Janet Jackson and Paris Jackson 16 years later
At the Tom Ford show in Paris, a heartwarming moment unfolded when Paris Jackson joyfully ran into the arms of her aunt, Janet Jackson. The two shared an affectionate embrace that captured the attention of onlookers, showcasing a rare and tender family connection amid the bustling fashion event.
Janet’s deep affection for her late brother Michael Jackson is well known, and her bond with Paris remains as strong as ever, reflecting the close-knit nature of their family. Witnessing the two together on the Paris runway was a beautiful reminder of love and support passing through generations, a sweet moment of familial warmth set against the backdrop of one of fashion’s most stylish nights.
Paris Jackson first gained public attention as the daughter of the legendary pop icon Michael Jackson. Growing up in the spotlight, she carved out her own path in the entertainment world as a model, musician, and actress. These days, Paris is focused on expanding her music career with her band, The Soundflowers, while also advocating for mental health awareness and environmental causes. She continues to be a prominent figure in the fashion industry, frequently appearing in campaigns and on magazine covers that highlight her unique style and influence.
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Wed
Ultimately, Jeff Bezos’ Venice wedding stands as a symbol of the tension between wealth, public sentiment, and societal responsibility. It simultaneously demonstrates the economic impact of celebrity events while spotlighting growing inequality and the questions surrounding true intentions behind such grand spectacles. Hope Jeff got the pre-nup in place.
Jeff Bezos’ Extravagant Wedding Sparks Debate in Venice
Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, recently tied the knot in a lavish ceremony held in Venice, Italy. Reports estimate the total expenditure of the wedding soared into the tens of millions, covering a fleet of luxury yachts, private jets, and exclusive event venues. While the extravagant celebration injected a substantial amount of money into Venice’s local economy, the event has also been met with significant public backlash.
The influx of wealth from Bezos’ wedding is projected to boost local businesses—from high-end hotels to catering and event staff—offering a rare financial injection in a city still recovering from economic challenges. Venice, known for its fragile infrastructure and tourism-reliant economy, often welcomes such high-profile events for the temporary economic stimulus they provide. However, this temporary windfall has sparked protests among locals who view the extravagance as a glaring display of wealth in contrast to everyday hardships.
Strikes and demonstrations erupted as residents voiced concerns about the environmental impact, disruption to daily life, and the moral implications of spending such an immense sum on a single event. The protests specifically highlight the difficulties ordinary Venetians face, including rising living costs and housing shortages exacerbated by tourism.
Adding intrigue to the event is Bezos’ bride, Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor and helicopter pilot with a notable background in media and entertainment. Sánchez, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, previously gained attention through her career in television and her high-profile relationship with Bezos. Their union has fueled public speculation about the nature of their relationship, with some questioning whether the marriage represents genuine affection or a strategic alliance in high society.
The debate over the wedding’s extravagance calls into question broader societal values. Is it justifiable for a single event to involve such excessive spending, especially when that money could address pressing social issues? Critics argue that while love may be at the heart of the ceremony, the scale and ostentation seem more aligned with cementing status than celebrating a personal commitment.
Ultimately, Jeff Bezos’ Venice wedding stands as a symbol of the tension between wealth, public sentiment, and societal responsibility. It simultaneously demonstrates the economic impact of celebrity events while spotlighting growing inequality and the questions surrounding true intentions behind such grand spectacles. Hope Jeff got the pre-nup in place.
OFF THE RUNWAY - SHOP
Is Ludovic de Saint Sernin the next Jean Paul Gaultier?
Known for his signature lace-up leather brief, the former Balmain embellishment expert launched his label in 2017 and has captured industry attention for his exploration of sex and sexuality through clothing.
Ludovic de Saint Sernin is a French fashion designer known for his provocative, gender-fluid approach to menswear. He launched his eponymous label in 2017 after previously working for prominent fashion houses, including Balmain. Ludovic’s designs are celebrated for their minimalist yet sensual aesthetic, often blending traditional masculine tailoring with feminine elements such as sheer fabrics, lace, and form-fitting silhouettes. His work challenges conventional notions of masculinity and embraces sexual freedom and self-expression.
The brand quickly gained attention for its bold runway presentations, featuring barely-there garments, lace-up detailing, and a focus on body positivity and diversity. Ludovic de Saint Sernin’s creations have been worn by a wide range of celebrities, including Timothée Chalamet and Bad Bunny, further cementing his status as a boundary-pushing designer in the contemporary fashion landscape.
His vision is not only about pushing fashion forward but also about creating a space where identity and fluidity can be celebrated, making him one of the most exciting voices in modern fashion.
Ludovic de Saint Sernin has been hailed as a potential successor to Jean Paul Gaultier, one of fashion’s most daring and influential designers.Both designers share a bold approach to fluidity, blending masculine and feminine aesthetics, often using sheer fabrics, corsetry, and body-revealing silhouettes to celebrate the human form.
Icon Global Polo Tour: A New Era of Luxury Polo Events Begins in the Hamptons
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Polo House Privé and Hamptons Polo House launched the first Icon Global Polo Tour on August 16 at the Hamptons Polo Club. The event featured top-tier polo, Argentine cuisine, art exhibits, and a fashion showcase by Pierre Blanc and LOVE Binetti. Attendees included New York influencers Richie Brown, Charlene Truong, and Brianne Manz, along with designers Paul Richards and Diego Binetti, and Argentine Consulate Ambassador Pablo Piñeiro-Aramburu.
Photo by GREENRICH
This blend of polo, art, fashion, and cuisine reflects the vision of the Icon Global Polo Tour, which will continue in Argentina this November, Uruguay in December, and Saudi Arabia in January, with more destinations to follow before returning to the Hamptons next year.
Photo by GREENRICH
Founded by Alexis Head, a key figure in the luxury world, Polo House Privé teamed up with Hamptons Polo House CEO Facundo Rawson to create this exclusive tour. The Icon Global Polo Tour offers invitation-only events at private venues, showcasing the unique appeal of each location to a select group of polo fans.
Alexis Head said, "It was an honor to launch the Icon Global Polo Tour in the Hamptons, a place that embodies luxury, elegance, and equestrian tradition. This event marks the start of a new chapter, bringing together the finest elements of polo and lifestyle in some of the world's most extraordinary locations."
For more information visit:
www.polohouseprive.com/experiences and www.iconglobalpolotour.com
About Polo House Privé
Polo House Privé is a global networking platform dedicated to fostering connections among polo players, patrons, and enthusiasts. Founded by Alexis Head, Polo House Privé seamlessly merges world-class sport with luxury hospitality, hosting exclusive events centered around polo, art, fashion, and gourmet experiences. For more information www.polohouseprive.com @polohouseprive info@polohouseprive.com
About Hamptons Polo House LLC
Hamptons Polo House LLC specializes in curating high-goal polo matches and luxury hospitality events throughout the year. With over three decades of expertise in the polo and events industry, Hamptons Polo House LLC brings an unparalleled level of sophistication and excellence to its high-end polo experiences. For more information visit, www.hamptonspolohouse.com @hamptospolohouse
About Baja California Sur, Mexico
Baja California Sur, Mexico situated at the southern tip of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, is one of the most diverse tourist destinations in the world. Nestled between the shores of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, it boasts a magical mix of desert landscapes, beaches, and mountains with luxurious resorts and spas, delicious cuisine, spectacular golf courses, and lush nature. For more information visit https://www.visitloscabos.travel/ and https://visitbajasur.travel/
About Final USPA 16 Goal Hamptons Cup Teams:
La Magnolia (score 13) - Luca Natella, Antonio Aguerre, Santiago Llavallol, Victorino Ruiz Jorba
Triangulo Senvest (score 12) - Richard Mashaal, Joao Souzarahna, Facu Llosa, Pedro Falabella
Feast amidst the plaque
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We get it, Indian weddings are known for their grandeur and elaborate celebrations that typically span multiple days. Its wonderful celebrations are often attended by large numbers of guests. The festivities are filled with vibrant colors, intricate decorations, sumptuous feasts, and various ceremonies that hold cultural and religious significance for the bride and groom. And that is all fantastic when it’s not turned into a PR driven circus, but held as an intimate occasion.
In a world where many are struggling to make ends meet and specifically in a country plagued by poverty, the opulent display of wealth by Ambani family stands starkly in contrast to the surrounding deprivation.
Lavish estates, luxury vehicles, and extravagant ruby, diamonds and emerald filled clothing, celebrity guests like Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Priyanka Chopra and many more serve as visual markers of their prosperity, drawing a lot of resentment around the world. A billionaire with wealth comparable to Ambani's in a nation as economically challenged as India represents a concerning discrepancy.
Some of you may say it’s Ambani’s money, they can do whatever they wants. Rumor has it that his wealth comes from exploitation of India’s weak institutions, corrupt politicians and masses. At this stage the wedding is a fiasco, it’s a feast amidst the plaque and another proof that people worship money and overlook everything else.
Wonder how they sleep at night while many go to sleep hungry?
Is Katy Perry stuck in the past?
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Celebrities play a pivotal role in setting fashion trends and influencing style choices across the globe. It is crucial for them to stay current with fashion to maintain their public image and appeal to their audience. However, it is equally important for celebrities to be mindful of their age and dress in a way that is appropriate for their life stage. Balancing staying fashionable with dressing in a manner befitting their age shows respect for themselves, their audience, and the industry they represent. Finding the right balance between staying trendy and dressing appropriately can help celebrities navigate the world of fashion while maintaining their individual style and sophistication.
Katy Perry's recent looks have sparked discussions about her style evolution, or lack thereof. Critics argue that she seems stuck in a time capsule, continually referencing past eras in her fashion choices. From retro-inspired ensembles to bold and kitschy accessories, Perry's outfits often feature nostalgic elements that harken back to her earlier career phases. While some fans appreciate her commitment to a signature aesthetic, others believe she could benefit from a more contemporary and dynamic approach to her personal style. As Perry continues to experiment with her image, the public eagerly awaits whether she will break free from her perceived fashion time warp.
Giorgio Armani to Host Next One Night Only Event in New York City in October.
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Giorgio Armani will bring his next One Night Only event to New York in October 2024. This prestigious event, known for showcasing the brand's latest collections in a unique and exclusive setting, is highly anticipated by fashion connoisseurs and industry insiders alike. Stay tuned for more details on this upcoming extravaganza in the Big Apple.
“I am delighted to return to New York to celebrate this very important project. My time in this city has always been significant and has marked key moments in my career. The opening of Madison Avenue is an important personal milestone because it crystallizes my vision of style in the city that was perhaps the first to truly embrace it.”
Model Bella Hadid debuts a fragrance under her new brand, Orebella.
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Model Bella Hadid has collaborated with Celebrands to launch a fragrance collection. Named "Skin Perfume," this trio of scents will debut at Ulta Beauty on May 2nd. Marketed as an alchemy line, these fragrances are alcohol-free and infused with natural oils.
Celebrands specializes in partnering with aspirational celebrities to develop and market consumer products. The initial fragrances—Windows2Soul, Salted Muse, and Blooming Fire—are available in two sizes and require shaking before spraying to unlock their alchemical essence, as per the Ulta Beauty website.
"fragrance has always been at the center of my life—helping me feel in charge of who I am and my surroundings. From my home to nostalgic memories, to my own energy and connection with others, scent has been an outlet for me.”
Vestiaire Collective collaborates with Carine Roitfield as the renowned editor discusses her passion for vintage fashion.
Vestiaire Collective, one of the globe's largest resale platforms, partners with Carine Roitfeld. The former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris is leading her own magazine CR Fashion Book and consulting for luxury houses like Givenchy, Carine Roitfeld brings her unparalleled expertise to a new collaboration.
The partnership celebrates Roitfeld's discerning eye for vintage fashion, offering customers the chance to shop carefully curated vintage pieces personally selected by the style icon herself.
This initiative follows the launch of the site’s Archive Room, an ongoing campaign spotlighting iconic fashion pieces that have defined eras in the past.
The Céline Dion documentary seeks to "raise awareness" of stiff person syndrome.
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A forthcoming documentary about Céline Dion seeks to raise awareness about stiff person syndrome, the neurological disorder with which the singer has been diagnosed.
In December 2022 instagram video Céline Dion disclosed her battle with stiff person syndrome to fans, revealing that the spasms associated with the condition "affect every aspect of my daily life." This prevented Dion from performing, leading to the cancellation of all future tour dates in May 2023.
“This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me,” Dion said in a statement. “As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans. During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life to help others who share this diagnosis.” She added that she hopes the film will “raise awareness of this little-known condition”.
The upcoming film is directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Irene Taylor, known for her work on the Hulu documentary "Leave No Trace: A Hidden History of the Boy Scouts" and HBO's "Trees and Other Entanglements."
The documentary is yet to receive a release date.
The Future of Ballet Starts at San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco boasts glamourous tourist attractions, attractive city views, and pastel homes. And occasionally residents are treated to fashion filled events like the San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala that took place on January 19th at the War Memorial Opera House. The event was glamorous, fun and energetic, featuring sipping champagne, hobnobbing, and the bid dance performance, among other activities.
The theme was celebrating the group's 90th anniversary, with Tamara Rojo, a professional dancer and the first woman to become the Artistic Director of the SF Ballet. The energy on the stage was unmatched, with performances leaving the audience wowed.
Before the final curtain fell, Rojo announced, "the future of ballet starts now and here." And truth be told, the journey was incredible. Present were viewers like Matilda Abbe, a famous Miss Tilly Ballet dancer and teacher who shared the aisle with other ballet fans, both new and old.
Performers included the talented Dores Andre and Issac Hernandez, who danced to Romeo and Juliet, extraordinary dancers Aaron Robinson and Yuanyuan Tan in Yuri Possokhov's Postcriptum, mindblowing dancing skills of Wanting Zhao in Violin Concerto, and Yuka Oishi's choreography, which featured 16 dancers performing Bolero, a French composition. Not to mention excerpt from MADCAP and Gateway to the Sun (World Premiere for both). This season is definitely not to miss. The future of Ballet starts now at San Francisco Ballet.
Astrological Prediction for The Month of December
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As hard as it is to believe, December is already here, and people have high hopes before the end of the year. This year we've had good and bad times and hoping for December to end with love, fortune, luck, health and peace. Read on to find out what December has in store for you:
Aries
For the first half of December, your hard work will pay off. Whether preparing for an exam, competition, or working hard to get a job promotion, you will succeed. However, you must be vigilant with the people you interact with because they can pull you down if you are not careful.
Taurus
Although your career business might face some difficulties, you will prevail because you will get support from your seniors. Healthwise, you might experience some health issues. For Taurus people in a relationship, December is ideal for proposing, marrying, and having children.
Gemini
You will succeed in your career and probably get promoted. However, watch your food and eating habits because they can affect your health. Avoid arguments with your partner because they can affect your relationship.
Cancer
Career-wise, December will be favorable. Your love life will be fine, but you must watch what you eat and exercise to stay fit.
Leo
Although you must work hard to achieve your goals, your career will progress. There is a possibility of arguing with your partner. Try to resolve your arguments via dialogue.
Virgo
You will deliver the desired profits or outcomes at your workplace. Bachelors can tie the knot. If you are in a relationship, spend time with your partner and resolve issues to avoid unnecessary problems.
Libra
Although December will be a favorable month career-wise, you will face some challenges. Maintain a good exercise regimen. Be cautious while driving and avoid arguments with your loved ones.
Scorpio
Business people will face some good and bad times, but overall, they will be okay financially. It is a good month for love birds to find love and propose.
Sagittarius
It will be a promising month career-wise because you might get a promotion, respect, and honor in the workplace. Your love life will be good because your family will live in peace and harmony throughout the festive season.
Capricorn
You can get desired results at the place of work, but you need to work hard. You can meet influential people who can help you in life. Control your speech and avoid taking work problems home. Otherwise, be happy because your family will be loving, caring, and cooperative.
Aquarius
You will earn respect and a good reputation at your place of work. You might get a promotion and a raise. To Aquarius people, December will favor your love life because you will create good memories.
Pisces
December will be a good month for your career. You will do well financially, be it in your career or business. For singles, you might get married, and December will be very good for couples.
Did She Or Did She Not Ruin Marilyn's Dress?
Kim Kardashian sparked outrage and caused quite a stir online when she graced the met gala in the famous dress worn by actress Marilyn Monroe when she serenaded late President John Kennedy on his birthday. Fans and critics like the piece's designer Bob Mackie weighed in on the controversial moment. Some sighted the gown as important memorabilia of the country's history and others criticized Kim for dieting and losing more than 15 pounds for the dress to fit. Kim only got to wear the dress for a short while to make the grand entrance at the MET gala steps after which she changed into a replica which she wore for the rest of the evening. Ripley's museum who had been gracious enough to let miss Kardashian borrow it, through their publishing and the licensing vice president put out a statement to dispute the claims that the dress was damaged. The vice president, Mrs. Amanda Joiner said in a published statement that the dress was in mint condition from the moment Kim stepped out of the chamber to when she got to the top of the steps when she took it off. At the gala, Kim got into the famous dress at a makeshift chamber at the bottom of the steps. Ms. Amanda stressed that she stayed with the delicate gown while it was in transit from the museum to New York and even during the whole event. Monroe wore the dress while serenading President John F. Kennedy with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” at a 1962 fundraiser. Kardashian felt it was a perfect choice for a Met Gala that had a theme of “Gilded Glamour.”
This week in the world of Celebrities
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Costars Wilson and Tom Hanks reunite at Cleveland Guardians game.
Jennifer Garner getting surprised by her childhood fave Donny Osmond for her birthday is so sweet.
Everyone in the Witherspoon household wears bunny ears for Easter. Traditions are important.
Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston wrap the filming of Murder Mystery 2 in Paris.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Spend Easter Cheering on Teams at the Invictus Games
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Spend Easter Cheering on Teams at the Invictus Games
Elsa Hosk is rocking her looks at Coachella
Ben & Jen Engaged Agai
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Old love does not rust. For the second time actress, singer Jennifer Lopez and actor Ben Affleck have gotten engaged according to CNN. Lopez shared a video where she appeared emotional, encouraging fans to head over to her newsletter " On the JLO" for the exciting news.
In the email Jen states, "CONTENT IS QUEEN In the spirit of that, I am going to share something very special and personal with you that normally that I would only share with my inner circle. It’s an early Valentine’s Day present from Ben. Watching it made me think about the journey of true love, it’s unexpected twists and turns, and that when it’s real, it actually can last forever.
This seriously melted my heart…
Zoë Kravitz and Robert Pattison Chemistry is Fire
The rumors that Robert Pattinson will be playing the latest version of Bruce Wayne in the highly anticipated upcoming film The Batman are true. The chemistry between Robert and his co-star Zoë Kravitz (playing Catwoman — aka Selina Kyle) is intense and that is according to Zoë herself.
In a new interview for Entertainment Weekly, Zoë shared about the instant connection with Rob during her screen test for the part.
"The chemistry read was really intense," she said. "Rob was wearing the Batsuit, and it was a proper camera test with the DP [Director of Photography] there and everything on a soundstage. It wasn't just reading lines in a room. So it was intimidating, to say the least."
Dutchess Camilla Will Get To Be a Queen
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Queen Elizabeth is the first queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee this year. This also marks Queen's 70 years of reign. In her message Queen said it was her "sincere wish" that Camilla would have the title of Queen Consort. "Queen Consort" refers to the spouse of a ruling king and would mean "Queen Camilla" as her future title. It is queen's "scencere wish".
“When, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me,” the sovereign, 95, wrote in a statement, released on Saturday, February 5.
Singer Rihanna is Pregnant! Baby Riri Is On The Way
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Last month has been tough for entertainment and fashion business. We have lost a lot of great talent like Andre Leon Talley, Manfred Thierry Mugler, Cheslie Kryst, Gaspard Ulliel.
Here comes a light of good news. Yes, Rihanna is expecting her first child and she is glowing. Singer and boyfriend A$AP Rocky debuted the bump.
The time is perfect for Rihanna. It is obvious how much she loves children and values her family. She constantly posts photos and videos her nephews and nieces.
Rihanna wore a long, pink puffer secured by one button, sort of airing out her belly. Is she telling us she is havinng a girl?
We are just going to have to wait and see. Congratulations to the singer, she will make a great mom.
Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Welcome Baby Via Surrogate
"We are overjoyed to confirm thaht we have welcomed a baby via surrogate. We respectfully ask for privacy during this special time as we focus on our family. Thank you so much", Priyanka shared on her Instagram.
The couple has been married for three years and welcomed their first baby. The name and sex of the baby has not been shared and fans are excited.
FILM: Real Life simulation Of Human Mission To Mars
In preparation for the first human mission to Mars, six volunteers take part in the ultimate dress rehearsal, living inside a year-long NASA simulation to understand the effects of isolation on the human mind.
In preparation for the first human mission to Mars, six volunteers take part in the ultimate dress rehearsal, living inside a year-long NASA simulation to understand the effects of isolation on the human mind. Following a crew of 6 led by female physicist Christiane Heinicke, RED HEAVEN director Lauren DeFilippo and Katherine Gorringe take viewers inside a year-long NASA psychological experiment. The goal is to unravel the human variables in team dynamics for future missions to Mars. Filmed by the crew members themselves, this immersive feature documentary reveals what remains when people are pushed to their limits to survive on a new planet.
Two HI-SEAS crew members in their “space suits” venturing out into the simulated Mars landscape. As seen in Red Heaven directed by Lauren DeFilippo and Katherine Gorringe. Photo credit: Brendan Hall.
Giulia: How did the idea come up to film something like this?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: We were finishing up graduate school at Stanford University, studying documentary film, in the heart of Silicon Valley at a time when space exploration and traveling to Mars had reemerged in the public consciousness. It was also the moment when climate change was becoming a more prominent threat to the future of humanity. We wanted to interrogate this new fascination with sending humans to Mars.
Giulia: What does this dream of living on Mars say about our culture, about human beings?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: We both were contending with how to imagine the future at a time when the Earth is in crisis. We live in a present full of invention and progress but also facing environmental degradation and societal fracturing. In a way, RED HEAVEN was our mode of expressing an uncertainty about what the future holds.
We were interested in the complex, human side of the story – the intensity of living in a place that is totally inhospitable to us as a species all the while being completely isolated from everything you’ve ever known. We felt that was the most fascinating part, yet it was being repeatedly overlooked in the race to get to Mars.
We started to research possible stories that spoke to this question and we quickly learned about the Hawai’i Space Exploration Analogue and Simulation, where six people would soon be entering a small dome where they would live isolated from the rest of the world for an entire year as if they were on Mars. We immediately knew this was our story. These six crew members of HI-SEAS were actually going to act out living on Mars, and they would be actually living in this world for an entire year – that was irresistibly intriguing.
Giulia: How long did it take to make the film?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: From concept to finish it took about five years. We started mid-2015, right before the crew entered the dome at the end of August 2015. And we finished editing in early 2020.
Giulia: Can you share a story about filming; anything that you found interesting along the way with your filming journey.
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: The production of RED HEAVEN was very unique because essentially what we made is a found footage-style film – but we didn’t “find" it, we collaborated in the filming. So in the first few months of the mission, it was just one crew member who captured all the footage for us. She would dropbox clips for us from time to time, but we soon realized that as the discord amongst the crew started to build, we were seeing only footage of her and one other crewmate who she was closest to in the dome. We asked the others to start filming more of themselves, and that opened everything up. They began to use the cameras as a way of expressing the intense challenges they were going through in isolation. It became an emotional outlet for me them, and we soon started to see their distinct experiences.
Giulia: Did the film change from your original idea for the film as you were filming or in post?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: We really found RED HEAVEN in the edit. Our original idea was to incorporate outside interviews and archival footage that explored ideas about Mars exploration and human nature. The more we edited, however, the more we realized we had to focus in on the story of these six people in the dome and that their intimate experience spoke to everything we wanted the film to speak to. At one point in the edit we got some very good advice from an experienced editor who told us the best thing we could do was to impose limitations on ourselves. So we decided to do an experiment: restrict ourselves to only working with the footage that the crew had shot themselves – no outside shots or interviews – and that’s when we really started to discover the film.
Giulia: What were the challenges in making RED HEAVEN?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: In a way, RED HEAVEN is a casting nightmare for a documentary. You need drama to make a film, and the people chosen for mock and real Mars missions are by definition low drama, because that’s what you need to survive this stressful lifestyle. So we found ourselves trying to tell a story about the least dramatic people you can find. But as we got to know these six wonderful people, we realized that they contained a multitude of experience, emotion and thoughtful reflection.
Giulia: What were the particular successes that you had in making RED HEAVEN?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: Our biggest success was probably getting access to this story. The researchers and the crew were very committed to the science and not at all interested in compromising that to participate in a documentary. It took building relationships with each person involved and matching their commitment to the project to be able to make the film.
This was also the first time either of us have produced a film independently, so there have been many lessons learned about pitching, fundraising from scratch, and putting together the right team to create an environment for a successful film to be made.
Giulia: Was there something special technically that you utilized in making RED HEAVEN - for example: your cameras or sound or editing etc… and why were these important?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: RED HEAVEN was shot with every camera imaginable. Inside the dome they were shooting with point-and-shoot cameras, GoPros, DSLRS, phone cameras – you name it! And we shot the landscape photography in 4K with C300s and drones. So basically we run the gamut of technical approaches.
Giulia: You completed the film before the global pandemic and before quarantining became an everyday reality in our lives, so it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the film through that lens.
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: We had just put the finishing touches on RED HEAVEN when our original premiere at SXSW was cancelled due to Covid-19, and suddenly the film was cast in a very different light. As the world started to issue stay-at-home orders and the words “social distancing” became common parlance, we gained a new understanding for what our subjects went through – living together while separated from the rest of the world, everyday a struggle against the pressures of boredom and isolation. RED HEAVEN asks questions that we are all asking ourselves right now, about what we can live without and what we really need to survive and thrive. Making this documentary has taught us about the unique ability humans have to adapt. That’s a true power that, in this unprecedented moment, we all need to keep reminding each other we have.
Giulia: What do you want audiences to take away from RED HEAVEN?
Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe: We hope that RED HEAVEN inspires audiences to look at their own fundamental needs as human beings, what they can and can’t live without, and that they come away with a question about why humans strive to explore and expand our boundaries. And when the credits come up, we hope everyone is infused with a love for Earth in all it’s natural glory that we so often take for granted.
RED HEAVEN is available now to rent or own on AppleTV and Altavod courtesy of Utopia.
