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'Train Dreams,' 'The Secret Agent' Nab Spirit Wins to Boost Oscars Campaigns

'Train Dreams' director Clint Bentley speaks to the audience after his film grabbed best feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, as it continues its best picture Oscars campaign. KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
'Train Dreams' director Clint Bentley speaks to the audience after his film grabbed best feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, as it continues its best picture Oscars campaign. KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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'Train Dreams,' 'The Secret Agent' Nab Spirit Wins to Boost Oscars Campaigns

'Train Dreams' director Clint Bentley speaks to the audience after his film grabbed best feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, as it continues its best picture Oscars campaign. KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
'Train Dreams' director Clint Bentley speaks to the audience after his film grabbed best feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, as it continues its best picture Oscars campaign. KEVIN WINTER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Period drama "Train Dreams" took home the Spirit Awards win for best feature Sunday, as both it and "The Secret Agent" gathered momentum ahead of the Academy Awards.

"The Secret Agent" notched best international film as its team hopes to win in the same category at the Oscars next month.

The annual Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony only celebrates movies made for less than $30 million.

"Train Dreams," director Clint Bentley's adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, follows a railroad worker and the transformation of the American northwest across the 20th century.

The film won three of its four categories, also grabbing wins for best director and best cinematography. The movie's lead, Joel Edgerton, however, did not take home best actor, which went to Rose Byrne for "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You."

"Train Dreams" producer Teddy Schwarzman told AFP the film "is a singular journey, but it hopefully helps bring people together to understand all that life entails: love, friendship, loss, grief, healing and hope."

"Train Dreams" will compete for best picture at the Oscars, among other honors.

Big win for Brazil

After "The Secret Agent" nabbed best international film, director Kleber Mendonca Filho hailed the win as one that hopefully "gives more visibility to Brazilian cinema."

The film follows a former academic pursued by hitmen amid the political turmoil of Brazil under military rule.

It prevailed Sunday over contenders including rave-themed road trip movie "Sirat," which will compete alongside "The Secret Agent" for best international feature film at the Oscars, capping Hollywood's awards season.

"The Secret Agent" will also be up for best picture, best actor and best casting.

Brazil's "I'm Still Here" won best international feature at the Oscars last year.

Other Spirit winners on Sunday included "Lurker," for best first screenplay and best first feature film.

"Sorry, Honey" nabbed best screenplay and "The Perfect Neighbor" scored best documentary.

The Academy Awards will be presented on March 15.

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Entertainment

Shakira Thrills Crowd of 2 Million with Free Concert on Brazil's Copacabana Beach

Colombian singer Shakira (C) performs during a concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 02 May 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO
Colombian singer Shakira (C) performs during a concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 02 May 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO
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Shakira Thrills Crowd of 2 Million with Free Concert on Brazil's Copacabana Beach

Colombian singer Shakira (C) performs during a concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 02 May 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO
Colombian singer Shakira (C) performs during a concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 02 May 2026. EPA/ANDRE COELHO

Colombian superstar Shakira gave a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night, an event that the city's mayor said drew 2 million people to one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts.

The performance followed similar shows by Madonna in 2024 and Lady Gaga last year, which also were attended by huge crowds that danced on the sprawling sands.

For Shakira, it was part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” or “Women No Longer Cry,” world tour named after her 2024 album.

Shakira's set kicked off around 11 p.m., more than an hour after the scheduled slot, to her fans screaming with excitement and frantic applause as skywriting drones flew overhead, spelling out in the sky, “I love you Brazil” in Portuguese.

The megastar spoke fondly about the first time she came to Brazil, some three decades ago.

“I arrived here when I was 18 years old, dreaming about singing for you,” Shakira told the crowd shortly after coming on stage. “And now look at this. Life is magical.”

The much-loved pop star sang fan favorites such as “Hips Don’t Lie,” “La Tortura” and “La Bicicleta." She ended with “BZRP Music Sessions #53/66,” which followed her separation from Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué.

She also took the time to celebrate women’s resilience during the show. “Us women, every time we fall we get up a little wiser,” she said.

People attend a concert by Colombian singer Shakira on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 02 May 2026. EPA/ANTONIO LACERDA

According to The Associated Press, Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said on X that 2 million people attended the performance. “The She-Wolf made history in Rio,” he posted, referring to Shakira's 2009 hit.

When Shakira first performed in Brazil in the 1990s, she established an amazing connection with the Brazilian public, according to Felipe Maia, an ethnomusicologist pursuing a doctoral degree in popular music and digital technologies at Paris Nanterre University.

That success in Brazil “has a lot to do with the fact that she comes from Colombia, a country whose culture has many similarities with Brazil,” Maia said, adding that Saturday’s performance “crowns the relationship she has had with Brazil for a very long time.”

Erica Monteiro, a 38-year-old accountant, said she has listened to Shakira since childhood.

“For me she represents the strength of our Latino community,” Monteiro said ahead of the concert. “We’re treated as if we were inferior but in fact we have much more strength.”

Heading home after Saturday's show, Hellem Souza da Silva said Shakira's performance, like Bad Bunny's concerts in Sao Paulo in February, helped consolidate Brazil's Latino identity.

These artists “are making it clear that Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia and other countries are part of Latin America. And that America is not the United States,” she said.

Entertainment

Netflix to Give Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Wide Theatrical Release, Marking a First

Cast member Greta Gerwig poses on the red carpet for the screening of the movie "Jay Kelly" in competition, at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, August 28, 2025. (Reuters)
Cast member Greta Gerwig poses on the red carpet for the screening of the movie "Jay Kelly" in competition, at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, August 28, 2025. (Reuters)
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Netflix to Give Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Wide Theatrical Release, Marking a First

Cast member Greta Gerwig poses on the red carpet for the screening of the movie "Jay Kelly" in competition, at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, August 28, 2025. (Reuters)
Cast member Greta Gerwig poses on the red carpet for the screening of the movie "Jay Kelly" in competition, at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, in Venice, Italy, August 28, 2025. (Reuters)

Netflix on Friday said it would put filmmaker Greta Gerwig’s "Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew" movie in wide theatrical release next year, where it will play exclusively for more than 45 days - a first for the streaming service.

Written and directed by Gerwig, the film is the first adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ 1955 book, which explores the origins of Narnia. It will be released in theaters on February 12 and made available on the streaming service on April 2.

This marks a ‌departure for ‌Netflix, which typically releases movies exclusively on its ‌streaming ⁠service. There have ⁠been some exceptions, including for movies with the potential to win an Academy Award. Movies must debut in theaters to be eligible for consideration for an Oscar.

Netflix said it opted for a wide theatrical release for "Narnia" because of the series' broad appeal across generations and geographies.

Theater owners applauded Netflix's decision. “This is welcome ⁠news," Cinema United President Michael O'Leary said in ‌a statement, adding, "Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia: The Magician’s ‌Nephew' is a movie audiences will want to see on the big ‌screen. Now they’ll have that opportunity.”

Netflix has shown an ‌increasing willingness to embrace the theatrical experience, last year releasing a sing-along version of its popular animated film, "KPop Demon Hunters" in movie theaters.

During the pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos also ‌said the company would continue to release Warner Bros movies in theaters and honor the traditional 45-day ⁠window of ⁠exclusivity.

"Narnia" was originally scheduled to be released for two weeks in IMAX theaters, starting on Thanksgiving. Gerwig lauded Netflix for opting to offer the film more widely.

"I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2,” Gerwig said.

Adam Aron, chairman and CEO of AMC Entertainment, said the nation's largest theater chain would "throw everything we have" to support Netflix.

"We are in their corner fully," Aron wrote on the social media platform X. "We are and will be all in."

Entertainment

Fugees Rapper Pras Reports to Prison to Begin 14-Year Sentence

Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, of the Fugees, performs during "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" 25th anniversary tour, Nov. 5, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (SP)
Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, of the Fugees, performs during "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" 25th anniversary tour, Nov. 5, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (SP)
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Fugees Rapper Pras Reports to Prison to Begin 14-Year Sentence

Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, of the Fugees, performs during "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" 25th anniversary tour, Nov. 5, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (SP)
Prakazrel "Pras" Michel, of the Fugees, performs during "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" 25th anniversary tour, Nov. 5, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (SP)

Grammy-winning rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel of the Fugees has reported to federal prison to begin a 14-year sentence following a conviction over illegally funneling millions of dollars in foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign.

Michel reported to prison Thursday, a spokesperson said, with federal records listing him as an inmate at a low-security correctional institution in Arizona.

“Today is a painful day for Pras, for his family, and for everyone who believes in a fair system of justice. Pras honors the legal process as he reports to begin his sentence,” said Erica Dumas, a spokesperson for Michel, adding that his legal team is still contesting his charges.

“This chapter is difficult, but it is not his final one,” Dumas said.

Michel, 53, was convicted in 2023 on 10 counts, including conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. He was sentenced late last year.

Prosecutors said he obtained over $120 million from Malaysian billionaire Low Taek Jho — also known as Jho Low — and steered some of that money through straw donors to Obama’s campaign. Michel also tried to end a US Justice Department investigation of Low, tampered with two witnesses and perjured himself at trial, prosecutors said. Low has maintained his innocence.

Michel was a founding member of the Fugees along with childhood friends Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean, with the group going on to win two Grammy Awards and selling tens of millions of albums.