Hey folks, Harry here... Are you still holding a grudge against John Madden because SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE beat SAVING PRIVATE RYAN at the Oscars? Well... I'm not. Take a look at it like this. Spielberg lost that Oscar and decided to return to Sci-Fi! He's on the path to do genre films! Yippee!!!! And it's this guy's fault, so celebrate and support his work. If you happened to have seen Madden's MRS BROWN, then in combination with SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, you realize this is an EXTREMELY talented filmmaker that we should be keeping very very close tabs upon. And that's exactly what we are doing. Below you hear about the production, the story and pictures from the set. ENJOY, and remember... Penelope Cruz is a goddess!!!
Dear Harry And Co.
How ya all doing?
So I decided to send you all an e-mail concerning CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN. Herebelow are the following info on the title.
Greece, Cellaphonia, May 24, 2000 - Captain Corelli's Mandolin, starring Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage and Peneplope Cruz, began principal photography on MAy 18 for a 12-week shoot on the island of Cephallonia, Greece.
An epic tale about the enduring hope of love and the devastating brutality of war, set amid the Italian occupation of Greece during World War II, the film also stars John Hurt, Christian Bale, David Morrisey and yes, Irene Papas. John MAdden directs from a screenplay by Shawn Slovo, based on the classic novel by Louis de Berniers. I cried my eyes off boys, read the friggin book and if you can, the screenplay (which I am not allowed to send...two thumbs up!!!
Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Kevin Loader and Mark Huffam will produce "Corelli", which will be release in the US and Canada by Universal and Internationally by UIP, Studio Canal + and Miramax Films.
Anyway, let me get back to the story.
The idyllic beauty of Greece's Mediterranean coast has been invaded by Italy (my native country), bringing legions of soldiers to the once tranquil island of Cefallonia. Captain Corelli (Cage), an officer with an irrepressibly jovial personality and passion for his mandolin, initially alienates a number of villagers. In particular, he infuriates the village doctor, Iannis (Hurt) and his beautiful and educated, stong-willed daughter Pelagia (Cruz) whose home he shares during the occupation. Corelli's charm and decency, together with his desire to have quiet and peaceful war, eventually wins over their friendship. When Pelagia's fiancee Mandras (Bale) heads off to battle, the relationship between Corelli and Pelagia grows stronger. (No, it ain't no Legends Of The Fall). As the war advances ever closer, Corelli and Pelagia are forced to choose between their allegiance to their country and the love they fell for one another-a love which must overcome tremendous odds, and the endure the inevitable sacrifice which accompanies eternal devotion.
When I first heard Nic Cage was attached to the film I was like: "No pls. don't cast the man with the same expression....I mean Cage in City Of Angels irritated the living shit out of me. But if you guys read the book, he's fun, hyper as well as dramatic. So try to mix his euphoria of Vampire's Kiss and the melancholy of Leaving Las Vegas...you get Captain Corelli. What's good is that their love and their characters are not the usual cliched ones.
Anyway, the budget is supposedly about US$90,000,000. Faithfully yours,
Chacra & "Screech" out!
And then here's Fay and her pictures from the set....
Hi Harry, if you want to use them here are some images of the film sets for Captain Corelli's Mandolin, in Kefalonia. The buildings are in Sami, and the Italian army camp is on the beautiful beach at Antisamos. A bit surreal, barbed wire and bathing suits side by side. Hope you like them. Cheers. Fay
And then here are Thomas and his pics from set....
Harry,
Enclosed are some behind-the-scenes pics of the set of "Captain Corelli's Mandolin"
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Thomas Chau
