Hollywood International Filmmaker Magazine 2025-Spring by HiFex

NICOLE KIDMAN:

QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Issue 25 | Winter 2024

PUBLISHED BY:

Hollywood International Film Exchange ADDRESS:

6565 East Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90040, USA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Sandro Monetti

EDITOR: Jimmy Jiang

ART DIRECTOR / GRAPHIC

Robert Gottenbos

Edward Tang

IMAGE RESEARCH ASSISTANT: Chris Master Tang

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Kimberley Kates, Jimmy Jiang, Sandro Monetti, Robert Gottenbos FACEBOOK:

Hollywood International Express

TWITTER: @HiFilmExpress WEBSITE: Hi-Filmmaker.com

CONTACT INFO

E-MAIL: Magazine.HiFEX@gmail.com

Nicole Kidman

From Australia to the A-List

Powerhouse performer Nicole Kidman has left an indelible mark on cinema with a career full of bold, brave choices and a wide variety of memorable roles.

An Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe winner, she’s worked with auteur directors like Stanley Kubrick, Baz Luhrmann, Jane Campion, Gus Van Sant, and Sofia Coppola.

After a stunning international breakthrough in thriller Dead Calm, she left her native Australia to star in blockbuster Days of Thunder, alongside future husband Tom Cruise, and embarked on a Hollywood career highlighted by nuanced performances in films such as Moulin Rouge, To Die For, The Hours, and latest success, Babygirl.

Accepting the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award last year, Kidman said:

“It is a privilege to make films. And glorious to have worked with these storytellers who allowed me to run wild and be free and play all of these unconventional women. Thank you for making me better at my craft and giving me a place, however temporary, in this world. Thank you for inviting me into your movie families. Thank you for my childhood dream that became a reality.”

Always fearless, fabulous, and fascinating, Nicole Kidman is still at the top of her game, and her work will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

Sandro Monetti

BOND BARGAIN

BY SANDRO MONETTI

Amazon’s recent acquisition of the James Bond franchise is one of the shrewdest deals of all time. Even though the streamer paid a reported one billion dollars for creative control of 007, I say they got a bargain. The spy with the license to kill will prove a license to print money with new films, spin-off shows, and merchandise products. A Bond cinematic universe in the style of Marvel and Star Wars is surely the next step as Amazon expands the franchise. It is already one of Hollywood’s most financially successful properties, with 25 films over seven decades grossing $7.8 billion globally. This is no time to die for the popular film series. Instead, it is set for an exciting new lease of life.

OUR MAGAZINE TRIUMPHS AGAIN

For the last few years, this magazine has regularly picked up prizes at the ceremony which celebrates America’s most exceptional entertainment reporting.

This time, editor-in-chief Sandro Monetti won Best Headline, Any Media Platform for “West Side Snorey,” his pun on film classic West Side Story.

And in the visual arts categories, publisher Jimmy Jiang received two nominations in the best graphic categories.

The National Entertainment Journalism Awards were founded in 2008 to recognize the impactful work and creative contributions of U.S.-based entertainment reporters and editors across print, radio, TV and online.

Hollywood International Filmmaker was a winner again

NEWS

ANIMATION SENSATION

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has become a global phenomenon and now ranks seventh on the all-time global box office chart.

With earnings close to two billion US dollars, the movie is the only non-Hollywood film on that list.

It has also overtaken Disney’s Inside Out 2 to become the world’s highest-grossing animated movie ever.

A sequel to the smash hit 2019 original, the 2025 follow-up has performed spectacularly around the world where its universal themes of defiance and self-confidence have found widespread appeal.

Inspired by a Chinese mythological figure, Ne Zha 2 has won praise for its stunning visuals and compelling story.

Sandro Monetti

NEWS

SOMETHING TO SING SING ABOUT

A new financial model that pays a film’s cast and crew equally was pioneered on Oscar-nominated movie, Sing Sing.

“We kind of erased the line between above and below the line,” explained the prison drama’s director, Greg Kwedar.

The parity system saw everybody who worked on the film — be they behind the scenes or in front of the camera — receiving the same amount based on the Screen Actors Guild rate for a low budget film.

That rate is $783 for one day and $2,717 for a week, and each person also received an equity stake in Sing Sing based on the level of their involvement.

With profit participation checks having already gone out, and the film receiving three Oscar nominations, the parity plan appears to have been an undoubted success.

Sandro Monetti

BIG SCREEN

How to Get Into the Movie Business With No Industry Connections Needed

Big Screen Entertainment Group is offering a new way for anyone to be involved in the film industry.

Its new Big Film Fund (BFF) can see you own a share of three new movies and be part of the filmmaking process for as little as $100.

Those exciting films currently in development are:

Santa4Real (Christmas movie)

Miracle Ranch (faith-based)

Target Practice 2 (action sequel)

Investors earn a share of their profits from movie theaters, TV, streaming platforms and also own a part of the Big Film Fund trading platform itself.

With the ability to raise up to $75 million per year, BFF plans to ultimately finance 20–30 movies annually, creating a valuable film library and giving investors fresh opportunities with every new release.

The films will be picked from a selection process looking for the highest return on investment that has been developed using artificial intelligence with Big Screen’s partner, Largo.ai.

ANORA SWEEPS THE OSCARS

Independent film Anora was the big winner at this year’s Academy Awards, winning five Oscars including best picture.

The critical darling, made for $6 million, also took best director for Sean Baker and best actress for Mikey Madison.

Meanwhile best actor went to Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, which won three Oscars, just ahead of box office juggernaut Wicked with two.

SATURN AWARDS

The Saturn Awards are rapidly becoming the Oscars of science fiction, and the 2025 ceremony drew a galaxy of stars.

Among them were special lifetime achievement award winners, the Back to the Future team and Star Trek legend William Shatner.

Best Science Fiction Film went to Dune: Part Two, which also scooped Best Director for Denis Villeneuve.

CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS

Trophies were spread across a wide range of films, but the big prize of Best Picture went to Anora.

The reviews are in—and they’re all raves—for the Critics Choice Awards, which continues to be one of the best ceremonies in showbiz.

Other winners included Wicked’s Jon M. Chu for Best Director and Demi Moore winning Best Actress for The Substance.

Among those in attendance was our editor, Sandro Monetti, who caught up with Colin Farrell, his co-executive producer on the acclaimed short film Room Taken.

HOLLYWOOD SEEKING A COMEBACK FROM THE FIRES

By Sandro Monetti

The terrible wildfires which devastated much of Los Angeles early in 2025 also had a huge impact on the city’s film and TV industry. Productions were disrupted, locations destroyed and the blazes also left many workers without homes.

An industry already battling to recover from the pandemic, two strikes and runaway production is now looking to rebound with a massive increase in production volume.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed doubling the state’s film and TV tax credits incentive to $700 million a year while the Motion Picture Association of America is urging the program to become more generous and competitive with other states and various location managers have called for the pausing of permit fees for filming in the city.

One production already leading the way back is The Pitt, a hit new medical drama series from Warner Bros Television, which, although set in Pittsburgh, is entirely shot in Los Angeles.

Executive producer John Wells, previously behind hits like ER and The West Wing, said with the right organization a rebound for LA is achievable.

He told the BBC:

“The show has a terrific production group. There are great crews in Los Angeles. We have some support from the California credits, which is helpful, but it’s mostly because it’s written well and managed well. And the aspirations for the show are on a human scale rather than on world building. And that’s a huge part of what sort of forced shows into other places. I think there needs to be more shows coming back to Los Angeles. It’s very possible to do it efficiently and we just have to turn our attentions back to more human stories.”

TV icon William Shatner called for a common sense approach. Speaking at The Saturn Awards, he said:

“Having the right rules and regulations seems like the best answer to me. Removing the kind of restrictions that make it harder to film in LA will help bring work back to the talented crews here.”

DANIEL CRAIG’S LICENCE TO CHILL

As James Bond he was the epitome of cool, but Daniel Craig has revealed he’s actually a nervous wreck each time he steps on a film set.

“The first day you are always shi—ing yourself as you think you can’t act anymore and don’t know how you’ll get through it,” admits the British star.

That was certainly the case on his latest film, Queer, a radical departure from 007 in which he plays a troubled gay writer.

But he rose to the challenge so well that Craig has received some of the best reviews of his career for the part, along with several award nominations.

“To be offered a character that is properly complicated was wonderful. It’s rare you get a character as layered as this and you just want to do it justice,” he said.

In order to do so, he worked with an acting coach, as he does on many movies despite his years of experience.

“I still have an awful lot to learn,” Daniel explained.

But even the nomination and praise for this performance have not cured his confidence issues on set.

Craig added: “If you ask any actor if they are feeling secure in a part, you’re out of your mind!”

Nervous or not, he’s always impressed on screen — as these pictures over the following pages from his greatest screen roles show.

Sandro Monetti

“I’D LIKE TO SEE MERYL STREEP DO BAYWATCH!”

Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson is basking in the best reviews of her life after finally getting the chance to show off her acting talent.

She never doubted her ability to pull off a performance like the one she gives as an ageing Vegas dancer in The Last Showgirl but Pam was beginning to fear never getting the opportunity.

“I had to wait until the age of 57 to get a really good script and I take great joy in this one,” she told me over lunch in Beverly Hills.

“I’m trained in Stanislavsky and the Method but hadn’t had a role like this before. I’d like to see Meryl Streep do Baywatch!”

Pamela received her first Golden Globe Best Actress nomination for her performance as a veteran showgirl facing an uncertain future when her show closes.

“To find a role like this to play at this part of my life was an honor and shows you should never give up on your dreams.”

“Looking back on my career I can see I could have made different choices but you need experiences to understand that and I realize everything in my life was worth it.”

ZIMMER FRAMES THE FUTURE

Movie music maestro Hans Zimmer may have reached retirement age but has no plans to call it quits despite all his success.

“The hunger is still there,” says the Oscar-winning composer of some of the most memorable film scores of recent times. “I can’t stop and go and live in Capri.”

And he’s equally determined never to repeat himself.

“With each film I try to reinvent myself,” he explained. “I feel it’s my duty to move music forward.”

The German genius has composed music for more than 150 movies including the Dune films, The Dark Knight trilogy, the Pirates of the Caribbean pictures, The Lion King and Gladiator.

Next he will be scoring F1, the motor racing movie starring Brad Pitt.

INSPIRED J.LO REACHES A NEW HIGH

By Sandro Monetti

Jennifer Lopez drew from her own life to give her most acclaimed acting performance in years.

The superstar has won rave reviews for Unstoppable, in which she plays a real-life mother who overcame a bad marriage to support her disabled son in his successful quest to become a wrestling champion.

Explaining the authenticity of her performance, J.Lo said:

“I understand some of the dynamics of difficult and challenging relationships.”

She also told Hollywood International Filmmaker magazine that playing the mother of one-legged wrestler Anthony Robles reconfirmed her belief in never quitting even when the odds are against you.

“This film inspired me,” she added. “I feel really proud to help tell his story. It makes me feel more inspired about my own life and I hope as this film rolls out that the whole world will feel the same.

I think the world is a better place the more people know Anthony’s story.”

HUGH’S HORROR SHOW

Romantic comedy icon Hugh Grant is relishing his recent run of villainous roles.

Horror film Heretic is the latest in a string of bad guy parts as the Brit moves away from the roles that first made him famous.

“This is my seventh damn narcissist in a row,” he says, with no complaints.

“Audiences are always going to be more drawn to the baddie. They are fascinated by them. Just like some women are drawn to the bad guy not the good guy and no one knows why.”

Few of the roles have been as creepy as the unhinged religious zealot he plays in Heretic, and despite being famously picky over roles, he didn’t hesitate over taking this one.

“I thought how cool to try that,” said Hugh.

The decision paid off as Grant has received a string of best actor nominations for the chilling performance.

“I thought how cool to try that,”

HOORAY FOR BROLLYWOOD

London has lately become the world’s filmmaking hub with a string of major movies being shot in the rainy city affectionately dubbed “Brollywood” by umbrella-clutching crew members.

Wicked, The Fantastic Four, and new films starring Tom Cruise and Julia Roberts are among the recent blockbusters made there.

The momentum is powered by the British government’s tax breaks for moviemakers which has allowed film companies to offset tens of millions of dollars in costs.

Other factors are the deep talent pool the UK is famous for on both sides of the camera, along with the massive stages and sets at iconic studios like Pinewood, Elstree, and Shepperton.

Hollywood has always been the traditional home of movies, but it’s Brollywood where the action is now!

The Picasso of the East

Acclaimed documentary movie Of Color and Ink has won a string of film festival prizes for its beautifully told story of the artist considered China’s most important painter of the 20th Century.

Chang Dai-chien was known as the “Picasso of the East” and had an indelible influence on contemporary art history.

But little was known in the Western world about his art and life until this film’s rollout around the world.

Of Color and Ink follows his global travels on a quest to find both a utopia of life and the ultimate truth of art.

Chang’s paintings can be found in top museums, galleries, and private collections around the world, and the late artist now has a prestige film devoted to him, which looks set to cement his legacy.

By Sandro Monetti

Harrison Ford joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe and gives it just the class and charisma it needed with a great turn here as a newly elected US President hiding a big secret. He overshadows Anthony Mackie in the title role but then few have ever been able to hold the screen as well as box office superstar Ford.

It’s one of the great Oscar injustices in history that Marianne Jean-Baptiste wasn’t even nominated for this remarkable performance as a bitter, angry and depressed Londoner who takes out her frustrations not just on her family but also on everyone she meets. It’s a testament to her talent that she also finds plenty of comedy in such a dramatic role. Sometimes hard to watch but impossible to forget.

CAPTIAN AMERICA

HARD TRUTHS

ONE VOICE

Fascinating and emotional documentary in which Native American actor Michael Spears talks about the past, present and future of his Lakota Sioux community. A glimpse inside a culture often overlooked by film, director Cyril Morin tells a compelling tale.

FLIGHT RISK

One of the most tense, taut action films of the year, Mel Gibson directs Mark Wahlberg in this mid-air thriller. To reveal too much would spoil the plot but let’s just say that not everyone in this story about a pilot transporting a fugitive to a trial is who they appear to be.

PADDINGTON IN PERU

Although not as good as the first two Paddington films, the lovable bear’s third cinematic adventure – which follows a trip home to find his missing aunt – is still better than most family films. That’s because it has so much heart and a wonderful ending that really tugs at the heartstrings.

THAT SINKING FEELING

Oneof the most remarkable untold stories from World War II is revealed at last in the extraordinary documentary film, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru.

The title refers to a Japanese ship carrying British prisoners of war that was unwittingly torpedoed by an American submarine in 1942, only for Chinese fishermen to race to the rescue and pluck many of the Brits out of the water and take them to safety.

The story behind the sinking might never have been known but for Chinese marine technologist and history buff turned filmmaker Fang Li, who spent years locating the wreckage of the sunken vessel and then making a movie about its secrets.

Hewas able to track down some of the survivors and their relatives and combined that emotional interview footage with animated reconstructions of the sinking to tell the haunting tale.

The documentary reveals how as the ship began to sink, Japanese military on board sealed in the POWs, leaving them to die while they abandoned ship. But many prisoners were able to break out and fling themselves into the water where Chinese fishermen came to their aid.

In the movie’s most emotional scene, relatives of the survivors are able to travel to China and personally thank one of the still-living fishermen who came to the rescue that fateful day.