Entertainment
Maybe a few movies more? Clint Eastwood turns 90
Movie legend Clint Eastwood turns 90 on Sunday, but don’t count on the famously stoic and hard-working star of “A Fistful of Dollars” and “Dirty Harry” hanging up his cowboy boots just yet.
The multiple Oscar-winning actor-turned-director, who churned out nine films in his 80s, has expressed no desire to retire ahead of the milestone — and in any case, he’s not a fan of birthdays.
“We’re just going to do a family thing — very, very calm, very mellow,” his 34-year-old actor son Scott told “Access Hollywood.”
“We’ll sneak a cake in there, definitely. He probably won’t like it.”
Eastwood, born in 1930, has enjoyed a career spanning seven decades and more than 50 films.
He last trod the Hollywood red carpet as recently as November, for his Olympic bombing biopic “Richard Jewell.”
It was released to mixed reviews — and sparked a backlash over its fictional depiction of a real-life female journalist trading sex for FBI secrets.
But Eastwood’s career has weathered greater controversy, from accusations of excessive violence in the spaghetti Western “Dollars” trilogy, fascism in “Dirty Harry” and warmongering in “American Sniper,” to his portrayal of racism in “Gran Torino.”
As well as Oscars for “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby,” and a lifetime achievement Palme d’Or from the Cannes festival, Eastwood’s back catalog also contains a few critically savaged flops.
“I would like to think it rolls off his back… he’s gotten beat up along the way pretty regularly,” Variety senior vice president Tim Gray told AFP.
“I think he’s going to keep working as long as he can… he seems to have a creative drive that keeps him going.”
‘Just wants to work’
Known on the Hollywood circuit as polite but reticent as far as small talk or personal details, Eastwood has hinted at future projects, but had not yet confirmed any plans before the coronavirus pandemic shut down all productions in March.
In a January interview with Britain’s ITV , Eastwood indicated he was still enjoying plying his trade.
“I like doing it, it’s nice to be able to have a paying job,” he told “This Morning.”
“I like being in films, I like making films and I started directing films because I thought one day I’m going to look up on screen and say, ‘That’s enough, Eastwood — you’d better do something else.'”
In other interviews, he has expressed confusion as to why luminaries such as Billy Wilder and Frank Capra quit the business at a younger age, and spoken of his desire to keep working as long as he finds projects that are “worth studying.”
Despite previously announcing his retirement from acting after 2008’s “Gran Torino,” Eastwood returned in front of camera four years later in “Trouble with the Curve,” and again in 2018’s “The Mule.”
“He’s pretty unpredictable,” said Gray, adding: “I get the feeling now, he does what he wants to do.”
As well as continuing to oversee his Malpaso Productions, Eastwood — a former mayor of Carmel, California — remains politically engaged, endorsing Michael Bloomberg’s doomed presidential run earlier this year.
And as a father of eight children and a grandfather many times over, Eastwood will likely have his hands full Sunday — even if he isn’t asking anyone to “make my day.”
“He probably won’t even want us to acknowledge it. He hates his birthday,” daughter Alison told Closer late last year.
“I think he just wants to work and enjoy his life but I don’t think he wants to celebrate it… So we’ll see.”
Reporting and photos: AFP
The Fari Islands Festival is set to return from 13 to 15 August 2026, bringing together Patina Maldives, Fari Islands and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands for a three-day celebration of creativity, culture, wellbeing and nature across the Fari Islands archipelago.
Following the success of its inaugural edition in September 2025, the festival will once again transform the two resorts into a shared platform for artistic expression, culinary exploration and holistic experiences. Designed as an immersive gathering rather than a conventional event, the festival invites guests to slow down, connect and engage with the islands through carefully curated moments shaped by place, people and creative exchange.
Conceived under the philosophy of The Home of Island Artistry, Fari Islands represents a vision where luxury, nature, craft and community coexist in balance. This ethos continues to underpin the 2026 edition of the festival, which blends cultural curiosity, environmental stewardship and mindful wellbeing into a programme that celebrates creativity in all its forms.
Guided by its defining motto, “One Festival, Every Sense,” the Fari Islands Festival unfolds across five interconnected pillars: Culinary Exploration, Creative Artistry, Body, Mind and Soul, Sonic Immersion, and Nature Amplified. Together, these pillars shape a journey that engages guests through taste, sound, movement, conversation and connection to the natural environment.
The 2025 edition established the festival’s scope and ambition, featuring poetry and spoken-word gatherings, live music performances, chef-led dining experiences, wellness rituals and guided encounters with the marine environment. Artists, chefs and collaborators from across disciplines activated spaces throughout the islands, creating a fluid programme that moved seamlessly from day into night.
Building on this foundation, the 2026 festival will continue to favour flow over fixed schedules. Guests can expect a balance of structured moments and open exploration, with experiences revealed progressively across multiple settings and times of day. This approach allows participants to move freely between moments of participation, observation and discovery, fostering a sense of personal connection and shared experience.
One of the highlights of the festival will once again be its concluding celebration at Fari Marina Village, where the closing night brings together flavour, sound and community. The marina will host a curated gathering of culinary expressions from both resorts, alongside local vendors and pop-up concepts, accompanied by live music that carries through the evening as guests move between kitchens, conversations and communal tables.
Reserve a stay at Fari Islands Festival at The Ritz Carlton Maldives or Patina Maldives.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, in partnership with Music in Paradise, has confirmed an exceptional line-up of internationally acclaimed Australian artists for its 2026 concert series. With demand already soaring, several events are now sold out or close to capacity, reaffirming Kandooma’s reputation as one of the world’s most intimate and exclusive live-music destinations.
The Cat Empire | 17–24 May 2026 – Almost Sold Out
The multi-award-winning jazz-funk phenomenon will bring their infectious energy and global sound to Kandooma for three sunset beach concerts. Fusing jazz, funk, ska, Latin and reggae, The Cat Empire are renowned for high-octane live performances and feel-good rhythms. Only six Beach Houses (from A$4,550++ per person twin share) remain available for this week. Please visit here.
Missy Higgins | 13–20 June 2026 – Limited Availability
Following her hugely successful 2025 debut at Kandooma, Missy Higgins returns to the Maldives after declaring she had “unfinished business” in paradise. The beloved singer-songwriter will perform three exclusive sunset concerts across the resort’s beachfront and rooftop venues, complemented by intimate meet-and-greet moments. Overwater Villas and Two-Bedroom Beach Houses are now sold out. 7-night packages start at A$4,490++ per person, twin share. Please visit here.
SOLD OUT – ICEHOUSE | 5–12 September 2026
One of Australia’s most iconic bands, ICEHOUSE will perform two unforgettable sunset beach concerts on Kandooma’s private island, limited to just 250 guests. Frontman and creative visionary Iva Davies will also host a special fan Q&A, creating a rare opportunity for music lovers to connect up close with a true legend. This week-long tropical celebration is now completely sold out.
Kate Miller-Heidke | 3–10 October 2026
Renowned for her soaring vocals and captivating stage presence, Kate Miller-Heidke brings her extraordinary talent to Kandooma for an exclusive island residency. A classically trained vocalist and one of Australia’s most distinctive performers, Kate moves seamlessly between pop, folk and opera. From composing Muriel’s Wedding The Musical and the award-winning opera The Rabbits, to representing Australia at Eurovision and coaching on The Voice Australia, her performances promise emotional depth and musical brilliance in an unforgettable setting. 7-night stays start from A$3,450 per person, twin share.
“We’re incredibly excited by this year’s line-up, with each artist bringing something truly distinctive and appealing to different audiences,” said Sharon Garrett, Director of Marketing & Sustainability, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives.
“The response to our 2026 concerts has been phenomenal, and it’s easy to see why. These are not traditional concerts, they are highly exclusive island residencies that blend music, travel and once-in-a-lifetime moments, which is exactly what today’s travellers are seeking,”
A hallmark of a Music in Paradise organised event at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is its unrivalled intimacy. Each concert week is strictly capped at approximately 250 guests, with performances staged across spectacular island venues including the Surf Beach, Main Beach and the resort’s iconic rooftop Sunset Bar. Every event spans several days and features multiple performances, special artist interactions and curated island experiences.
Located in the South Malé Atoll, just 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a tropical island paradise renowned for its white, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoon and world-class diving and surfing. Accommodation ranges from Garden and Beach Villas to two-storey Beach Houses and Overwater Villas. Families are welcomed with the Kandoo Kids’ Club and a full activities programme, while six dining venues and the Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala complete the experience.
The exclusive concert weeks are available only to guests who book through Music in Paradise. For bookings and full programme details, please visit here.
Entertainment
Craig David shares emotional Maldives moment after ‘Rise & Fall’ surprise at resort dinner
British singer and songwriter Craig David has shared an emotional reflection from his recent visit to the Maldives after being surprised at dinner by the Maldivian Duo, Huyam and Shan, @huya_shan, who performed a cover of his hit Rise & Fall at a resort.
Posting on Instagram, the 43-year-old artist wrote: “This touched my heart differently🥹❤️ At dinner @huya_shan a beautiful local Maldivian duo surprised me with a cover of Rise & Fall🎶 Little did I know a core memory was being made✨Thank you both for this kind & thoughtful gift.”
The moment—shared with David’s global audience—spotlighted a side of the Maldives experience that goes beyond scenery: intimate, guest-facing cultural encounters where local talent becomes part of the evening’s story. The singer’s emphasis on being “touched” and describing the performance as a “core memory” drew strong engagement from fans, many of whom responded to the warmth of the exchange and the setting in the Maldives.
Rise & Fall, released in 2003, is one of David’s best-known songs and features Sting, built around a sample from Shape of My Heart. The choice of song—and the surprise delivery—appeared to resonate personally with the artist, who has often spoken about music’s power to connect people across places and backgrounds.
Craig David rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s, breaking through with Fill Me In and the multi-platinum debut album Born to Do It, before building a catalogue spanning UK garage, R&B and pop. His Maldives post adds to a growing pattern of high-profile artists and public figures sharing on-island moments with local performers—an increasingly visible intersection between luxury hospitality and Maldivian creative talent.
Huya and Shan are known for their work as part of the duo, “Huya & Shan” and their performances in resorts of Maldives. They have also been featured previously for their roles in the Maldives’ tourism entertainment scene. In this instance, the duet created what David described as a lasting memory—one that also amplified Maldivian musicianship to a global audience in a single post.
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