlo (4th july) part 8 - port hercule 18+ (12th july) part 9 - barcelona (18th july) part 10 - le mans (9th august) part 11 - hull

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click here to join the tag list 🏷 read more of my writing here ongoing series, warnings below the cut.

please note: this series includes writing AND social media concepts. THIS SERIES IS FORMATTED FOR MOBILE. If looks terrible on desktop, sorry. I used Milly Alcock as the main fc for the vibes but reader is not visually described elsewhere. MDNI - 18+ contains suggestive themes, itty bit of smut and alcohol consumption. I dropped French in year 10 so sorry in advance. Series tag is #conversations cl16

[nattaphum]

Today has been a very important day for the future of Man Suang 🙏🏻

1. Pond’s story

Translation

Schedule:

"A meeting to introduce the movie Man Suang to the Ministry of Culture 11am - 1pm”

Pond’s comment:

Thank you a lot to the Ministry of Culture's team for praising and being ready to support "Man Suang" and to be interested in a new concept that we're trying so hard to make. Seeing this, Man Suang is definitely able to go far.

2. The meeting:

3. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul’s comment on FB

(Former Thai politician who served as Minister of Tourism and Sports)

Translation:

When Khun Nakrob Moonmanas (executive producer and the person who made the movie poster) showed me the clip of the movie “Man Suang��, of which he is overseeing the arts, I knew right away that I had to help to support it. Hence, i brought the team that produces the Thai movie Man Suang to meet Khun Wannasiri Morakul (the consultant of the Ministry of Culture) and the producer in charge of the movie, to receive advice on releasing and promoting the movie at an international level because it’s a film that’s exquisitely made, with the directors and actors all talented, promoting Thai arts and the costumes of Khon (masked danced), of the “Inao” (a Thai epic story adapted from the Panji tales) that is extremely beautiful. If this movie is released internationally, from Beijing, Cannes or Tokyo Film Festival, and Busan, South Korea, I am confident that the reputation of Thai movies will become a “Soft Power” creating the love of Thailand, promote Thailand, Thai history, Thai arts and tradition, Thainess, Thai people to be known more broadly.

4. Pond’s story

Translation:

We used our own capital to do our best for all parties. We used our determination and sincerity to meet with the higher-ups and ask for support rather than ask for funding from The Thai government because what we want the Thai government to support is something money can't buy. If we could buy it, we would buy it already no hesitation hahaha. When there are higher-ups involved, we can promote the movie to go out globally too. A new thai beauty like “ Mansuang” is going to reach the hearts of people all over the world. Excitedly waiting.

Foon8176 provided a list of the current year’s dates of the most famous film festivals:

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[centrally-unplanned]

While I was looking for that original art of the "Guide to Taking Care of Your VHS Tapes" a bit ago, I noticed that the issue of Animage (May 1993) also surprisingly had a roundtable between Hideaki Anno, Junichi Sato, and Kunihiko Ikuhara!

I hadn't ever read it, and googling around did not reveal any discussion of it, so I was curious if it had anything interesting. And while I just skimmed it, it doesn't really lol, probably why it isn't covered. But still, this roundtable was right after the release of Season 1 of Sailor Moon for Sato & Ikuhara; and after Nadia was done but before Eva was entering production for Ano - a nice "middle period", which is always interesting to me. Random little notes:

A bunch of back and forth on the "anime is becoming involuted, we should be aiming for Cannes not otaku" stuff. At one point Anno says something like: "Nowadays, anime is becoming increasingly niche, especially in the OVA space, with more and more works catering to fans' tastes. It feels like the industry is closing in on itself." Which, yeah this is the Eva theme right here, it is fully realized in industry-critique form in 1993. Take note you true believers in the Eva "mid-production pivot" ^_^

At one point look at the magazine's Waifu Rankings and Ikuhara & Anno both lament that Rei/Sailor Mars - Ikuhara's fav - is placed so low. Sato judges them both, and laments "adults" calling an anime character their "ideal woman" - wrong crowd buddy!

Related, Anno thinks Rei is the hottest but Makoto would make the best wife. Pretty based take tbh.

Anno repeatedly tells them to never try to cater to the audience, which leads to this exchange (to paraphrase): Ikuhara - "So, the concept for Anno's next project would be 'Don't let the masses watch it,' right?" Anno - "That's right. At least, my next work won't be for fools." I think he nailed that one!

Lots of discussion of short skirted girls, and they are drinking during this whole roundtable. Ah, the 90's!

Anyway, there is this little note in the corner of one page:

And I won't lie, the scan quality is pretty rough so I am banking hard on the OCR tech for some of that kanji, but I think it says that Anno actually animated the special effects for this shot? It is from the first episode of the finale arc:

We knew he worked on Sailor Moon S - specifically the Uranus & Neptune transformation sequences & a few other moments here and there. But I had never seen this credit before for Season 1 (maybe it is somewhere ofc). Throw his name on the staff list MyAnimeList, give his 2 seconds its due! Unless I am misreading, which is fair.

So there you go, some cute sakuga trivia for y'all - Anno was an 'effects' shot specialist after all, you don't bring him in for character motion, so this makes sense as a role for him.

[mariacallous]

American R&B singer Aliaune Thiam, professionally known as Akon, has long wanted to help Senegal, the country he grew up in. He started Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 to install cheap Chinese solar-powered lighting systems across the continent. He hoped to do something more significant for Senegal. But how to fund it?

The answer turned out to be the same one adopted by a growing number of governments and entrepreneurs: a mixture of cryptocurrency and urban planning. It’s a combination that offers the promise of development without any of the tricky details—and which tends to turn out to be little more than vaporware. There was Bitcoin City in El Salvador, but also Painted Rock in Nevada, Satoshi Island in Vanuatu, Cryptoland in Fiji, or the Crypto-Kingdom of Bitcointopia in Utah.

In 2018, Akon announced a new cryptocurrency, to be called “akoin.” Akoin would enable Africans to, as the singer put it at a launch event, “advance themselves independent of the government”—in some manner. Most importantly, akoin would fund the creation of Akon City, an advanced planned city to be built in Senegal. Akon announced akoin and Akon City at the Cannes Lions Festival in June 2018. Akon said in November of that year that he had “everything planned out” for the city. But both Akon City and the akoin token remained only ideas for many months.

Akon was interested by the promises of cryptocurrency—specifically, free money by some unclear mechanism—but he was not up on the details of its technical or financial issues: “I come with the concepts and let the geeks figure it out,” he said. The akoin team featured initial coin offering (ICO) entrepreneurs such as Lynn Liss of ICO Impact and Crystal Rose Pierce.

The akoin cryptocurrency was pre-sold in a 2019 crypto token offering called “token of appreciation.” Each dollar “donation” would give you up to four tokens which would convert to akoin.

Akoin had not launched in Senegal at the time, despite billboards across the country. The West African CFA franc is the only legal currency in Senegal; BCEAO, the central bank, warned that akoin could not be used as a currency in the country.

Akoin promised all manner of functionality—special akoin wallet software, direct exchange with other cryptocurrencies or with cellphone minutes, an application marketplace, various “building blocks for entrepreneurship.” None of this was ever implemented.

Akoin finally started trading on a crypto exchange in November 2020. The akoin token didn’t do anything or have any particular utility; it was just a crypto token that you could trade. Pre-sale buyers dumped their akoin immediately and the price crashed. That’s not unusual: As of 2022, 24 percent of new cryptos fell 90 percent or more in their first week.

Akon posted on social media in January 2020 that he had “finalized the agreement for AKON CITY in Senegal”—though he had previously claimed that construction had already started in March 2019. The new city would be built near the small town of Mbodiène, about 100 kilometers south of the capital, Dakar.

Akon City would be a “smart city” inspired by the futuristic African nation of Wakanda from the 2018 movie Black Panther. The city would feature boldly curved skyscrapers, shopping malls, music and movie studios, “eco-friendly” tourist resorts, and a parking garage for flying cars.

Akon claimed in August 2020 that $2 billion of the $6 billion needed to build Akon City had been secured. He laid the foundation stone for the city on Aug. 31, 2020, and said that construction would start “next year,” in 2021.

Construction did not start in 2021, to the disappointment of locals. It was not clear where the $6 billion needed to build Akon City would come from. A representative for KE International, the United States-based contractor for Akon City, told AFP that more than $4 billion had been secured, with Kenyan entrepreneur Julius Mwale as lead investor, and that construction would start in October 2021—but it did not.

By 2022, Akon told the BBC that construction was “100,000 percent moving.” He said the COVID-19 pandemic was partly to blame for the delays. Akon was surprised at the “thousands of studies” that had to be done before work could even commence.

Senegal’s Society for the Development and Promotion of Coasts and Tourist Zones (SAPCO) had claimed the land by eminent domain in 2009 before offering it to Akon City in 2020. By 2023, no building work had been done at the Akon City site—though Axiome Construction insisted that geotechnical studies and environmental assessments were still under way. By this time, according to the Guardian, the only construction was a youth center nearby in Mbodiène, paid for personally by Akon—and built upon the foundation stone that he had laid in 2020.

Senegal finally lost patience with the project. Akon had missed several payments to SAPCO, and in June of this year, SAPCO sent a formal notice to Akon warning that work had to start by the end of July or SAPCO might take back almost all of the land grant.

Akon had already been looking for other opportunities to place akoin. In April 2021, he started talking to Uganda about setting up an Akon City there as well. In January 2022, the Ugandan government allocated him one square mile in Mpunge, in the Mukono district—despite objections from the National Unity Platform party and protests from Mpunge residents wanting compensation, which could not be paid before 2025.

Akon said that Akon City, Uganda, might be completed by 2036. At a 2021 news conference, he evaded questions on what the new city would cost or how it would be funded. The Forum for Democratic Change party said that the Ugandan Akon City would never happen and accused the government of granting “sweetheart deals” to developers.

Akon City was tech solutionism that leveraged the political power of celebrity. Akon wanted to launch a large project and thought that cryptocurrency, the buzzword of 2018, might fund his dream. He thought that this one weird trick would do the job.

In this case, the miracle technology was crypto. These days, such  pushes by celebrities or entrepreneurs of new projects will typically use artificial intelligence—whatever that might mean in a particular case—as the marketing hook for a “smart city.

In his 2023 book Let Them Eat Crypto, Peter Howson of Northumbria University detailed how to head off solutionism-inspired blockchain projects that were heavy on publicity but light on the necessary bureaucratic work on the ground. His approach is broadly applicable to tech solutionism in general: Pay attention to the men behind the curtain. Howson has written recently on “smart city” plans as marketing for crypto tokens.

The Akon City plan was a worked example of speculative urbanization. A project is proposed with science-fiction concept drawings and a pitch aimed at tourists rather than locals; land is allocated; something might eventually be built, but it will bear little resemblance to the brochures. Christopher Marcinkoski of the University of Pennsylvania described Akon City as just one of many such initiatives, particularly in Africa, calling it “very much a real estate play.” The important output from such projects is local political capital—even as they never work out as advertised.

Cryptocurrency was an application of speculative urbanization to money—a high concept, a pitch to financial tourists, and the only end result being a token to speculate on and a tremendous amount of fraud. The Akon City project, however good Akon’s own intentions, seems functionally to have been merely the pitch for a crypto offering that failed—leaving an empty site, disappointed locals, and an embarrassed figurehead.

By 2024, akoin had been removed from the few crypto exchanges it had been listed on; it was effectively worthless. Akon sold short videos on Cameo—but he would not do requests related to cryptocurrency.

The speculative urbanization pitch rolls on. Actor Idris Elba has recently floated plans for an “environmentally friendly smart city” on Sherbro Island off Sierra Leone.

[visxionaries]

who: @lencra context: these two have had a strange situationship going on for multiple years at this point - it is slightly more than the concept of passing one another by, but rather ghosting one another after weeks of intense texting. they run in similar social circles, considering cedric comes from a 'kennedy' esque family in new england with a british aristocrat for a mother, and lenora being a cousin to the lannisters.

another champagne cork seemed to pop open from someone in the circle around them, and the smoke continued to fill the air; and whilst cedric tyrell sat comfortably within the circle, rolling up the sleeves of his white shirt to his forearms, it were clear that he did not have anyone of his closest friends within this circle of aristocrats. they were in another hall no doubt, down the road in the only pub in kings landing; but he were listening.

he was actually rather enjoying the conversation. he was asked if he had watched anything that stuck with him in recent weeks. "martyrs, 2008 - weird one, typical of the french. the type that sticks in your head for a bit after." he quietly denied the offer of a cigarette as it was offered to him, the same hand adjusting the strap of his watch. his voice directed toward arron lannister and baashir dayne.

"it may be showing at cannes this year." the cannes festival was an event he tried to attend each year, and whilst he was still trying to weigh up whether that would be possible this year, the upcoming projects were ones he focused on. more than the gossip. though he would be lying if he said he did not listen to that either. "revenge arc and religious cult, but the second half of the film is a hard watch."

"the ending is one up to interpretation. tell you what, if we're still snowed in i'm sure there's some way we could roll out an old projector."

there was a familiar face sat across from him, a face that was incredibly familiar for the amount of times it had appeared on his phone screen through a small picture - before the texts shortened, and then ceased to exist. and yet, this whole conversation. neither of them had looked at one another, or acted as though there had been any text messages which stretched back years. why would they? and when a smile crossed his features, his gaze flickered up to lenora lefford sat across from him, who was also part of the conversation.

there was a beat. and then. "did you end up going to that surrealism exhibition in monaco?" aimed directly at the socialite across from him - there was no context offered for anyone else in the circle.

[whoiwanttoday]

Caylee Cowan is in Cannes and I sorta like her butterfly dress. It's not a home run but I like the concept so I figured why not post her cause I don't think I have ever posted her cause of red carpet stuff before. So here she is. Today I want to fuck Caylee Cowan.

[sapphicdib]

hey random thought but I was looking at the overseer description on the rain world wiki and it said that the green overseers only spawn in outer expanse and subterranean and that got me thinking

unlike spearmaster who had srs watching over them through the red overseer (until pebbles zap it outta existence) Hunter didn’t have any overseer watching over them

That means that Nsh wouldn’t know for sure if Hunter succeed in the mission because Hunter never made it back home, either succumbing to the rot or passing on through the void sea and Siggy wasn’t watching his cat unlike Suns

Nsh probably thought that once Moon wakes up, she could message the entire local group again however, Moon’s collapse left her in a state where she couldn’t communicate with the other iterators even after her revival

I mean, to cut slack for Nsh. Pebbles did put the entire region into lockdown (see five pebbles dialogue for when gourmand first enters the cann) so he probably couldn’t get in with Hunter but still

from Nsh’s perspective moon’s fate is uncertain. His hunter’s fate is uncertain.

Maybe he saw the little messenger going through subterranean which meant that Hunter probably succeeded. Maybe the last he has seen if his slugcat was before the Hunter entered the region and Hunter hasn’t returned home yet nor did Moon showed any signs of activity.

Maybe his plan worked and the keys were delivered. He wouldn’t know for sure…

basically all I’m saying is that Nsh feels like the person who would had definitely thrown more (hopefully non-cancerous) slugcats towards Moon instead of tossing Hunter and the angstiest option for why he didn’t was because he thought his plan fail as Hunter will never go home in the base game and Moon couldn’t communicate her revive

UGH YES!!! i hc that you can still see sig’s overseers sometimes in subterranean/outer expanse is because she’s still…well, desperately searching. at first for a sign of hunter, and then for a sign of moon when he realizes hunter’s probably not returning, or perhaps a way to get into the facility to see if his plan even worked.

part of the reason i think hunter was so sick is just because by the time sig made her, his facility wasn’t in the best shape, and he was rushing, desperate to save moon. in the note she sends her it literally says “excuse the unorthodox delivery method, equipment eroding etc etc”. i truly do not believe sig is “bad at making slugcats” or “didn’t follow suns’ instructions” because his dialogue PROVES THAT HE CAME UP WITH THE CONCEPT FIRST. (sorry that shit grinds my gears when ppl brush sig off as either stupid or malicious when it comes to hunter) because like…this mission is SO important to her. why the hell would he make hunter sick, therefore limiting her time to get to moon and possibly causing her death before she could reach her goal?

hunter’s last wish in the void sea is to be back in sig’s arms. if he were truly malicious/didn’t show respect for her messengers, why would hunter want to return? so yeah, seeing his overseer out in the outer expanse, searching for hunter or a sign of moon being alive just ;-;

i don’t rlly think she sent more messengers after that, mainly bc he knows any slugcats he makes after hunter will likely meet the same fate due to the erosion of her equipment/the fact he thinks “there will be nothing left of moon by the time one is ready”. sig just breaks my heart because she tried and tried and tried, reaching out as far as he could, and still never knew if his plan even worked. i’m gonna stop here bc if i keep talking i am going to be writing a goddamn essay that would be better than anything i ever turned in in university LMFAO i have so many goddamn Feelings about no significant harassment rain world.

also me n ghost are actually doing an rp that’s kind of like this lmfao, and in it the reason hunter gets sick is because sig basically works herself so hard she ends up damaging his structure and the sudden power failure/shutdown affects his experiments. (obviously that has no basis in canon and is more just us writing fanfiction about what could have possibly happened)

anyways after all that angst, here is a screenshot from my game where sig’s overseer showed up and sees moon bringing sluppy hunter home :’) in my dreams i can pretend she made it back LMFAO

[popentertainment-moviereviews]

THE SECOND ACT (LE DEUXIÈME ACTE) (2024)

Starring Léa Seydoux, Vincent Lindon, Louis Garrel, Raphaël Quenard, Manuel Guillot, Françoise Gazio, Régine Mondion, Valérie Vogt, Hélène Alexandridis, Max Nicolas, Thémis Terrier-Thiebaux, Laurent Nicolas and the voice of Kim Barrouk.

Screenplay by Quentin Dupieux.

Directed by Quentin Dupieux.

Distributed by Diaphana Distribution. 80 minutes. Not Rated.

Screened at the 2024 Philadelphia Film Festival.

French auteur Quentin Dupieux is known for his surreal sense of humor and artistic vision. For example, his film Deerskin, which played at the Philly Film Festival a few years ago, was about a talking jacket which convinced his owner to kill just about everyone in a small French town. Smoking Causes Coughing, which also played at the Film Fest a couple of years ago, was about a group of superheroes who are forced to go on a mental health retreat. And then there is his early film Rubber, which is about a killer tire.

For Dupieux’ latest film – which opened the Cannes Film Festival this year and is making its US debut here – was supposed to be his attempt at normal filmmaking. In fact, it is teased as a kind of by-the-books romantic comedy.

Of course, Dupieux would never be some humdrum as to do something normal.

Early on in The Second Act, the actors who are playing the main roles start breaking character with regularity, to the point that the actual film plays second banana to the arguments and conversations that the actors start to have.

There is a lot of funny dialogue in there, but honestly the film’s gimmick loses interest long before the movie is over – and this is an abnormally short movie (80 minutes) which also pads its short running time with a minute-to-two long tracking shot of the camera gliding over some tracks right before the credits.

Dupieux tries to add some interesting wrinkles to the affair. We find out that the film-within-a-film is supposed to be the first film ever both written and directed by AI. And then the whole concept of reality flips over upon itself, with the scenes we have seen of the actors breaking the fourth wall also coming into question as we learn that much we have seen which seemed to be the actors talking may also have been acting, as many of the things that appeared to be reality are far from where things are seeming to end up.

It's a mindfuck of a movie from a filmmaker who is known as something of a provocateur. (Stories of people walking out of the Cannes screening seem to be a badge of honor to Dupieux.)

Still, unlike Deerskin,which was exceedingly odd throughout but had a nearly perfect climax, this movie seems to just go on and on long after the audience loses interest, even though, like I said, it was a very short film.

The climax here honestly pales in comparison to an earlier and nearly parallel scene in the film. This previous scene was way more shocking than the ending, which honestly felt a little anti-climactic repeating the same idea in a much more muted way. (Also honestly, neither version of the scene makes much narrative sense.)

In the introduction to the screening, the speaker from the Philadelphia Film Society suggested that he hoped that we would like the film, although he thought Dupieux may prefer for us to hate it. However, The Second Act doesn’t really inspire nearly that much passion in either direction. It’s a marginally entertaining film that essentially doesn’t really work.

Jay S. Jacobs

Copyright ©2024 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: October 20, 2024.

[thishadoscarbuzz]

242 - Pride

This week’s episode is one we have promised for some time: 2014′s Pride. The film tells the true story of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, a queer activist group that partnered with a Welsh town in the 1980s during the mining strike under Thatcher’s rule. Following the lives of both the straight townsfolk and the queer Londoners, the film paints a portrait of queerness, allyship, and activism that rings true today while also satisfying on a crowd-pleasing level. After launching at Cannes’ Directors Fortnight and winning the Queer Palm, the film launched in the fall of 2014 to some ardent critical fans, but didn’t cross the Oscar finish line.

This episode, we talk about the theatre career of director Matthew Warchus and the film’s comforts in this current tumultuous moment for queer people. We also talk about the film’s tremendous ensemble headlined by Imelda Staunton and Bill Nighy, gay infighting, and unofficial THOB mascot Men Trussler.

Topics also include the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Monica Bellucci bluntly listing director names, and the concept of Festival Regret.

Links:

The 2014 Oscar nominations

Subscribe:

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Google Play

Stitcher

[kaishaexotica]

When LOOPiN eventually disbands, and we're talking like when they reach their mid and early 30s because I think after 2024 + their military enlistment era they will still have a good one or two years before they fully branch off:

Taesong's going to become a radio host while he's still under RareRhy + focus on raising his family with his then wife Yunhee - I'm pretty sure they will have like, 3 kids;

Minwoo's pretty obviously getting over his premature 2024 retirement and working as a music producer again - he's officially signed to A Company (important), but he doesn't rap or sing unless it's in very special features for his friends. And even less surprisingly he's eventually becoming roommates with J.J both in their house in Korea and their apartment in Hong Kong;

Seungsoo is becoming the CEO of his very own entertainment company - probably going to steal a lot of employees from RareRhythm and MBN. He'll 100% make the next greatest girl group of all time. I think romantically he'll keep on being a serial dater until he dies, probably will get a kid out of one of these endeavours just because I think he will be a pretty good dad;

Haruki is becoming a full time choreographer/trainer for Soo's company, and surprise surprise! He's going back to college as a 30 something and studying art history. He'll pretty much retire from publicly appearing as a singer or model. I want to imagine he'll end up with Sejin far, faaaar into the future but honest to God I don't know if Haruki is the type to give second chances to anyone even in his most mature form;

On a similar vein to Haruki, Gyujin is also not staying as an Idol on his own - he's a team player, he would hate it bad. He will open his own little studio and teach Yoga like he does best, maybe even work to be a physical therapist later on? I see him staying single :( because I still don't know what Gyujin wants when it comes to romance. Maybe he'll always want nothing on that department and that's that;

Dylan's final love will always be filmmaking and he's going to make some extremely poetic and inspired movies that will go to Cannes and shit. I also see him working as a concept director under 'Seungsoo Ent', but not full time - Seungsoo will never give a group of his lore. I always see him going back to the US for a while, specially to catch his grandparents final moments, but ultimately he's made too much of a life for himself in Seoul to not call that his home too. I'm still uncertain about him and Furumi and how far they'll go, but I don't think she stays on his life that long as a partner - but as friends, yes! None of the Fukunaga sibs will never leave him;

O.z will keep on being a highly requested producer, I see him getting very international while maintaining his soft spot for K-Pop. He'll also never stop realizing these insane sounding mixtapes. I see him leaving South Korea with Nico, of course, probably to New Zealand. I can't see them having kids anytime soon but hey! You never know what's the next crazy thing these two are going to do!;

Hanjae's becoming a full time actor, and he'll end up the busiest and most long time famous loop dude ever. It'll take him a good while to balance his work and personal life all on his own, but I like to imagine he's getting himself a great manager team - maybe even leaded by Han Qiong! I think he would still make music from time to time, but very spaced out between his dramas and movies;

J.J is going full time TV personality + magazine model + actor combo - in Korea, in China, in the US, this man is going to be everywhere doing a bit of everything. He lives primarily in Hong Kong but it's always traveling and running around the world while dragging Minwoo along;

Haegon's going solo, babyyyyy, and I mean it all the way. He's not signing to any company that has a loop dude under them, but that's just Haegon's personal journey! It'll be important to him to do a full restart without the guys for a change, but that doesn't mean he won't keep on cheering and meeting up with his bros. I see him crashing at the member's houses all the time between schedules and his many concerts.