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The eleventh Beats for Love ended triumphantly. The visitor’s record fell

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor July 7, 2025

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Beats for Love Electrifies Central Europe, Sets Attendance Record

The 11th edition of Beats for Love, Central Europe’s largest electronic dance music festival, has concluded with a bang, drawing a record crowd to Dolní Vítkovice for four days of music and revelry.

Record-Breaking Attendance and Fan Engagement

This year’s festival attracted 164,000 attendees, with peak days on Friday and Saturday each drawing 45,000 fans. Kamil Rudolf, head of Beats for Love, expressed his gratitude, “When we saw the number of tickets sold, somewhere in the corner of the soul we believed in overcoming last year’s maximum. The fact that it really did is a great honor for us, but also a commitment. Thank you very much.”

Notably, organizers extended the validity of Thursday tickets to Friday due to high demand.

Across Europe, music festivals are seeing a resurgence, with attendance figures climbing back to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, fueled by pent-up demand and innovative festival experiences (Statista 2023).

A Universe of Music and Art

“We have experienced a hilarious year, if not the best. I am very pleased with the reactions of visitors, not only to the music program, but also to the new Beats for Love Universe project, which has changed the form of our festival complex,” added Rudolf, highlighting the new additions and improvements to the festival grounds.

The festival featured 18 stages and over 550 artists, with the main Love Stage by ČSOB standing out for its heart-on-palm design. The techno dome featured a 360-degree stage setup.

Star-Studded Performances

The final day featured performances by techno innovator Richie Hawtin and Dutch act Tinlicker. Drum & Bass fans were treated to a set by Black Sun Empire.

The Love Stage hosted Beats for Love Special sets, including a performance by the duo AMC & Koven. Jiří Ramík, program director of the festival, noted, “The Belgian producer set with live instruments, the English duo AMC & Koven transformed partner symbiosis into a great energetic set. And I think a lot of visitors surprised their countryman John Newman. People remember him as a pop singer, but he transformed his show into dance.”

The eleventh Beats for Love ended triumphantly. The visitor’s record fell — © Beats for Love

Koven, also known as Katie Boyle, shared her enthusiasm: “Ostrava plays an extremely important role in our lives. I have kicked my career here, my fiance (AMC) has always experienced a great welcome at Beats for Love. And our first joint performance showed that we can have a second home.”

The festival culminated with a performance by Axwell of Swedish House Mafia fame, complete with visual effects.

Rudolf said, “Axwell gave a beautiful conclusion this year. We tried to bring it to Ostrava for a long time, whether solo or along with the rest of the group. The first variant came out and it was great.”

Enhanced Festival Experience

The Beats for Love Universe featured themed zones like Love, Space, and Industrial, connected by Pulse street. Organizers focused on creating immersive experiences with decorations and art installations.

The festival also showcased dancers on Sway Poles, acrobats, fire shows, and a procession featuring a winged horse Pegas created by the French project Plančte Vapeur.

The Talking Beats conference hosted discussions, including one with former NHL star Radim Polák about the influence of music on sports performance.

Partnerships and Charitable Giving

Partnerships with companies like Kofola enhanced the visitor experience. The festival featured a cashless payment system, with ČSOB bank offering cashback rewards.

Through its Beats for Charity project, the festival will support the Hochňák family and Eliška Vozniceková.

Organizers expressed their gratitude to all participants, recognizing their contribution to establishing Beats for Love on the world cultural map.

The 12th edition is scheduled for July 1-4, 2026, in Dolní Vítkovice.

July 7, 2025 0 comments

Entertainment

Will Smith’s New Album: Oscars Slap Backlash

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com March 28, 2025

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Will Smith’s “Based on a True Story”: A Deep Dive into Redemption and the Oscars Slap

Will Smith is back, and he’s not holding back. After a 20-year hiatus from music, the actor and rapper has released “Based on a True Story,” an album that directly addresses the infamous Oscars slap heard ’round the world. The album is generating notable buzz, not just for its musical content, but for its raw and honest exploration of the controversy and Smith’s journey toward self-acceptance.

The Slap: A Moment of Reckoning

The 2022 Oscars ceremony was a night that will forever be etched in Hollywood history.Chris rock’s joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, a condition causing hair loss, prompted Will Smith to walk onstage and slap the comedian. The incident sparked immediate outrage and a fierce debate about violence, respect, and the boundaries of comedy.

“From what we understand, the album directly references the slap in the opening tracks,” explains Dr. Anya Sharma, a cultural critic. “the early responses suggest that he’s acknowledging it head-on, which is a crucial first step.”

While the specific lyrics remain under close scrutiny, it’s clear that Smith is not shying away from the incident. He’s confronting it head-on, likely exploring themes of regret, reflection, and perhaps even a defense of his actions, albeit a nuanced one.

Navigating the Backlash: A Path to Forgiveness

The backlash following the slap was swift and severe. Smith faced widespread condemnation, a 10-year ban from the Oscars, and a significant dent in his public image. The question then became: how does a celebrity of his magnitude navigate such a crisis and attempt to regain public trust?

Dr. Sharma believes the path to redemption involves several key steps: “First, genuine acknowledgement and remorse. Second, taking duty for the actions—the slap was a very public incident. Third,engaging with the issue through art allows him to control the narrative to an extent.”

Smith’s new album can be seen as a strategic move in this process.By addressing the controversy through his music, he’s attempting to control the narrative and offer his perspective on the events that transpired.

Other actions that could further aid in his redemption include:

Public Statements: Carefully crafted and sincere apologies can demonstrate accountability.
Philanthropic Work: Focusing on causes related to the root of the issue, such as violence awareness or anger management.
Consistent Behavior: Demonstrating changed behavior over time is crucial.

Loyalty and Relationships: Exploring the Dynamics

“Based on a True Story” also delves into smith’s relationship with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. This element adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, shifting the focus from the slap itself to the context surrounding his actions.

“Adding in the relationship dynamics adds depth,” Dr. Sharma explains. “The narrative shifts from just the slap to the context of his actions. Smith’s inclusion of his personal life in the album indicates a willingness to be seen as a whole person.”

By exploring the pressures related to Jada’s condition or his perception of needing to protect her, Smith might potentially be attempting to provide a deeper understanding of his motivations that night.

impact on Career and Public Perception: A Risky Gamble

The release of “Based on a True Story” is a calculated risk. the album has the potential to either rehabilitate Smith’s image or further damage it,depending on how it’s received by the public.

“The album has the potential to influence how people view Will Smith, possibly prompting more compassion,” says Dr. Sharma. “Though, the success of such a move depends on several factors: the authenticity of the lyrics, the response of the music, and, of course, public perception, which can be unpredictable.”

If the album is perceived as insincere or exploitative, it could backfire and reinforce negative perceptions of smith. However, if it’s seen as a genuine attempt at self-reflection and accountability, it could pave the way for a more favorable public image.

Long-Term Relevance: A Blueprint for Redemption

In the years to come, “Based on a True Story” may be viewed as a case study in celebrity crisis management. It exemplifies how public figures can use art to confront and reframe pivotal moments in their careers.

Dr. Sharma believes the album offers a blueprint for future celebrity narratives: “It also underscores the enduring importance of authenticity and engagement in the process of redemption.”

The album’s success will depend on Smith’s ability to:

Be Direct: Address the issue head-on rather than ignoring it.
Embrace Authenticity: Strive for openness in his art.
Show Vulnerability: Display his feelings and what drives them.

Only time will tell whether “Based on a True Story” will be remembered as a accomplished act of redemption or a miscalculated attempt to rewrite history. But one thing is certain: Will Smith’s return to music has sparked a conversation about accountability, forgiveness, and the complexities of navigating public life in the age of social media.

March 28, 2025 0 comments

Health

Stralsund: Cold Blood | Film-reviews.de

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com October 12, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Content/criticism

As a businesswoman, Anette Viet (Johanna Gastdorf) tough and always shows nerves of steel. She could use that in the current situation. This is how her brother Hagen was murdered, Irina (Patricia Ivanauskas), the wife of her son Oskar (Max Koch), was kidnapped. Jule Zabek (Sophie Pfennigstorf) and Karl Hidde (Alexander Held) from the homicide squad are hardly making any progress in this case, also because the business family is keeping a low profile and telling Irina that she is just on vacation. While she is in fear of death in the cellar, BKA officer Polina Kross (Heike Trinker) into the case. The economic crime expert has had her sights set on the family business for a long time and is close to finally convicting the Viets. She doesn’t like the murder investigation at all, as it could get in the way…

Feel free to exaggerate

As at Stralsund three people got out, it was there ZDF-Crime series faced with the question: How should we replace them? The challenge was particularly great with the popular main character. In order to create as much contrast as possible, they came up with a very idiosyncratic new protagonist who constantly goes on her own. At the start The long shadow It was very annoying, you didn’t feel like seeing the new one anymore. At Dead dreams It was solved a little better, also because the focus was less on her. Now lie with me Cold blood the third appearance of the commissioner. And again we drove back a little. She now fits in much better and you get the feeling that you are dealing with a real team and not a self-realization trip by a socially incompetent egocentric.

She has something else to do instead. So the film builds a dalliance with the chance acquaintance Tom Kahn (Philipp Seidler), which later leads to an overlap between the private and professional parts. Completely coincidental, of course, as is so often the case in German television crime dramas. But the director and screenwriter are all about credibility Petra K. Wagnerwho was already responsible last time, is not. At Stralsund: Cold blood Everything is often exaggerated. There will be references to reality later on if illegal business with Russia is a factor. It’s not without reason that the BKA is moving in. But that doesn’t mean that a realistic film was made. The audience should be entertained, not lectured or informed.

And still tough

Sometimes it works better, sometimes worse. Kidnappings are actually a tried and tested way to give the audience a thrill if they root for the victim. Here, however, you always know how Irina is doing because she is constantly visible. You don’t really get the feeling that she’s in any immediate danger, despite the previous murder. If anything, the tension of Stralsund: Cold blood in that everyone can ask themselves who is behind the kidnapping. However, even that is grossly betrayed when we know that this has to do with some kind of deal with the Russians. An alternative is briefly brought into play. Nevertheless, there is less to puzzle about.

This doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem if the thriller elements were gripping. But if a film doesn’t really convince you in one thing or the other, there’s not much left to watch it for. Most likely, there is the tussle of authority between the homicide commission and the BKA, who investigate for different motives and make life difficult for each other. But that’s not enough. After all, with Johanna Gastdorf, who is in this week Murder with a Chance: Women in Black has already shown talent as a tough criminal Stralsund: Cold blood an actress who is always welcome. But even she can’t prevent the 23rd part of the series, which started in 2009, from being tough again and again.

Credits

OT: “Stralsund: Cold Blood”
Land: Deutschland
Year: 2024
Director: Petra K. Wagner
Script: Petra K. Wagner
Music: Oliver Kranz
Camera: Peter Polsak
Occupation: Sophie Pfennigstorf, Alexander Held, Johanna Gastdorf, Heike Trinker, Tom Keune, Dmitri Frid, Patricia Ivanauskas, Max Koch, Janusz Cichocki, Philipp Seidler

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October 12, 2024 0 comments

News

Booba, SCH and Ninho: the Gold Coast, the first 100% urban rap and culture festival in Dijon

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com September 11, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Vivien Becle and her team Christian Allex, co-founders of this new event that will take place on Friday and Saturday, hope to bring together 28,000 people every evening.

Large calibers Boba etc Child for the young wolves La Fève, Doria or Yamê, a hunting board Gold Coast Festival in Dijon, Friday and Saturday, announcing the color of this first edition 100% rap and urban cultures. Urban music par excellence, however, in the green setting of Combe à la Serpent in Corcelles-les-Monts, a few kilometers south-west of Dijon, is the Gold Coast – a reference to the Côte-d’Or – offers a line-up of about forty artists from the French rap scene.

The festival was originally planned on the old airport terminal 102 but, due to the success of ticket purchases – half by customers from the Paris area – the organizers chose to move it to a bigger place, with a camping area.

Enough for the 28,000 people expected each evening, attracted by a strong program. “It’s probably the easiest thing we’ve ever done. “almost apologizes Vivien Becle, co-founder and artistic director, who explains it with the “relationship of trust” woven by artists over the years.

SCH back on stage?

With his sidekick Christian Allex, they are used to working together, first indoors Recruits de Belfort, now at the Cabaret vert in Charleville-Mézières in the Ardennes. Two years ago, they also founded the urban music nights ANTDT (Antidote) in Dijon and Reims, “a springboard” for Golden Coast. And so they marketed their music with artists already proven on stage.

In their wallet, Booba – “A lot of dad rap. Like it or not, it’s been there for 30 years.”dixit Becle – which is long before the festival. Saturday afternoon, apart from “the Duke”, the public will be spoiled for choice: the Belgian Youssef Swatt’s (winner A new school on Netflix), the Marseille brothers of the returning Fonky Family, or the rappers Doria, Lala &ce and Maureen, the Martinican shatta ambassador.

The Marseille star SCH also announced for his first concert since one of his relatives was shot and killed and another seriously injured on August 26 outside a nightclub in La Grande-Motte, in southern France, where he was coming to meet.

After canceling two dates after this shooting, an interpreter saidOtto will he return to the stage in Dijon? “We know that every artist wants to play here and the programs do not change”sweeps away Vivien Becle.

All rap culture

Friday night will be celebrated by artists in their twenties – La Fève, Yvnnis or Favé – and finished with Ninho, a hit machine from the album Destin in 2019. The visitors of the festival will be young, even just teenagers, but the organizers want “counter” advance comments: “Young people who party, who have no respect, that’s not what it’s all about”assured Vivien Becle.

And if the public is there, it is because the proposal is full “lack”according to him. “We still have to remember that France is the number 2 market in the world for rap, behind the United States. It was a real anomaly not to be at a big festival that represented rap cultures as a whole.like the Ardentes in Belgium.

The event is expected to be a crossroads of urban cultures, including a 3×3 basketball tournament in the presence of players from JDA Dijon Basket and break dance performances by two schools, the Dijonnais from the style of Figure 2 and the Rémois from Studio 511 led by the former world. break dance champion Ismaël Taggae.

“Rap culture is not just music. It represents the connection with sport as much as sape culture, the decoration that can go with it, the dance…”he summarizes. “We try to take everything to mix everything: we shake the shake and bring the Gold Coast!

2024-09-11 18:35:04
#Booba #SCH #Ninho #Gold #Coast #urban #rap #culture #festival #Dijon

September 11, 2024 0 comments

Entertainment

Mum – Season 1 | Film-Rezensionen.de

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com September 6, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Content / Criticism

59-year-old Cathy (Lesley Manville) has to reorganize her life after the death of her husband. Her chaotic family is not much help to her. Instead of being there for them, she is more of the one who has an open ear for everyone. Only her good friend Michael (Peter Mullan), whom she has known her whole life, she can let off steam and let herself go.

No trace of sadness

The first season of the British sitcom Mum comprises six episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. Each episode is named after a month and takes place on a day of the month. What immediately stands out is the protagonist. Cathy, played by Lesley Manville, is simply brilliant at first glance and you immediately feel sympathy for her. Although Cathy is actually the center of the story and has just lost her husband, everyone is pulling at her and it seems as if she has to take care of everyone. As a grieving widow, she seems to have a particularly clear head compared to the rest of the family.

Although the subject of death and grief is important and dealing with it affects everyone, it is questionable whether it is necessary to make a sitcom out of it. The subject is addressed in Mum does not really come through and is rather covered up with bad humor. There is no sign of a grieving wife, a grieving son or grieving parents. On the day of the funeral, bad jokes are made, but not a single tear is shed, until Cathy allows herself to have a small emotional outburst behind closed doors in front of her good friend Michael.

Annoying and humorless

In general, almost everything about this series is extremely exhausting. The characters are very hectic and annoying, especially Kelly (Lisa McGrillis). Kelly is the girlfriend of Cathy’s son Jason (Sam Swainsbury) and speaks unfiltered and uninhibitedly about everything that comes to mind. Most of the time, nothing but nonsense comes out of it, which also triggers feelings of embarrassment. She simply has no spark of decency, which can make the series a mental challenge for the viewers. Pauline, played by Dorothy Atkinsonis a terrible and unsympathetic character. You’d think that Cathy is surrounded by idiots and is just too nice and polite to show how much everyone is getting on her nerves. Just watching it almost drives you crazy.

The only stability in Cathy’s life is her boyfriend Michael, who is secretly in love with her. He seems to be the calming influence in the series, not just for Cathy, but also for the viewers. But what also gets annoying over time is that Cathy is a real people pleaser and doesn’t tell anyone what she really thinks to their face. You wait in vain for her to finally hit the table and set boundaries. Instead, she confides in Michael behind her back. The only person she lets out her true emotions and even cries in front of. The moments between Cathy and Michael are the only bright spot in this sitcom and help to recover from the exhausting rest of the series.

A protagonist without a backbone

Everyone around Cathy is behaving in a way that is too much for her and she lets it happen. Instead of saying anything, she thinks to herself, which is clear from her facial expressions. Even though actress Lesley Manville plays her role well, this behavior unfortunately makes the protagonist unsympathetic over time. Especially in one scene when Kelly sneezes full force into her face and she doesn’t bat an eyelid. She just looks surprised and says it’s not a big deal, even though it would be a good reason to freak out. After all, Kelly is a grown woman, but she constantly behaves as if she’s mentally stuck at the level of a three-year-old. Cathy then wipes her face in disgust as soon as Kelly turns around. You start to feel annoyed by Cathy and can no longer take her seriously, even though she actually had the full sympathy bonus as the protagonist from the start.

Credits

OT: „Mum“
Land: UK
Year: 2016
Director: Richard Laxton
Script: Stefan Golaszewski
Camera: Ben Wheeler
Occupation: Lesley Manville, Peter Mullan, Sam Swainsbury, Lisa McGrillis, Dorothy Atkinson, Ross Boatman, Karl Johnson, Marlene Sidaway

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September 6, 2024 0 comments

Entertainment

Like big cats | Film-Rezensionen.de

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com August 19, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

Content / Criticism

Marc (Alain Delon) really chose the wrong woman: starting an affair with the wife of a gangster boss was not particularly smart. The cuckolded husband does not want to let it go and hires a few killers to take care of the brazen rival. But he manages to escape and finds shelter with the rich American cousins Barbara (Lola Albright) and Melinda (Jane Fonda). He wants to hide there until the matter has blown over. But it is not as easy as he thought. Not only is Barbara’s lover Vincent (André Oumansky), with whom she shares a dark secret. Emotions also run high when the two cousins take a liking to the attractive Frenchman, who soon becomes more than just a chauffeur for them …

Not a mental matter

Thanks to his fantastic looks, Alain Delon was an absolute heartthrob in the 1960s, who would have been ideal for big heartbreak love dramas. It is all the more remarkable that at that time and also in the 1970s he was particularly notable for his appearances in crime films and thrillers. Silent as night (1963), Four in the red circle (1970) or Mr. Klein (1976) are still exciting genre contributions, in which the alleged pretty boy also convinced in dark contexts. In principle, one can also Like big cats The Frenchman’s beauty is indeed an essential part of the thriller drama published in 1964, when all kinds of women lie at Marc’s feet. But it turns into something very ugly.

One thing in advance: one should not expect credibility from the story. The adaptation of the novel Joy House von Day Keenewho made a name for himself with crime novels and soap operas, is not particularly interested in whether all of this is realistic. Whether it is the breakneck escape or the encounter with the two cousins, you cannot question any of it. It is also not as if Like big cats challenge your mind in other ways. There is a somewhat mysterious atmosphere in the villa at the beginning, when it is quickly apparent that something is not right. But the cat is let out of the bag relatively quickly. It is less about uncovering the secrets of the past and looking for clues and answers in the remote house.

Unpredictable and profound

Much more important is the question: What will happen? Director and co-author Rene Clement (Night of fulfillment, Only the sun was witness) manages to create a lot of tension from the limited setting. This is of course primarily due to the constellation of characters. In Like big cats Four people, all of whom are capable of strong feelings, come together in a small space. Restraint, however, is not their strong point, which is why the situation becomes increasingly complicated and confusing. Possessiveness and jealousy arise, no one wants to back down or give anything to others. While the mood inside the villa continues to boil over, there is still the threat from outside if the gangster boss does not want to let go of his prey. The danger comes from outside as well as from within.

This does not mean high tension from beginning to end, Clément does slow things down now and then. But the story remains unpredictable, not least because it simply doesn’t care about anything. The rest is done by the characters, who have no scruples whatsoever. So it will be interesting to see how the whole thing ends. Like big cats It is clear that the film will not end well, for that to happen it would have needed characters that could be described as “good”. The question is more: who will triumph in the end and at what cost? A chic setting and people from the upper class meet ugly abysses from which there is no escape. At best it is possible to climb over others and kick them even further down. That is fascinating and terrifying at the same time – and still worth seeing today.

Credits

OT: “The Felines”
Land: France
Year: 1964
Director: Rene Clement
Script: Rene Clement, Pascal Jardin, Charles Williams
Template: Day Keene
Music: Lalo Schifrin
Camera: Henri Decaë
Occupation: Alain Delon, Jane Fonda, Lola Albright, André Oumansky, Carl Studer, Sorrell Booke

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August 19, 2024 0 comments

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