The past is ever present in our lives, so it’s unsurprising that many movies lean on that juxtaposition in the stories they tell. In 2024, the past casts an espe- cially big shadow across films like “The Brutalist,” “Gladiator II,” “The Piano Lesson,” “Conclave,” “A Real Pain” “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” “The Return” and even the comedy […]

Variety has selected its 10 Directors to Watch for 2025. In a fiercely competitive year, Coralie Fargeat (“The Substance”), Malcolm Washington (“The Piano Lesson”) and Halina Reijn (“Babygirl”) are among the filmmakers whose work earned them a place on the publication’s annual list. For 28 years, Variety has identified noteworthy up-and-coming directors making waves with […]

Danielle Deadwyler is a force of nature. The versatile actor’s career has skyrocketed in recent years, with roles that span genres and defy expectations. In 2024 alone, Deadwyler took on a staggering five projects, yet none resonated with her, quite like “The Piano Lesson.” On this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Deadwyler opens […]