South Africa Cancels Release of 'Melania' Documentary Amidst Controversy
The South African distributor, Filmfinity, announced Wednesday that it would no longer release the documentary "Melania" in the country, according to the New York Times. The film, which was scheduled to open worldwide on Friday, faced a polarizing reception similar to that of Melania Trump's husband, former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Thobashan Govindarajulu, head of sales and marketing for Filmfinity, declined to specify the "recent developments" that led to the decision but asserted that the company was not pressured or asked to pull the film. "That was our decision," he stated, according to the New York Times. News24, a South African outlet, initially reported the cancellation.
In other news, tensions escalated between the United States and Iran, as former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that "time is running out" for a nuclear deal, according to BBC World. This statement followed a build-up of U.S. military forces in the Gulf. Trump referred to a large U.S. naval fleet as a "massive Armada" moving towards Iran "with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose," according to BBC World.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country's armed forces were prepared "with their fingers on the trigger" to "immediately and powerfully respond" to any aggression by land or sea, according to BBC World.
Meanwhile, in Iran, protesters injured during demonstrations were reportedly being treated in secret to avoid arrest, according to BBC World. Tara, a protester in Isfahan, recounted being shot at by security forces. "My friend told an armed member of the security forces, 'Just don't shoot us,' and he immediately fired several shots at us," she said, according to BBC World. Fearing arrest, Tara and her friend avoided hospitals and sought alternative medical care.
In other news, Alan Rickman's widow, Rima Horton, spoke out on the ten-year anniversary of his death about his battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Fox News. Rickman, known for his roles in films such as "Die Hard" and the "Harry Potter" franchise, died at age 69 on Jan. 14, 2016, after a six-month fight against the disease. Horton issued a warning about pancreatic cancer symptoms.
Finally, Kyle Buchanan of the New York Times speculated on who would win the Best Actor Oscar.
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