BP Press

Every six months, on the summer or winter solstice, Robert Charles Mann makes the 500-mile journey from his home in France’s Loire Valley to Château Miraval, Brad Pitt’s wine estate in the south of the country. ‘It’s a magnificent place,’ says Mann. ‘I’ve known Brad for some time. It’s always a real pleasure to be there.’

Mann isn’t there simply to guzzle rosé with his friend, but to check in on the pinhole cameras that he set up six months beforehand, removing the negatives and mounting new cameras. ‘I never know what’s coming,’ he says, describing the anticipation of seeing what the cameras have produced each time. ‘The waiting, the appreciation, the anxiousness of seeing the images, and whether I’ve failed or not, it’s a big part of my life.’

Read more.

There’s one kind of victory that’s always eluded Brad Pitt. And most people have likely never even noticed. Nearly 40 years into his career, the American actor and producer has left an indelible mark on both film and pop culture at large – with two Academy Awards to his name. But unlike his megastar peers, he’s never made a true crowd-pleasing blockbuster. That is, until F1 The Movie.

After earning $144 million globally in its opening weekend and boasting stellar reviews from critics and audiences alike, the film is poised to be one of the summer’s biggest hits. For Pitt, that would mean he’s finally vanquished his white whale.

“I had always wanted to make a populist film – something that just gets better every time you see it. Something that brings people together. And I still didn’t understand that this could be that one,” Pitt tells The National.

Read more.

NEW YORK – “You’re kidding,” says Brad Pitt. “Javier’s leaving?”

With that, Pitt is out of his chair and bear-hugging Javier Bardem. Seconds later, Kerry Condon and Damson Idris pop up from their seats and smother the smiling Spanish actor.

A group interview with the core cast of “F1 The Movie” (in theaters June 27) is indeed interrupted when Bardem apologizes that he has to dash to the airport.

“Love you bro, thank you for everything on this movie,” Pitt tells Bardem before turning back to the group. “You know he’s going to play Max Cady in the new Apple TV+ series adaptation of ‘Cape Fear,’” says Pitt, rubbing his stubbled chin. “He’s going to kill it.”

Any doubt about the genuine chemistry between this quartet is put to rest by this impromptu moment in a hotel meeting room.

Read more.