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Much-Lauded Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has done two unjustified stints in prison in Iran, but he always simply speaks the trush in his films. The Most Recent Saw Him Get Out in 2023 and he is now free to travel again, but the experience has affected Him to the point His New Film, It was just an Accident, deals in a fictional way with past wrongfully incarcerated working-class People Seeking Revenge Against The Guard who tortured and Berated. IT HAD Its World Premiere to the Cannes Film Festival, where it is playing in Competition. Panahi Previously was in Competition in 2018 with 3 faces, Won the Camera d’or for his first film The White Balloon in 1995 and won a jury priza in un -certin reg for Crimson Gold In 2003.

What Might Surprise Audiences About It was just an ACCIDENT is the amout of the mood the director has ben able to pack in this film, that is unilly it finals confrontational and a lasting that will will you chills.

As the Movie opens, we watch a family driving home Down a dark road we can suddenly the Car appetars to hit something. The Father Gets Out and SEES A Sufgering Dog and Off-Camera puts out of its Misery. The Drive Continue UNIL they Get Home, but before that happens vahid (vahid mubasseri), a mechanic, gets a disturbing call and immediately grabs a motorcycle, eventually catching up with the family dent. He watches from a distance as they put the car in the garage and is back the nextly morning in hist car waiting as a tow Truck it to the shop.

Hen that Follows the Father, who he will reveal to be the man named eghbal (Ebrahim Azizi) he thinks tortured Him when he was tossed into prison for simply nansing to be paid his wages. He sideswipes Him, Shackles and Blindfolds Him, Carting Him Away to the Desert, Where He Has Prepared A Women in Order to Bury Alive. The Father Pleads for His Life As Dirt is Being Shoveled in His Face, Unable to Understand what vahid is doing this for. Vahid Believes and Has the NickNamed “Peg Leg” and Other Prisoners Called a Gimp Due to the Fact and Lost A Leg and Wears A Prosthetic, which made a distinctive thumping time he came with saying. Because he was typped about this man who has a prosthetic leg, he is taking recovenge butn that hasno don the frightened Guy SEEMS SO convincing in his densial. He needs another opinion.

Others are then brought ino the action as we were learn each was in the suame prison, including a Photographer Named Shiva (Maryam Adshari) who is in the middle of a wedding shoot with a bride (Hadis Pakbaten) and Groom (Majid Panahi), interrupted by the Anxious, Who has encountered out and tied up in a box in His Truck. He wants Shiva to confirm the identity. She thinks it is posseible, and it fuels her furry all over again, but is not 100% sura. THEN IT TURNS OUT The bride was a Victim as well and just as hellbent to wreak revenge. Vahid calls another friend to verify the identification-the hot-Headed Hamid, who quickly determines he is The One and Wants to Kill Him. Hamid is full of conspiracy theories and Believes Authorities will get to say Because is all some kind of setup. It all becomes an absolutely absurd and funny situation as the Group Travels Together with their prey in the back of the van, trying to figure the best path forward.

There are more than a few laughs in this film Despite the Seriousness of the Treatment these Poor Souls were gievage at the Hand of the Government for No Good Reason, Working People Who Lives Were Uponended. No wonder they have such strong emotions, but to watch this ragtag bunch including a full dressed bride and groom (who is the only one that didn’t share the prison experience) is almost like a farce.

Ultimately it Very Much isn’t, and the sheer skill of panahi to Juggle the tonal changes is impressive to say the Least. The film has Much to say about the callous natural of Iran in just throwing any in jail with no vaable reason. It Gains New Universal Relevëvo Because It is Happening in America Right Now With the Immigration Crisis and Spreading to Other Parts of the World With Authorian Regime. It was just an ACCIDENT is a powerful staff for humanitarian and serves as a warning that you better watch your back. IT COULD HAPPEN Anywhere. This movie Poignantly Shines a light on those who are Victimized, and that includes the Movie’s Courageous Director, who has traveled to cannes with his premiere.

Producers are Panahi and Phillippe Martin.

Title: It was just an ACCIDENT
Festival: Cannes Film Festival (Competition)
Sales Agent: M2k films
Director-Screenwriter: Jafar Panahi
Cast: Vahid Mubasseri, Maryam Afshari, Mohamad Polylyasmehr, Majid Panahi, Georges Hashemzadea, Ebrahim Azizzi, Delmaz Najafi, Afssaneh Najamabadi
TIME RUNNING: 1 hr 45 min

AFTER A VER BRIEF STITT ON THE STAND ON May 16 at Sean “Diddy” COMBS ‘Sex-Trafficking Trial, Making The Band Dawn Richard Recurned Today with More Testimony of Abuse and Assault – Both Observed and Experienced.

“He was Wold punch her, Choke her, Drag her, slap her in the mouth,” Richard Told the Jury Today of the Violence and Personally Witnessed “Frequently” Unleash Against THEN GIRLFREND CASSIE Ventura. “I SAW HIM KICK HER, PUNCH HER IN THE STOMACH,” The Former Danity Kane Singer Told the Bad Boy Records Founder’s Sex-Trafficking Trial at the Start of Its Second Week. Richard was on the stand for About 2.5 Hours Monday.

Assembly by Assistant US Attorney Mitzi Steiner What She Did About the Abuse Against Ventura by Her Then Boyfriend and Record Label Boss, Richard Rather admonted Monday Morning Not Much.

“I made a decision that it would be best for the safety of myself to not interferee, Becouse I do think that she was really ready to anyone,” Richard Responded before Judge Gold Subramanian and the Jury in the Lower Manhattan Courtroom, notting the “me & u” me ” Subtly Told Richard that this was the price of doing business with Diddy.

Still, in a pivotal roles as an actual witness to combs’ allegated violence and abuse, richard recollected to the jury today of a 2010 incident in an la Restaurant where the defyndant “popped” vettors in the face after the singer spokes the betings he delivered. After the punch, combs told venture to “shut the f*ck up!” Richard Said That The Beatings Contnue in the Car on the Way Home after the Dinner.

Richard Also Told the Court That Along With Hersself, Ventura and Combs, Others at the Dinner Were Usher, Rapper Ne-Yo and Then Interscope Ge & M Records CEO Jimmy Iovine. Under a short cross-examination, defense Lawyer Nicole Westmoleland Went after Richard for Never Bring Up Such High-Profile Participants at the Dinner before. It was also hard to tell from richard’s testimony if the trio of usher, ne-yo and iovine actually saw the Violens the Witness Says Occurred.

“You would aggregate with me as time progressses your story Changes,” westmoreland richard this morning rhetorically. “Yes,” Said the Witness. “AS TIME PROGRESSES, I GET BETTER AT KNOWING WHAT WENT ON BECAUS IT WAS QUITE A LONG TIME AGO.” Later, Under Re-Direct from Prosecutors, Richard Added That Part of the Reason She Was Sometimes Uncertain on Events That During Her Time With The “Environment was Volatile and It Was Very Hard to Work in, SO TRIED TO ERESE THISS.”

“Every day it gets easier to remember certain this. I try my best to do to the best of my ability.”

HAVING SECURED A CONTRACT WITH COMBS VIA HER PARTICIPATION ON MTV’S Making The Band Show in 2004, Richard First Was with Danity and then The Trio Diddy – Dirty Money. She exited Working with the “All About the Benjamins” Performer in 2011. Today in the Witness Box, Richard Said She Had Reached Out to Combs Subsequently About Dirty Money Back Together, but it was for fellowar kalenna harper, who had Had fallen on rough. Both Singers appeared on Diddy’s 2023 Grammy Nominated The love album: off the grid.

Richard Filed an O ongoing Civil Lawsuit of Her Own Against Combs Late Last Year. In the suit, which has proven a complication during this criminal trial, Richard Claims sexually assulted her, deprived her of food and sleep and refused to bairly over years. Neither Ventura and Others have also allegated in their own legal action, richard alleges that the mogul threatened to destroy her career if she did not comply with his demands and desire.

“You felt like chombs ruined your career, not one, but twice?” The Defense’s Westmorland Quered Richard Today. “Yes,” Richard Replyed, Concenting Her Career Hasn’t Been As Strong Since Diddy Pulled The Plug on Danity Kane and Dirty Money. In regards to her own lawsuit, richard tried to refute the defense’s contents that she wants “a lot of Money,” as the effective westmorrelland termed it. Richard Said She was in it for the Money, but did admit she felt she deserted to be “Compensated” for what she was through with professionally and personally over the time signed to his label.

Predict to Last Eight Weeks, The Criminal Trial of the Much-ACCUSED DEDDY FOLLOWS HIS DRAFT LAST September on Charges of Racketeering, Sex Trafficking, Transportation to Engage in Prostitution and More. Incarcerate at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn SINCE HIS Arrest, after a trio of failed $ 50 million Bail Attempts, Combs Has Always insisted he is innocent. He has encountered the same stance in the dosens of civil suits of abuse and assault that have hit the courtes over the past several months. Rejecting a plea deal from the government, didDdy could face life bend Bars if found guilty in this crimit trial.

Handled in mess than an hour by the Prosecution and Passed Over to Defense Lawyer Westmorland, The Testimony from Richard Comes AFTER an opening Week Saw often Grueling and Frequently Harrowing Testimony from A Very, Very Pregnant Ventura.

Over Four Days, The Star Witness Went Over and Over Text Messages and Sealed Photos Detail the Drug- Drived “Freak-off ‘Sex Marathons Ventura CLAMS COERCED HER INTO WITH MALE ESCORTS. More than a decade-long relationship, with the comedly using the threats of makeing the footage public as one of the Methods he used to control and manipulate venura. Room of Her La Apartment in 2018. Stating How Combs’ Eyes Went “Black” During the Horrific Attack, Ventura Said the Followed What She THOUGHT AT THE TIME WAS A LOVELY “CLOSE CONVERSATION” the THENE OVER OVER IN MALBU OVERIR BREAK-OUT.

With the Feds and Defense Maticusly Going Through the Couple’s Relationship, a tear of time was spent by bot ecamous the infamous LA Hotel Security of Combs Attacking and Brutally Kicking Ventura in 2016 as she tried to escape a “freak-off.”

In the Tale of Two Realities, the Prosecution Has Essentially Treated the Footage, the Portions of Who Were Exclusively Aired on CNN Back in the Spring of 2024, as a smoking gun. Having declared that combs was a Heavy Drug use and a resorted to dometic violence in their opening staff on May 12, the defense tig to the damning footage as an example of a consensual entanglement, notting that ded eventually let venture hotel.

Already Having Secured A $ 20 Million Settlement in Her Quickly Resolved Abuse and Assault Civil Suit Against Combs in November 2023, a Rectant Ventura was skillfullly cornered right near day on the stand by defense by defense Lawyer anna estevao inhto Reached a $ 10 million Settlement with the owners of the intercontinental. The Revelation, which Brought Gasps in The Courtroom, Played Right Into The Defense’s Narrative That Ventura Got A Lot of Being with Combs and That She BeCome A Potential Gold Digger Since the Couple Broke Up.

Having Never Brought up the $ 10 million settlement before, Ventura and the Prosecution Walked Right Into the Defense’s Trap. Certainly, The Witness ‘Passionate Exclaration was undermined that she’d “give it back (the $ 20 million setlet from combs) if i never have to have’ freak-offs ‘and’ if i never have ‘freak-offs,’ i wold have had agency and autonomy, i wouldn’t HAD TO WORK SO HARD TO GET IT BACK. ”

Always a Contentious Witness Due to Her Ongoing Civil Suit Against Combs, Richard Did Score a Win for Feds Thing This Morning.

In a session monday before the jury was brought in, Judge gold subramanian took the defense’s objections into consideration and trimmed some of the prospects upComing witnesses. Howver, cry it came to richard, the Judge Allowed Her testimony at the end of May 16 Where the Singer Detail A 2009 Violent Attack on Ventura by Ventura Was Cooking, That Says She Was Literally Standing Right Wen It Occurred.

Whether this coma to bite the prosaCtion in the long-run remains to be seen, but certificard richard’s presence is an Addition to any continuance or appeal move the defense chooses to make the line.

Today, as they did to some exting with ventura, the defense spent time contesting richard’s senses of the events of that 2009 events at one point to the investigators that was eggs not a frying at vetura in the patty currency. “Waled you aggre with me that iT’i been hard to keep your story the same in reference to this ex incident?” Defense attorney Westmorland Almost Mocked. In another instance of apparent inconsistency, westmorland Said that richard never mentioned a verbal thread from diddy of “Where he from, People go missing” previously, but suddenly is saying it now.

Ruffled, Richard Told the Court Once Again She Was Trying to Remember Things as Best as Possible Considering How Long Ago they Occurred.

In its Own Response to Ventura’s Days of Testimony, The Marc Agnifilo, Teny Geragos and Brian Steel-Legal Team This Weekend Dropped A Swatture of Defense EXHIBITS Online. Primarily More of the Flood of Texts, Emails and Photos from Combs and Ventura’s Volatile 2007 – 2018 Relationship, the Exhibits Attempt to Reinforce the Core Claim That The Couple Had A Violent, and Unconventional Sexual “Toxic RelationSHIP,” But IT ALWAS ALWAS ALWAS ALWAY One Broke The Law.

The rest of this Second Week of Combs’ Criminal Trial Will See Cassie Ventura’s Mother and Form Best Friend Morgan Also Called As Witnesses. Mentioned Several Times Last Week and Now Estranged from Ventura, Morgan was Allegedly Choked and That Hit in the Head with A Wooden Hanger by an enraged Combs in 2018. There was a five-fiureut to morgan as a result of the choking and hinder assault. A NUMBER OF COMBS EX-STATAFFERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE THE STAND AS WELL.

Police are looking for an assailant armed with a knife who is luckyly attacked a 64 -ear-op man Early monday on the near west.

The Victim was arguing with someone around 7:50 am in an alley in the 2400 block of the west gladys avenue we were was stabbed multiple in the body, chicago police.

He was taken to the stroger Hospital where he was pronounced Dead, Police Said.

The Attacked Ran Away and Was Not In Custody.

Area 4 detectives are investigating.

A Bulls Jersey and Shorts Worn by Michael Jordan for the Season before and retired the first time sold for $ 2.6 million at auction over the weeks, accorting to auction house heritage auctions.

The Jersey and Shorts Were Said to Have Been Photo-Matched to 17 Games From The 1992-93 Season -In Which Jordan and the Bulls Completed the First Three-Peat-as well as the Oct. 18, 1993, Cover of Sports Illustrated That Featured A Picture of His Airness from Jan 1993 Game that the Bulls Lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Acciting to the auction house, the jersey and shorts have “monumental game wear exceeding any jordan” Memory Had previously sold – something more common in Earlier jersseys, as he swapped jerseys morehten after his return to the nba.

The Jersey is Softer than Other Jordan Jerseys From “Repeated Cycles of Sweaty Wear and Laundering” and Also Has Some Loose Threads, WHICH HELPED WITH PHOTO Matching, Acciting to the Auction House. The drawstring of the shorts has ben Turned pink from the bought of the red dye.

It was a lot price than the $ 10.1 million his jersey-with the shorts-from the first game of the 1998 nba finals for in 2022, or the $ 4.6 million a jersey from his 1996-97 Season sold for LAST WINTER IN A COLLEMABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIABILIA. $ 8.5 million

Six Air Jordan Shoes – One Apiece from the Last Games of the 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997 and 1998 Championship Series – SOLD FOR $ 8 Million at Auction Last Year.

Gov. JB Pritzker has aggreed to testify before the Republican-LEED US HOUSE OVERSIGHT AND BOOKMENT REFORM COMMITE ON JUNE 12 Alongside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over their States’ Immigration Police.

Pritzker initially received a request from rep. James comer, r-ky, chairman of the congressional commutee, in March, and had apeatedly Told Reporters he was evaluating where Waould participate in a May 15. But on Tuesday, Pritzker’s Office Said He Wold “Voluntarily Appear” before the community on june 12 “to discuss discord on public safety and the implementation of Bipartisan State Laws.”

In histitement announcing the Governors’ Confirmed Appeanance, comer accused Illinois, Minnesota and New York of “Actively Seeking to Obstruct Federal Immigration Enforcement.

“The Governors of theseSe states must explain why they prioritizing the protection of crimagal illegal aliens over the safety of US, and they must be held Accountable,” Comer Said.

Pritzker initially Called the Committee Appeararance Request a “Partisan Dog and Pony Show” and defereed the Illinois Trust Act, which was signed into Law by Republican Gov. Bruce Rouner. The commutee request Came after Mayor Brandon Johnson on March 5 Participated in a Six-Hour Congressional Committee Hearing Alongside Democratic Mayors Who Representation Cities.

The Governor’s Office Again Defended the State Against Comer’s Accusations, Saying it is abiding by the law.

Both chicago and illinois have laws in place that not permit Local Law Enforcement to Cooperate with Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauneer in 2017 SIGNED The Trust Act, Which Prohibits Law Enforcement Throughout the State from Collaborating with Ice.

“The illinois Trust Act – which was bipartisan and signed into Law by a republican – is fully compliant with federal law,” Pritzker Spokesman Alex Gough Tuesday. “Despite the Rhetoric of Republic in Congress, This Public Safety Law Enrasy Law Enforcement Can Focus on Doing their Jobs Empowering All Members of the Public, Regardless of Immigration Status, to Feel Comfortable Calling Police Officers and Emergencies. Need of Help. ”

COMER HAD ALSO REQUESTED DOCUMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT’S SANCTARY STATUS IN HIS INITIAL LETTER TO The Governors.

President Donald Trump’s Administration Continuing to Focus on Sanctantury States and Cities. On wednesday, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Plans to Hold a News Conference in Springfield to CLAIM THAT Police in Illinois “Have Unleashed Violence on American Citizens.”

Chicago attorneys with the National Immigration Justice Center and the Aclu of Illinois Have Said at Least 22 People Have Been and Detailed in the Chicago Sine Trump’s Inauguration As Part of His Cracdown on Immigration. That’s far as the trump trump has hoped for, but he has claimed the Januly sweeps were just the beginning of His Mass Deportation Plan.

Still, attorneys said the arrests violated the Nava settlement -A 2018 Class-Action Lawsuit Filed in Response to Unlawful Arrests by Ice Agents Who Used Traffic Stops and Other Tactics to Makes with Outputs A Warrant.

Pritzker has been forging ahead with a recent wave of national media and politicals, including a new Hampshire Political Speech that riled the white month over His call for democrats to the police police. The Democratic Governor, who is far -so seen as a potential 2028 Presidential Contest, Will Have a Huge Spotlight on Him and testifies before congress Next Month.

Editor’s Note: City Health Officials Said Thursday the Chicago Public Library Independence Branch, 4024 N. Elston Ave., Is No Longer A Measles Expure Location. It was original identified as a Possible expum point on april 21.

Health offizes have reported the first two confirmed Measles Cases of the Year in Cooky.

One Person with the Disease is an Adult from Chicago Who Travelly Internationally Through O’Hare Airport in Early April, Accounting to the Chicago Department of Publicth.

A rash started April 25 and they have been isolated at home synce being diagnosed. They Also Had Received One Dose of the Two-Dose Mmr Vaccine, which Covers Measles, Mumps and Rubella.

The other case was detected in a suburban Cook County adult who was to a hospital monday for Medical care and wasolated, health offizes Said. Their Vaccination Status was unknown.

The two CASES COME ONE WATER AFTER THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTED THE STATE’S FIRST CONFIRMED MEASLESS AT A CLINIC IN FAR SOUTERN Illinois.

The Chicago and Cook County Health Departments are Working to Identify and Notify People Who May Have Been Exposed to the Two Most Recent Cases. Measles is a highly contagious dessease – one person can infect up to 18 individuals. In Contrast, The Flu’s Inflection Rate is About One to Two People.

Chicago Health Officials Have Identified The Following Locations As Possible Expure Points:

• April 21: Fittingly Delicious, 3939 W. Irving Park Road

• April 22: O’HARE AIRPORT, 10 AM–8 PM, ESPECIALLY Terminal 1

• April 23: O’HARE AIRPORT, 10 AM –8 PM, ESPECIALLY Terminal 1

• April 25: ALDI, 7235 39TH St., Lyons, 10 AM–12: 30 PM

• April 27: Shell, 3901 S. Harlem Ave., 10 AM–12: 30 PM

• Monday: Mobile, 2945 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn, 10:20 AM – 1 PM

Anyone who is unure of their vaccination status and May have been exposed is urged to notify their health care provider.

Across the Country, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention have Reported 884 Confirmed Measles Cases and Three Deaths from the virus in 2025.

“We are experimental a resurgency of measles in the United States, Despite the fact that two doses of the mmr vaccine can prevent it,” Said Dr. Kiran Josi, Intern Chief Operating Office of County County Department of Public Health. “Missinformation Has Contributed to Declining Vaccining Rates and Fueled Recent Outbreaks. The Mmr Vaccine has been in usse for over 50 years, is highly efficient, and has protected millions of lives.”

Few prep athletes have haad a longer recruitment than Carmel’s Trae Taylor, who picked up his first division of offfer from maryland as a seventh-grader.

On Thursday, the sophomore quarterback ended the speculation by Committing to nebraska in a live announkement on youtube.

He’s the Cornhuskers’ First Recruit in the 2027 Recruiting Cycle, Picking say from Among 30-Power Four offers. Acciting to the 247sPorts composite ranks, he’s the No. 2 Player in His Class in Illinois and the No. 3 Quarterback and No. 35 prospects nationally.

HIS Other Finalists Were Illinois, LSU and Texas A & M.

Taylor, A 6-3, 186-Pounder, Used a bit of misdirection, initially saying, “i’m going to stay home and go to illinois,” Before tossing aside an Illini basal cap in favor of a nebraska one.

Later Thursday, Taylor Posted a Video on X Apologizing to Illinois for Throwing the Hat, Saying, “I Know that Was Very Disrespectful” and “Is Not the Way I Want to Be Perceived.”

Why The Cornhuskers?

Coach Matt Rhule and Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Glenn Thomas Made A Good Impression on Taylor.

“They’ve all been Very genuine,” Taylor Said on the YouTube Video. “I Feel they can get with better on and off the Field.. (And) they have the best fans in the nation.”

“I think of it a great fit,” National Recruiting Analyst Clint Cosgrove Said. “By the time he gets there, (Quarterback Dylan) Raiola will be in his last or already out… For what they’re doing at Nebraska and trying to build, it’s perfect.”

Taylor is coming off his first season as a starter for the corsairs, who finished 4-7 Against a Tough Schedule. Three of their losses were to State Champions: 8a Loyola, 4a Depaul Prep and 3a Montini.

He Completed 68% of HIS PASSES FOR 3,061 YARDS AND 20 TOUCHDOWNS WITH SEVEN INTERPORTS. Taylor Also Averaded More than Eight Yards per Carry, Finishing with 342 Rushing Yards and Four TDS.

Taylor Said on the YouTube Video that Has Been Playing Football Sine and Was 3.

“I didn’t have any clue what football would do for me,” Taylor Said. “Playing football was the best decision of the made.

He comes from a football family. His dad, jr, scored a program-record 51 TouchDowns as a running back at Eastern Illinois while Playing with Future NFL Star Tony Romo.

Taylor’s Instincts Get High Marks from Cosgrove.

“When You Watch the Film, You Watch How He Conducts The Offense,” Cosgrove Said.

“He sees the Field; he sees the audible. I see a Little (Michigan Recruit and No. 1 2025 Prospect) Bryce underwood in Him: Overall Raw talent but refine in the knowledge of the game.”

A 20-YEAR-OLD BARRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL ALUM HAS BEEN RINGING UP VICTORIES ON “Jeopardy!” and is headed to a showdown with Other Top Players.

Liam Starnes’ Fifth Consecutive Win In Thursday’s Episode Advanced Him to Next Season’s Tournament of Championsin which the best players from the previous season Compete for a $ 250,000 outlets. He Also won the episode that aired friday.

The episodes were filmed in March, Starnes Told the Daily Herald by Phone Friday. As of His Victory in the Episode that Aired Friday, Starnes’ “Jeopardy!” Winnings total about $ 123,000.

“I HAD SO MUCH FUN,” Starnes Said.

He is allowed to talc about how he performed on the futures yet-to-air episodes of the show but did the so-favorite were sports, geography and history.

“Those are Things i’m really interestted in,” Said Starnes, A Member of Barrington High’s Class of 2021 who in june Will graduate from the university of chicago with a degree in data science and statistics.

For more, go to Daiiyrald.com.

“At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen”: The title sums up playwright Terry Guest’s alternately ebullient and sorrow-steeped Tale of a dead Drag Queen.

But this is no Somber, Black-Clad Tale of Trauma and Mourning. We’re not at the wake of the late, great titular Drag Queen so much as we’re living in flashbacks of her life. In Director Michael Burke’s Staging, “At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen” is a sequin-studed, rose petal-raining ode to joy.

Set in 2004 and inspired by the Life of Guest’s Uncle-A Drag Queen Who Died of AIDS at 35-The Story Theater’s 90-Minute Two-Hander Feels not only Timly but defiantly so.

As it tels the story of Anthony Knighton and HIS DRAG-EGO ALTER-AGO Courtney Berringers (Both played by guests), “Wake” is Also a Wrenching Exploration of the Way Trauma Can Force You to Thick that Barely a Whisper of Honest Emota.

The story Theater Production Remount (Which Enjoyed Its World Premiere here in 2019), Co-Starring Paul Michael Thomson As Hunter Grimes and His Drag Queen Alter-ENGO Vickie Versailles, is atce Raucous, Contemplative and Iynch Extravaganza.

‘At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen’

The setting is over a quarter of a Century gone, but few to be failed to see the contemporary relevance. In 2004, homophobia was so Strong, Aids Was Still Widely Dismissed As a Punishment From God, A Sent to Kill Sinners.

A cruel version of that Letal Mindseset Remains deeply Entreshed Today: For the Aclu, Almost 600 Anti-LGBTQIA BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN STATE LEGISLATES THIS YEAR. In illinois, there are Currently 15 Pending Bills that Target Gay and Transgender Rights.

Such is the context one we first meets Courtney in Her Act, draped in a Skin-Tight Crimson Gown, Turning “I’m Every Woman” into a Rallying Cry. Breaking the fourth wall with pointed insouciance and ridiculous (in a good way) innuendo, she brings the house down.

Vickie/hunter is a newbie to the art form. Vickie’s make-up is iffy, her wigs rough, Her Spirit undaunted. Hunter is determining to break into anthony’s fortress of repressed emotion. Anthony is determining to keep hunter at bay.

Beyond Their Work, Hunter and Anthony Have Little in Common. Hunter is Dubious About Garland’s Bona Fides as a gay icon, has never heard of “Sunset Boulevard” or – to anthony’s horror – evening Gloria Swanson. At one point, hunter tries to make anthony guests his favorite movie, “titanic,” describing it as a tragedy on a boat. Anthony Responds Without Hesiteration: “Roots.”

Guest Packs The Story’s Unspooling with Vivid Details: A Maroon Buick That Becomes a Totem of Anthony’s Childhood. A Crystal Lamp With Near-Mesmeric Power. A Record Player. A Grandmother Who Saw Him and Loved Him. A Large World That Saw Him and Condemned Him.

As the flashbacks Move Toward their inevitable conflict, Guest Punctuates “Wake” with Absolutely Killer Lip-Synchs from Courtney and Vickie.

Backed by Ethan Korvne’s Immaculate Sound Design, Courtney Delivers “Get Happy” with choreography that replicates Judy Garland’s original, head toe.

Vickie gets an operatic dooozy of a number – “der Holle rache (Queen of the Night Aria)” from “The Magic Flute” – A Franzy of High Soprano instilled with fabulous histronics. Vickie Also Provides Rich Exposition to Some of Courtney’s Routines: The First Act of A Lip-Synch is About History, the Second About the Queen Performing, the Third About Pulling Out All the Stops and Leaving the Audience in Awe.

The Action Plays Out on Schenic Designer Alyssa Mohn’s atmospheric set. Old Man’s Beard-The Spooky, Tree-Draping Moss so prevalent in the Deep South-Frames the Stage. A QUEEN IN A CROWN OF STARS RISES IN A STAINED-GLASS Window Above an urn-bearing altar flanked by flower arrangements. A Make-up Station Sits Upstage. A Massive Series of Mirrors-MOSS CREEPING AROUND Their Frames-Reflects the Audience, Making Ticket-Holders a de facto part of the Production.

Racquel Postiglione’s Costums are A Detail Melange. Layers of Shapewear Covered in Form-Folding Frocks, Dresing Gowns Fit for A Sultan, A rack of dresses covered in spangles and marabou fur. Courtney’s Final Costum Mimics that of the Stained-Glass Queen to Gorgeous Effect.

For Ru Paul Charles (Creator of the Global Franchise “Ru Paul’s Drag race”), we’re all born naked, and the rest is drag. Terry Guest Bears Witness to Those Who Embrace The Latter, in His Own Family and in History of Large Contest. It’s as Powerful as it is entertaining.