#michael simkins

[jbaileyfansite]

Michael Simkins talking about Jonathan Bailey in Richard II for Broadway.com [x]

[bikinibottomdayz]

MARCH 25, 2025 RELEASE

All my videos can be found here, full release under the read more! I am also offering the two Operation Mincemeat videos as a bundle for 30 USD!

ORDER FORM HERE

This release includes: Richard II (with Jonathan Bailey), The Great Gatsby (Ryan/Eva), The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wicked (new cast), Operation Mincemeat preview bundle

THE GREAT GATSBY January 30, 2025 (M) | Broadway | 4K MP4 (9.69GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Ryan McCartan (Jay Gatsby), Eva Noblezada (Daisy Buchanan), Noah J. Ricketts (Nick Carraway), Samantha Pauly (Jordan Baker), John Zdrojeski (Tom Buchanan), Terrence Mann (Meyer Wolfsheim), Samantha Pollino (u/s Myrtle Wilson), Charlie Pollock (George Wilson) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of Eva’s penultimate performance in this show! Minor obstruction on the left that blocks off less than a minute of action in total. Some moments of wandering and unfocusing. Some washout on wider shots. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBZVJ4 | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

OPERATION MINCEMEAT February 17, 2025 | Broadway (Previews) | 4K MP4 (10.24GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Natasha Hodgson (Ewen Montagu & others), David Cumming (Charles Cholmondeley & Others), Claire-Marie Hall (Jean Leslie & others), Jak Malone (Hester Leggatt & others), Zoe Roberts (Johnny Bevan & others) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this show’s second preview! Minimal wandering and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC2U9A | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

OPERATION MINCEMEAT February 19, 2025 | Broadway (Previews) | 4K MP4 (10.05GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Natasha Hodgson (Ewen Montagu & others), David Cumming (Charles Cholmondeley & Others), Claire-Marie Hall (Jean Leslie & others), Jak Malone (Hester Leggatt & others), Zoe Roberts (Johnny Bevan & others) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this show’s fourth preview! Footage is foggy-looking throughout, usually most noticeable in wideshots. Some obstruction on the far right that blocks a bit of action. There is a tech malfunction near the end, show stop and restart is included. Some wandering and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC381M | ASKING $18 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

RICHARD II February 27, 2025 (M) | Off-West End | 4K MP4 (10.08GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Jonathan Bailey (Richard II), Royce Pierreson (Henry Bolingbroke), Nick Sampson (John of Gaunt), Amanda Root (Duchess of York/Green), Vinnie Heaven (Aumerle), Phoenix Di Sebastiani (Thomas Mowbray/Groom), Jordan Kouamé (Bushy/Percy), Michael Simkins (Duke of York), Adam Best (Bagot), Olivia Popica (Queen Isabel), Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun (Earl of Northumberland), Seamus Dillane (Lord Surrey), Gerard Monaco (Sir Stephen Scroop/Keeper), George Taylor (Fitzwater), Badria Timimi (Abbess of Carlisle) Notes: Great 4K capture of this production! Act One is a bit rough, with some minor bar / head obstruction and is overall less well filmed. When action happens off stage (in the audience etc) it isn’t visible. Video generally gets better as time goes on. Some wandering and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3YTM | ASKING $15 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY March 13, 2025 | Broadway | 4K MP4 (8.49GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Sarah Snook Notes: Excellent 4K capture of this phenomenal adaptation! The majority of action happens on screens, but live action is also captured. Very minor head obstruction on the bottom right. Some wandering and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5u1J | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

WICKED March 18, 2025 | Broadway | 4K MP4 (10.57GB) | bikinibottomday’s master Cast: Lencia Kebede (Elphaba), Allie Trimm (Glinda), Jordan Litz (Fiyero), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Madame Morrible), Brad Oscar (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Jenna Bainbridge (Nessarose), Daniel Quadrino (Boq), William Youmans (Doctor Dillamond) Notes: Excellent 4K capture of the new cast! Increased wandering and unfocusing throughout. Includes curtain call, audio fed from external source. https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5YDz | ASKING $20 USD NOT FOR SHARING EXCEPT THROUGH ME UNTIL SEPTEMBER 17, 2025

[memphis-exorcism]

I Root For You, Love

I can't draw at work so quick Kelvin/Keefe hurt/comfort writing to keep busy, night shift altering my brain chemistry aghhh.

Summary: Keefe and Kelvin feel the aftermath of the roundtable discussion

Title comes from the song I Root by Michael Nau

“Home sweet home.” 

Keefe let them sit in the silence for a moment before steeling himself again. “Kelvin?” He reached out to place a gentle hand on Kelvin's arm but it only caused him to tense up under the touch. 

No answer. Fair enough, it was dead silent the whole trip home and it's all silent now but for the chirps of crickets on the compound. Keefe looked to his right at his partner in the passenger seat, who was virtually curled in on himself facing away from him. He ran his palms against the sides of the steering wheel, trying to swallow that dread rising up into his throat. He hated this, hated seeing Kelvin like this. He didn't deserve any of this. The guilt was almost too much to bear for himself in particular. He promised Kelvin he'd have his back, he said he'd never let anything hurt him. How many times must he fail Kelvin before it becomes too much for both of them?

Keefe moved his hand away quickly. “I'm sorry. Let-Lets get you inside, okay? I'll get you some hot tea started.” He hopped out of the driver's seat and scrambled to Kelvin's side to open the car door for him. By the time he got there, Kelvin's face was beet red again, he was stifling tears. It took everything in Keefe not to cry right then and there with him. “M’sorry Keefe.” Kelvin heaved through the tears.

“Nonono- you have nothing to apologize about! That Simkins, well… he was out to get you for sure.” Keefe insisted. Kelvin just shook his head in response. When he helped Kelvin out of the car, Keefe held him their whole walk back inside the house. 

------------------------

“They all laughed at me, Keefe I-” Kelvin spoke shakily as Keefe came back holding a piping hot mug to where he was sitting at the edge of their bed. His eyes were wide open staring past Keefe at nothing. 

“Hey now -” Keefe sat the mug next to Kelvin on the nightstand and kneeled in front of him to meet his eyes. “Those guys? They're just a bunch of bullies and-” “What if they're right? What if I'm a sham?”

“No... No.” Keefe said firmly. He reached up and held Kelvin's face in his palms. “God set you on a path and-”  “Keefe, I can't do this.” “What?” “I'm not… I'm going to drop out of the running for Top Christ Following Man.”

Keefe felt his heart drop into his gut right then and there. “No, wha- You can come back from this, Kelvin!” He was near pleading with the other. “I believe you can. They just don't see the vision that we do with Prism.”

This pulled a kind of wheezy hollow laugh from Kelvin as he moved away from his partner.  “It's over, Keefe. We can tell the discipes tomorrow.” The sting in his voice was ever piercing.

Keefe sat there on his knees, watching as Kelvin crawled under the covers, pulling the comforter up past his head. “As a matter of fact, why don't we just drop Prism too.”

 Hearing Kelvin talk this way made Keefe physically ache. He wanted to take all of his hurt away so bad, take it and lock it away and throw it into the Atlantic. 

“You don't mean that, Kelvin- I- The flock, they need you!” He said as he climbed up to sit beside Kelvin. He pressed his palms into his stomach , trying to gather himself before continuing. “...Hey let's just- nevermind all of that. Lets just- take an easy day tomorrow, okay?” Kelvin didn't answer, but it looked like he was curling his legs up under the comforter.

Keefe sighed softly and crawled under the covers with his partner. Maybe he couldn't keep all the hurt away but he could at least be a pillar of support when Kelvin did get knocked down. The roots to Kelvin's ever-growing greenery. He reached out and wrapped an arm over Kelvin who was facing away from him. He pulled himself close and pressed a soft kiss to the back of Kelvin's neck. Kelvin responded with a shaky exhale and reached to hold Keefe's hand in his own. Keefe squeezed his hand in return.

“I've got you.” 

[keefechambers]

season 4 predictions:

- we know michael rooker is in the season, we know from his own instagram vague posts that he's featured in the lake house episodes (present day, flashback or both). we know by process of elimination he is the bible thief

- most likely: he's Corey's dad/Lori's ex. Both Corey and Lori express envy of the Gemstones but in a more friendly way, but it's probable his manifests in stealing their most treasured artifact. He shows back up in present day to cause trouble between Lori and Eli

-- subheading of last point: he and Lori are running a con together. even with the single white female vibes of Ep 3, I'm torn on if Lori is meant to be a villain this season or a misdirect

- likely, rooker will team up with Vance to try and destroy the gemstones.

- less likely but plausible: rooker is daddy simkins and he and Eli were rivals the way Jesse and Vance are in present day. He stole the bible prior to dying and Vance inherited it not knowing it's the Gemstones. That would mean Rooker is only in the flashbacks so it feels less likely

- the Simkins are descendants of Abel Grieves, the murdered pastor from ep 1 and their families have always been rivals because of this. (Milsaps could be Grieves descendants instead but I'm feeling like there needs to be more to tie in Vance than just him being homophobic and pissing off Jesse)

- Vance has something to do with Jesse getting kicked out of college (like how Amber mentioned in Ep 2)

-- sub theory: Simkins and Gemstones used to be friends... Or maybe Vance, Jesse and Corey were all buddies as kids and it went south for some reason we might find in the flashback episode

- ultimately the plot of the season is going to be the battle for the golden Bible, which was stolen by Michael Rooker, and the kids adjusting to Eli moving on whether or not Lori is secretly evil. While baby Billy pitches new TV shows

[nysocboy]

Gemstones Episode 4.5, Continued: Kelvin Crashes, the Monkey Fumes, and Eli Gets a Wake-Up Call

So far in this episode, we've learned that Vance Simkins has destroyed his parents' empire by being an outdated, reactionary jerk; Lori's ex-boyfriends keep getting killed; and Kelvin's hubris is off the charts.  

Lori's Edibles: Lori and Eli want to give the siblings "some space," so they move to her house. Wait -- I thought she was living in Pigeon Forge.  If she's been living in Charleston the whole time, why hasn't she visited the Gemstones for years?

Corey meets them at the door: he dropped by to bring dinner, "Kung Pao Dynasty." Also, he left her edibles by the microwave.   Eli doesn't know what edibles are, so Miss Lori explains. Apparently he's ok with drug use now; he wasn't in earlier seasons.

Corey shakes Eli's hand and says "Have fun, you two," but as he walks away, he grimaces.  He's been killing the ex-boyfriends.

Meanwhile, Kelvin in a flamboyant costume is being photographed with the other conservatively-dressed nominees for Top Christian Man. And it's time for the Live TV Roundtable. 

The full cast list is not in the episode credits or the IMDB, but I think the conservative minister being hugged by Kelvin is Chad Darnell (top photo and left), who is gay in real life.  He works primarily in casting, but he has 21 screen credits, and a lot of theater work, including the gay-themed Love! Valour! Compassion!, Forced, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Plus some gay-themed screenplays and two novels.

Back to the roundtable discussion, led by Stevie from Eastbound and Down.  First question:"Should children be taught a comprehensive overview of all major religions in school?" 

Kelvin jumps in, but doesn't answer the question.  Instead, he blathers about "I teach my followers everything good about Jesus.  The Bible can be confusing, so we translate it for modern, cutting-edge times." You're not qualified to be a Bible translator.  How about explaining passages in their historical/cultural context?  

Vance complains about "a homosexual" being nominated for the award.  "God's Word is clear on this issue."  Uh-oh, how are you on the Clobber Verses, Kelv Baby?

He's not good on the Clobber Verses.  "Um...um..lots of parts of the Bible are outdated." No, they don't refer to contemporary gay people at all!  Get with your queer theology.

Anybody who's been gay and Christian for five minutes could respond to this very vague attack easily.  And Kelvin works with queer youth, so he must have to deal with religious trauma all the time.  But he apparently doesn't even know the basics.  Hey, Kelv Baby, some books for your library.  There are hundreds more.

 All he can think of is: "Um...the Bible...um...also forbids eating shellfish."

Vance doesn't eat shellfish. How about wearing mixed fibers?  Why haven't you stoned your sister to death for having extra-marital sex?  And sold your brother into slavery?

Vance mocks Kelvin, and another pastor agrees. 

We see Kelvin's agonized face, a flashing red light, a closeup of his trembling hands.  He's having a panic attack.   At home, Jesse turns off the tv, too upset to continue. 

This was very painful to watch, since I knew exactly how to respond -- I've responded many times -- but Kelvin does not.  He has fallen from the heavens just as definitively as BJ from his dancing pole.

In Season 1, Kelvin falls into a depression and scraps the Satanic Sweep project.  In Season 2, the God Squad turns on him.  In Season 3, the Smut Busters project goes wrong, resulting in Kelvin and Keefe breaking up. I suspect that this is the end of Prism.

The Attack:  In an unfinished room, with ladders and tarps, a man I don't recognize attacks a blond woman, who looks like Vance's sister, throwing her against the door and strangling her.  

Psych!  Eli and Lori are  in her house, eating ice cream and watching Pacific Heights (1980).  Danforth (Michael Keaton), the Tenant from Hell, is getting revenge on his former landlords (Matthew Modine,  left, Melanie Griffith).

Suddenly a brick is thrown through Lori's window.  It says "Sinners."  Eli grabs a gun and runs outside to see his car on fire. 

Lori: "Eli, there's something I haven't been straight with you about. Me and you need to have a talk about my ex."

We close to "Somebody's Knocking," by Terri Gibb (1981):

Somebody's knockin' -- should I let him in?

Lord, it's the Devil.  Would You look at him?

I've heard about him, but I never dreamed  he'd have blue eyes and blue jeans

The full review, with the BJ and the Monkey scene and n*de photos of Joey Stefano, Michael Keaton, and Jason Beighe, is on RG Beefcake and Boyfriends

[tamurakafkaposts]

“Paris is a place in which we can forget ourselves, reinvent, expunge the dead weight of our past.” ― Michael Simkins

[keanuquotes]

Reeves and Carla Berkowitz will be executive producers with Starbucks, Sugar23 and UltraBoom Media. Michael Sugar is producing with Matt Rotondo, David Hillman, Michael Simkin and Erik Osterholm. Supervising producer is Angela Almeida, with Alex Anhalt co-producer.

This becomes the first greenlight since Starbucks Studios formed a content partnership with Sugar’s Sugar23. Sugar’s the Oscar-winning Spotlight producer who is leaning in on a program to directly invite brands into the finance and production of narrative and documentary content.

[midsomerbicycles-blog]

Season 7 Episode 2

New sidekick has arrived and the old Sgt Troy has got a promotion and left without ever explaining the on screen snog with his boss’ daughter in season 6.

An Episode of Background Bicycles™️

The Barnaby’s need to choose better friends or something. Why is everyone they know or meet connected to murder and other miscellaneous shenanigans?

Notables:

Daniel Crowder (The Avengers)

John Standing (V for Vendetta)

Helen Lindsay (Mission: Impossible)

Michael Simkins (V for Vendetta)

Ruth Jones (Emma 1996)

[pages-and-potatoes]

So this year I'm gonna try reading instead of doomscrolling before going to bed and since I have a stack of non-fiction books I think I should tackle that.

Fiction is for morning train commutes, harsh realities will be my bedtime stories.

Which one should I start with though?

I currently can't be bothered to look up translations for the German books, so bear with me.

I might just use the results as the order I will tackle these books in but some of them are thicc and will take a while.

[peterviney1]

Richard II, Bridge Theatre review

Review of RICHARD II at The Bridge Theatre, London (follow link). This stars Jonathan Bailey as the king. Newcomer Royce Pierrson is outstanding as Henry Bolingbroke, then we have the experience of actors Michael Simkins, Nick Sampson and Amanda Root. See the review. This is Henry Bolingbroke returning from banishment.

[qnewsau]

In Memoriam: Honouring the LGBTQIA+ lives lost in 2024

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/in-memoriam-honouring-the-lgbtqia-lives-lost-in-2024/

In Memoriam: Honouring the LGBTQIA+ lives lost in 2024

This year, the LGBTQIA+ community bid farewell to remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on the world. From trailblazing activists, beloved community members, and entertainers, each of these individuals will be greatly missed. 

Bill Whittaker AM

A founding CEO of ACON, Bill Whittaker’s visionary work laid the foundation for HIV advocacy in Australia.

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation Ambassador

A cherished community member who tirelessly supported others through the foundation.

Cecilia Gentili (1972–2024)

An Indigenous artist who redefined the art world with her bold works passed away in Melbourne.

Destiny Rogers (1959–2024)

The QNews writer, historian and entertainer passed away at 64 after a battle with lung cancer.

Glenda Jackson

Glenda first donned full drag in the early 1970s in the “steel city” of Newcastle, inspired by the iconic Les Girls she saw in Sydney.

Indigenous artist who coined term ‘Blak’

A trailblazing Indigenous photographer and multimedia artist, credited with coining the term “Blak”, died in Melbourne.

Ignatius Jones

Australian music icon Ignatius Jones passed after a short illness.

Ian Gelder (1949–2024)

Best known as Kevan Lannister in Game of Thrones, Ian Gelder’s career spanned stage and screen.

Jack Colwell (1989–2024)

The out singer-songwriter self-funded his music as an independent artist and worked for years as a musical director, composer, arranger, teacher and choirmaster.

Jesse Baird and Luke Davies

Sydney couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies were allegedly murdered in Baird’s Paddington home in February 2024.

John Spellman (1947–2024)

A community icon in Darwin, John Spellman was a beloved figure who nurtured and protected the local community.

Lance Leopard and Carmel

A iconic figure in Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ community, Lance Leopard and his mother Carmel tragically passed away in a house fire.

Michael Heslin 

The actor, best known for his role in Special Opps: Lioness died at just 30.

Nancy Valverde (1931–2024)

Los Angeles butch lesbian trailblazer Nancy Valverde passed at 92.

Neil McLucas

Sportsman Hotel legend and cherished figure in Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ community, Neil McLucas, passed away this year.

Phil Carswell

Veteran AIDS activist Phil Carswell died at aged 70, leaving behind a powerful legacy from his decades of advocacy.

Richard Simmons (1948–2024)

Los Angeles police confirmed the death of eccentric fitness guru Richard Simmons, one day after his 76th birthday.

Robert Fawkes

Robert Fawkes was a 78er and a champion of both the LGBTQIA+ and sex work communities.

Sphen the Penguin

One half of Sydney’s iconic gay penguin couple, Sphen, captured hearts worldwide.

Steve Ostrow

Ostrow founded the Mature Aged Gays project in 1991 as a safe place where older gay men could meet and socialise

Toby Simkin

From Beat Megaclub to Broadway, producer Toby Simkin was a leader in the creative arts.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[jbaileyfansite]

Review of Richard II by The Standard

Jonathan Bailey gives the best performance I’ve ever seen of Shakespeare’s flawed monarch, an erratic tyrant who gains dignity once deposed. This might sound like faint praise since major London productions of the play are rare. But the two other Richards I recall are David Tennant and Fiona Shaw, so props to the star of Bridgerton and Wicked.

Bailey inhabits and humanizes the king in a clean, clear, martial staging from Nicholas Hytner that feels right for our times. Altogether this is a winningly bold combination of casting, programming and cultural curation to follow the Bridge’s joyful post-Covid moneyspinner, Guys and Dolls.

There the actors rubbed shoulders with the audience. Here we make up a horseshoe of spectators around an oblong stage thrusting into the auditorium; at one point, we become witnesses at a show trial. Bailey swaggers on to Succession-style music, in a simple crown but with a bespoke frock coat and sockless feet in velvet slippers, setting him apart from courtiers in suits or jeans. A saturnine beard gives an impish frame to his imperious behavior.

In short order Richard exiles his troublesome cousin and potential rival Henry Bullingbrook (striking newcomer Royce Pierreson) and seizes Bullingbrook’s late father John of Gaunt’s estate to undertake a foolish war in Ireland. Where he loftily believes his divine right justifies any caprice, Bullingbrook is more plain-spoken and pragmatic in courting nobles’ favour.

Yet when he challenges Richard – in this case, by training a massive field gun on the theatre’s balcony where Bailey stands spotlit in a white shift – he becomes a traitor. Richard, meanwhile, is transformed through grief over the loss of his kingdom into a kind of Christ figure, a metamorphosis Bailey achieves with great skill. As Hytner has said, he speaks Shakespeare’s verse as if born to it.

The play has some of Shakespeare’s finest poetry (including Gaunt’s “This England” speech, delivered well by an understudy at the performance I attended due to the indisposition of Clive Wood). There are echoes of Hamlet in Richard’s reflective soliloquy on landing back in Wales, and of King Lear in his character arc. The ruthless plotting and politicking – opponents here are dispatched with a bullet to the back of the neck - spark associations with Shakespeare’s other Tudor history plays: it’s boggling to remember he wrote them in seemingly random order over two decades.

Still, Richard II, with its rigid structure and strict double-narrative about two different styles of kingship, is never going to be a crowd-pleaser unless it’s by star casting. Hence Bailey. He commands the stage and even allows a little camp to seep into the character (Richard’s marriage to his shopaholic wife may be transactional). He doesn’t sugar the king’s brattish reluctance to cede the crown but in later speeches attains a stricken grandeur.

Hytner’s production brims with top-notch character actors, including Michael Simkins as a dogged Duke of York and Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun as a suave Duke of Northumberland. It also has a future star in Royce Pierreson. Bullingbrook is only his third professional stage role: he brings to it a great sense of command. At the end, Bailey quite rightly called him on stage to share his join his solo curtain call.

Source

[deblala]

Diddy Connection To Club E11even, Michael Simkins, Clive Davis, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama & NYC Mayor (Video) | SOTN: Alternative News, Analysis & Commentary

https://stateofthenation.co/?p=253051

[ulkaralakbarova]

When Kylie Bucknell is sentenced to home detention, she’s forced to come to terms with her unsociable behaviour, her blabbering mother and a hostile spirit who seems less than happy about the new living arrangement. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Kylie Bucknell: Morgana O’Reilly Miriam Bucknell: Rima Te Wiata Amos: Glen-Paul Waru Graeme: Ross Harper Dennis: Cameron Rhodes Officer Grayson: Millen Baird Officer Carson: Bruce Hopkins Eugene: Ryan Lampp Judge: Ian Mune Hollis: Wallace Chapman Kraglund: Mick Innes Justin: David Van Horn Leslie: Nikki Si’ulepa Elizabeth Chalmers: Kitty Riddell Young Kylie (Voice): Lila Sharp Fitness Host: Louise Mills Film Crew: Editor: Gerard Johnstone Director of Photography: Simon Riera Production Design: Anya Whitlock Original Music Composer: Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper Second Unit Director: Luke Sharpe Production Design: Jane Bucknell Executive Producer: Chris Lambert Executive Producer: Ant Timpson Visual Effects Supervisor: Matt Westbrooke Set Decoration: Simon Vine Steadicam Operator: Joe Lawry Set Decoration: Stephen Jaimeson Art Direction: Lyn Bergquist Art Direction: Laura Smith Art Direction: Haley Williams Costume Design: Lissy Mayer Steadicam Operator: Alex McDonald Set Decoration: Graham Collins Gaffer: Nicholas Riini Gaffer: Tane Kingan Continuity: Rose Damon Steadicam Operator: Simon Tutty Executive Producer: Michael Kumerich Line Producer: Garett Mayow Executive Producer: Daniel Story Makeup Effects Designer: Jacinta Driver Assistant Makeup Artist: Kendall Feruson Makeup Artist: Vanessa Hurley Assistant Makeup Artist: Rachel Johanson Assistant Makeup Artist: Katie Jones Makeup Artist: Carly Marr Assistant Makeup Artist: Nikki Milina Assistant Makeup Artist: Miranda Raman Makeup Artist: Lauren Steward Production Manager: Ainsley Allen Third Assistant Director: Rachael Bristow Third Assistant Director: Esther Clewlow Third Assistant Director: Sarah Hough Third Assistant Director: Laurelle May First Assistant Director: Natasha Romaniuk First Assistant Director: Fraser Ross First Assistant Director: Katie Tate First Assistant Director: Craig Wilson Props: Shamus Butt Art Department Assistant: Meling Cooper Art Department Assistant: Hilary Crombie Assistant Set Dresser: Louise George Assistant Set Dresser: James Goldenthal Runner Art Department: Kathryn Lees Art Department Assistant: Brian Maru Assistant Set Dresser: Aimee Russell Art Department Assistant: Jaime Sharpe Concept Artist: Andrejs Skuja Art Department Assistant: Luke Thornborough Art Department Assistant: Wesley Twiss Dialogue Editor: Nich Cunningham Boom Operator: Matthew Dickins Sound Recordist: Phil Donovan Sound Recordist: Gabriel Muller Boom Operator: Stephen Saldanha Sound Recordist: Ande Schurr Sound Recordist: Mark Storey Sound Designer: Shane Taipari Sound Recordist: Ben Vanderpoel Digital Compositor: Stuart Bedford Digital Imaging Technician: James Brookes Digital Compositor: Johnny Lyon 3D Modeller: Rich Nosworthy Digital Compositor: Jesse Parkhill Stunt Coordinator: Aaron Lupton Stunt Coordinator: Steve McQuillan Stunts: Stefan Talaic Stunts: Shane Blakey Stunts: Joanna Baker Stunts: Daniel Andrews Lighting Technician: Sam Behrend First Assistant Camera: Nick Burridge First Assistant Camera: Alexander Campbell First Assistant Camera: Kelly Chen Lighting Technician: Tommy Davis Camera Intern: Woody Dean Lighting Technician: Hayden Dudley Lighting Technician: James Dudley Lighting Technician: Leigh Elford Camera Intern: Kalym Gilbert Camera Intern: Andrew Farrent First Assistant Camera: Julia Green Cinematography: Adrian Greshoff Lighting Technician: Mathew Harte Lighting Technician: Stacey Hui First Assistant Camera: Matt Hunt First Assistant Camera: Blair Ihaka Gaffer: Tony Lumsden First Assistant Camera: Tom Neunzerling Cinematography: Eoin O’Liddy Key Grip: Jeremy Osbourne Key Grip: Jim Rowe Lighting Technician: Richard Schofield First Assistant Camera: Richard Simkins First Assistant Camera: Cameron Stoltz Cinematography: Drew Sturge Camera Intern: Matt Thomas Lighting Technician: Jason Tidsw...

[jwood718]

The Guardian and the BBC's Eye Investigations on Iran's crack-downs on anti-government protest.

The Guardian's Patrick Wintour writes:

"An Iranian court’s decision to pass the death sentence against Toomaj Salehi, a popular Iranian rapper and regime opponent, has led to international protests and damaged Iran’s fledgling efforts to exploit crackdowns on unrest in US university campuses over Gaza as an abuse of human rights.

...some reformist Iranian newspapers said the regime’s propaganda in the international arena had suffered reputational damage as a result of the surprise decision to issue the death sentence against a singer associated with defiance, but not violence against the regime.

The actor Nazanin Boniadi told a rally at the weekend: 'When he takes to the streets, when he puts pen to paper, when he uses his voice, the regime trembles. Why? Because he speaks for the people. Things that the people do not dare to say, he says.'”

Full story

In 2022, during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, an Iranian teenager, Nika Shakarami, was arrested during one such demonstration, only to be found dead later on a sidestreet. After missing her for 9 days, Shakarami's mother was called to a morgue to identify the girl's body.

BBC Eye's Bertram Hill, Aida Miller and Michael Simkin, while not "100% certain" that they have authentic documents, proceeded with an investigation using what appear to be genuine governmental reports of the events of Shakarami's death. An Iranian investigation of the arrest points to her being sexually assaulted during transport by a team of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

According to the reports, after an IRGC member groped her, Shakarami struck back--"She kicked at my face, so I had to defend myself"--and three Corps members responded by using a taser on her repeatedly and beating her in the head with their batons. When she was found to have died as a result, her body was dumped so as not to necessitate reporting her death at a detention facility.

Full story

When governments fear their citizens.