WYNNEWOOD, Okla. — The Oklahoma zoo featured in Netflix's “Tiger King" documentary has closed after federal authorities investigated it for alleged maltreatment of animals and suspended its license. The Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park closed to the public after the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday suspended the exhibitor license...
At the Oscars, 'The Cave' Aims to Provide Hope to Syria
NEW YORK — Home is a complicated notion for Feras Fayyad, the director of the Oscar-nominated Syrian documentary “The Cave.” His family home in Syria is believed to have been taken just weeks ago as President’s Bashar al-Assad’s Russian-backed forces seized the area. His family is living in temporary housing...
Khashoggi Documentary 'The Dissident' Lands at Sundance
PARK CITY, Utah — A searing documentary about the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi made its anticipated debut at the Sundance Film Festival, unveiling a detailed investigation into the Saudi Arabia regime and the companies and governments that do business with it. Bryan Fogel’s “The Dissident” was one...
Rock Star: After El Capitan and 'Free Solo,' Climber Unsure What's Next
DENVER — Rock climber Alex Honnold meticulously chalked his hands before pulling himself up to the thin ledge inside the climate-controlled climbing gym. He dangled by his fingertips for a bit and then fell back to the bouncy mat. Nice and safe. No heart-pounding fear of a 3,000-foot drop, either. In the aftermath of...
ValleyPBS Looking for Talented Kids with Country Style
Ken Burns, king of PBS documentaries, is putting on a live show and taking it on the road. He needs help from young people who have talent with a country twang. Public television station KVPT — ValleyPBS — has extended the deadline for a talent search that will put dancers, singers, musicians...
How a California Couple Transformed Dead Land into a Farming Oasis
MOORPARK — John and Molly Chester, a filmmaker and a chef, had made a decision that many urbanites only fantasize about: They decided to leave their life in Los Angeles and start a farm that would function in harmony with nature. Their family and friends thought they were crazy, but...
Obamas Unveil Slate of Series, Documentaries for Netflix
NEW YORK — Barack and Michelle Obama on Tuesday unveiled a slate of projects they are preparing for Netflix, a year after the former president and first lady signed a deal with the streaming platform. The Obamas' production company, Higher Ground Productions, on Tuesday announced a total of seven films...
Beyoncé Drops Surprise New Album
LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé has surprised her fans by releasing a soundtrack to her Netflix documentary "Homecoming." The 37-year-old superstar debuted "Homecoming: The Live Album" Wednesday, the same day a Netflix documentary exploring her historic performances at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was released. She was the...
Filmmaker Knew ‘Right Away’ Ilhan Omar Was a Political Star
Filmmaker Norah Shapiro explained how and why she made "Time for Ilhan" recently during Fresno State’s Cineculture series. The award-winning documentary captures the political rise of Ilhan Omar, who won a seat in the Minnesota Legislature before becoming the first Somali American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Click on...
‘Simpsons’ Producers Pull Iconic Michael Jackson Episode
LOS ANGELES — The producers of "The Simpsons" are removing a classic episode that featured the voice of Michael Jackson. Executive producer James L. Brooks told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday "it feels clearly the only choice to make." He says fellow executive producers Matt Groening and Al Jean are...