Movie Reviews and News

JOHN HURT TO RECEIVE BAFTA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA

2012-01-27T19:34:00.002Z

London, 27 January 2012: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is delighted to announce that John Hurt will receive the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award at the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on Sunday 12 February. Universally acclaimed for his acting talent, Hurt’s vast range of distinguished performances has shaped an impressive career spanning six decades.

The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award, introduced in 1978, is presented annually in honour of Michael Balcon. Previous recipients include Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Mary Selway, Ridley and Tony Scott, Working Title Films and Lewis Gilbert. Last year’s recipient was the Harry Potter series of films.

Hurt has starred in a variety of remarkable film roles working alongside some of the most important figures in the industry including Orson Welles, Laurence Olivier, Richard Burton and Steven Spielberg. The legendary characters he has portrayed include Winston Smith in Nineteen Eighty-Four, Rich in A Man For All Seasons – a film which won seven BAFTA Awards and six Academy Awards – and Max in Midnight Express, for which he won the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards for Best Supporting Actor.

Hurt also won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor in 1976 for The Naked Civil Servant, which was followed by a British Academy Film Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance in The Elephant Man in 1981. Throughout an impressive career he has received a further four BAFTA nominations (one for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Alien) and two Academy Award nominations. His most recent film roles have seen him starring as Ollivander in the Harry Potter series and Control in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy – both films are BAFTA-nominated this year.

Tim Corrie, Chairman of BAFTA, said: “John Hurt is an actor it is both exciting and fascinating to watch. He has extraordinary screen presence and brings utter conviction to every role he undertakes. He is one of a kind, an iconic figure, and BAFTA is delighted to take this opportunity to honour his outstanding contribution to cinema.”

John Hurt added: "I know that film means a great deal to me but I had no idea that I meant so much to film. I feel very honoured."

The Orange British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday 12 February, hosted by Stephen Fry and broadcast on BBC One. They will be preceded by a special BAFTA ‘red carpet’ programme hosted by Edith Bowman on BBC Three.

Movie Reviews and News

Oscar Nominees 2012

2012-01-24T18:45:00.002Z

BEST PICTURE

War Horse
The Tree of Life
The Artist
Moneyball
The Descendants
Midnight in Paris
The Help
Hugo
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

BEST DIRECTOR

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist
Alexander Payne - The Descendants
Martin Scorsese - Hugo
Woody Allen - Midnight in Paris
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life

BEST ACTOR

Jean Dujardin - The Artist
Demian Bichir - A Better Life
Brad Pitt - Moneyball
George Clooney - The Descendants
Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

BEST ACTRESS

Glenn Close - Albert Nobbs
Viola Davis - The Help
Rooney Mara - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady
Michelle Williams - My Week With Marilyn

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kenneth Branagh - My Week With Marilyn
Jonah Hill - Moneyball
Nick Nolte - Warrior
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Max von Sydow - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Berenice Bejo - The Artist
Jessica Chastain - The Help
Melissa McCarthy - Bridesmaids
Janet McTeer - Albert Nobbs
Octavia Spencer - The Help

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

Bullhead - Belgium
Footnote - Israel
In Darkness - Poland
Monsieur Lazhar - Canada
A Separation - Iran

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

The Artist - Michel Hazanavicius
Bridesmaids - Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig
Margin Call - JC Chandor
Midnight in Paris - Woody Allen
A Separation - Asghar Farhadi

BEST ANIMATION

A Cat in Paris
Chico and Rita
Kung Fu Panda 2
Puss in Boots
Rango

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

The Descendants - Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash
Hugo - John Logan
The Ides of March - George Clooney, Grant Heslov and Beau Willimon
Moneyball - Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin. Story by Stan Chervin.
Tinker Tailor Solider Spy - Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan

BEST ART DIRECTION

The Artist
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2
Hugo
Midnight in Paris
War Horse

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Artist
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
The Tree of Life
War Horse

BEST SOUND MIXING

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

BEST SOUND EDITING

Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
War Horse

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

Man or Muppet from The Muppets - music and lyrics by Bret McKenzie
Real in Rio from Rio - music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown and lyrics by Siedah Garrett

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

The Adventures of Tintin
The Artist
Hugo
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
War Horse

BEST COSTUMES

Anonymous
The Artist
Hugo
Jane Eyre
W.E.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Hell and Back Again
If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
Pina
Undefeated

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement
God is the Bigger Elvis
Incident in New Baghdad
Saving Face
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom

BEST FILM EDITING

The Artist
The Descendants
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Hugo
Moneyball

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

Penecost
Raju
The Shore
Time Freak
Tuba Atlantic

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Hugo
Real Steel
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Transformers: Dark of the Moon

BEST MAKE-UP

Albert Nobbs
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Iron Lady

I can't comment as I've seen virtually no movies from 2011 (having a new arrival in the family does that to you!!) - so what do you think? Worthy choices? Criminally omitted? Who should win?

Movie Reviews and News

Kinema - The Movie Database

2012-01-21T19:20:00.000Z

Tienen, Belgium - Appsequence has announced the release and immediate availability of Kinema 1.0, their exciting new movie entertainment app for iPhone and iPod touch. The app lets you find movie information with simplicity and elegance.

This app is extremely easy to use. Users can browse by "Box Office" , "In Theaters", "Opening Movies" ,"Upcoming" or search for a specific movie. They can scroll through the movies and once a movie is selected, they'll see the rating, length, fan rating, stills and a short synopsis. Tapping the play button will start playing the full trailer and if they want even more info on the film they can read a full synopsis, see the cast and director, and browse through reviews and ratings.

Kinema's has an intuitive, streamlined interface and aims to list every detail about every movie ever made, including who was in it, who made it, the plot, user ratings, trailers, photos, reviews, quotes, and much more.

Feature Highlights:

* Search for any movie ever made

* Browse for Box-Office and Upcoming movies

* Find out which movies are currently playing in theaters

* Find similar movies

* Check out ratings and read reviews from Rottentomatoes.com or from around the web

* Pull up actor biographies and see what other movies they have starred in

* Share articles, movies, and photos on Facebook

* Native Twitter share added for users on iOS 5

* Watch trailers of all listed movies

* iOS 5 enhanced

"Whether you want to find out what's currently playing and prefer to read some reviews before you go or just want to check out stills of that exciting new upcoming movie, there's really only one mobile application you need: Kinema" stated company Founder Mauritz Serra.

Device Requirements:

* iPhone or iPod touch

* iOS 4.0 or later

* 5.3 MB

Kinema 1.0 is only $1.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Entertainment category.

Movie Reviews and News

Star Wars Uncut - Full Version ("Director's Cut") Released!!

2012-01-20T21:35:00.000Z

This is just awesome - if you want a good laugh but haven't got much time, go to a few seconds before the 8 minute mark and play it for 15 seconds - priceless!

The "Director's Cut" is a feature-length film that contains hand-picked scenes from the entire StarWarsUncut.com collection.

Movie Reviews and News

Canine Vader March

2012-01-20T19:25:00.002Z

I don't even care what it's advertising, this made my smile!

Movie Reviews and News

Saraband for Dead Lovers (1948)

2012-01-20T18:36:00.000Z

This historical drama by Ealing Studios stars Joan Greenwood as Sophie Dorothea, a young woman forced into an unhappy manage to the odious Prince George Louis (played by a gloriously obnoxious Peter Bull) and under the thumb of Electress Sophia (Françoise Rosay). Light comes into her life with the birth of her children, but soon even these are taken away from her. Hope is renewed by the dashing Swedish Count, Philip Konigsmark (Stewart Granger), but their romance is blocked by Countess Clara Platen (Flora Robson). Eventually their love can no longer be denied, but it can only end in disaster...

Directed by Basil Dearden, Saraband for Dead Lovers is a pretty good historical drama, but man is it miserable - seriously, it's miserable enough for my mother-in-law to love it (on the off-chance that my wife's mother ever actually reads this, it is meant as a rather tongue-in-cheek comment!). So, recommended if you like fairly intense historical affairs, but not if you want anything approaching cheerful entertainment.

Movie Reviews and News

POWER TO THE PIXEL ANNOUNCES THE PIXEL LAB 2012

2012-01-14T15:17:00.000Z

POWER TO THE PIXEL ANNOUNCES THE PIXEL LAB 2012

12 January 2012 (London)

Now in its third year, Power to the Pixel brings its leading cross-media course, The Pixel Lab, to Potsdam, Germany from 1 – 7 July 2012. With support from the Media Programme of the European Union, federal funding body Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, TorinoFilmLab and UK skills and training body Skillset via its Film Skills Fund.

The Pixel Lab is a unique, project-focused business development course for European film and media professionals. Participants will develop the skills necessary to develop, finance and distribute cross-media stories, with a focus on future proofing project development, company growth and competitiveness in the international multi-platform marketplace.

Power to the Pixel will select up to 40 producers, storytellers, decision-makers and executives to attend an immersive six-day workshop from 1 – 7 July. Training is led by top business and creative innovators from the cross-media world.

Producers attending the Lab with a cross-media project receive distance mentoring over the summer (July – September) to help take their project to the next level. For the final section of the Lab, project producers will attend a four-day session in London, October 2012, running in tandem with Power to the Pixel’s annual Cross-Media Forum. During this last stage they will receive pitch presentation training, culminating in project presentations to select invited industry guests and an afternoon of business meetings with financiers and potential partners. One producer will be awarded The Pixel Lab Cash Prize, judged on the quality of their final day pitch.

Confirmed Tutors for this year’s Pixel Lab are:

Nuno Bernardo, CEO & Producer, beActive (PORT)

Wendy Bernfeld, Digital Rights Licensing & Founder, Rights Stuff (NETH)

Sean Coleman, Cross-Media Writer and Producer (UK)

Ben Grass, Cross-Media Producer, MD Pure Grass Films (UK)

Tishna Molla, COO & Producer, Power to the Pixel (UK)

Michel Reilhac, Executive Director, ARTE France Cinéma (FR)

Liz Rosenthal, CEO & Founder, Power to the Pixel (UK)

Adam Sigel, Content Strategist, Writer & Producer (USA)

Inga von Staden, Media Architect & Educator (GERM)

Last year’s participants included Anne Mette Stevn, International Editor at Egmont Creative Centre (DEN; Marc Boothe, Founder of the award-winning digital arts network B3 Media (UK); business consultant and former Head of Acquisitions for Match Factory, Tobias Pausinger (GERM); leading producer Laurent Duret, Les Films d’Ici (FR); award-winning producers Tobias Büchner and Volker Heise , Zero One Film (GERM).

The deadline for applications is 30 March 2012.

Liz Rosenthal, Founder & CEO of Power to the Pixel said: “Power to the Pixel is honoured to have the continued support of our generous partners, MEDIA Programme European, Medienboard, TorinoFilmLab and Skillset via its Film Skills Fund. In these 3 years, we’ve seen a tremendous growth in the quality and range of the projects submitted and developed at The Pixel Lab. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with some of the best European talent, helping develop innovative ways of telling stories and doing business in this rapidly evolving media world”.

Elmar Giglinger, CEO Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg said: "One of the Medienboard's core jobs is to help media professionals get ready for their future business. The Pixel Lab is one of the internationally most relevant workshops for producers, developers and decision-makers to upgrade their cross-media skills. Further, it offers great opportunities to make fresh top-level business contacts. So we are very happy to have The Pixel Lab around for the second time. Welcome to Potsdam!"

Savina Neirotti, Director TorinoFilmLab said: “Our collaboration with the Pixel Lab, now in its third year, proves the importance of a growing dialogue between the world of independent cinema and that of cross-media. We look forward to presenting more Pixel Lab projects at the annual TorinoFilmLab Meeting Event!"

Michel Reilhac, Executive Director ARTE France Cinéma, The Pixel Lab 2010, 2011 & 2012 Group Mentor said: “Once again this year Pixel Lab 2nd edition in Potsdam has proven to be instrumental in training a whole new generation of transmedia producers, the first of its kind. It is at the Lab that expertise is being built and shared as transmedia is quickly becoming a new art form and a creative alternative economic model. The Lab is shaping the international community around this new trend. The expertise level at the Lab is very high. The participants were all very diverse, each with a vibrant approach; they fully complemented each other...An amazingly enriching experience for all of us involved. It has been an honour to be invited to this unique event. Thank you and congratulations to all of you at Power to the Pixel for a flawless organisation”.

Mike Patterson, Producer / Director, PFilm, The Pixel Lab 2011 Participant said: “I went to the Pixel Lab not knowing quite what to expect from the week. It turned out to be one of the most stimulating and immersive weeks I've experienced professionally and has given me a whole new armoury of knowledge and ideas to apply in my work. The programme, put together with great care by the fantastic team at Power to the Pixel, illuminates every corner of the diverse world of transmedia and makes The Pixel Lab a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet and collaborate with some of the most exciting creators and thinkers working in transmedia.

Quite simply, there's nothing out there quite like it”.

About Power to the Pixel

Power to the Pixel supports the film and media industries in their transition to a digital age. Headed by Founder & CEO, Liz Rosenthal and COO & Producer, Tishna Molla, the company’s London team has a wealth of experience and expertise across film and cross-media development, production and finance, and is linked to a unique network of the leading thinkers, practitioners and innovators who are developing new business and creative opportunities around the world.

Power to the Pixel’s clients and partners, past and present include: ARTE; BAFTA; BBH; Berlin Film Festival; BFI; Canada Media Fund; Cannes Film Festival (Marché du Film); EAVE; Edinburgh Film Festival; IFP; Nordisk Film & TV Fond; Orange; Téléfilm Canada; TorinoFilmLab; UK Film Council.

www.powertothepixel.com

Movie Reviews and News

SKY SECURES EXCLUSIVE UK RIGHTS TO BROADCAST THE 84TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS

2012-01-13T23:28:00.000Z

The 84th Annual Academy Awards® ceremony will be broadcast live and in stunning high definition on Sunday 26 February by Sky Movies HD, as the UK’s exclusive broadcaster of the event for the eighth consecutive year.

Sky Movies presenter and film critic Alex Zane will anchor the UK’s Oscars® coverage, with a pre-ceremony show featuring all of the arrivals, interviews and excitement from the red carpet simulcast on Sky Living/HD and Sky Movies Premiere/HD before the 84th Annual Academy Awards® ceremony live exclusively on Sky Movies Premiere/HD.

Alex will be joined in Sky’s London studio by a panel of celebrity guests and experts who will share their predictions and reactions to the winners, frocks and shocks as the most talked-about evening in the film calendar unfolds.

Televised live from the Kodak Theatre in LA, this year’s ceremony will be hosted by Billy Crystal; marking the star’s ninth time as host, while Oscar®-winning composer Hans Zimmer will join forces with Grammy® Award-winner Pharrell Williams to serve as the show’s music consultants.

Ian Lewis, Director of Sky Movies, comments: “The Academy Awards® ceremony is a moment of real significance for the entertainment community and film fans alike. We’re delighted that Sky Movies HD will be broadcasting this event live and exclusively in the UK for the eighth year running, giving our customers a front row seat at Hollywood’s most glamorous awards ceremony.”

In addition, this February Sky Movies will be showing back-to-back Oscar® winning films to celebrate the 84th Annual Academy Awards® including the top five winners from last year. The season will include Black Swan (Natalie Portman – Best Actress), The King’s Speech (Colin Firth – Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Picture, Tom Hooper – Best Director), The Social Network (Adapted Screenplay – Aaron Sorkin) and The Fighter, which won for Supporting Actor (Christian Bale) and Actress (Melissa Leo).

The Oscars® Red Carpet coverage will air from 1130-0130 simulcast on Sky Movies Premiere/HD and Living HD and the awards ceremony on will on air on Sky Movies Premiere/HD only from 0130 until 0400.

For more information visit: www.skymovies.com or www.sky.com

Movie Reviews and News

Sherlock Endeavours

2012-01-09T20:41:00.000Z

British crime drama fans have been well catered for recently, with the long-awaited second series of Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman in in the first episode Lara Pulver as dominatrix Irene Adler. It's a good story with strong performances, and although there were one or two aspects I wasn't keen on, overall it's better than any of the episodes from season one - I haven't seen the second episode yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

On the other hand, Inspector Morse prelude Endeavour tracks the inspector's early days. It's a cracking story, full of complex situations and plot twists, and the fact that I've never actually seen an episode of Inspector Morse didn't hinder me from enjoying it immensely. Shaun Evans takes up the iconic role played for so long by John Thaw.

Movie Reviews and News

MARTIN SCORSESE TO BE HONOURED WITH BAFTA FELLOWSHIP

2012-01-05T17:55:00.000Z

London, Wednesday 4January 2012: On Sunday 12 February, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will present Martin Scorsese with the Academy Fellowship at the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony, at London’s Royal Opera House.

Awarded annually by BAFTA, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film. Previously honoured Fellows include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave. Christopher Lee received the Fellowship at the Film Awards last February.

Tim Corrie, Chairman of BAFTA, said: “Martin Scorsese is a legend in his lifetime; a true inspiration to all young directors the world over. We are delighted to honour his contribution to cinema history and look forward to paying tribute to him in London on 12 February.”

Martin Scorsese added: “It is a great honour to be recognized by the British Academy and to join the ranks of such an esteemed group of industry colleagues and friends.”

With a celebrated career now spanning six decades, Martin Scorsese is one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history. The acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter has been nominated by BAFTA no fewer than nine times, garnering three wins in 1991 for Goodfellas. A cinematic master, his works also include Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Aviator and The Departed. He has continued to delight critics and audiences alike with his most recent work, Hugo, a film that not only marks the director’s first foray into 3D but is also his first adventure film for all the family. Scorsese has also made a number of ground-breaking documentaries including celebrated music films No Direction Home: Bob Dylan, Shine a Light and George Harrison: Living in the Material World.

Demonstrating his passion for film preservation, Scorsese is the founder and chair of two non-profit organizations dedicated to the preservation and protection of motion picture history: The Film Foundation and the World Cinema Foundation.

In December 2010, Scorsese was the subject of a ‘BAFTA A Life in Pictures’ event, where he shared personal insights into his career and his craft and gave invaluable advice to newcomers to the industry. These videos are now available to view on www.bafta.org/guru.

The nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards will be announced on Tuesday 17 January. The ceremony, broadcast by the BBC in the UK, will be held on 12 February and hosted by Stephen Fry.

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org or www.bafta.org/guru

Movie Reviews and News

Prometheus Trailer

2011-12-26T15:33:00.000Z

Apparently, after initial denial, a prequel to Ridley Scott's Alien.

Movie Reviews and News

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH’S “THE BACHELOR KING 3D” TO AIR EXCLUSIVELY ON SKY 3D ON NEW YEARS EVE 2011

2011-12-22T20:37:00.004Z

Sky and Atlantic Productions are delighted to announce the 3D TV world premiere of David Attenborough’s ground breaking documentary film The Bachelor King 3D, which airs on Sky 3D on Saturday, 31st December 2011 at 8pm.

New and exclusive to Sky, the film was shot in stunning 3D on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia over a period of five months and follows the extraordinary lives of King Penguins, to imagine what one penguin’s life could be. The Bachelor King 3D is written and presented by multi-award winning natural history broadcaster David Attenborough.

The Bachelor King 3D is the second natural history film commissioned by Sky to air on Sky 3D, which made history in 2010 when it became Europe’s first dedicated 3D TV channel. The BAFTA award-winning Flying Monsters 3D was the first collaboration between Sky, Attenborough and Atlantic Productions, and The Bachelor King 3D will be followed in 2012 by Kingdom of Plants 3D, a look at the life of plants, set in Kew Gardens.

The commissions are part of Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in UK originated content by 50% to £600million a year by 2014, to cement its position as one of the biggest investors in the UK’s creative economy.

The film has been produced by award winning producer Anthony Geffen, CEO of Atlantic Productions. Geffen explained “While making Flying Monsters 3D David and I became really excited about the power of 3D. We started talking about other projects that might work brilliantly in 3D – and David thought of filming in South Georgia. This spectacular but little known sub-Antarctic island is home to an amazing collection of wildlife including millions of penguins. 3D allows you to literally step inside the King Penguin’s world.”

David Attenborough added: “I knew it would be mind-blowing, there are a number of extremely dramatic animals in South Georgia that would look particularly astounding in 3D. The difficulties are huge but the rewards are huge too. With 3D you can convey the reality of what’s in front of the camera in a much more powerful way than ever before. To be at the cutting edge, when you know that you are doing something that no one has done before, is exciting and a great privilege. I feel hugely privileged to have started my life on 405 black and white and now to be working in 3D.”

John Cassy, Director, Sky 3D, added: “Fascinating natural history programming such as this has the ability to bring households and families together in order to truly share the experience. Add to this the fact that audiences are enjoying the films in stunning 3D and you have even more reason why we continue to grow our pioneering offering for our customers. We are as proud as Sir David to be able to deliver such advances in this genre of entertainment and look forward to our future with both David and Atlantic Productions.”

The film will be released theatrically in giant screen theatres and cinemas around the world in 2012 and will return to Sky 3D later in the year.

Since launching Sky 3D in October 2010 Sky has broken new ground across a range of genres, including natural history, live music, the arts, spots and movies. Highlights have included Flying Monsters 3D, a number of summer music festival, opera and ballet, Kylie Minogue live from the O2, Got to Dance, the 3D TV world premieres of Avatar, Alice in Wonderland and the Toy Story Trilogy as well as more than 150 live sports broadcast spanning a range of domestic and international sports.

Movie Reviews and News

Golden Globe Nominees 2012

2011-12-17T00:37:00.000Z

Best Motion Picture - Drama
Nominees:
The Descendants (2011)
The Help (2011)
Hugo (2011/II)
The Ides of March (2011)
Moneyball (2011)
War Horse (2011)

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
The Artist (2011)
Bridesmaids (2011)
50/50 (2011)
Midnight in Paris (2011)
My Week with Marilyn (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Nominees:
George Clooney for The Descendants (2011)
Leonardo DiCaprio for J. Edgar (2011)
Michael Fassbender for Shame (2011)
Ryan Gosling for The Ides of March (2011)
Brad Pitt for Moneyball (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
Nominees:
Glenn Close for Albert Nobbs (2011)
Viola Davis for The Help (2011)
Rooney Mara for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady (2011)
Tilda Swinton for We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
Jean Dujardin for The Artist (2011)
Brendan Gleeson for The Guard (2011)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt for 50/50 (2011)
Ryan Gosling for Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Owen Wilson for Midnight in Paris (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
Jodie Foster for Carnage (2011)
Charlize Theron for Young Adult (2011)
Kristen Wiig for Bridesmaids (2011)
Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn (2011)
Kate Winslet for Carnage (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Nominees:
Kenneth Branagh for My Week with Marilyn (2011)
Albert Brooks for Drive (2011)
Jonah Hill for Moneyball (2011)
Viggo Mortensen for A Dangerous Method (2011)
Christopher Plummer for Beginners (2010)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Nominees:
Bérénice Bejo for The Artist (2011)
Jessica Chastain for The Help (2011)
Janet McTeer for Albert Nobbs (2011)
Octavia Spencer for The Help (2011)
Shailene Woodley for The Descendants (2011)

Best Director - Motion Picture
Nominees:
Woody Allen for Midnight in Paris (2011)
George Clooney for The Ides of March (2011)
Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist (2011)
Alexander Payne for The Descendants (2011)
Martin Scorsese for Hugo (2011/II)

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Nominees:
The Artist (2011): Michel Hazanavicius
The Descendants (2011): Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash
The Ides of March (2011): George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon
Midnight in Paris (2011): Woody Allen
Moneyball (2011): Steven Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin, Stan Chervin

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Nominees:
Albert Nobbs (2011): Brian Byrne, Glenn Close("Lay Your Head Down")
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011): Elton John, Bernie Taupin("Hello Hello")
The Help (2011): Mary J. Blige, Thomas Newman, Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas("The Living Proof")
Machine Gun Preacher (2011): Chris Cornell("The Keeper")
W.E. (2011): Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry("Masterpiece")

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Nominees:
The Artist (2011): Ludovic Bource
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
Hugo (2011/II): Howard Shore
War Horse (2011): John Williams
W.E. (2011): Abel Korzeniowski

Best Animated Film
Nominees:
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Cars 2 (2011)
Puss in Boots (2011)
Rango (2011)

Best Foreign Language Film
Nominees:
The Flowers of War (2011)(China)
In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011)(USA)
The Kid with a Bike (2011)(Belgium)
A Separation (2011)(Iran)
The Skin I Live In (2011)(Spain)

Best Television Series - Drama
Nominees:
"American Horror Story" (2011)
"Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
"Boss" (2011)
"Game of Thrones" (2011)
"Homeland" (2011)

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
"Enlightened" (2011)
"Episodes" (2011)
"Glee" (2009)
"Modern Family" (2009)
"New Girl" (2011)

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominees:
Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
"Downton Abbey" (2010)
"The Hour" (2011)
"Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
Nominees:
Steve Buscemi for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Bryan Cranston for "Breaking Bad" (2008)
Kelsey Grammer for "Boss" (2011)
Jeremy Irons for "The Borgias" (2011)
Damian Lewis for "Homeland" (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
Nominees:
Claire Danes for "Homeland" (2011)
Mireille Enos for "The Killing" (2011)
Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife" (2009)
Madeleine Stowe for "Revenge" (2011)
Callie Thorne for "Necessary Roughness" (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock" (2006)
David Duchovny for "Californication" (2007)
Johnny Galecki for "The Big Bang Theory" (2007)
Thomas Jane for "Hung" (2009)
Matt LeBlanc for "Episodes" (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy
Nominees:
Laura Dern for "Enlightened" (2011)
Zooey Deschanel for "New Girl" (2011)
Tina Fey for "30 Rock" (2006)
Laura Linney for "The Big C" (2010)
Amy Poehler for "Parks and Recreation" (2009)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominees:
Hugh Bonneville for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Idris Elba for "Luther" (2010)
William Hurt for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Bill Nighy for Page Eight (2011) (TV)
Dominic West for "The Hour" (2011)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominees:
Romola Garai for "The Hour" (2011)
Diane Lane for Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
Elizabeth McGovern for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Emily Watson for "Appropriate Adult" (2011)
Kate Winslet for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominees:
Peter Dinklage for "Game of Thrones" (2011)
Paul Giamatti for Too Big to Fail (2011) (TV)
Guy Pearce for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)
Tim Robbins for Cinema Verite (2011) (TV)
Eric Stonestreet for "Modern Family" (2009)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominees:
Jessica Lange for "American Horror Story" (2011)
Kelly Macdonald for "Boardwalk Empire" (2010)
Maggie Smith for "Downton Abbey" (2010)
Sofía Vergara for "Modern Family" (2009)
Evan Rachel Wood for "Mildred Pierce" (2011)

Movie Reviews and News

Tawny Pipit (1944)

2011-11-29T18:37:00.000Z

Tawny Pipit is a charming British film about a couple of rare visitors to Britain - birds called Twany Pipits. Well technically the film is far less about the birds themselves than how they are treated by the locals, which is used as an extended metaphor of how the British welcome foreigners to these shores (at least, that's the message that the Italian producer, who had been a recipient of such hospitality, wanted to get across). As such, and combined with its wartime propaganda which appears occasionally, it portrays an extremely idealised version of British attitudes, but for all that it's a film full of gentle humour and a few laugh out loud moments (mainly involving rascally schoolkids).

Niall MacGuinnis and Rosamund John star, with co-Writer and co-Director Bernard Miles enjoying himself immensely in the supporting role of wheelchair-bound all round good egg Colonel Barton-Barrington. A surprise hit in the States when it was released there after a 3-year delay, it portrays everything the British would like to believe themselves to be. A highly enjoyable film, if not altogether believable - and an unusual wartime film with no bullets fired (despite a Russian sniper being a guest in the village and tanks coming perilously close to the birds' nest!). A devious plot to steal the eggs adds a bit of suspense as well as comic relief to the proceedings.

Movie Reviews and News

"The Lady" - new trailer

2011-11-29T15:57:00.000Z

Movie Reviews and News

Puss In Boots - 5 minute clip

2011-11-29T15:43:00.001Z

<a href='http://video.uk.msn.com/?mkt=en-gb&vid=aa45bfb4-6998-4c72-9f6b-ef3477bfdb8b&src=SLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Puss In Boots clip (MSN Exclusive)'>Video: Puss In Boots clip (MSN Exclusive)</a>

Movie Reviews and News

Frederic Boyer named as Artistic Director for Tribeca Film Festival

2011-11-28T20:01:00.001Z

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL NAMES FREDERIC BOYER ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

* * *

Veteran Leader of Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight Arrives

As TFF Starts Preparations For Its 11^th Edition in April 2012

New York, NY (Nov. 28, 2011) – The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) announced today that Frederic Boyer, a veteran executive who most recently ran the Directors’ Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, has been named Artistic Director of TFF.

Boyer will report to Nancy Schafer, Executive Director of TFF, and Geoff Gilmore, Chief Creative Officer of Tribeca Enterprises. Gilmore will take on a more active role in overseeing the Festival program, while maintaining his existing responsibilities across Tribeca Enterprises’ other businesses.

Boyer, 52, has served as Artistic Director and Head of Programming for the Directors’ Fortnight since 2009. From 2004-08, he was Head of its Film Selection Committee. He is the Artistic Director for Les Arcs European Film Festival at Les Arcs ski resort in the Alps. Before joining the Directors’ Fortnight, he created and managed Videosphere, a renowned video store in Paris with a library of some 60,000 titles, including a wide range of arthouse films.

“The Tribeca Film Festival has always been a platform for a wide spectrum of filmmaking, and Frederic shares our passion and curiosity for film and storytelling,” said Tribeca co-founder Jane Rosenthal. “We know he will make our festival team even stronger, and enhance the Tribeca experience as we enter our second decade.”

Other changes to the executive structure include the promotion of Genna Terranova, former Senior Programmer, to Director of Programming.

Boyer added, “I could not be more honored and excited to begin this new chapter at Tribeca. This Festival has matured and developed so impressively from its origins, but there are many more frontiers to explore while keeping the core focus on discovering new voices in filmmaking. I am grateful to Jane, Geoff, Nancy and the entire team for giving me the opportunity to help lead that exploration through the medium of film.”

The 11th annual Tribeca Film Festival will be held April 18-29, 2012, in New York City.

About Tribeca Film Festival

Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture.

The Festival’s mission is to help filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center. Tribeca Film Festival is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.

Since Tribeca’s founding through 2011, the Tribeca Festival has screened over 1200 films from over 80 countries and it has attracted an international audience of more than 3.5 million attendees and generated an estimated $725 million in economic activity for New York City.

Movie Reviews and News

"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN" - CREW BIOGRAPHIES

2011-11-22T20:12:00.000Z

Simon Curtis (Director)

Simon began his career at the Royal Court Theatre, London where he was assistant director to Danny Boyle and Max Stafford Clark. His productions there included the world premiere of Jim Cartwright’s ROAD (which transferred to Lincoln Centre, New York with a cast including Kevin Bacon and Joan Cusack) and Sam Shepard’s A LIE OF THE MIND. Other notable productions include ROOTS by Arnold Wesker and Brian Friel’s “Making History” at the Royal National Theatre; DINNER WITH FRIENDS at the Hampstead Theatre; THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE at the Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago and on Broadway; and OTHERWISE ENGAGED by Simon Gray at the Criterion Theatre in the West End. In 2010 he directed SERENADING LOUIE by Lanford Wilson at the Donmar Warehouse.

Curtis has been extensively linked to BBC Television and Films, and as a producer/executive producer his more than fifty credits include Judi Dench in ABSOLUTE HELL; Alec Guinness and Jeremy Irons in TALES FROM HOLLYWOOD; Kenneth Branagh in SHADOW OF A GUNMAN; Stephen Poliakoff’s Prix Italia winning SHOOTING THE PAST; Mike Nichols in THE DESIGNATED MOURNER; Vanessa Redgrave in MRS. DALLOWAY; Maggie Smith, Natasha Richardson and Rob Lowe in SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER; David Hare’s VIA DOLOROSA directed by Stephen Daldry; and Sondheim’s COMPANY directed by Sam Mendes.

Directing for film and television include the first season of TRACEY TAKES ON… (HBO) with Tracey Ullman and Hugh Laurie; John Malkovich and Miranda Richardson in Pinter’s OLD TIMES; Hugh Grant in THE CHANGELING; Anne Bancroft in THE MOTHER; Lee Hall’s THE STUDENT PRINCE; THE SINS with Pete Postlethwaite; Rachel Weisz in MY SUMMER WITH DES; and DAVID COPPERFIELD adapted by Adrian Hodges with Maggie Smith, Ian McKellen, Bob Hoskins, Imelda Staunton and introducing Daniel Radcliffe, which won the Peabody Award 2001. His film of TWENTY THOUSAND STREETS UNDER THE SKY with Sally Hawkins was nominated for four best drama awards, including Banff Festival 2006 and screened at the Telluride Film Festival 2006. He directed THE AMAZING MRS PRITCHARD for BBC ONE with Jane Horrocks and Carey Mulligan, and was Executive Producer and director of Golden Globe and BAFTA-nominated FIVE DAYS with Hugh Bonneville and Janet McTeer for the BBC and HBO.

In 2007 he directed Judi Dench, Eileen Atkins, Michael Gambon and Imelda Staunton in the BAFTA and EMMY winning CRANFORD, for which he received a BAFTA nomination, and FREEZING with Hugh Bonneville, Tom Hollander and Elizabeth McGovern.

In 2008 he directed A SHORT STAY IN SWITZERLAND by Frank McGuinness, which won Best Actress Monte Carlo Festival 2009 for Julie Walters and won Broadcast Best Film 2010 and was nominated for a BAFTA. Last year he directed the BAFTA and Emmy-winning CRANFORD 2 with a cast including Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Tim Curry, Jodie Whittaker and Tom Hiddleston.

David Parfitt (Producer)

David Parfitt has worked as an independent film and theatre producer for over 20 years. His film credits include HENRY V, PETER'S FRIENDS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN, TWELFTH NIGHT, THE WINGS OF THE DOVE (both nominated for four Academy Awards), SHAKESPEARE

IN LOVE (winner of Seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and four British Academy Awards including Best Film), GANGS OF NEW YORK (Production Consultant), I CAPTURE THE CASTLE, CHASING LIBERTY and A BUNCH OF AMATEURS.

In 2007 he co-produced, with Finola Dwyer, the critically acclaimed theatre production of ELLING at The Bush Theatre and in the West End.

Before moving into film and theatre production, Parfitt worked as an actor.

Harvey Weinstein (Producer)

Harvey Weinstein launched The Weinstein Company, a multi-media company, with his brother Bob on October 1st, 2005. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes, including Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH, winner of four 2011 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such film as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN and BLUE VALENTINE,

Upcoming releases from The Weinstein Company include THE ARTIST, THE IRON LADY, CORIOLANUS and W.E.

Harvey Weinstein founded Miramax Films in 1979 with his brother Bob, naming the company after their parents, Miriam and Max. Under Harvey and Bob’s leadership, Miramax Films released some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent feature films, including sixteen Best Picture nominations over a span of sixteen years: THE AVIATOR, FINDING NEVERLAND, CHICAGO, GANGS OF NEW YORK, IN THE BEDROOM, CHOCOLAT, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL (LA VITA É BELLA), GOOD WILL HUNTING, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, IL POSTINO (THE POSTMAN), PULP FICTION, THE PIANO, THE CRYING GAME, and MY LEFT FOOT, as well as a Best Picture nomination for THE HOURS, which was a co-production. The outstanding quality of

nnual Academy Awards race.

During the brothers’ tenure at Miramax and The Weinstein Company, the companies’ films received 261 Oscar nominations and won 62 Academy Awards.

Adrian Hodges (Screenwriter)

Adrian Hodges worked in journalism and film development before turning to screenwriting full time in 1990. His feature films include THE BRIDGE (Film 4) starring Saskia Reeves and David O'Hara, TOM AND VIV (Co-Scr) which won Academy Award® nominations for Miranda Richardson and Rosemary Harris, and METROLAND starring Christian Bale and Emily Watson.

Amongst his numerous television projects is CHARLES II - THE POWER AND THE PASSION which starred Rufus Sewell and won the BAFTA award for best serial drama in 2003. He also co-created and writes the hit ITV dinosaur drama PRIMEVAL, and created and wrote SURVIVORS for the BBC. His mini-series AMONGST WOMEN was nominated in the BAFTA best serial category, and won the Grand Prix at the BANFF Television festival for best drama. It also won Best Television Drama at the Irish Film and Television Awards. His adaptation of DAVID COPPERFIELD, starring Daniel Radcliffe, won a Peabody Award. His other television projects include KAVANAGH QC (Granada Television, starring John Thaw), LORNA DOONE (BBC), ”Rome” (HBO/BBC), THE HISTORY OF MR POLLY (ITV), and THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE and its sequel THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH (BBC) based on the books by Phillip Pullman.

He is currently working on a new version of JM Barrie's classic PETER PAN for the BBC and MEDICI for Kudos Film and TV and the BBC.

Ben Smithard (Director of Photography)

Smithard has worked on a host of critically acclaimed and popular projects. Select highlights include Jimmy McGovern's THE STREET; Dominic Savage's FREEFALL; THE TRIP starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon; MONEY based on Martin Amis' novel; THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS; and Tom Hooper's THE DAMNED UNITED. He has also won an Emmy for his work on CRANFORD.

Donal Woods (Production Designer)

Woods has been a celebrated production designer for over two decades. For his work on the CRANFORD miniseries, Woods won a BAFTA and received two Emmy nominations. He was also BAFTA and RTS nominated for TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, and received his second RTS nomination for STATE OF PLAY.

Select credits include DOWNTON ABBEY, THE VIRGIN QUEEN, and ALL THE KING'S MEN.

Jill Taylor (Costume Designer)

In 2005, Jill Taylor earned an Emmy Award nomination and won a Costume Designers Guild Award for her work on Stephen Hopkins’ HBO movie THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PETER SELLERS, starring Geoffrey Rush, Charlize Theron, John Lithgow and Emily Watson.

One of her earliest film credits was 1997’s international sleeper hit THE FULL MONTY, directed by Peter Cattaneo. That same year, she designed the costumes for Graham Theakston’s period drama THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, for which she received a BAFTA Award nomination.

Amongst her other film credits are three Woody Allen films, all of which were filmed on location in London: CASSANDRA’S DREAM, starring Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor; SCOOP with Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman; AND MATCH POINT, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Taylor has also worked on two of Peter Howitt’s films, SLIDING DOORS and JOHNNY ENGLISH; John Madden’s PROOF; John Henderson’s TWO MEN WENT TO WAR; Simon Cellan Jones’ THE ONE AND ONLY; Fred Schepisi’s LAST ORDERS; John McKay’s CRUSH; David Kane’s BORN ROMANTIC and THIS YEAR’S LOVE; Mark Herman’s PURELY BELTER; Sam Miller’s ELEPHANT JUICE; Antonia Bird’s PRIEST and two films by Gurinder Chadha, IT’S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE and ANGUS THONGS AND PERFECT SNOGGING.

For television, Taylor has served as the costume designer on the miniseries THE 10TH KINGDOM and on such television films as Patrick Marber’s AFTER MISS JULIE, Stephen Whittaker’s KILLING ME SOFTLY and Antonia Bird’s SAFE.

Jenny Shircore (Make-up and Hair Designer)

Shircore has been in the industry for close to four decades working on a vast array of critically acclaimed projects. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards, winning for ELIZABETH and she has been nominated for five BAFTAs, receiving two for ELIZABETH and THE YOUNG VICTORIA.

Shircore has worked on a variety of high profile projects, highlights include NOTTING HILL, VANITY FAIR, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, THE GOLDEN AGE, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS and CLASH OF THE TITANS. Her most recent credits include Madonna’s W.E and BEL AMI starring Robert Pattinson.

Conrad Pope (Score)

Pope is emerging as one of the most exciting, original voices in contemporary film scoring, surprising no one who knows him or his work. Conrad has contributed to more than a hundred movies. He has worked on films of every genre and budget, making scores that “work" in almost every style. This "in the trenches" music making, working side by side with Hollywood's top professionals---including Joe Johnston and Walter Murch on Universal's THE WOLFMAN, Scott Hicks on NO RESERVATIONS and Gary Ross on SEABISCUIT--has honed his ability to see films as a filmmaker does. Often the discussion of music in a film can seem abstract and nebulous. It is Conrad's unique work experience and dramatic perspective that has made him a valuable collaborator, able to effectively and concretely communicate with a director about the contribution music can make to their film.

Pope’s passionate commitment to telling a film’s story with persuasive and compelling music has made him one of the most “in demand” orchestrators, as well as an accomplished film composer in his own right, composing lush scores for PAVILION OF WOMEN, IN MY SLEEP, UNDER THE MOON, NEO WOLF AND GHOST SHIP. Such canny top guns as John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, James Newton Howard, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner, Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, John Powell, Hans Zimmer, Don Davis, and Mark Isham have all called upon his gifts as an arranger, orchestrator and conductor.

Conrad’s musical qualifications are rare in today’s Hollywood. Classically trained at New England Conservatory, he arrived in Hollywood and proofread film scores before they were recorded, and created "soundalikes" for JoAnne Kane Music service, the predominant sheet music preparation house for motion pictures. His talent for orchestration was recognized by former Hollywood orchestrator Arthur Morton, leading to many arranging assignments of “source music” for diverse films, and orchestrating and arranging of underscore. Today, few music professionals are as esteemed as Conrad for his first-hand, comprehensive command of the many facets of film scoring and, his reputation for consistently delivering “the goods.”

The iconic hits and contemporary classic films Pope has contributed to are too numerous to list. A small sampling includes: the most recent installments of the STAR WARS films (THE PHANTOM MENACE, THE ATTACK OF THE CLONES, THE REVENGE OF THE SITH) the HARRY POTTER series, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, JURASSIC PARK, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, STAR TREK X, the MATRIX films, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, JULIE AND JULIA, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN.

Alexandre Desplat (Composer, “Marilyn’s Theme”)

Alexandre Desplat, a four-time Academy Award® nominee received his most recent Oscar® nod for his score for the Best Picture winner THE KING’S SPEECH for which he also won a BAFTA Award and earned a Golden Globe nomination. He previously garnered Oscar® and BAFTA Award nominations for his score for the animated FANTASTIC MR. FOX; Oscar®, Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominations for David Fincher’s THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and Oscar® and BAFTA Award nominations for Stephen Frears’ THE QUEEN.

In addition, Desplat won a Golden Globe Award for John Curran’s THE PAINTED VEIL and also received Golden Globe nominations for his scores for Stephen Gaghan’s SYRIANA and Peter Webber’s GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING. In his native France, Desplat won the César Award for his score for THE BEAT THAT MY HEART SKIPPED which also earned him a Silver Bear from the 2005 Berlin Film Festival. He was also nominated for a César for his score to Roman Polanksy’s THE GHOST WRITER. He has also received four more César Award nominations, including his work on the Oscar®-nominated 2009 French film A PROPHET.

His other recent film work includes THE IDES OF MARCH, directed by and starring George Clooney, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2, Terrence Malick’s THE TREE OF LIFE, Chris Weitz’s A BETTER LIFE, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, Nora Ephron’s JULIE AND JULIA, COCO BEFORE CHANEL, and Ang Lee’s LUST, CAUTION.

Soon to be released works include CARNAGE directed by Roman Polanksy and starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslett, Christopher Waltz and John C. Reilly and the new Stephen Daldry film, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

Lang Lang (Pianist)

Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by the New York Times, the star, 29 year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and all the top American orchestras.

Testimony to his success, Lang Lang recently appeared in the 2009 Time 100 – Time magazine's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2008, over four billion people viewed Lang Lang’s performance in Beijing’s opening ceremony for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, where he was seen as a symbol of the youth and the future of China. This status has inspired over 40 million Chinese children to learn to play classical piano – a phenomenon coined by The Today Show as "the Lang Lang effect." Recognizing Lang Lang's powerful cultural influence, in 2008 The Recording Academy named him their Cultural Ambassador to China. Most recently, Lang Lang has been chosen as an official worldwide ambassador to the 2010 Shanghai Expo, and played at the opening ceremony.

Continuing his presence on the world stage, Lang Lang was featured at the 2008 Grammy® Awards, pairing up with jazz great Herbie Hancock for an astounding performance that was broadcasted live to 45 million viewers worldwide. The two pianists continued their collaboration with an inaugural world tour in summer 2009.

Movie Reviews and News

"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN" - CAST BIOGRAPHIES

2011-11-22T20:11:00.000Z

Michelle Williams (Marilyn Monroe)

Michelle Williams’ performances have established her as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after and respected actors earning her two Academy Award nominations.

Williams was last seen in Derek Cianfrance’s BLUE VALENTINE opposite Ryan Gosling. Williams' captivating performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress as well as Golden Globe and Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations and her fourth Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Williams is currently in production on Sam Raimi's OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL, opposite James Franco, where she stars as Glinda the Good Witch.

Williams' performance in Ang Lee's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, released in 2005, earned her a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award as well as an Independent Spirit Award, SAG, Golden Globe, BAFTA and Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Following, Williams was nominated for a 2007 Independent Spirit Award for "Best Actress" for her performance in Wim Wenders' LAND OF PLENTY. In her first collaboration with Kelly Reichardt on her critically acclaimed independent film WENDY AND LUCY, Williams' moving and evocative performance as "Wendy" garnered a Toronto Film Critics Award for Best Actress in 2009 and her third Independent Spirit Award nomination.

In 2004, Williams shared a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination with her fellow actors for Thomas McCarthy's THE STATION AGENT for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. In 2005, Williams was honoured by the Motion Picture Club as "Female Star of Tomorrow."

Williams' other film credits include her second collaboration with director Kelly Reichardt's MEEK’S CUTTOFF, Martin Scorcese's SHUTTER ISLAND, Sharon Maguire's INCENDIARY, Charlie Kaufman's SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK, Todd Haynes' I'M NOT THERE, Ethan Hawke's THE HOTTEST STATE, Sandra Goldbacher's ME WITHOUT YOU, and Andrew Fleming's DICK.

On television, Williams starred opposite Chloë Sevigny in Martha Coolidge's HBO movie IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK 2. She also had a six-year run as "Jen Lindley" on the WB's hit television series “Dawson’s Creek.” The series premiered in 1998 and remained one of the WB's top-rated shows throughout its run.

On stage, Williams received glowing reviews for her portrayal of Varya in Chekhov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She also achieved critical acclaim for her run in Mike Leigh's SMELLING A RAT at the Samuel Beckett Theatre and her off-Broadway debut in KILLER JOE.

Eddie Redmayne (Colin Clark)

Eddie Redmayne has already made his mark working with the top directors and talent in the industry today.

Redmayne recently wrapped filming Derick Martini’s HICK alongside Chloe Moretz and Blake Lively, adapted from the novel by Andrea Portes. In addition to MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, he has also filmed the pilot for HBO’s THE MIRACULOUS YEAR, written by Tony-winner John Logan and directed by Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow.

Eddie has completed filming BIRDSONG with Clemence Poesy. This BBC One two part series is an adaptation of Sebastian Faulks’ epic love story BIRDSONG set during the First World War. This extraordinary love story will release in 2012. Redmayne is set to appear on stage in December, playing the title role of Shakespeare’s RICHARD II in Michael Grandage’s last production for the Donmar Warehouse.

Redmayne was seen in the Golden Globe and Emmy nominated THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH, an epic television mini-series adaptation of Ken Follett’s bestselling novel in which he stars alongside Matthew MacFadyen, Hayley Atwell and Rufus Sewell, with Ridley Scott as executive producer. His other television credits include the leading role of Angel Clare alongside Gemma Arterton in the acclaimed BBC adaptation of TESS OF THE D’URBERVILLES.

Redmayne was seen in THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF, with Maria Bello and William Hurt and he also played the role of ‘Osmund’ in BLACK DEATH directed by Christopher Smith. He starred in Stephen Poliakoff’s GLORIOUS 39, opposite Romola Garai, Julie Christie, Bill Nighy and Juno Temple and POWDER BLUE by Timothy Linh Bui with Jessica Biel and Forrest Whittaker. Redmayne made his on screen debut in 2006 in Robert De Niro's dramatic thriller THE GOOD SHEPHERD starring Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie; critics raved about Redmayne’s performance, often singling him out as the stand-out of the film. In 2007, Redmayne also had a supporting role in ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE directed by Shekhar Kapur, and co-starring Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen. He also appeared with Toni Collette in the crime thriller LIKE MINDS, THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL with Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson and SAVAGE GRACE with Julianne Moore.

In 2010, Redmayne won both Tony and Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his outstanding performance in Michael Grandage’s critically acclaimed theatrical production RED, which transferred from the Donmar Warehouse to the Golden Theatre on Broadway. Redmayne starred opposite Alfred Molina in this two-handed production. He received critical acclaim for his West End performance in Edward Albee's powerful drama THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA?, where he played a troubled teen opposite Jonathan Pryce. The role won him the 2004 London Evening Standard Award and the 2005 London Critics Circle Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer. He was also nominated at the 2005 Olivier Awards for the Best Performance in a Supporting Role. Following this, he took to the stage in Christopher Shinn's new play, NOW OR LATER, showing at the Royal Court Theatre.

Kenneth Branagh (Sir Laurence Olivier)

Kenneth Branagh is one of the world's most consistently critically acclaimed and renowned actors and filmmakers whose work is trademarked by quality, truth and passion. Branagh has most recently directed the hugely successful action adventure, THOR, starring Natalie Portman, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Chris Hemsworth. Branagh's first venture into filmmaking met instant success. His 1989 production of HENRY V, which he adapted from the Shakespeare and both starred in and directed, won a score of international awards including an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA win for Best Director and Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for Best Actor. He was subsequently invited to Hollywood to direct and star in DEAD AGAIN, which was a huge international hit, and next directed himself in the ensemble film PETER'S FRIENDS, which won the Evening Standard Peter Sellers Award for Comedy. Branagh's second Shakespearean film success as actor, director, writer and producer was MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, which was invited to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, and in the same year his short film of the Chekhov play SWAN SONG received an Academy Award nomination. He went on to direct Robert De Niro in the commercial hit MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN and his black-and-white film IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER opened the 1996 Sundance Film Festival and won the prestigious Osello d'Oro at the Venice Film Festival. Branagh's critically acclaimed full-length version of HAMLET, in 70mm, received 4 Academy Award nominations. His fourth Shakespeare film adaptation was a 1930's musical version of LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST. More recently, Branagh directed HBO Films' AS YOU LIKE IT, a film of Mozart's opera THE MAGIC FLUTE and SLEUTH, written by Harold Pinter and starring Jude Law and Michael Caine. His other film work includes acting roles in Pat O'Connor's A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY; Oliver Parker's version of OTHELLO; Robert Altman's THE GINGERBREAD MAN; Woody Allen's CELEBRITY; Danny Boyle's ALIEN LOVE TRIANGLE; Paul Greengrass's THE THEORY OF FLIGHT; Barry Sonnenfeld's WILD WILD WEST; Philip Noyce's RABBIT PROOF FENCE; HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS; the Richard Curtis comedy, THE BOAT THAT ROCKED; and Bryan Singer's VALKYRIE. Branagh has appeared in several outstanding television dramas including His current regular turn as Detective Kurt Wallander in the BAFTA winning series WALLANDER, earned him Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and a BAFTA win as Best Actor. He has also starred in the title role of SHACKLETON for Channel 4, for which he won a BAFTA nomination; CONSPIRACY for the BBC, for which he won an Emmy for Best Actor and earned Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations; and WARM SPRINGS, in which he played FDR and was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award. Branagh's stage work began when he made his West End acting debut in ANOTHER COUNTRY, which earned him the Society of West End Theatre's Award for "Most Promising Newcomer." He founded the Renaissance Theatre Company for whom he either starred in or directed the following works: PUBLIC ENEMY TWELFTH NIGHT, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, AS YOU LIKE IT, HAMLET, LOOK BACK IN ANGER, UNCLE VANYA, KING LEAR, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, AND CORIOLANUS. He also directed THE LIFE OF NAPOLEON, which was written by and starred John Sessions.

Numerous stage appearances include the RSC's HENRY V, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST and HAMLET. His more recent theatrical endeavours include directing the hit stage comedy THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE, which transferred from London's West End to Broadway where it received a Tony nomination, and five-star performances on the British stage in RICHARD III, Mamet’s EDMUND & IVANOV. Most recently, Kenneth Branagh returned to his home town for the reopening season at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast in a new comedy PAINKILLER. Branagh is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and holds a prestigious Michael Balcon Award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Julia Ormond (Vivien Leigh)

Emmy award winning actress Julia Ormond is renowned for her talent, elegance and commitment to her craft. With her roles in film, television and theatre, Ormond continues to engage audiences worldwide.

Ormond recently wrapped production on Jim Kohlberg's THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED, the tale of a father ('Henry') who struggles to bond with his estranged son ('Gabriel') who suffers from a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories.

She was last seen in the acclaimed award winning HBO film TEMPLE GRANDIN, for which she won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie opposite Claire Danes.

Other film credits include David Fincher's THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, Patricia Rozema's KIT KITTREDGE: AN AMERICAN GIRL, Steven Soderbergh’s CHE, Jennifer Lynch's SURVEILLANCE, David Lynch’s INLAND EMPIRE, Nikita Mikhalkov's THE BARBER OF SIBERIA, Bille August's SMILLA’S SENSE OF SNOW, Sydney Pollack's remake of SABRINA, Jerry Zucker's FIRST KNIGHT, Edward Zwick's LEGENDS OF THE FALL, and Angela Pope’s CAPTIVES.

On television, Julia co-starred in the HBO biopic STALIN, portraying the long-suffering Mrs. Stalin, and the Gale Ann Hurd-produced telefilm THE WRONGED MAN for Lifetime.

Ormond is also a well-known social activist on issues related to HIV/AIDS, anti-trafficking, and poverty alleviation in Africa. In 2006, Ormond assumed a new role as UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Trafficking and Slavery. Currently, she is the President and Founder of ASSET (Alliance to Stop Slavery and End Trafficking) which addresses the causes of slavery at their source. Last September, ASSET was the key force behind the passing of California Senate Bill 657 (to stop human trafficking). For more information on ASSET, please go to www.assetcampaign.org .

She is Founding Co-Chair of FilmAid International, a non-governmental organisation that uses the power of film to alleviate refugee despair and psychological trauma, combat isolation, and communicate with disenfranchised populations in Afghanistan, East Africa and the Balkans. Together with Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS, Ormond also fights HIV/AIDS in Russia and Ukraine by advocating for improved prevention and treatment policies, raising awareness through media appearances, and mobilising the creative community in both countries.

She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Dougray Scott (Arthur Miller)

Dougray Scott trained at the Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Scott started his career in British television on the likes of the award winning THE CROW ROAD and has since gone on to star in the hugely popular DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and HEIST in the US and the critically acclaimed FATHER AND SON in the UK.

He has worked with acclaimed filmmakers such as Walter Salles and Michael Apted on DARK WATER and ENIGMA. He has also starred in a raft of American smash-hit films including MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II opposite Tom Cruise, DEEP IMPACT with Morgan Freeman and EVER AFTER with Drew Barrymore.

Forthcoming projects to be released include Roland Joffe’s THERE BE DRAGONS and UNITED opposite David Tennant.

Dame Judi Dench (Sybil Thorndike)

Judi Dench is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed and best-loved actresses, with a career marked throughout by outstanding performances on both stage and screen. She has won numerous major awards, including an Academy Award, nine BAFTA Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards, and in recognition of her many achievements she received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1970, became a DBE (Dame of the British Empire) in 1988, and received a Companion of Honour in 2005.

Her work includes iconic film performances as Queen Victoria in MRS. BROWN, for which she won a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Academy Award, and Queen Elizabeth I in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, for which she won an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is also known internationally for her role as the magisterial ‘M’ in the last five James Bond films.

Dench has been Academy Award®-nominated for performances in four other films: CHOCOLAT, IRIS (for which she also won a BAFTA Award), MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, and NOTES ON A SCANDAL, and her numerous other film credits include TEA WITH MUSSOLINI, A ROOM WITH A VIEW and A HANDFUL OF DUST (both of which brought her BAFTA Awards for Best Supporting Actress), 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD, HENRY V, HAMLET, and the film musical, NINE.

On television, Dench’s work includes THE LAST OF THE BLONDE BOMBSHELLS, for which she received a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy nomination, and the long-running hit BBC sitcom, AS TIME GOES BY. Most recently she starred as Miss Matty in the BBC’s critically acclaimed series CRANFORD (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA, an Emmy, A Golden Globe and a Satellite Award) and CRANFORD: RETURN TO CRANFORD, for which she was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.

Dench’s achievements on screen are mirrored by her celebrated career on stage. She has won Laurence Olivier Awards for ANTHONY AND CLEOPATRA, ABSOLUTE HELL and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (all at The National Theatre), and her performance in AMY’s VIEW, directed by Richard Eyre, brought her accolades in London (at The National and Aldwych) and on Broadway, where she won a Tony Award for Best Actress. Her other theatre credits include: THE ROYAL FAMILY, directed by Peter Hall; THE BREATH OF LIFE, directed by Howard Davies; ALL’s WELL THAT ENDS WELL for the RSC; HAY FEVER, directed by Peter Hall;THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR for the RSC; MADAME DE SADE, directed by Michael Grandage; and Peter Hall’s recent production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’s DREAM at the Rose Theatre, Kingston.

Dominic Cooper (Milton Greene)

Dominic Cooper is steadily emerging as one of the most exciting talents in the industry. Equally successful on stage and screen, Cooper continues to demonstrate his creative versatility. Most recently, Cooper could be seen in the independent drama, THE DEVIL'S DOUBLE, which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and was screened at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival. Directed by Lee Tamahori and written by Michael Thomas, THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE is a taut action tale about the life of Latif Yahia, who was forced against his will to be the body double for Uday Hussein. Through his role, Yahia gained access to Hussein's inner sanctum and witnessed corruption, violence, and debauchery. Cooper plays the challenging dual roles of Yahia and Hussein.

Concurrently, Cooper could also be seen in the highly-anticipated comic book adaptation, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, directed by Joe Johnston and co-starring Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, and Hugo Weaving, in which he plays the eccentric inventor, Howard Stark. He also recently completed production on ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov and co-starring Benjamin Walker and Anthony Mackie, the film is an adaptation of the best-selling Seth Grahame-Smith novel of the same name.

Cooper recently starred in Stephen Frears’ TAMARA DREWE, a modern reworking of Thomas Hardy's nineteenth century novel, Far From the Madding Crowd, which co-starred Gemma Arterton. In addition, Cooper was recently seen in the coming-of-age drama, AN EDUCATION. Directed by Lone Scherfig and written by Nick Hornby, AN EDUCATION follows a 16 year-old girl’s self-discovery in 1960's London as she begins a relationship with a 30 year-old playboy. The film, co-starring Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, and Emma Thompson, screened at the 2009 Sundance, Berlin, and Toronto Film Festivals, and was nominated for Best Picture by both the Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards.

Cooper also starred in the box-office sensation MAMMA MIA!, the feature film adaptation of the beloved stage musical. With an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, and Amanda Seyfried, MAMMA MIA! set box office records worldwide and became one of the highest grossing films of all time in the UK. Moreover, Cooper was seen in THE DUCHESS, a film based on Amanda Foreman’s biography of the scandalous 18th century English aristocrat, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Directed by Saul Dibb, the period drama co-stars Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes.

Cooper’s additional film credits include THE ESCAPIST, directed by Rupert Wyatt and co-starring Brian Cox and Joseph Fiennes; BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN, directed by John Krasinski; the Tom Hanks-produced STARTER FOR TEN, co-starring James McAvoy; BOUDICA; I’LL BE THERE; Neil Jordan’s THE GOOD THIEF; and the Hughes Brothers’ FROM HELL.

Cooper received his professional training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Upon completion, he landed a role in MOTHER CLAP’s MOLLY HOUSE at the prestigious National Theatre under resident director Nicholas Hytner. He then starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’s DREAM before rejoining Hytner at the National Theatre for HIS DARK MATERIALS and THE HISTORY BOYS, which went on to win three Olivier Awards, including Best New Play.

Written by Alan Bennett, THE HISTORY BOYS later landed on Broadway, where it was the recipient of six Tony Awards, including Best Play. Cooper garnered Drama Desk and Evening Standard Award nominations for his lauded stage performance as the confident and seductive Dakin. Cooper also reprised the role in the acclaimed film adaptation of the play, where he was subsequently nominated for the Best Newcomer Award by the British Independent Film Awards and the Best Supporting Actor Award by the London Film Critics Circle.

Furthermore, Cooper starred on stage as Hippolytus in the heralded National Theatre production of Jean Racine’s PHEDRE, with Dame Helen Mirren in the titular role. The production, directed by Nicholas Hytner, was also presented at Epidaurus in Greece, and The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C.

In addition to his stage and film work, Cooper has also produced a number of acclaimed performances for television. Most recently, Cooper starred as Dave, the corrupt, smooth-talking mortgage salesman in the BBC Two production of FREEFALL, a timely drama focusing on the now imploding world of finance and its devastating impact on the people at each end of the scale. He also starred as the dashing and handsome Willoughby in the recent BBC production of SENSE & SENSIBILITY. Based on the beloved Jane Austen novel of the same name, the two-part television mini-series was directed by John Alexander and adapted by Andrew Davies.

Cooper’s additional television credits include the Holocaust drama, GOD ON TRIAL, BBC’s DOWN TO EARTH, SPARKLING CYANIDE, BBC’s THE GENTLEMAN THIEF, Hallmark’s DAVISON’S EYES, and Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed ‘BAND OF BROTHERS’.

Cooper currently resides in London.

Emma Watson (Lucy)

Emma Watson is best known for the role as Hermione Granger, a role she has made her own in all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, with the final instalment HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 2 opening earlier this year to great success.

Watson made her professional acting debut aged 10 years old in the first HARRY POTTER film, HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE, winning a Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actress for her performance. Watson has also garnered two Critics’ Choice Award nominations from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for her work in HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE. The readers of Total Film magazine also voted her Best New Performer for her work in the former. More recently Watson has been nominated for a 2011 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, and as Best Actress at the Jameson Empire Awards for her performance in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – PART 1.

Most recently Watson has shot THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER in Pittsburgh, USA. Watson plays Samantha in this film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s coming-of-age novel on the trials and tribulations of a 15-year-old outsider.

Watson was previously heard as the voice of Princess Pea in the 2008 animated adventure THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX. She also starred opposite Victoria Wood, Richard Griffiths and Emilia Fox in the role of Pauline Fossil in the BBC’s television drama BALLET SHOES.

She has also worked closely with Fair Trade and organic clothing producer People Tree in helping create a new teenage fashion line, and earlier this year collaborated with Alberta Ferretti on an organic ‘Pure Threads’ collection.

Watson has recently been announced as the new ambassadress of Lancôme, and will follow in the footsteps of Penélope Cruz, Kate Winslet and Julia Roberts in becoming the face of the celebrated Lancôme brand.

Zoë Wanamaker (Paula Strasberg)

Zoë Wanamaker CBE is one of the leading stage and television actresses. She has been nominated for four Tony Awards (US) and 14 Laurence Olivier Awards (UK) including her winning lead performance in David Leveaux’s “Electra” (Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress). Wanamaker’s critically acclaimed theatre appearances span a range of productions on world class stages. Her latest roles at The National Theatre include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE ROSE TATTOO, HIS GIRL FRIDAY and BATTLE ROYAL. Wanamaker starred in BOSTON MARRIAGE, which transferred from The Donmar Warehouse, later moving to the West End. Each of her appearances on Broadway has led to a nomination for a Tony award, including, in 2008, her performance in AWAKE AND SING. She has most recently been seen at the Apollo Theatre in Howard Davies’ production of ALL MY SONS. Wanamaker’s television credits include a number of popular television productions, such as her recurring role in ITV’s POIROT, in which she starred alongside David Suchet; ITV’s MISS MARPLE; the BBC’s DAVID COPPERFIELD, directed by Simon Curtis; and Trevor Nunn’s OTHELLO. Wanamaker received a Golden Rose Award at the Rose d'Or Light Entertainment Festival for her popular portrayal of Susan Harper in the hugely successful BBC TV sitcom MY FAMILY. Wanamaker has also received two BAFTA TV Award nominations for Best Actress for her roles in PRIME SUSPECT and LOVE HURTS. Wanamaker has also starred in HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, IT’S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE, FIVE CHILDREN AND IT and was nominated for a BAFTA Award for WILDE, opposite Stephen Fry. In 2000 Wanamaker received a CBE from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Toby Jones (Arthur Jacobs)

Toby Jones won the London Film Critics’ Circle Award for his role as Truman Capote in the critically praised biopic of the author, INFAMOUS. He has most recently finished filming Tomas Alfredson’s TINKER, TAILOR, SOLDIER, SPY with Colin Firth and Gary Oldman, Steven Spielberg’s motion-capture film TINTIN, based on the classic series of comic strips by Belgian artist Hergé, Joe Johnston’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and opposite Anthony Hopkins in THE RITE.

Toby portrayed Karl Rove in Oliver Stone's W; Hollywood agent Swifty Lazar in Ron Howard’s FROST/NIXON; and starred in Jon Amiel's CREATION, based on Charles Darwin's great-great-grandson Randal Keynes' biography of his famed progenitor. He has starred with Bill Murray and Tim Robbins in the fantasy-adventure CITY OF EMBER. He co-starred in both ST. TRINIAN’S films with Rupert Everett and Colin Firth, as well as the thriller THE MIST, directed by Frank Darabont. Jones other film credits include Peter Greenaway’s NIGHTWATCHING; Michael Apted’s biography of abolitionist William Wilberforce, AMAZING GRACE; and the widely praised dramatization of W. Somerset Maugham’s THE PAINTED VEIL, starring Edward Norton and Naomi Watts.

Jones won the 2001 Laurence Olivier Award as Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the West End comedy THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE, directed by Kenneth Branagh. He has performed regularly on the British stage, including a production of Tom Stoppard’s highly acclaimed EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR at The National, followed by Jez Butterworth’s dark comedy PARLOUR SONG at The Almeida.

After making his film debut in the 1992 film adaptation of ORLANDO starring Tilda Swinton, Jones has alternated between stage and screen over the last 15 years. Among his other film credits are LADIES IN LAVENDER with Judi Dench and Maggie Smith; the 2004 Oscar-nominated FINDING NEVERLAND; HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS and HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 as the voice of Dobby the House Elf; Luc Besson’s THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC; the romantic comedy EVER AFTER; and the film version of LES MISÉRABLES, directed by Bille August. Jones has also appeared on British television, including a 2005 role as Robert Cecil, the first Earl of Salisbury, in the HBO/Channel 4 production ELIZABETH I.

Derek Jacobi (Sir Owen Moreshead)

Derek Jacobi’s prolific career has spanned a vast array of film, television and stage roles, winning him numerous awards including a BAFTA for his performance in I CLAUDIUS, as well as two Emmys for guest roles in FRASIER, and HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE TENTH MAN. Jacobi was knighted for his services to theatre in 1994 and in 2009 won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Malvolio in the Donmar Warehouse’s West End production of TWELFTH NIGHT.

His most notable film appearances include GLADIATOR, GOSFORD PARK, NANNY MCPHEE, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, and his most recent film credits include the award winning THE KING’S SPEECH, IRONCLAD and A BUNCH OF AMATEURS. His latest television projects include “The Borgias,” JOE MADDISON’S WAR, ENDGAME and such British institutions as DR. WHO and MISS MARPLE. Jacobi’s current theatre credits include playing King Lear in Michael Grandage's feted production at the Donmar Warehouse.

Philip Jackson (Roger Smith)

Philip Jackson has had a long and celebrated career. His films include: SCUM, HIGH HOPES, BRASSED OFF, LITTLE VOICE, MIKE BASSETT, ENGLAND MANAGER, THE INTENDED, LITTLE TRIP TO HEAVEN, BAD BEHAVIOUR, GROW YOUR OWN and the upcoming Icelandic movie CITY STATE.

His recent TV credits include MARGARET THATCHER, THE LONG WALK TO FINCHLEY, MARGARET, FANNY HILL, CROOKED HOUSE, THE QUEEN, PLACE OF EXECUTION, FUNLAND, CHEKHOV SHORTS, PETE VERSUS LIFE and the BBC1 series SUGARTOWN. He is well known to millions for his role as Chief Inspector Japp in Agatha Christie’s POIROT.

In the theatre last year he played Willy Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN at West Yorkshire Playhouse and has also played leading roles in KING LEAR, ICE CREAM AND RAT IN THE SKULL at the Royal Court, the latter also at the Public Theatre, New York. He has appeared in many new plays at the Bush Theatre, and was Bottom at the RSC. He has also recorded many dramas for BBC Radio 4.

Geraldine Somerville (Jane Clark)

Somerville trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before going on to have a successful career in theatre, television and film.

Her film credits include a recurring role in the highly successful franchise HARRY POTTER, Paul Weiland’s SIXTY SIX and the award winning GOSFORD PARK.

Her most recent television projects include SURVIVORS, THE CHILDREN and DAPHNE in the titular role. She was also BAFTA nominated for her work in the CRACKER series.

Her theatre credits include SERENADING LOUIE at the Donmar Warehouse, REMEMBER THIS, POWER and BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS at the Royal National and I AM YOURS, THE TREATMENT, 3 BIRDS ALIGHTING ON A FIELD and A JAMAICAN AIRMAN FORSEES HIS DEATH.

Movie Reviews and News

"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN" - ABOUT THE CASTING

2011-11-22T20:10:00.000Z

There was only one actress who Curtis considered for the iconic role of Marilyn, and that was Oscar nominee Michelle Williams. “I’ve always admired Michelle's work and absolutely consider her to be one of the finest actresses of her generation,” says Curtis. “Her performances in BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and BLUE VALENTINE were especially brilliant, and she’s right at the age of our Marilyn in 1956. I was thrilled when it emerged that Michelle was interested in the part. She’s an incredibly hard worker and researcher and she is incredibly brave to take on such an iconic role.”

Williams particularly appreciated the fresh angle into Marilyn’s life afforded by Clark’s memoirs. “For Michelle it was key that the story wasn’t about the whole of Marilyn’s life,” says Curtis. “It’s just one month, which gave it a natural focus.”

The American actress admits that she was a little apprehensive about filling the role. “Gosh, really I was. How could you not be?” Williams concedes. “I kind of ignored it, though, and tried to make her in my own mind not a famous person, just a person for the shoot - more like a friend than an icon.”

For Williams, the opportunity to play Monroe was also personally significant. “I grew up with a poster of her in my bedroom,” Williams reveals. “I had always been more interested in the private Marilyn, though, and the unguarded Marilyn - the Marilyn before ‘Marilyn.’ Even as a young girl my primary connection wasn’t with this larger-than-life personality, but with what was going on underneath.”

While Williams is ostensibly portraying only one woman on screen, she manages to capture three distinct “roles” played by the famed actress: Marilyn Monroe, the international movie star; the vulnerable and insecure woman baptised and raised as Norma Jeane Baker; and Elsie, the naïve titular showgirl in Olivier’s film. In order to give audiences an authentic glimpse of Monroe’s star power, Curtis shot two musical numbers that serve as bookends to the principal story. He explains, “This film is an intimate window into Marilyn Monroe’s vulnerable, secret side. But we also wanted to make sure we showed her in her element as a star, as a performer living her dream. It’s the contrast between these two sides, which are so opposed, that makes her so compelling.”

Rather than resort to body doubles and lip-synching, Williams eagerly accepted the challenge of performing all of her own singing and dancing in the film. “Michelle can sing and dance beautifully,” reports Curtis. “She jumped full steam ahead into the two numbers.”

In order to facilitate those sequences, Curtis, Parfitt and Weinstein brought together an accomplished team of Broadway stalwarts that included Tony Award-nominated choreographer Kathleen Marshall (WONDERFUL TOWN, ANYTHING GOES) choreographer Denise Faye (NINE, CHICAGO), and singing coach David Krane. Krane also arranged the chosen Monroe songs, which include a “When Love Goes Wrong/Heat Wave” medley and “That Old Black Magic.”

Even though her knowledge of Monroe’s life was already extensive, Williams pored over every research source she could find in preparation for the role. She studied movement in order to recreate Monroe’s unique physicality, from her walk to her well-documented descent from the airplane at London airport. Williams also worked extensively with Faye, Marshall and Krane to master Monroe’s singing and dance styles. “The most useful thing was to watch the movies over and over again, to really make it like a screen that played on my brain,” says Williams. “I’m very fond of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL still, even though I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen it.” Aiding in Williams’ remarkable physical transformation was hair and make-up designer Jenny Shircore, who won an Academy Award for her work on Shekhar Kapur’s ELIZABETH.

Monroe’s desire to produce her own movies, and to come to England to work with the great Olivier, was rooted in her desire to be taken seriously as an actress. The decision was a bold career move that found Monroe taking on the role that Olivier’s esteemed wife and acting partner, Vivien Leigh, had originated in the stage version of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL. Monroe’s dedication to Method acting was another bid for respect, though it placed her in stark contrast to the stagey performances favored by the Brits on screen.

“What Marilyn was anticipating happening and what actually wound up happening were two very different things and they created discord and unhappiness for her in England,” explains Williams. “She was expecting to go to London and make a movie with the most esteemed actor of the time and hoped it would bring her the respect that she deserved and craved. When she arrived she felt she was being mistreated and laughed at. Olivier sneered at her and didn’t treat her with the kind of attention that she was hoping for. She felt that she needed allies and she found one in Colin.”

Williams is still struck by Monroe’s talent and how modern her performances feel to this day. “She yearned to play dramatic roles but I rather take to her comedy and in THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL she wipes the screen with the rest of the cast,” avows Williams. “They’re all very stiff, mannered, archaic and unapproachable, while if she were making that movie today there’s nothing about that performance that’s gone out of fashion or faded. She is very real and very in the moment and so beautiful.”

COLIN CLARK

To bring Colin Clark to the screen, Curtis pursued the highly regarded young actor Eddie Redmayne. “I’ve always loved Eddie,” explains the director, “and like Colin, Eddie is an old Etonian and has these qualities that are from the right place – he has both emotional maturity and a youthful innocence.”

While Clark was born into a privileged family, he was still considered somewhat bohemian by the standards of the upper class. “He was at school at Eton with all these aristocrats but actually he was an oddball because his family was not all within that posh context,” explains Redmayne. “They’d have Laurence Olivier or Margot Fonteyn over for dinner whereas everyone else was shooting and fishing. He seems to be a guy who has everything. But he’s actually an eccentric who’s been out in the world trying to prove his worth to his parents, to the rest of his high-achieving family, and also to himself.”

Charming, bright and most importantly, tenacious, Clark’s selflessness proves to be his most winning attribute. “Colin is a very caring guy and a very generous-spirited guy,” muses Redmayne. “And all this chaos is going on around him, this explosion of talent, egos, energy, and sexuality.”

In the film, the 23-year-old Clark is an appealing, confident young man, though perhaps not quite as mature as he assumes he is. “He thinks that he’s a bit of a player,” admits Redmayne with a smile. “I spoke to a lady who was the press officer on the original film and she said that Colin was a complete charmer and he could make anyone change their mind. It’s that slight arrogance of youth. But he definitely learns a serious lesson in this film. It’s a subtle coming-of-age story.”

And not many young men learn worldly wisdom from one of the most famous, iconic women of all time. Adds Redmayne, “It’s amazing that this runner, who has never worked on a film set before, could build a more intimate friendship with the leading lady than anyone else on the set. That is one of the wonderfully bizarre, brilliant things about filmmaking.”

Redmayne believes that the friendship was possible in part because of Clark’s sensitivity as an observer, something he would put to use later in life as a documentary filmmaker. “He senses Marilyn’s fragility amidst all of the chaos on set,” says the actor. “He sees behind closed doors. And he doesn’t have a fear of celebrity, having grown up in a household where he was having tea with Olivier or Fonteyn and great composers of the period. The celebrity washes over him but what remains is the dazzling quality Marilyn has and that really extraordinary thing: vulnerability. That’s what he falls for.”

Early in his time on set, Clark flirts with a young wardrobe assistant, played by Emma Watson, in what seems like a budding romantic relationship. But that courtship is derailed by Clark’s fascination with Marilyn and his desire to get closer to her. “Colin does dare to dream that his friendship with Marilyn could lead to more, and certainly from what the book describes, the idea of kissing her on that frivolous utopian day of freedom is all wonderful,” explains Redmayne.

Though their week together certainly carries an undeniable erotic charge, Clark and Monroe find themselves navigating more complex emotional terrain than that of a typical love affair. Says Redmayne, “Theirs is a strange relationship. It’s a mixture of mother and son and then the opposite in some way with him fathering her. It’s a very light and sometimes meaningful relationship, but also a wispy thing that they have. That’s what I love about it. It is a fleeting thing between Colin and Marilyn.”

THE CAST

In truth, Laurence Olivier had high hopes for his project with Marilyn Monroe: it was the film that would reinvigorate his faltering film career. To bring the great actor to life on screen, the filmmakers turned to Kenneth Branagh, a modern day master of stage and screen who in his youth was often compared to Olivier. Indeed, both men directed and starred in highly regarded film versions of HENRY V and HAMLET.

“I did have some concerns, but I decided that I would just read the script and see,” says Branagh. “I was completely captivated by the story. I knew the books by Colin Clark on which the script was based, but what surprised me was that while it could have been a very gossipy look into filmmaking, it was very touching and tender and very, very funny.”

Branagh was also impressed by the “affectionate and celebratory” portrayal of Olivier. “The script has a great and tender feel for Olivier and Marilyn Monroe and the period. And not only is it this fascinating insight into the world of creating art and films, but the script is a real page-turner.”

When directing and starring in THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL, Olivier was married to GONE WITH THE WIND star Vivien Leigh, who occasionally visited the set. Played in the film by Julia Ormond, Leigh also had a soft spot for Colin Clark. “I think Vivien is a mix of incredible toughness and spiciness within a very feminine body,” says Ormond, who confesses to being a huge fan of the Hollywood star. “One of the things Vivien was known for was her extraordinary beauty, which is, of course, horrifically intimidating. Thankfully, they did ask me to play her at 43 rather than 23. She was fascinated by Marilyn, I think, by her beauty, more than jealous of her beauty.”

Marilyn’s spouse at the time was the famous playwright Arthur Miller, who is portrayed in the film by Dougray Scott. The couple arrive in England as newlyweds, although their young marriage is already showing signs of strain. “They were becoming increasingly separated and the relationship was becoming more and more difficult,” says Scott. “She was a difficult woman, very complicated, very difficult to understand. But ultimately, in later years Miller spoke of how much he loved her and adored her.”

When Miller returns to the United States following a misunderstanding with his new bride, Monroe is left without any real friends apart from her acting coach and Method advocate Paula Strasberg, played by Zoë Wanamaker. “Paula was married to Lee Strasberg, who was the leading light of the Method school in New York,” says Wanamaker. “She worked with Marilyn and I don’t think Olivier liked her being around that much. And I don’t think Arthur Miller liked her in the end, either. I didn’t want her to be a monster, though. I wanted to try and give some warmth and reality to her, a genuine concern and love.”

While Strasberg acts with her client’s best interests at heart, the same is not necessarily true of her business partner Milton Greene, played by Dominic Cooper. “To begin with they were really tight,” explains Cooper. “Then their relationship went from being a supportive relationship to, during that week, a fractious one. He would try to help her by giving her more medication and at the time when the film was shot she was being given all sorts of drugs for things that today are completely curable. She was in utter agony physically and emotionally and Milton, without really knowing what he was doing, was filling her with drugs to ease the pain. Everyone around her was trying to help her at that point in time without thinking of the full scale of the problem.”

When Marilyn struggles to adapt to Olivier’s set, it’s the esteemed actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, played by equally esteemed actress Dame Judi Dench, who offers kind words. “She’s there as a supporting ear to both Sir Laurence and Marilyn,” explains Dench. “Sybil, knowing Sir Laurence so well, picks up on the tremendous tension between him and Marilyn very early on. I think her sympathies were totally with Marilyn and Colin, though. She was very kind to Marilyn and very fond of her and championed her.”

Rounding out the supporting cast is Lucy, the wardrobe assistant played by Emma Watson, with whom Colin has a potentially amorous liaison before Marilyn steals his heart. “Lucy has experience on set, whereas to Colin Clark the film world is all new, shiny and exciting,” says Watson. “She is very wary about Assistant Directors and she knows how these films run, but she’s still a bit naïve and innocent. Even though at first she’s very careful of Colin, she falls for him and ends up getting hurt.”

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"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN" - ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

2011-11-22T20:08:00.003Z

“For a lot of people Marilyn is more of an iconic image than an actress,” admits director Simon Curtis. “People haven’t seen her films as much as they have her portrait. My way into this project was falling in love with the first of Colin Clark’s two memoirs. As somebody who was assistant director at The Royal Court Theatre, I found it fascinating to uncover this moment in time.”

The first memoir, The Prince, The Showgirl and Me, recounts Clark’s experiences working as third assistant director on the set of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL, Marilyn Monroe’s first film as both producer and star in which she played opposite Sir Laurence Olivier, who also directed. The book recounts the production’s myriad problems, fuelled almost exclusively by the lack of communication and understanding between the two stars: Monroe’s erratic behavior and tardiness were exacerbated by her addiction to alcohol and prescription medication; while Olivier, a staunch traditionalist, refused to accommodate Monroe’s idiosyncrasies or her devotion to Method acting, which she practiced under the guidance of Paula Strasberg.

While Clark’s memoir is a dishy, fly-on-the-wall account of Olivier’s and Monroe’s fraught partnership, his follow-up memoir, My Week With Marilyn, feels like an intimate confession. In it, Clark affectionately remembers one enchanted week he spent leading the troubled Monroe on a tour of the English countryside. It offers an all-too-rare glimpse of the real woman beneath the carefully cultivated image, unencumbered by the busy machinery of stardom.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when My Week with Marilyn was published,” avows Curtis. “Colin really did have this tense, erotically charged week with the most famous woman in the world, at the peak of her fame. I couldn’t believe my luck when I was able to get hold of the rights. People had tried over the years. And in the last year I’ve met at least three very established directors who have said, ‘I’ve always wanted to make that story.’ So I feel very lucky.”

Curtis teamed with noted producers David Parfitt and Harvey Weinstein to realize the project, which masterfully offsets the drama with its musical roots and comedic moments. Parfitt and Weinstein, who had already worked together on three of the most well-respected period films of the past fifteen years: WINGS OF THE DOVE, GANGS OF NEW YORK, and the Academy Award Best Picture winner SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, immediately reacted to the potential of Clark’s memoirs as the basis for a feature film. “We thought that the first book, while it gave a really interesting insight into how THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL was made, might appeal more to people in the film industry,” explains Parfitt. “The second book, however, is the real peek behind the curtain into who Marilyn really was. Importantly, this is not a Marilyn biopic; it’s about a window into her life, working on a particular film, and the relationship she forged with Colin Clark at a crucial moment in her life.”

With the book rights secured, the team approached screenwriter Adrian Hodges, with whom Curtis had worked on a BBC adaptation of DAVID COPPERFIELD, to try his hand at an adaptation. Hodges, however, expressed doubts about taking on Monroe as a subject. “Like everyone else I was mesmerized by SOME LIKE IT HOT the first time I saw it. I had never seen anything so sexy,” says the screenwriter. “But stories about Marilyn feel like an overworked field. Over the years she’s just become this thing, this poster, a set image which has been produced again and again and again, both in her own image and in people like Madonna’s and Lady Gaga’s.”

But after reading Clark’s two memoirs, Hodges changed his mind. “I thought they gave a wonderful insight to the very real side of Marilyn, the Marilyn who was everything that everybody thought she was - scared, insecure, frantic, sometimes impossible - but at the same time vulnerable, sweet, endearing, just a young girl, really. So I thought this screenplay could make her human again.”

Much of the intrigue of Clark’s connection to Monroe lies in just how unlikely their relationship was. How did a world-famous star at the height of her fame end up spending an intimate week travelling across England with a gopher from her film set? Clark had only recently graduated from Oxford, and while he would eventually become an accomplished filmmaker in his own right, he had yet to cut his teeth when THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL went into production early in 1956. As a Third AD, his job was to be both visible and invisible. “Third AD’s are everywhere and everyone knows who they are, because they have access to every aspect of the film, and yet at the same time they are possibly amongst the least important people there,” says Hodges.

When Clark arrived on set for his first day of work, he stumbled into a tense atmosphere created by the accomplished celebrities in his orbit. “This was a very critical time in all their lives,” says Curtis. “Marilyn had just married Arthur Miller and when she arrived at London airport to make this film, it was the proudest moment of her life. She was now married to the great intellectual who she thought was going to be her man for the rest of her life. Also, this was her first film as a producer, the first project under Marilyn Monroe Productions, and she was coming to England to work with the great Olivier in an effort to disprove doubts about her acting ability. In some ways the story of our film is how that all went so wrong.”

At the same time, Olivier was trying to reignite his career as a movie star in a volatile cultural landscape that only seemed to herald his obsolescence. Curtis notes, “1956 itself was an extraordinary year in England, with rock ’n’ roll, the year of ITV, the year of LOOK BACK IN ANGER, the year of LUCKY JIM. LOOK BACK IN ANGER’s squalid settings and anti-establishment vitriol shocked reviewers and tore a hole through the bourgeois niceties of 1950s British theatre, while the satiric novel LUCKY JIM skewered just the sort of stiff academic pretensions with which Olivier made his name. Adds Curtis,“Culturally, so much was in turmoil at the time. Having Marilyn arrive with Paula Strasberg and the Method was yet another challenge to Olivier’s identity.”

Monroe’s clashes with Olivier, her anxiety about her marriage to Arthur Miller and her own insecurities about her talent made her deeply vulnerable. “She wanted a friend,” explains Hodges. “And basically through a series of incidents, she became very close and intimate in a platonic way with Colin Clark, because he was always there and was non-threatening, although he was a charming and handsome man.”

Monroe yearned to escape the troubled production, and when she learned that Clark came from a well-connected, privileged background – he was the brother of the famous diarist Alan Clark and the younger son of Kenneth Clark, the noted author and art historian – she realized he could provide access to places beyond her reach, such as Windsor Castle and Eton College. Adds Hodges, “It was a very innocent week and at the same time very charged with emotion and intimacy.”

Indeed, Curtis identifies the film’s story as following the same tradition as the popular, nuanced film, LOST IN TRANSLATION. “Two people accidentally come into each other’s orbit and have this very charged connection, which then evaporates, and that appealed to me,” says the director. “Also, the story chimes very much with our present fascination with celebrity. Now, with Twitter, you get very much into the details of how stars live, but back then things were much more controlled, so I liked how Colin gives us this inside track.”

A veteran of the stage and the small screen, Curtis has waited a long time to make his directorial feature debut. “There have been films I have nearly done but I’m really, really thrilled that my first film is what they call a passion project, not something I’ve just stumbled into. It’s something I’ve always dreamt of making so it’s a great starting point.”

“It’s a testament to Simon’s skills as a director that he was able to attract this level of talent for his debut film,” adds Weinstein. “He possesses a real gift with actors and he was able to draw uniformly intelligent and beautiful performances from his cast.”

Movie Reviews and News

"MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"

2011-11-22T20:08:00.000Z

Early in the summer of 1956, American film star Marilyn Monroe set foot on British soil for the first time. On honeymoon with her husband, the celebrated playwright Arthur Miller, Monroe came to England to shoot THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL – the film that famously united her with Sir Laurence Olivier, the British theatre and film legend who directed and co-starred in the film.

That same summer, 23-year-old Colin Clark set foot on a film set for the first time in his life. Newly graduated from Oxford, Clark aspired to be a filmmaker and found a job as a lowly production hand on the set of THE PRINCE AND THE SHOWGIRL. Forty years later, he recounted his experiences of the six-month shoot in a diary-style memoir entitled The Prince, the Showgirl and Me.

But one week in Clark’s account was missing.

It wasn’t until years later that Clark revealed why. In a follow-up memoir entitled My Week with Marilyn, he recounted the true story of one magical week he spent alone with the world’s biggest star… the week he spent with Marilyn.

By turns comic and poignant, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN offers an uncommonly intimate look at the Hollywood icon, charting the brief, charged connection she forged with a young man who came to understand her better than anyone.

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN stars Academy Award® nominee Michelle Williams (BLUE VALENTINE, SHUTTER ISLAND, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN) as Marilyn Monroe and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne (THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, THE GOOD SHEPHERD) as Colin Clark. The film also stars Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh (VALKYRIE, WALLANDER) as Sir Laurence Olivier and Academy Award winner Judi Dench (QUANTUM OF SOLACE, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE) as Dame Sybil Thorndike. They are joined by the very best of British acting talent, including Julia Ormond (TEMPLE GRANDIN, CHE, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON) as Vivien Leigh, Dougray Scott (MISSION IMPOSSIBLE II) as Arthur Miller, and Zoe Wanamaker (HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE), Emma Watson (HARRY POTTER series), Toby Jones (FROST/ NIXON, INFAMOUS), Philip Jackson (LITTLE VOICE), Geraldine Somerville (HARRY POTTER series), Derek Jacobi (THE KING’S SPEECH, GOSFORD PARK), Simon Russell Beale (AN IDEAL HUSBAND) and Dominic Cooper (DEVIL’S DOUBLE, AN EDUCATION, MAMMA MIA!).

Simon Curtis’s director credits include the BAFTA and Emmy®-winning, CRANFORD, the International Emmy-winning, A SHORT STAY IN SWITZERLAND, and the Golden Globe nominated FIVE DAYS. The film is produced by Academy Award and BAFTA winners David Parfitt (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, I CAPTURE THE CASTLE) and Harvey Weinstein (THE KING’S SPEECH, THE GANGS OF NEW YORK, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE). The screenplay is by Adrian Hodges (TOM AND VIV, THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE, DAVID COPPERFIELD). It is based on Colin Clark’s diaries, The Prince, The Showgirl and Me and My Week with Marilyn.

The film is produced by Trademark Films and is financed and distributed by The Weinstein Company. BBC Films and Lipsync Productions also financed the picture. It was developed in association with the UK Film Council and BBC Films.

Movie Reviews and News

"Brave" Trailer

2011-11-20T19:40:00.002Z

It's PIXAR. Do I need to say more?

Movie Reviews and News

Mirror, Mirror Trailer

2011-11-16T23:35:00.000Z

Updates / variations of a theme of a fairy tale seem to be popular at the moment... especially Snow White (Snow White And The Huntsman 2012 - Trailer)

Quite like the look of this one - I like Julia Roberts doing comedy.

Movie Reviews and News

Caught in the Act (1997)

2011-11-16T21:48:00.000Z

A straight to video movie it may be, but Caught in the Act is a hidden gem of British comedy. It features 3 friends who enter a talent competition (2 of them unwittingly dragged into it by Lucinda, played by Sara Crowe) because she's fallen for the show's host, Neville Goodenough (Paul Shelley). Various comic misdemeanours ensue, and Crowe gets excellent comic support from Annette Badland and Nadia Sawalha. There are some other good performances in there too, although apart from the main trio every character is either bizarre or underwritten. However, this doesn't stop Caught in the Act from being a lot of fun, frequently funny, and quite hilarious at times. Definitely worth a watch if you like British comedies.

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