In this Sept. 9, 2013 file photo, director Alex Gibney attends the press conference for โThe Armstrong Lieโ on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
BERLIN (AP) --
The Berlin film festival in February will feature movies including theater director Michael Grandage's film debut "Genius," starring Colin Firth, Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.
"Genius," which follows Max Perkins' time as book editor at Scribner overseeing work by Thomas Wolfe and Ernest Hemingway among others, was one of five competition entries unveiled Friday. The festival last week said the Coen brothers' "Hail, Caesar!" will open the event on Feb. 11.
Also premiering in Berlin will be "Zero Days," a documentary by "Taxi to the Dark Side" director Alex Gibney, and Jeff Nichols' "Midnight Special."
There's also an adaptation of "Alone in Berlin," a novel by Hans Fallada about a German couple opposing Nazi rule during World War II. Directed by Vincent Perez, it stars Brendan Gleeson and Emma Thompson.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion โฆ could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
