Steven Spielberg on Why ‘Goodfellas’ Is an ‘Epic Masterpiece’ With an ‘Intoxicating Energy’

This essay is one of several contributed by filmmakers and actors as part of Variety’s 100 Greatest Movies of All Time package.

It’s no longer a guilty pleasure to sit for 2 hours and 26 minutes, but rather a master class for any aspiring filmmaker who wants to see a breathtaking balancing act of multiple storylines, timelines, shocking violence and violent humor. The film has an intoxicating energy expressed not only through masterful editing, but also the greatest needle-drop score since “American Graffiti” and the best spoken narrative since Billy Wilder’s “Double Indemnity.”

And not since Peter Clemenza instructed Michael Corleone how to cook for a crew in “The Godfather” has food played such a critical role in creating bonds that last a lifetime — or in this case, right up until the time you get whacked.

Everyone has a favorite Scorsese picture, and this is the one for me, in a photo finish with my other favorite picture of his, “Raging Bull.”

Steven Spielberg is the director of “Jaws,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Schindler’s List.”

Credit: Variety

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European Film Festivals Demand Release of Iranian Star Taraneh Alidoosti From Prison

The Berlinale, Rotterdam, IDFA and the European Film Academy, among other key orgs, have issued a joint statement on Dec. 21 to protest against the arrest of Taraneh Alidoosti, the beloved actor of the Oscar-nominated “The Salesman,” in Iran.

Swati Bhat

The orgs, which also include International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and the German Film Academy, are demanding the “immediate and unconditional release” of Alidoosti. The actor, who starred in four films directed by Farhadi, was jailed last Saturday (Dec. 17) after taking part in demonstrations to fight against the oppressive Iranian regime. She was also sanctioned for standing in solidarity with imprisoned Iranian filmmakers, notably Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.

“The imprisonment of Taraneh, of one of Iran’s most famous performers sends a clear signal to celebrities it will not tolerate any challenge to its rapidly crumbling authority,” said EFA Chair, Mike Downey, “We call on Iranian authorities to put an end to the arbitrary detentions. The Iranian people are being denied fundamental freedoms, among them expression and peaceful assembly,” Downey continued. He also pointed that “prominent figures from the film industry are being unfairly targeted along with lawyers, cultural figures, journalists and campaigners.”

The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk and its founding institutions, meanwhile, said they “(declared their) full and heartfelt solidarity with all those in Iran who stand up for their basic human rights and the freedom of expression and call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Taraneh Alidoosti and her colleagues.”

Farhadi, a two-time Oscar-winning director who is revered in Iran, has also urged authorities to release Alidoosti in a statement released on social media.

“I have worked with Taraneh on four films and now she is in prison for her rightful support of her fellow countrymen and her opposition to the unjust sentences being issued,” Farhadi wrote on his Instagram account. “If showing such support is a crime, then tens of millions of people of this land are criminals,” he continued.

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CES 2023 Showcases Diverse Conversations and Leaders

Arlington, Las Vegas , December 21, 2022: The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced a CES 2023® keynote panel, “Bold Solutions for a Changing World,” featuring top female investors and company founders. The conversation will explore how investments in under-represented founders are propelling innovation and having big impact on global challenges.

Swati Bhat

The Bold Solutions for a Changing World keynote conversation will illustrate how under-represented founders are innovating in a changing world and are revolutionizing healthcare, supporting families in crisis and enabling economic mobility.

“CES incubates the next big idea, connects funders to innovators, and gives the leaders driving change a platform to share how they shape a diverse and inclusive future,” said Tiffany Moore, senior vice president of political and industry affairs, CTA. “We take seriously our responsibility to lead by example, ensuring CES is open and accessible, and empowering the industry and individuals to grow.”

Diversity and inclusion is a central theme of CES 2023 and is taking the spotlight in Vegas this January. The Female Quotient is the official Equality Partner of CES, bringing its Equality Lounge® that unites a network of Fortune 500 leaders to collaborate and ignite breakthrough ideas to foster equality. Notable highlights at the show and featured on CES.tech include:

D&I Conference Programming

• AARP and CTA AgeTech Summit is a new track at CES focused on AgeTech, the growing category of technology solutions designed to meet the needs of the world’s aging population.

• AI Accessibility: Solving for Your Next Billion Customers. Learn how AI can improve lives, particularly for the more than one billion people worldwide with a disability.

• Building an Inclusive Web 3.0: This session will discuss building equitable practices into the core of Web3, from NFTs and crypto economies, to social networks and DAOs.

• Diverse Representation Plus Innovation Equals Success: How are business leaders and entrepreneurs navigating the new economic landscape and placing an emphasis on innovation?

• How to Build a Billion Dollar Network. Join Omi Bell of Black Girl Ventures, for a curated discussion on building your network as a part of building your business.

• Inclusive Technology for Long Lives, Well-lived, presented by BBC StoryWorks and CTA reframes how inclusive innovation is transforming communities, empowering all generations, and ensuring no one gets left behind.

• Investing in the Next Big Idea: Hear from the leaders transforming the face of web3, Blockchain, and cryptocurrency industries and why investing in the next generation of women and diverse entrepreneurs is a crucial part to the success of the ecosystem.

• Product Inclusion Strategies and Successes: Hear from innovators as they share their strategies for creating inclusive product solutions, from ideation to outcome.

• Reframing the Narrative: The Evolution of the Chief Diversity Officer: Hear from Chief Diversity Officers and Chief Human Resource Officers as they discuss their role in shaping company-wide diversity and inclusion strategies.

• Women in Tech Q&A: Live at CES. Join Stephanie Dismore of HP North America, as she hosts a conversation about the invaluable role women play in reshaping organizations today and in the future.

D&I Focused Events

• The Equality Lounge @ CES presented by The Female Quotient provides networking opportunities for women and their allies from a community of doers and changemakers.

• Innovation for All LGBTQ Meetup, sponsored by Quickplay.

• Black Girl Ventures Meetup, a CTA-hosted entrepreneurs’ reception.

• CTA and the CTA Foundation host leading advocates from the disability community at CES for discussion, roundtables and networking.

• Women in Consumer Technology will host the organization’s annual awards reception.

• Women and Drones will host the 6th Annual Global Awards to celebrate women in emerging aviation technologies.

• The Women of Inforum @CES networking reception, hosted by Magna and Celanese.

Eureka Park

Eureka Park, the show's flagship marketplace for startups, supports diversity and inclusion efforts. These include:

• The CTA Foundation’s Eureka Park Accessibility contest selects five winners to receive a complimentary booth at Eureka Park, along with a $2500 prize.

• The Startup Stage in Eureka Park is home to the Jan. 6 CTA Foundation Pitch Competition. The winner receives a cash prize, recognition and is featured as part of Established Startup of the Year Podcast.

• Now in its third year, CTA’s Innovation for All Startup Experience, awards ten startups led by women and other underrepresented entrepreneurs a travel stipend and booth space in Eureka Park. The program gives selected entrepreneurs an opportunity to network with investors, media and potential partners.

CTA Initiatives

Many CES exhibitors are working to diversify their workforces, making diversity and inclusion a business imperative. CTA initiatives beyond CES include:

• CES 2023 will amplify CTA’s continued $10 million commitment to investing in venture firms and funds that support women- and diverse-led stakeholder funds backing women and startups. CTA has invested in eight venture funds that model passion and commitment to ensuring that the next great idea is empowered to change the world.

• CES features a Future of Work track and CTA supports employer-led strategies and regulatory approaches that help address the nation’s skills gap. CTA leads a 21st Century Workforce Council, the CTA Apprenticeship Coalition and conducts an annual Future of Work Survey.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2023 will take place in Las Vegas on Jan. 5-8, 2023, with Media Days taking place Jan. 3-4, 2023. Attendees will experience new technologies from global brands.

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