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Acting Up

A man holding a microphone, with a serious expression on his face, set against a dark background with colourful lights.

The quiet intensity of Lee Kang Sheng’s gaze

by Terry Nguyen

Through his collaborations with Tsai Ming Liang and new work with Constance Tsang and Yeo Siew Hua, Lee Kang Sheng has created a remarkable body of work.

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How Matthew Macfadyen remade Mr. Darcy

by Hannah Benson

In Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, Matthew Macfadyen managed to breathe new life into an iconic literary love interest. How did he do it?

Reclining nude figure in black and white.

Off the Deep End: Fred Halsted’s Slippery Sadism

by Alexander Mooney

Half a century on, the man behind Sextool and LA Plays Itself remains a pioneering, provocative figure of films that straddle the line between pornography and art.

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The many faces of Sidney Poitier

by John Livesey

As the BFI celebrates the legacy of an acting icon, we delve into Poitier's complex legacy.

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What makes Bill Skarsgård so monstrous?

by Victoria Luxford

As he plays Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, we examine the qualities that make Bill Skarsgård a compelling villain.

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The chameleonic talents of Judi Dench

by Meaghan Steeves

With a screen career dating back to 1961, the groundwork for Dench's most famous roles was laid in some of her early appearances.

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The engrossing ’90s nonsense of Denzel Washington

by Chloe Walker

One of the greatest actors of all time found a compelling niche starring in some of the decade's zaniest high-concept thrillers.

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The gravitas of Ving Rhames

by Taylor Burns

As Pulp Fiction turns 30, we take a closer look at one of cinema's finest supporting players.

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Saoirse Ronan’s constant coming of age

by Casey Langton

As Saoirse Ronan stars in The Outrun, we examine how her debut as a child star has landed her a continued presence in the coming-of-age genre.

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The subversive talents of Dan Stevens

by Carly Mattox

From Downton Abbey to an Alpine horror via plenty of unnerving roles, Dan Stevens is forging his own fascinating path through filmmaking.

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Cate Blanchett’s battle for the blockbuster

by Victoria Luxford

As Cate Blanchett stars in Borderlands, we survey her various forays into the world of high budget, high profile filmmaking.

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Cruise Control: The Hollywood star in stasis

by Jadie Stillwell

As Risky Business enters the Criterion Collection, we plot the trajectory of a star seemingly incapable of burning out.