AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 4:23 p.m. EST

Love is found in unexpected places at the Berlin Film Festival

BERLIN (AP) — Two films at the Berlin Film Festival use romance to show life beyond war and politics. On Thursday, the festival opens with “No Good Men,” set in a Kabul newsroom in 2021. It follows the workplace love story of Naru, a camerawoman who fights for her son and her career. Director Shahrbanoo Sadat says a kiss scene cost her the lead actor and she had to step into the role herself. She also faced pushback from funders who were against a rom-com about Afghanistan. Another film, “Only Rebels Win,” follows a Palestinian widow who finds love in Beirut. Director Danielle Arbid calls it feminist and human.

Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni go to New York in required effort to avoid trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Blake Lively and director Justin Baldoni came to a New York courthouse to see if her lawsuit alleging sexual harassment on the set of the 2024 romantic drama “It Ends With Us” could be settled before a May trial. They left the courthouse after seven hours Wednesday without speaking publicly. Their acrimonious yearlong litigation has cast a wide net across the entertainment world. Lively sued Baldoni and his hired crisis communications expert alleging harassment and a coordinated campaign to attack her reputation after she complained about his treatment of her on the movie set. Baldoni countersued, but that lawsuit was thrown out.

James Van Der Beek, the 'Dawson's Creek' star who later mocked his own hunky persona, has died at 48

NEW YORK (AP) — James Van Der Beek, best known as the titular character on “Dawson’s Creek,” has died at 48, according to a statement from his family posted on Instagram. The post on Wednesday says he died earlier that day. Van Der Beek shared in 2024 that he was receiving treatment for colorectal cancer. Besides “Dawson’s Creek,” which ran from 1998 to 2003, he also appeared in “Varsity Blues” and later leaned into jokes mocking his own hunky persona. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and six children.

Pene Pati rises from doubted Samoan singer to one of Opera's most-watched new stars

NEW YORK (AP) — Tenor Pene Pati has emerged from a childhood in Samoa and New Zealand to become one of opera’s most-watched new stars. Now 38 and booked by top houses through 2030, Pati impressed last month in his first staged performances of Massenet’s “Werther” at Paris’ Opéra Comique, a 1,200-capacity jewel box that turned down the composer’s 1887 offer to stage the premiere. Pati sang in an Auckland choir growing up and planned on a computer science career. He was encouraged to pursue piano and singing by his high school's music director.

In 'My Father's Shadow,' family memory and Nigerian history are resurrected

The British Nigerian director Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale were both toddlers when their father died. As adults, they could hardly remember him. Then Wale had an idea for movie. What if, by some movie miracle, they had gotten to spend  a day with their dad? In “My Father’s Shadow,” the Davies brothers pay tribute to him in a shattering father-son tale set across such a day in Nigeria. The film, Akinola’s directing debut, has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed films of the past year, making history at the Cannes Film Festival and winning awards around the world.

Busy Phillips, Chad Michael Murray and more react to the death of James Van Der Beek

The American actor James Van Der Beek, best known for his role as the titular character of the '90s and early ’00s teen drama “Dawson’s Creek,” has died. His death at age 48 was announced on Wednesday. Celebrities have begun paying tribute to Van Der Beek. The actor revealed in 2024 that he was being treated for colorectal cancer. Among those paying tribute included co-star busy Philipps, actors Chad Michael Murray, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Paul Walter Hauser. Producer, screenwriter and director Julie Plec and photographer Lee Jeffries also offered thoughtful tributes on Instagram.

PEN America names Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf as permanent CEOs

NEW YORK (AP) — PEN America named Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf as its permanent co-CEOs after a leadership transition. PEN America announced the decision Thursday. The pair had served as interim leaders since late 2024, after longtime CEO Suzanne Nossel left. Before that, Lopez ran free expression programs and Rosaz Shariyf led literary programs. PEN grew under Nossel, but writers criticized the group in 2023 and 2024 over its response to the Israel-Hamas war. PEN canceled major events in 2024 after boycotts. The awards and festival resumed last year.

Michael Douglas announces 'raw' memoir for October release

NEW YORK (AP) — Oscar-winner Michael Douglas has announced a memoir set for release on Oct. 6. He describes it as a “raw, sweeping” account of his personal and professional life. Douglas, 81, aims to share his story on his own terms, focusing on his journey from his father Kirk Douglas' shadow to his own stardom. The book, written with Michael Fleming, will cover his experiences with cancer and substance abuse, as well as his enduring marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Douglas is known for roles in “Fatal Attraction” and “Wall Street.” He is also a philanthropist and U.N. Messenger of Peace.

Kennedy Center head warns staff of cuts and 'skeletal' staffing during renovation closure

The Kennedy Center is warning staff that a planned two-year renovation shutdown will lead to job cuts and “skeletal teams.” On Tuesday, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell told staff in a memo obtained by The Associated Press that most departments could shrink permanently or temporarily. He said department heads would evaluate needs over the next few months. The center is slated to close in early July. The Trump administration has shared few details about what the renovation will entail. The closure comes on the heels of a wave of cancellations by leading performers and groups.