Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut earns mixed reviews after Cannes premiere

Cannes, France - faced some tough initial reviews for as a director after it premiered in front of a VIP-packed crowd at the on Tuesday.

US actor and director Scarlett Johansson arrives for the screening of the film "Eleanor the Great" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on Tuesday. © Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP

Actors heading behind the camera is something of a trend in Cannes this year, with Twilight star Kristen Stewart and British actor Harris Dickinson also showcasing their first feature .

Johansson appears to have found the transition more difficult than her contemporaries, with several critics' views on Eleanor the Great likely to make difficult reading for one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.

Film bible Variety called it "an unconvincing crowd-pleaser," The Hollywood Reporter said it was "wobbly," and Britain's Guardian newspaper critic called it "frankly odd" in a two-star review.

Screen was more positive, however, saying online "streamers should come calling," while The Times in London said it had "the jackpot combination of being tear-inducing and laugh-out-loud funny."

Lead actor June Squibb (95) won almost universal praise for her turn as a grief-stricken retiree who moves to New York and adopts the personal story of her deceased best friend who survived the Holocaust.

"It's a film about many things: it's about friendship, it's about grief, it's about forgiveness. And I think those are all themes that we can use a lot more of these days," Johansson said after the premiere.

GAWDDDDD no matter the reviews are idc anymore this is a win for scarlett june and erin it’s alr a big honor to premiere in cannes 😭🫶🏻 pic.twitter.com/OkZuFbtifc

— ✧ (@cuntynat) May 20, 2025

Scarlett Johansson is the latest actor of many to try out directing US director, screenwriter, and producer Kristen Stewart arrives for the screening of the film The Chronology of Water at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 16, 2025. © VALERY HACHE / AFP

Johansson's movie is in the running for prizes in the Certain Regard secondary section at Cannes for up-and-coming directors, which also includes Stewart's and Dickinson's films this year.

Actors generally have a spotty record when it comes to directing, with Oscar-winning Clint Eastwood one of a small band to have succeeded when calling the shots on set.

Greta Gerwig, who broke through as an actor before hitting the directorial big time with 2023 hit Barbie, has also clocked up a string of hits.

Australian screen great Nicole Kidman lamented on Sunday how the number of women directing major box office successes is still "incredibly low."

Stewart might be one to watch for the future, judging by the rapturous reception to her debut, The Chronology of Water, a searing examination of child sex abuse.

"I can't wait to make 10 more movies," she said.

Rolling Stone magazine said the 35-year-old has "accomplished what she set out to do, with honors."

]]> YouTube star Ms. Rachel defends advocating for children of Gaza: "Your silence will be remembered" https://www.tag24.com/internet/influencers/youtube-star-ms-rachel-defends-advocating-for-children-of-gaza-your-silence-will-be-remembered-3387403?utm_source=indiatimes Wed, 21 May 2025 04:00:00 +0530 https://www.tag24.com/3387403 desk@tag24.de (TAG24)

At first glance, the Instagram profile of Ms. Rachel fits the image of an who has won millions of devoted subscribers for her sing-songy educational content for toddlers and parenting tips.

Social media star Ms. Rachel (l.) recently defended her advocacy for the children of Gaza, saying that it instead "should be controversial to not say anything." © Collage: Screenshots/Instagram/@msrachelforlittles

In a pink hairband and denim dungarees, the 42-year-old mother-of-two doles out advice on potty training kids and moral support for struggling parents – always with a reassuring smile.

So it was an abrupt shift last year when she began speaking out about the plight of children in , peppering her account with appeals for aid that sowed discord among followers and spurred calls for a federal investigation.

"I think it should be controversial to not say anything," she said in a recent interview with independent anchor Mehdi Hassan, of the backlash against her fundraising and advocacy.

"It's sad that people try to make it controversial when you speak out for children that are facing immeasurable suffering. Silence wasn't a choice for me," she added.

That compulsion has put a spotlight on the beloved figure in millions of households, the American early childhood educator and social media sensation known offline as Rachel Accurso.

The fallout comes at a perilous moment for children in the war-battered Palestinian enclave, where aid has only just begun to trickle in after Israel cut it off for weeks, and where aid groups have sounded the alarm .

But the backlash against her activism – which she has aimed at parents on social media, rather than in her videos for children – reflects broader polarization in the US over Israel's ongoing assault that has swept campuses, offices, and society at large.

More than 10,000 children in Gaza killed amid Israel's assault

More than 10,000 children in Gaza have died since Israel began its military campaign following an October 2023 attack by Hamas. © Bashar TALEB / AFP

In May last year, Accurso launched a fundraising drive that gathered $50,000 for Save the Children.

But she spoke also spoke tearfully about the vitriol and "bullying" that came streaming in the form of allegations of anti-Israeli bias.

"Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US – Muslim, Jewish, Christian children – all children, in every country," she wrote in response.

"Not one is excluded."

Allegations of anti-Israeli bias and antisemitism have only mounted since.

And so too the toll , where the territory's health ministry says more than 10,000 children have died since Israel began its military campaign following an October 2023 attack by Hamas.

A privately funded pro-Israel lobby group last month urged US Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate whether Accurso "is being funded by a foreign party to push anti-Israel propaganda to skew public opinion."

The organization StopAntisemitism, which describes itself as a grassroots watchdog, alleged Accurso was spreading "Hamas propaganda."

But it also acknowledged that Accurso had posted in support of Israeli children, including Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were the youngest hostages taken by Hamas and died in captivity.

Ms. Rachel continues to support the children of Gaza

Ms. Rachel has fiercely defended her support for the children of Gaza, saying that leaders who do not do the same "should be ashamed." © JAMIE MCCARTHY / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Accurso told The New York Times the accusation she is being funded by Hamas was "absurd" and "patently false."

"The painful reality," the newspaper quoted her as saying, "is that Palestinian children in Gaza have been killed by the thousands and continue to be killed, maimed and starved right now. The idea that caring about one group of children prevents us from caring about another group of children is false."

Accurso has deactivated comments on some of her posts urging support for Palestinian children. But commentators on other posts reflect the depth and breadth of emotions that have erupted over her posts.

"Love your show. Not your politics," one user wrote under a Ms. Rachel Instagram post promoting an interview on her activism. Another commentator says: "Ms. Rachel is a national treasure."

Among those voicing support for the megastar was Tommy Vietor, who worked with former president Barack Obama and hosts the popular Pod Save America podcast.

"Antisemitism is a real problem and cynically and dishonestly making those allegations for political purposes makes things worse, not better," Vietor wrote, dismissing the antisemitism allegations.

Accurso has ultimately doubled down on her support for the children of Gaza.

She recently posted images of her meeting with Rahaf, a three-year-old girl from Gaza who lost both her legs in an attack.

"We know treating children like they are being treated in Gaza isn't right morally and ethically. We know it in our souls and hearts," she wrote along with a picture of the two embracing.

"Leaders who are silent and not helping these children, you should be ashamed. Your silence will be remembered."