Reverse Angle:
‘Wonder Woman’ has been banned in Lebanon.
‘Wonder’ ban
“Wonder Woman” has been banned in Lebanon because its lead, Gal Gadot, is Israeli.
There is a Lebanese law prohibiting contact with Israelis. And the noticeable uptick in censorship there has forced cuts in some films and banned others, including the 2012 Lebanese terrorism drama, “The Attack,” because it was shot in Israel.
Gadot not only served in the Israeli military (as is the norm), but has vocally supported military policies that would draw ire from many in the region. She has criticized Hamas, including calling them “cowards (hiding) behind women and children” on Instagram.
However, other Gadot films, such as “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Fast and Furious 6,” have played — and enjoyed success — in Lebanon.
From SF to LAFF
The Los Angeles Film Festival gets under way this week, featuring several San Francisco treats.
The music-fueled dramedy “Becks” bows Thursday, June 15; its brokenhearted protagonist is played by San Francisco native Lena Hall. The songs were written primarily by Alyssa Robbins, on whom the film is partially based. “Becks” also is the centerpiece film for Frameline, showing on June 21 at the Castro Theatre.
The Bay Area’s Ari Gold (the student Academy Award winner, not the “Entourage” character) directs and co-writes the comingof-age musical romance “The Song of Sway Lake,” with music by twin brother Ethan. It premieres at the festival June 21.
And the documentary “Mankiller” bows June 19. Its story of Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, is set mainly in Oklahoma, but made possible by her years in San Francisco. After being sent to the Bay Area as part of a relocation program in the ’50s, young Wilma became politicized in the ’60s.
“The San Francisco section (of the film) was just thrilling for me,” says director Valerie RedHorse Mohl. “Going back there to talk to people who had lived through the ’60s, you just realized how important San Francisco was in the history of our country and in framing freedom of speech and the civil rights movement from all aspects.”
Trivia question
Who was the first Native American to be nominated for an Oscar, and who was the first to win one?
Monster mashup
Adam Wingard, who helmed the reboot “Blair Witch,” has been named to direct “Godzilla vs. Kong” for Warners and Legendary. That’s a big one.
The well-received “Kong: Skull Island” (76 on Rotten Tomatoes) made $566 million, and the 2014 “Godzilla” earned a 74 and $529 million.
Although “Skull Island” makes Kong more active and powerful than previous iterations, one wonders how a big ape covered in flammable hair can hang in against a titanic lizard-thing with atomic breath. The tale of the tape has Godzilla with a distinct reach advantage.
Wingard made the fun “You’re Next,” but his “Blair Witch” was poorly received (33 on Rotten Tomatoes) and underperformed ($45 million). One hopes his “Death Note” adaptation for Netflix will be good, despite its apparent whitewashed casting — the popular Japanese manga and film series has been set in Seattle and cast with non-Asian actors in the leads. “Godzilla vs. Kong” is scheduled to open in May 2020.
Trivia answer
Chief Dan George was nominated for his memorable supporting turn in “Little Big Man” (1970). Singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie shared the 1983 best original song Oscar with Jack Nitzsche and Will Jennings for “Up Where We Belong” from “An Officer and a Gentleman.”