James Bond films have been one of the most successful franchises of all time – having made over 11 billion dollars (after adjusting for inflation) and spanning 50 years. With Bond’s longevity, there is bound to be discussion about how the films should evolve and develop. After all, people’s beliefs, standards, and thoughts change over 50 years and James Bond must change with them.

In fact, with the recent Time’s Up movement, fans –especially millennials— realize that the actions of the Sean Connery and Roger More Bonds shouldn’t be acceptable, especially in today’s society.
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For example, a scene from Goldfinger where Bond forces himself on Pussy Galore recently saw internet backlash with videos and commentary depicting it as rape. In fact, the further back you go with Bond films, the more sexist and uncomfortable scenes are when it comes to the spy’s sexual conquests.

James Bond has been considered problematic even before the #MeToo and Time Up moments and not just for their attitudes to sex. Many viewers consider Live and Let Die’s storyline racist. In Dr. No, Bond orders Quarrel, a black character, to fetch his shoes. Unfortunately, the racism didn’t just extend to the script. The producers miscast cast Jewish-Canadian Joseph Wiseman as a Chinese-German villain giving the entire film a racist overtone.

Daniel Craig, the most recent Bond who will revisit the role for at least one last time, said earlier this year he wants Bond to move away from being a classical womaniser and potential sex addict. Indeed we have seen a softer, more political correct side to James Bond in the last few outings. But have the film gone far enough in light of Hollywood’s recent scandals?  

Even organizations like Planned Parenthood Association are weighing in on the popular film franchise. They are urging characters like Bond should not be portrayed in sex scenes that involve violence, threats, pressure or persistence.

They hope that a closer look at Hollywood’s sex scenes will encourage healthier depictions of consent on the big screen which will then trickle down into society and prevent – or at least allow women to be more comfortable speaking up about rape and sexual assault.  James Bond in particular, famed for his strength and sexual prowess, should set a good example to filmgoers by slowing down the action and getting an enthusiastic yes before having sex.

So what is next for James Bond? There has already been disagreement between famed director Danny Boyle and the producers causing Boyle to leave the film over creative differences.
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Should we continue the James Bond series or just lay him to rest – an end to an era and invite new heroes that represent a modern age? It might be easier accept Bond’s demise if it wasn’t for the fact he represents a suave and dapper representative of supposedly positive male traits. Whatever side of the argument you are on, we do know one thing for certain: James Bond movies will still be filmed until they stop making money. The call of dollar signs for producers is just too tempting.

Depression is a common illness but thankfully people are speaking up more and more about it which helps others overcome it and seek treatment. Depression can be caused by a number of different factors and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and decrease a persona’s desire and ability to function.

Depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance and can be devastating illness for those who suffer from it. It can lead to suicidal thoughts and prevent people from doing simple activities like grocery shop or even leave their house. It’s easy for people who suffer from depression to be stuck in a downward spiral that can lead them to taking their own life.  

Sometimes it can only take some kind words, a motivational message, or a moment to notice someone suffering from depression to stop the spiral and get them back on their feet.

Recently, Ali, who suffers from depression and goes by the name u/0770059834333178 on Reddit messaged Hollywood superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, asking the actor to “get off my lazy ass and hit the gym”.

To Ali’s surprise, Schwarzenegger actually responded to his message by saying, “We all go through challenges, we all go through failure. Sometimes life is a workout. But the key thing is you get up. Just move a little.”

Ali, , who lives in Quebec in Canada, who was obviously surprised to receive a reply from the Governator, said that it motivated him to get out of bed and start working out.

The Austrian-American actor, who overcame man challenges and obstacles in his life to become the highest paid actor in the 90s, is no stranger to helping others. He is a huge supporter of after school programs and has encouraged others to live a healthy, active lifestyle.  

He was elected as governor of California in 2003 as a Republican and lead many initiatives including forging bipartisan alliances with democrats even if they proved to be unpopular with his core supporters

Later, Arnold Schwarzenegger uploaded a video encouraging others like who were struggling like Ali to not give up on themselves.

A social media exchange between Arnold Schwarzenegger and a man suffering with depression has moved many online to share their stories.

The supportive social media exchange has been popular on Reddit, with screen grabs of the conversation receiving more than 70,000 upvotes.

Hopefully this interaction moves others who struggle with depression to share their own struggles with mental health.
"Obviously depression can't just be 'cured' that easily. In my case I needed a push to do the one thing which I know helps me when I'm feeling down."

Schwarzenegger said he was proud that Ali was "pumping up other people that have depression and encouraging them and giving them positive reinforcement. I love that.”
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He signed off with his famous Terminator line: "Hasta la vista".

​As a child, like all children in Switzerland, I grew up with the heroics of William Tell. He is, of course, an icon in my home country. William Tell’s likeness is all over Switzerland. His name is on chapels, statues, and on all sorts of tourist merchandise. The square where the famous apple shooting took place is now a historic and Swiss treasure.

According to legend, William Tell was visiting the village of Altdorf in the 14th Century where he encountered Gessler, the Austrian bailiff who was a representative of the ruling Hapsburg family. When Tell refused to salute Gessler, the bailiff had him arrested and as punishment ordered him to shoot an apple from his son`s head. When Tell successfully hit his mark, Gessler ordered Tell imprisoned anyway, but Tell escaped, killed the Austrian bailiff, and went on to become the symbol of Swiss independence.

As Switzerland just recently 727th anniversary, and I embark on the making of the film that is based upon Tell’s life, the debate continues over whether William Tell was actual real or not.

For many years the story of Tell was thought to be historical fact, and the idea that it was merely folklore doesn’t sit well with the Swiss people.  One problematic fact is that even though the events were said to have happened in 1307, the earliest recorded writings of the legend only date back to 1570 – more 200 years afterwards. As we know with any historical event, the details get a little fuzzy after a couple hundred years.

There are also no historical records mentioning William Tell before the 1570 writings which were penned by a man named Aegidius Tschudi, and his accuracy leaves much to be desired. In it, he says that William Tell’s act of rebellion took place in 1307, along with the formation of the rebel group. But the actual Oath of Rutli was dated 1291. How much it matters being off by 16 years makes a difference is something for historians to debate.

Perhaps even more concerning for those who wish the legend to be true is there’s another source about Tell that predates Tschudi’s. A Viking legend tells of a man named Toko who boasted of his archery skills. In order to prove himself, the king ordered Toko to shoot an apple off his son’s head. He did, and, as in the Toko legend, he also saved an extra arrow for the king should he have missed the apple. There was no rebellion in the Viking version, but Toko never forgave the king and, according to the story, eventually killed him.

Whether or not William Tell is real, doesn’t stop us from celebrating him as a symbol of Swiss nationalism and freedom hundreds of years later. For example, a special festival at Altdorf marked the 200th anniversary of German dramatist Friedrich von Schiller’s version of William Tell, a box office smash that spread Tell’s inspirational story internationally.

With Tell: A Story, we hope to bring the legend – whether fact or fiction – to life and entertain and educate a entirely new generation about the beloved folk hero. As we move into principle photography, we hope that Tell becomes more than just a Swiss symbol of freedom and liberty but an international story that represents anyone who feels oppressed, downtrodden by another group -- whether it's a large corporation or a government.