Father Geek here with this weeks issue of the Euro-AICN Column, But before we get to Robert in Rome I have some interesting items that were sent directly to Geek Headquarters here in ol' Austin, Texas...
Hello, Neth here. For the benefit of any AICNers who are gonna be in London on Saturday, they might like to come along to a screening of Y Tu Mama Tambien at the Curzon Soho, Shaftesbury Avenue.
The screening will be followed by an audience Q&A session with director Alfonso Cuaron and stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. The event kicks off at 6.40pm on Saturday, and tickets are priced £8.
Neth
Now Father Geek's got this bit from our man Sean in Ireland...
Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Ian Kennedy and Tony Rowe of Straight Face Productions are aiming to film "The Last Parade" penned by Ned Stuart of Lang Syne Films in New York with intern Brandon Tate, a Cerebral Palsy teenager in Lanexa, Virginia.
Metropolitan Films of Dublin is also in the mix as funding and casting rounds begin for this epic tale of Irish icon, Private William McBride, popularised by Australian entertainer-songwriter Eric Bogle in his song "The Green Fields of France."
The timeliness of the project is self-evident. As it was in negotiation, appropriate period locations were being identified with the help of the Northern Ireland Film Commission in order to facilitate a project such as "The Last Parade." The potential of a cross-border production of this magnitude is creating excitement throughout the worldwide Irish community. In Ireland, the best and brightest talents are reading through the script in an effort to secure parts. The buzz has even rocked England.
Award winning Straight Forward Film and Television CEO Ian Kennedy, currently Chairman of the Irish Film and Television Academy and distinguished television drama and current affairs producer Tony Rowe, head of About Face Media Productions in Britain and Ireland, are confident that "The Last Parade" will become a celebrated film classic.
Kennedy and Rowe created Straight Face Productions 1995 as a joint feature film and documentary arm or their two companies Straight Forward Productions and About Face Media Films.
Now to sunny Italy and our Euro-editor Robert Bernocchi...
Hi people. Unfortunately a very brief column, due to my work duties. Anyway, you can look at news about Star Wars, Chasing the Dragon, Michael Caine's The Actors and the Indian film Bend It Like Beckham. Enjoy!
Star Wars in UK
Star Wars fans in the UK will be able to see the latest instalment in the sci-fi drama ahead of the US. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of Clones will be shown at screenings just after midnight on 16 May at selected Odeon cinemas. The movie is simultaneously released across the Atlantic but the special screening time will ensure UK audiences see it at least five hours before the US due to the different time zones.
In the US fans have begun queuing for tickets to the latest space adventure outside the world's most famous cinema - Mann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles.
Click here to read the full article: Yes... That's Right... Click Now!
Chasing The Dragon
From: ShowBizIreland (http://www.showbizireland.com/)
Chasing the Dragon starring Cate Blanchett, the new blockbuster movie about the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin, is to have its ending changed.
According to reports in the Irish press, the changes come as a result of the acquittal of Paul Ward, who has had his conviction for her murder quashed.
The 18million euro movie, which stars Cate Blanchett as Guerin, is not expected to over-run its buget by too much.
An insider said: "There were really only two scenes where Paul Ward is mentioned by name. Although the end must be changed, the other changes are very slight". Ward was never accused of shooting Ms. Guerin, but it was alleged he had been involved in the planning and the disposal of the gun and motorbike used in the murder.
Blanchett had said that playing the role of Veronica Guerin had been a very "positive" experience. "I'm interested in unlocking the human being the journalist and it's up to me to find out what motivated her. I've never met so many people who said they met her, had dinner with her - everyone in Ireland has an opinion on her - that's incredibly positive for me", she said.
It is expected that Chasing the Dragon, which is directed by Joel Schumacher, will give an precise portrayal of the crime journalists life
Michael Caine's The Actors
Oscar winning actor Michael Caine took time out yesterday to talk exclusively to ShowBizIreland.com on the set of his current film, The Actors, shooting in Dublin.
Alongside Caine is the BAFTA award winning Irish comedian Dylan Moran, who plays Caine's sidekick in the movie.
Irish playwright Conor McPherson, who wrote in the script for the movie, is also directing.
Speaking about filming Caine said that working with Dylan was easy to say the least, even though it is only one of his first big roles.
"It's easy to work with this fellow. He is really good", Caine admitted. However, Dylan joked that working with Caine was taking its toll after all it was Caine's 126th movie: "It's a nightmare. Nobody is talking to anyone on the set. There is a lot of arguing."
Caine insisted however that he himself was the real star of the film saying, "I am only here to cover for Dylan. You are only supposed to talk to me and not to him. I'm the upbeat one."
Dylan however intervened and said "I think Michael has a lot of potential and if he plays his cards right he has a real future in film acting."
"Yes, I do try my best." Caine replied.
Caine also spoke about the full story of the film. "Its about two actors in a company in Dublin who are broke and they steal some money off some gangsters. And it's their efforts basically to give it back after as they are so scared. So, being actors they resort to all kinds of disguises and from then it becomes a comic chaos. It's very funny. It was the script first that attracted me to the role and the part was a wonderful as I get to play Richard the third which I would never do in real life."
Bend It Like Beckham
Indian films are currently in vogue, what with the legendary Bollywood industry booming and the main stream success of Monsoon Wedding. With her third feature movie, Bend It Like Beckham, director Gurinder Chadha is flying the flag high.
Eighteen-year-old Jesse just wants to play football, but her parents want her to be a nice, conservative Indian girl. Kicking ball around the park with the boys is the closest she gets to playing 'real' football, until she is discovered one day by Jules, who invites her to join the local women's football club.
A new world is opened up to Jesse, who, before now, never played on a real pitch. She also gets to meet Joe, the team coach, whom she is smitten by.
Causing much aggravation at home, Jesse continues her sporting passion in secret so as not to upset her parents. When her mum catches her in the park one day playing footie with the boys she forbids her from playing again. After all, what would people say!
Despite the elaborate sneaking around Jesse is soon caught out and forced to give up her dreams of being a female version of David Beckham (who makes a very brief appearance). She also manages to ruin her sister Pinky's wedding in the process through a series of misunderstandings.
With everything stacked against her, poor Jesse sees no way out and resigns her self to the fact that she will go to law school and marry a nice boy. Things work out for her though and she does get to go to the ball, so to speak.
Film new comer Parminder Nagra plays Jesse and looks so comfortable on the big screen you would think she's been acting for years. She certainly outshone some of the other more experienced cast.
If you have ever seen the BBC comedy The Kumars of No. 42, then you will know the kind of hilarity to expect from the various Indian characters, especially Jesse's mother (Shaheen Khan). The funniest lines, however, are from Juliet Stevenson who plays Jules' brash mum, Paula. She cannot fathom why her daughter is not interested in boys and is forever trying to get her to wear girlie clothes.
Bend It Like Beckham is a bit predictable but witty and well written. Scenes such as family arguments and the wedding finale are full of laughs. It also gives you an insight into Indian culture.
Educating and funny, Bend It Like Beckham is released on the 12th of April.
