Now, Loren is reportedly in the running once more, this time for a standout late-career turn in The Life Ahead (La vita davanti a sé), adapted from the novel by Romain Gary, and directed by her son Edoardo Ponti. Recently tipped by Variety as a contender for the 2021 awards, the 86-year-old could become the Academy’s oldest best actress nominee while also breaking Henry Fonda’s record for the longest gap between acting nominations (41 years).

Loren plays Madame Rosa, a Holocaust survivor living in a southern Italian port, who cares for the children of sex workers – a profession in which she was once employed. Magnetic screen newcomer Ibrahima Gueye is Momo, the orphaned Senegalese street kid who snatches Rosa’s bag, only to have genially protective Dr Coen (Renato Carpentieri) force him to return it, and to apologise. At first, sparks fly between these two chalk-and-cheese characters, each proudly defiant in their own way. But the doctor seems to spy a kinship between their predicaments, and entreats Rosa to take Momo in – albeit at a price. As Rosa’s health declines (she is increasingly given to bouts of trance-like disorientation), it falls to Momo to become her saviour – a neatly inevitable reversal of fortune.

The main selling point is Loren, who combines world-weary abrasiveness with a sense of something softer, turning Rosa into a believably divided character who puts a brave face on the future while seeking refuge from the past in the sanctuary of her lonely basement. Possessed of fiercely expressive features that can flit between anger and enchantment in an instant, she commands the screen, closely observed by Angus Hudson’s camera, which is drawn (like the audience’s gaze) to the glint in her eyes, the imperious tilt of her chin.

As for Gueye, he brings a vibrant authenticity and confidence to the narrator role of Momo, capturing both the bravado of a youth drawn to the temptations of drug-dealing street life and the innate vulnerability of a child displaced (geographically and culturally), attempting to choose between parental role models.

You can see the trailer of the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ejncDxgCc&t=133s

source (review; video and picture): The Life Ahead review – Sophia Loren’s commanding comeback, The Guardian; Sophia Loren on “The Life Ahead”, CBS Sunday Morning, Youtube

A videó meghallgatása után próbáljátok megtalálni az alábbi mondatokban a hibás információkat és cseréljétek a videóban elhangzott helyes információkra.

1. Her career spans over 17 years.
2. The time for her to start filming again was a bit complicated but wonderful.
3. Sophia bravely mentioned her real age.
4. Sophia Loren is 87 years old.
5. Sophia says that everybody ages except her.
6. Sophia claims that she doesn’t look wonderful for her age.
7. Sophia’s mother was a divorced woman who looked after Sophia.
8. Sophia made this film because her character looked like her mother.
9. Sophia’s mother was brave inside but looked strong.
10. The director of the film is Sophia’s elder son.
11. His son, who happens to be a director, would be sane if he hadn’t chosen her mother as the main character.
12. Ibrahima Gueye who plays Momo, is an experienced child actor.
13. Ponti second-guessed his choice of Gueye playing the opposite of Sophia.
14. Gueye couldn’t see Sophia in the way as Ponti could.
15. Gueye lived separately from Sophia and her son during the shooting.
16. Gueye could look at Sophia Loren and see her as a star.
17. Sophia would have welcomed the interviewer and the staff for a pasta in her Italian home.
18. Sophia Loren was the second to win ‘the best actress Oscar’ in a foreign language film – Two Women – in 1961.
19. Sophia never doubts herself.
20. For Sophia every film she plays in is as if it was part of her career.

keys/megoldások:
1. 70 years; 2. was fun and wonderful; 3. She didn’t mention it but the narrator mentioned it later;
4. 86; 5. So does she, ‘me, too’; 6. she looks wonderful; 7. she was an unmarried, single woman;
8. Her character reminded her a lot about her mother; 9. She was fragile inside;
10. younger one; 11. He would have been insane/idiot; 12. It is his first film;
13. He never second-guessed it.; 14. Gueye could see her in the same way as Ponti could.;
15. They all lived together, under one roof to know each other better and create a bond.;
16. He could look at her and see an Italian mother as well as the star.;
17. in her home in Switzerland; 18. She was the first;
19. She doubts herself every moment.; 20. as if it was her first film

Vincent van Gogh

ARTISTS (1853–1890); ZUNDERT, NETHERLANDS

by Ellen Gutoskey

source (article; video; picture): Biographies, MentalFloss; Vincent Van Gogh Visits the Gallery, Vincent and the Doctor, Doctor Who, Youtube; Vincent van Gogh Interactive Exhibit in San Francisco Brings Art to Life, San Francisco Chronicle, Youtube

The Duke of Cambridge said he took solace in the Scottish countryside after his mother’s death and spoke about meeting his wife.

Prince William has told how both his happiest and saddest memories have taken place in Scotland.

The Duke of Cambridge said he was at Balmoral, the Queen’s Aberdeenshire home, when he found out his mother Princess Diana had died.

Giving the opening address at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the duke revealed how he found comfort and solace in the Scottish countryside in those “dark days of grief” in 1997.

But he also said Scotland is where he met his wife 20 years ago while they were at the University of St Andrews, which he said was a memory of “great joy”.

The Queen appointed William as Lord High Commissioner to the assembly, which is taking part mainly online with a small number of people at Edinburgh’s Assembly Hall.

He said: “Scotland is a source of some of my happiest memories but also my saddest.

“I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died. Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning and in the dark days of grief that followed I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors.

“As a result, the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep.

“Alongside this painful memory is one of great joy because it was here in Scotland 20 years ago this year that I first met Catherine.

“Needless to say, the town where you meet your future wife holds a very special place in your heart.

“George, Charlotte and Louis already know how dear Scotland is to both of us and they are starting to build their own happy memories here too.”

Talking about St Andrews, he said he spent four “very happy and formative years” there with the town and students leaving him alone “to get on with student life, allowing me to share their freedoms – and their pubs”.

“Scotland is incredibly important to me and will always have a special place in my heart.

“I’ve been coming to Scotland since I was a small boy.

“As I grew up, I saw how my grandmother relishes every minute she spends here and my father is never happier than in walking among the hills.

“My childhood was full of holidays having fun in the fresh air, swimming in lochs, family barbecues with my grandfather in command, and yes the odd midge.”

Over the next few days, the assembly will consider several issues, including proposals to reduce the number of presbyteries and the number of full-time ministry posts.

William began a week-long visit to Scotland on Friday, with the Duchess of Cambridge joining him on Monday.

source (article and picture; video): Sky News; Duke of Cambridge found ‘comfort and solace in Scottish outdoors’ after mother’s death, The Telegraph, Youtube

A cikk elolvasása és a videó megnézése után, válaszd ki az egyes mondatkezdéseknél, hogy csak az egyik befejezés igaz (A), esetleg mindkét befejezés igaz (AB) a megadott opciók közül az olvasottak/hallottak alapján.

1. Giving the opening address at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the duke revealed how he found …
   A. comfort and solace in the Scottish countryside in those “dark days of grief” in 1997.
   B.”great joy” in Scotland.
2. Their children …
   A. already know how dear Scotland is to both of their parents.
   B. are beginning to collect their own happy memories there.
3. During his four years at St Andews’, Price William …
   A. was allowed to enjoy the pubs.
   B. was given less freedom.
4. The young William could see …
   A. her grandma enjoy every moment she spent in Scotland.
   B. her father take pleasure in walking among the hills.
5. He loved the family barbecues in Scotland where …
   A. his grandma was in the centre of attention.
   B. his grandpa was the boss.

keys/megoldások: 1. AB; 2. AB; 3. A; 4. AB; 5.B

The historical drama Downton Abbey is set to return to the big screen this Christmas, it has been announced.

The original ITV series ran for six series before it was turned into a feature film in 2019, starring Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern.

It saw the central Crawley family and Downton staff receive a royal visit.

The film-makers said they were “thrilled” to welcome back the entire cast, plus fresh stars such as Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock and Dominic West.

Downton creator Julian Fellowes will return to write the screenplay for the film, which will be released in UK cinemas on 22 December.

Producer Gareth Neame suggested the announcement would give fans something to look forward to at the end of a difficult period.

“After a very challenging year with so many of us separated from family and friends, it is a huge comfort to think that better times are ahead and that next Christmas we will be re-united with the much beloved characters of Downton Abbey,” he said.

Set on a fictional Yorkshire country estate in the early part of the 20th Century, Downton Abbey depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants.

The TV series was showered with awards from Bafta, the Emmys and the Golden Globes.

Bonneville – who will again portray Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham – declared it was “good to be back” in a tweet that showed him sporting a fashionable face covering.

Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Penelope Wilton and Jim Carter also form part of Downton’s large ensemble cast.

source (article; video and picture): BBC News; ‘Downton Abbey 2’ Officially Announced I THR News, The Hollywood Reporter, Youtube

A következő feladatban a szöveget egészítsétek (A-E) ki a megadott mondatrészekkel (1-6), de vigyázzatok, egy felesleges  mondatrészt is tartalmaz a feladat.
A videó segítségetekre lehet a feladat ellenőrzése során.

Focus Features confirmed news A. …….. is already underway and announcing that the entire Downton crew including creator Julian Fellowes and all the original cast B. …….. .

The 2019 film — C. …….. since the hugely-successful Downton Abbey series ended in 2016 — followed a royal visit to Downton and D. …….. .

The film proved to be a huge performer, earning more than $194 million from a budget estimated at $13-20 million.

The sequel E. ……..  such as Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West.

Downton Abbey 2 is set to hit cinemas, December 22.

1. will feature new faces
2. would be back
3. assassination attempt on the King of England
4. sharing that production for the sequel to 2019’s Downton Abbey film
5. marking the first return of the Crawley family
6. making fans more excited

keys/megoldások: A. – 4; B. – 2; C. – 5; D. – 3; E. – 1; extra: 6