BIBI Trailer (2024) Elizabeth Paige, Psychological Thriller

BIBI Trailer (2024) Elizabeth Paige, Psychological Thriller

BIBI Trailer (2024) Psychological Thriller
© 2024 - Buffalo 8

The Bibi Files
Directed by Alexis Bloom
Produced by
Alexis Bloom
Alex Gibney
Raviv Drucker
Kara Elverson
David Rahtz
Cinematography Avner Shahaf
Edited by
Andy Grieve
Halil Efrat
Graeme Butler
Music by Will Bates
Production
companies
Jigsaw Productions
Drucker & Goren Media
Distributed by Goodfellas
Release date
September 9, 2024 (TIFF)
Running time 113 minutes
Country United States
Languages
English
Hebrew
Arabic
The Bibi Files is a 2024 American documentary film directed by Alexis Bloom. The film features leaked interrogation footage from the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu. It was screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2024 as a work-in-progress film.

Premise
As a result of the trial of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli police recorded thousands of hours of interrogation footage from 2016 to 2018.[1] This footage was leaked to filmmaker Alex Gibney in 2023. In addition to Netanyahu, the film features footage of his wife Sara, son Yair, friends, and associates, as well as household workers at Beit Aghion.[2][3] It also includes interviews with insiders, including journalist Raviv Drucker and former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon, who were willing to speak on the record about Netanyahu.[4]

Production
While the interrogation audio had been previously published, the footage had not been.[4] Gibney stated, "These recordings shed light on Netanyahu's character in a way that is unprecedented and extraordinary. They are powerful evidence of his venal and corrupt character and how that led us to where we are at right now."[2] Gibney and director Alexis Bloom had been working on the film prior to the October 7 attacks in 2023.[1][4]

Bloom noted that she interviewed many individuals, including former chiefs of staff, heads of Shin Bet, and other senior officials, who were willing to speak with her about Netanyahu, but only off the record. One compared Netanyahu's premiership to the Netflix series House of Cards.[4] Bloom stated, "Honestly, these stories about Netanyahu are fairly well known in Israel. So many Israelis along the way have said to me, 'You need to get this out to the wider world'."[5]

Release
On September 2, 2024, the film was added to the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) lineup as a work-in progress film, three weeks after the full festival schedule had been released.[2][6] Goodfellas acquired the sales rights on September 6,[7] and it was screened at TIFF on September 9 and 10.[8] The film will also be screened at the 2024 Woodstock Film Festival.[9]

Netanyahu response
On September 8, one day before the film's TIFF screening, lawyers representing Netanyahu petitioned the Jerusalem District Court for an injunction against journalist Raviv Drucker, one of the film's producers, for publishing footage from a police interrogation without the court's permission.[1][10] Judge Oded Shaham denied the request on September 9, and the film was screened at TIFF later that day.[11][12]

Regarding the film's distribution, Gibney stated, "There's a legal restriction at the moment in Israel, by agreement with the source. Everywhere else in the world, there's no restriction. So, we plan to distribute it as widely as possible and still stay within the bounds of our promise, or my promise, to the source."[5]

On September 17, lawyers representing Netanyahu petitioned Israel's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, and Police Commissioner, Daniel Levy [he], to open an investigation into Drucker. They also requested a gag order to be placed on the leaked trial footage.[13]

Reception
Jason Gorber of Collider rated the film 7 out of 10 and wrote, "The Bibi Files serves as a testament that there are voices – millions of voices, in fact, both in and outside Israel – that call for an end to [Netanyahu] and his coalition that tie directly the horrific events of October 7, 2023, to the policies of the current administration, and say unequivocally that the [Israel-Hamas] war is being perpetuated not for the greater security of a people, but to inflict suffering for ideological reasons, and to avoid being held accountable for some pretty clear indications of bribery and corruption."[14] Leela Jacinto of France 24 called the film "an almost Shakespearean tale of the corruption of one man and how it can infect the body politic of a nation at war, once again, against a people with no country".[5]

Ofer Matan of Haaretz wrote, "The linkage between Netanyahu's corruption trial and the [Israel-Hamas] war is perhaps the film's greatest achievement. This connection is almost intuitive for Israelis who oppose Netanyahu and protest against him and his government, but it's not obvious, or sometimes even known, to international audiences, including Jewish ones."[15] Mittal Balmes Cohen of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem stated, "We won't see a substantial change in public opinion in Israel, but in the international arena it has great significance."[16]

References
Stern, Itay (September 11, 2024). "'The Bibi Files.' Benjamin Netanyahu fails to block documentary from screening". NPR. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
Morfoot, Addie (September 2, 2024). "Alexis Bloom Doc Featuring Never-Before-Seen Police Interrogation Footage of Benjamin Netanyahu to Screen at TIFF (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
Lee, Benjamin (September 5, 2024). "From Hard Truths to Nightbitch: 10 films to look out for at Toronto film festival 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
Simonpillai, Radheyan (September 10, 2024). "'I've never seen the depth of moral corruption': controversial Netanyahu doc screens at Toronto". The Guardian. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
Jacinto, Leela (September 10, 2024). "'The Bibi Files': Documentary reveals the police interrogations behind Netanyahu's graft trial". France 24. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
Bergeson, Samantha (August 13, 2024). "TIFF 2024 Announces Additional Films: Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' Set for Gala". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
Goodfellow, Melanie (September 6, 2024). "Goodfellas Boards Sales On Benjamin Netanyahu Exposé 'The Bibi Files' – Toronto". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 15, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
Kay, Jeremy (September 10, 2024). "Benjamin Netanyahu doc 'The Bibi Files' screening again in TIFF despite Israeli government efforts to block". Screen Daily. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
Carey, Matthew (September 16, 2024). "25th Woodstock Film Festival Announces Lineup Featuring 'Anora,' 'Blitz,' Paul Shrader Tribute, 'The Bibi Files,' World, U.S. Premieres & More". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
Assaly, Richie (September 9, 2024). "Israeli court rejects Netanyahu's request to block screening of TIFF documentary". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
Zeitchik, Steven (September 10, 2024). "TIFF: Anti-Netanyahu Film Premiere Goes Forward in Toronto After Court Motion Fails". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
Carey, Matthew (September 10, 2024). "Explosive Documentary Critical Of Benjamin Netanyahu Premieres In Toronto After Attempt To Block It Fails; Film Contains Leaked Footage Of Israeli Leader's Police Interrogation". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
Breuer, Eliav (September 17, 2024). "Netanyahu demands criminal investigation into 'Bibi Files' leak". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
Gorber, Jason (September 22, 2024). "'The Bibi Files' Review: Timely Documentary Showcases the Worst of Political Power | TIFF 2024". Collider. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
Matan, Ofer (September 15, 2024). "'Bullshit!' 'Liars!': 'The Bibi Files' Exposes the Netanyahus' Attempts to Turn Israel Into a Banana Republic". Haaretz. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
מורג, גלעד; לוקש, אלכסנדרה (September 10, 2024). "חשיבות ציבורית, לא רעידת אדמה ראייתית: "תיקי נתניהו" והאפשרות שיוקרן בארץ". Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
External links
The Bibi Files at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
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Benjamin Netanyahu
9th Prime Minister of Israel (1996–1999; 2009–2021; 2022–)Leader of the Opposition (1993–1996; 2006–2009; 2021–2022)Chairman of Likud (1993–1999, 2005–)
Premiership
Governments 27 (1996–1999)32 (2009–2013)33 (2013–2015)34 (2015–2020)35 (2020–2021)37 (2022–2023)38 (war cabinet) (2023–)2014 Gaza War2018–2022 Israeli political crisisAbraham Accords BahrainUnited Arab EmiratesMoroccoSudanOperation Israel Guarantees2023 Israeli judicial reform protestsreactionsIsrael–Hamas warInternational trips
Elections
Likud leadership
1993January 1999200220052007201220142019
Knesset
19961999200920132015April 2019September 2019202020212022
Family
Sara Netanyahu (wife)Yair Netanyahu (son)Avner Netanyahu (son)Benzion Netanyahu (father)Yonatan Netanyahu (brother)Iddo Netanyahu (brother)
Related
Trial Project 3152020–2021 protests against Benjamin NetanyahuA Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the RealmThe NetanyahusThe Bibi Files
Category
Categories: 2024 films2020s American films2020s Arabic-language films2020s English-language films2020s Hebrew-language films2024 documentary filmsAmerican documentary filmsCorruption in IsraelCultural depictions of Benjamin NetanyahuDocumentary films about IsraelEnglish-language documentary filmsFilm controversies in the United StatesFilms about corruptionFilms about prime ministers
There are few politicians of the last century more politically resilient than Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. From his rise as a well-spoken ambassador with a commanding use of both English and Hebrew, to his time as the longest-serving Prime Minister in Israeli history, he for decades has been at the center of the political sphere of the Middle East. His stridency is renowned, as is his slippery ability to twist tragedy to personal advantage, building coalition after coalition by often thin margins to hold onto power. Yet it wasn’t the most spectacular failure of his nation’s security that came closest to bringing him down, but instead something as seemingly trivial as the corrupt receiving of gifts from a legendary Hollywood mogul.

The Bibi Files was a last-minute addition to the TIFF slate. Despite its obvious craft and polished appearance, it was presented from the stage as a “work in progress”, though screened as a regular, ticketed screening as part of the festival’s official section. When asked at the Q&A, even the filmmakers themselves admitted the film is very close to completion, and it was revealed that certain elements such as the score and subtle editing revisions may be employed after the screening, a common occurrence for many films following their festival debut. Please note that this review will be revised following the final cut to address any major changes made.

What is 'The Bibi Files' About?
Let’s be upfront about what Alexis Bloom’s film The Bibi Files is and isn’t. First, this is not a panacea for those calling for peace. For Israelis, almost nothing here from these 2018 interviews will be revelatory, and the film isn’t some magical pill that will immediately cause him to be forced out of office, despite the thousands protesting on the streets this very day for that to occur. Much of the material, leaked to producer Alex Gibney by an unnamed source, has already been read in text form by the public, and the thought that Bibi is corrupt is hardly a new thing for those opposed to his policies as well as his person. Indeed, seeing Bibi, his wife, his sons and others raging against the investigation rather than simply perusing transcripts is a more powerful medium, but it’s not as if this will suddenly sway minds.

Nor, unfortunately, will anything covered in this film likely have any effect whatsoever on those actively calling for the eradication of the State of Israel, believing that any action by any Israeli is, by definition, one of suspicion or worthy of condemnation. This increasingly vocal group, going beyond protests against participants in the government, is instead advocating for a complete dissolution of the Nation, as some have claimed, regardless of who is in charge. One can hope for nuance, but it’s a challenge when the rhetoric is as inflammatory on the subject as it has been for decades, a victory of sorts for those who thrive on such confrontations to buttress their own positions. Obviously, for those many supporters in Israel, a decreasing number but still a significant bloc, they’ll see another hit piece from some liberal filmmakers doing the work that benefits terrorists and besmirches the current wartime leader of a proud nation.

So who is the audience for this film that will learn from what’s presented, and benefit from his arguments? For one, it’s for those many who may have a rough idea of the chaos and corruption that has plagued Israeli politics for some time, but may not have had all the details laid out in such a compelling way. At a time when simple slogans or hashtags erase any sense of nuance about the complexity of the situation in the region, the film does one particularly important thing – Israelis are not a monolith, Netanyahu and those in his coalition do not speak for the majority of the people of that country, and there are many, including those who participate in the film, that are loudly speaking out against a clear pattern that demands a proper investigation.

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1
The Bibi Files serves as a testament that there are voices – millions of voices, in fact, both in and outside Israel – that call for an end to Bibi and his coalition that tie directly the horrific events of October 7, 2023, to the policies of the current administration, and say unequivocally that the war is being perpetuated not for the greater security of a people, but to inflict suffering for ideological reasons, and to avoid being held accountable for some pretty clear indications of bribery and corruption.

One major voice in the film is Raviv Drucker, the investigative journalist who has spent decades uncovering many of the most shocking behaviors that occur within the Israeli political sphere. Along with close colleagues of Bibi, including his former personal spokesperson Nir Hefetz, we are treated to probing talking-head style interviews that outline the context of the footage that Gibney received from his source. That footage, as presented here, is certainly damning. Bibi comes across as a mix of coldly calculating and filled with fiery rage, slamming the table in anger at certain suggestions, and claiming complete amnesia about certain events at others, with the mantras “I don’t know” or “I can’t recall” constantly intoned. It’s inarguable that he’s an exceptional politician, which accounts for his preternatural awareness even during moments of stress that a camera is recording his every word. It’s not simply performative when he rages, but that’s certainly part of what’s at play, and only when seeing the actual footage can this be fully appreciated.

A Hollywood Mogul's Connection to Bibi's Alleged Corruption
TIFF 2024 logoImage via TIFF
While Bibi is certainly well known on the world’s stage, his wife Sara, and their son Yair, are two individuals far less known outside of Israel. Sara’s a fascinating character, shown here in almost comically villainous ways, a Lady Macbeth manipulating a fearful husband with her constant drunkenness, and demands fancy champagne and jewels from those wanting political favors from her husband. Yair makes his father look positively progressive, his strident right-wing rhetoric and more savvy adoption of modern media makes his own mark on his father’s policies.

Adding even more intrigue are those asking for favors and admitting directly as part of the interviews the pressure they felt to comply with these requests. The first, Arnon Milchan, is the Israeli-born billionaire and Oscar-winning producer behind such beloved films as 12 Years A Slave, Birdman, Heat, Fight Club, and L.A. Confidential. We hear of Milchan’s direct ties to Netanyahu’s requests for luxury items from him directly, while others fill in the backstory regarding the need to intervene about a tax case, for Bibi to formally request the U.S. to rethink a position on visa requirements. There are even some unverified but often repeated insinuations about his former life as a James Bond-like character who apparently helped with the undertaking of Israel’s secret nuclear capabilities.

Others well-known to American audiences will include the Adelsons, Miriam, and the late Sheldon, owners of the Casino magnate Sands Corporation, who are tied to the Trump and Netanyahu administrations. Then there are those more closely tied to Bibi’s inner circle, including Hefetz, whose own testimony is further contextualized by these contemporary follow-up interviews. In form, The Bibi Files plays as a journalistically rich investigation of the material and its background, but it does so at times with a slightly heavy-handed effect. The score is occasionally overwhelming, and while some of the more clever edits that punctuate positions are effective, others feel like they get in the way of the simple facts of the matter being discussed. An actor is employed to “perform” the words of one witness because of the vagaries of Israeli privacy laws, and the effect feels tonally too far apart from the other participants, and another mode would likely have been more effective. The inclusion of the original witness will hopefully be one of the major revisions incorporated when the film is finalized.

​​​​​​​

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What does work well is the weaving of the multiple storylines into a coherent whole. This includes footage from the streets of Israel with mass protests against Supreme Court reforms that many believe Bibi was pushing to make the case against him go away for good, to POV camera footage recorded by the terrorists themselves on October 7th, 2023, a stark reminder for some that may have closed themselves off these horrifying images of what transpired that day. At the same time, footage of the ravaging of Gaza is included. The suffering of those at the hands of an administration that shows no signs of abating is yet another direct link to the leader and his policies, given the documentation showing the facilitation of funds to Hamas in order, alleged by the participants in the film, to keep the Palestinian state from becoming a reality by fueling those in the region least committed to any kind of mutual compromise.

For those who believe that Bibi and his family will never be brought to justice for these corrupt actions, the film may prove to be somewhat cathartic, while others may correctly point out that the film (and the leaks that provide much of its content) may, in the end, be detrimental to any subsequent legal action. Yet as the film and its participants eloquently argue, beyond the trivialities of requesting cigars, wine, and jewels, easily dismissed in isolation as minor foibles of the rich and powerful, it lays a direct line to the current calamity befalling the entire region. Following this investigation was the move to try and rip apart political and legal norms, to encourage Bibi to become bedfellows with the most extreme and egregious members of the Israeli political class, and to trade the safety and security of an entire nation due to this day to prevent further deterioration of that which is shown he and his family hold most dear – power.

'The Bibi Files' Is a Powerful Presentation of the Facts of the Case Against Netanyahu
The Bibi Files may not be the poison pill that knocks the Netanyahus from power the way that those on screen may be calling for, but it’s still a powerful presentation of the facts without ever devolving into being a mere polemic. Beyond the voices of those directly tied to the administration or the media that try to hold them to account, we hear from a young woman, a resident of the Be'eri Kibbutz located near the border with Gaza and a survivor of that brutal attack. She provides the clearest articulation of well-earned outrage, but her words also provide the greatest hope for a positive future. She makes a call for truthtelling and a push for reconciliation. It’s through her voice, and those captured throughout, that it makes a compelling case for a hopeful future.

The issue is not simply about what’s contained within the interviews that The Bibi Files bring to international light, but speaking to timely, direct action, from the aching desire to bring the hostages home, to calls for a ceasefire in the region. Above all, the film is a platform for those calling within Israel to be rid of this reactionary administration and to find a way forward despite all the obvious ways, in these bleakest of moments, to find a way forward after all that has occurred.

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7
10
The Bibi Files (2024)
Documentary
The powerful work-in-progress uses leaked footage to tell a dark tale of corruption by a powerful politician and his family

An inside look into the corruption charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through leaked police interrogation videos.

Release Date
September 9, 2024
Director
Alexis Bloom
Runtime
113 Minutes
Pros
The Bibi Files is a strong, timely tale from director Alexis Bloom.
Journaliistally, The Bibi Files is a rich telling of a complex tale.
The doc includes multiple perspectives to provide a more nuanced, robust look at this story.
Cons
The Bibi Files is unfortunately still a work in progress with pacing issues.
The use of the actor as a compromise for one witness is distracting.
Documentary
Release Date
September 9, 2024
Director
Alexis Bloom
Runtime
113 Minutes
Movie Reviews
The Bibi Files (2024)
The Bibi Files (2024)
Alex Gibney
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the topic of a new feature documentary, “The Bibi Files” produced by Oscar winner Alex Gibney and directed by Alexis Bloom. The two-hour docu, which will screen as work-in-progress at the Toronto Film Intl. Festival, features never-before-seen police interrogation footage of Netanyahu.

The recordings were made between 2016 and 2018 as part of a collection of evidence to determine if there should be an indictment against the Israeli Prime Minister on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

In 2023 the recordings were leaked to Gibney. They feature extensive interviews with Bibi, his wife Sara, his son Yair, the Prime Minister’s friends and associates as well as household employees.

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“These recordings shed light on Netanyahu’s character in a way that is unprecedented and extraordinary,” says Gibney. “They are powerful evidence of his venal and corrupt character and how that led us to where we are at right now.”

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Thom Powers, lead TIFF documentary programmer calls “The Bibi Files” “a work of first rate documentary journalism. Alexis Bloom and Alex Gibney obtained revelatory footage that no one has seen before, then conducted in-depth interviews with wide array of figures including from the top ranks of the Israeli government. It exemplifies what makes long form documentary so vital to our culture for covering a story that’s been unfolding for many years. We’re living in a time when traditional journalistic outlets have suffered deep cutbacks, so independent companies like (Gibney’s) Jigsaw Productions are needed more than ever to step up.”

Netanyahu has been charged with fraud, bribery and breach of trust in three cases filed in 2019.

While the recordings, which contain thousands of hours of interviews, were made over eight years ago they have never been seen anywhere including Israel due to the country’s privacy law.

“Netanyahu’s character comes through very strongly in the recordings,” says Bloom. “I would say the difference between this film and a news item or something that you might see on PBS about the Israel-Palestine conflict is that this is a very human look at the people in the news headlines.”

Bloom, who previously collaborated with Gibney on “Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes” and “We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks,” explains that the docu uses the interrogations videos as “the way into” the story of Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving leader who has held office six times – more than any other prime minister in the country’s history.

“Our work in this film was to link these interrogations and the corruption trial to everything that comes afterwards,” says Bloom, who began working on the project prior to the Oct. 7 attacks that sparked the ongoing war between Hamas and Israel.

“The Bibi Files” moves between Netanyahu’s present and past, and according to Gibney, “reveals something Shakespearean about the man in the sense that his slow corruption of character and his desperate need to stay in power led him to do terrible things that we’re now seeing evidence of.”

Bloom says that Netanyahu’s proposed overhaul of Israel’s judiciary in 2023 was one reason she came onto the film.

“(Netanyahu’s government) tries to overhaul the Supreme Courts and then waged the war in a way that would have never happened if he did not have such an extreme coalition,” she says.

Bloom, whose father is Jewish and strongly believes in Israel’s right to exist, has visited Israel numerous times throughout her childhood and adulthood. Both she and Gibney say that they set out to make a docu that doesn’t preach to any choir. Instead they consider the film, which features Israelis and Palestinians, as a truth-to-power docu that focuses on human rights and not just Israeli-Palestinian rights.

“I’ve really tried to find common ground in this film – something that we can all agree on,” says Bloom. “Netanyahu overstaying his welcome is something that many Israelis would agree on and many Palestinians would agree on too. They might diverge when you go further than that in terms of what’s the solution to the Middle East crisis. They will certainly diverge on that, but actually I think that most people, except for the hardcore Bibist, would agree that Netanyahu has to go.”

Both Bloom and Gibney decided to bring the film, which is seeking distribution, to TIFF as a work-in-progress due to the ongoing war.

“There is a certain urgency in terms of reckoning with this material and reckoning with Netanyahu’s character at a time when we are being told, ‘Oh, these discussions are for another day because Netanyahu’s in the middle of a war,'” says Gibney. “We felt it was important, and frankly, our duty as world citizens to make our story known as soon as possible because people are dying every day.”

The streamers’ preferences for celebrity or true-crime nonfiction offerings over anything grappling with thorny, complicated issues or figures makes the Netanyahu docu a hard sell. But Bloom and Gibney have confidence that it will find a home.

“We are not trying to prescribe what should be done in terms of the conflict,” says Bloom. “This film is a portrait of the man (Netanyahu), and it’s a portrait of his family. I think that the film is more entertaining than a lot of political reporting on this, so, I hope somebody has the balls to pick it up.”

“The Bibi Files” will screen at TIFF on Sept. 9 and 10.

Read More About:
Alex Gibney, Documentaries to Watch, The Bibi Files, Toronto Film Festival
Jackson Wang and BIBI‘s upcoming track “Feeling Lucky” unveiled the teaser snippet and release date. Previously, Jackson and BIBI surprised fans at Coachella 2024 by singing the unreleased track.

The entry of Jackson Wang on the Coachella 2024 stage is etched in fan hearts. The idol heartthrob surprised the audience on the stage of 88Rising artists. BIBI took his hand and brought him to center stage. Jackson held her hand higher as she started singing the song. For most of the song, the duo seemed cozy, looking into each other’s eyes and dancing together on stage.

BIBI and Jackson Wang’s Coachella track ‘Feeling Lucky’ confirms release date
Jackson Wang and BIBI’s upcoming track “Feeling Lucky” will be released on Friday, April 26. The teaser trailer for the song features an up-close shot of the GOT7 star and “Sugar Rush” crooner.

00:03 / 00:17

Fans have already dubbed the song an “epic collaboration.” The Coachella audience welcomed the song with loud cheers, as many complimented how Jackson Wang and BIBI’s sultry vocals matched perfectly.

The lyrics of the upcoming track also won fans’ hearts when the duo sang, “There’s something about the way that it tastes / You’re running around at a dangerous pace / You know what to do, and you know what to say / And when you’re away, I’m always thinkin’ about you.”

Meanwhile, Jackson boasts a long list of celebrities with whom he has collaborated. The Chinese rapper and singer collaborated with Amber Liu and Yultron for the non-album single “Harder.” He was also featured in Epik High’s 2023 song “On My Way.”

Before that, Jackson Wang released his 2022 EP, “Magic Man.” The extended play charted at 15 on the Billboard 200 chart and at 5 on South Korea’s Circle Weekly Album chart. It sold over 83,871 copies within a month of its release.

BIBI, on the other hand, released her latest single, “Sugar Rush,” on February 20, 2024. The song’s official MV has garnered over 3 million views on YouTube since its release.

Arpita Adhya
Arpita Adhya
Arpita covers K-pop, K-drama and Asian Entertainment scoops for ComingSoon.Net. From in-depth coverage of Asian Entertainment gems to the latest fan obsession, she is dedicated to bring out the best of Asian pop culture to the world one story at a time.

BIBI
Feeling Lucky
Jackson Wang
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“Bibi” is a compelling psychological thriller that takes us on a journey through the troubled mind of a grieving mother. Directed and written by Christopher Beatty, the film weaves a complex narrative that defies traditional storytelling patterns, offering a fresh take on psychological suspense.

At its core, “Bibi” follows the haunting story of Vivian Ashwood (played by Elizabeth Paige), a woman burdened by a lifetime of grief, triggered by a tragic loss in her past.

As the film starts, we are introduced to the story of a woman descending into madness, plagued by visions that only she sees and that no one else believes. But as the story progresses, “Bibi” takes an unexpected turn. The movie delves into a multi-layered nightmare that keeps viewers guessing and not exactly sure what is happening or where the story is leading.

The majority of the film is set in the confines of an expensive estate. But Vivian’s external surroundings mirror her internal struggles. We see her struggle with emotional turmoil as well as with substance abuse.

A mysterious figure begins to stalk her, adding to her sense of unease. We are not immediately sure who or what that figure is and that becomes an essential part of the plot as the story progresses.

The film keeps a slow and steady pace that might seem like a drag. But the ominous feel adds to the intensity and uneasiness that you feel throughout the film. This seems to present the film’s biggest strength being that it is a psychological thriller. From that through to the end, you are kept unsettled and sometimes left confused. There are a few decent jump scares that sway the film a bit into the horror genre, but they are not significant enough to leave you scared to be in the dark by yourself.

Paige delivers an emotionally driven performance as Vivian. She seals the performance even her facial expressions and demeanour. Throughout the film, you can see and almost feel exactly the emotional state that Vivian is in. Tammy Blanchard also delivers an impressive performance in her supporting role as Nancy. She makes her character stand out and feel very essential to the story. Even though she is just existing in Vivian’s mind.

Another thing that works for “Bibi” is the element of mystery. You are slowly sucked into the plot and just like Vivian you find yourself looking for answers. The set design, lighting, and cinematography also contribute to the film’s unique feel and experience.

Beatty showcases his ability to construct scenes with his distinct cinematic language that sets the right tone for this thriller keeping you engrossed even when everything seems confusing.

But in essence, the film serves as an exploration of a disturbed woman’s mind, delving into her emotions and struggles as she tries to unravel the mystery of what haunts her. These themes are meticulously woven into the story, creating an emotional rollercoaster for the audience.

“Bibi” is not a film that would be easy to sit through for many, particularly because of the pacing and the narration style. Also, by the time it ends, it still has some questions unanswered.

It challenges viewers to piece together the puzzle of Vivian’s reality and confront the blurred lines between truth and delusion. But not every viewer would be up for the challenge or would have the interest to want to find all the answers.

Although the film’s conclusion ties up loose ends, there are lingering questions and angles of the story that keep the film on your mind even after it has ended.

I would score this film a 6.5/10 rating.

“Bibi” is a refreshing take on the psychological thriller genre. As a feature that introduces you to writer and director Christopher Beatty, it makes a strong enough statement.