Luis Pedron: Hannah Senesh has been likened to a "modern day Joan of Arc." How does this relate to the women then and women who are allowed to serve in the military now?
Roberta Grossman: I think the reference to Joan of Arc is because both Hannah and Joan of Arc were very young women who were touched with a passion for a cause and the belief that they themselves were called to serve the cause. I filmed one day at an Israeli parachutist base where young women were being trained. It was amazing to see so many young women in uniform, practicing packing parachutes, etc. Hannah Senesh is still held up as a model of devotion and bravery to these young women in the Israeli military today. But I also interviewed a high up male officer in the Israeli Defense Force – he told me that he remains inspired by Hannah's sacrifice. No one wants to fight, not then, not now. No young person wants to die. Certainly not Hannah. But the times demanded a response and she responded.
Luis Pedron: How small or massive was the picture/diary archive of Hannah Senesh and how helpful were these materials to your filming this documentary?
Roberta Grossman: I had read Hannah's diary in junior high and had been fascinated by her all my life. I had seen the same 10 pictures of Hannah over and over again. When I was given permission to make Blessed Is the Match by the Senesh family, they took me to a small room in what had been Catherine Senesh's apartment and there were floor to ceiling books, documents, letters and shoe boxes. In the shoe boxes were 1300 photographs of Hannah and her family, more than half of them taken by Hannah herself. So I discovered that she had recorded her life in pictures as well as in words. This was amazing. And, to make it even better, she was an excellent photographer. It really doesn't get much better than that for a documentary filmmaker! Luis Pedron: In the background are the relationships that Hannah had with her Mother and her involvement in the Kibbutz Movement of her time. Please paint this picture for us without giving away too much of the storyline.
Roberta Grossman: Hannah's involvement with the kibbutz movement was an outgrowth of her passionate idealism. As conditions for Jews in Europe worsened in the 1930's Hannah became convinced that the only solution for the Jewish people was to have a safe-haven in Palestine. She did not simply believe in this idea, but wanted to devote her life to it. Much to her mother's chagrin, Hannah decided to emigrate to Palestine. Even worse, from Catherine's point of view, was that Hannah proclaimed there were already "far too many intellectuals in Palestine. The great need is for workers to help build the land." So Hannah studied at a girl's agricultural school in Palestine and then joined a young kibbutz on the beach near Caesarea. When Hannah arrived at the kibbutz, there was nothing there except sand a few tents. This was a great test to her idealism! Hannah enjoyed teasing her mother in letters about mucking out cow sheds, etc. When she knew her mother wished she had decided, at least, to go to the university in Jerusalem.
About Hannah's relationship about her mother, let me just add this – the film is not about a heroine, or about the Holocaust, Blessed Is the Match is a mother-daughter love story set against the backdrop of the Holocaust.
Luis Pedron: What did you learn from creating this poetic and historical film?
LFP International Prod Inc, Fanclubx.com and Planet Philippines NY NJ
present
Hollywood Halo-Halo-ween Dance Party
Friday, October 31, 2008 6PM - 1AM
Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel (Flushing Queens NY)
135-20 39th Ave Flushing NY
(A block away from 7 Train Main St Station & Hotel Valet Parking available $7)), Give Aways and Dance Party
Costume Contest ($250 Grand Prize), Live Bands, Fashion Show (Grace Edwards Designs) lots of give aways and Dance Party
DJ: I M D DJ littlejohn
LIVE BANDS: JBR Band, ASHES and KAYUMANGGI BAND
Celebrity Host: Archie D
Community Partners: Quezon Province Association/ Kalusugan Coalition / Filipino American Senior Citizens Association of Queens NYC (FASCAQ NYC) /
AFTA Association of Filipino Teachers of America
Win $250 in cash for the BEST Halloween Costume:
Other prizes, Karaoke Machines courtesy of TOPNOTCH IPOD from MOPAMedia.com and Soap Give aways from Victoria's Beauty Magic
decor courtesy of Halloween Adventure ( 311) W 43 St NYC) www.NewYorkCostumes.com (Get your Halloween Costumes at
Halloween Adventure say that Luis Pedron of Planet Philippines sent you and ask for a 10% discount).
Contact: LuisPedron@gmail.com
KAYUMANGGI BAND
Mark Anthony Valerio: Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals; Mark Lester Valerio: Bass Guitar, Vocals; Edward Vincent Valerio: Vocals & Drummer Type of Song; Alternative, Rock, Progressive Rock & Love songs
Started to form the group since high school together with barkadas & cousins. Edward was 9 yrs old that time, Kayumanggi only have accoustic guitars & plastic containers as our drumset, when their parents saw our potentials as a band, their father supported them financially, morally & he even bought them instruments, Their father was also the one who taught them how to play, perform & interact w/ the audience. Later on, other members left so the three left remain to pursue the band. They join many battle of the bands that help Kayumanggi grow in their skills and confidence. Kayumanggi won their first trophy in 1995 as overall champion in Rizal. By then, they always join contests in the different parts of Luzon. These are some of the major contests that they won over the years…
Overall Champion (Battle of the bands FREEGO JEANS) 2001; Overall Champion ( CONVERSE Battle of the bands) 2003-2004; Champion in Isetan Mall Battle of the Bands; 1st place in the Farmers Plaza Band fest in Araneta Center; 1 st place in Alabang town center Battle of the bands
The JBR Band was formed February of 2008. Our first performance was at a Valentines party fund raising sponsored by the Phil Am Association of the Bronx. The members are Jess Ortanez who plays the bass guitar, Virgilio ( Bobby) Echeverria who plays lead guitar and vocals, and Rodel Galvez on the drums. Rodel played with different bands from Olongapo City in the Philippines for 10 years. Jess is more of an on and off player with different bands in Queens and is currently playing bass with a church choir for 7 years. I was more of a singer and folk song enthusiast playing and singing with friends and family here in the USA and way back in the Manila. Our choice of songs are wide ranging, from the 60s up to the present, mixing cha-cha, boogies, swings, sways, and love songs. We have compilations of songs where people can line dance with.
ASHES
Ashes is a Queens based acoustic rock group composed of Kid Poblete on Vocals and Paul (PM) Miranda on guitar. They play mostly cover songs from The Beatles to Rage against the Machine acoustic style. The band started out as a four piece rock band in 2001 but disbanded afterwards. Kid and PM reunited in 2007 and has been actively playing at Taste of Asia in Queens. They are currently working on their new single called "Fade to gray". Marc (Mac-Mac) Gerona(percussions) will be joining them in their future gigs to add more life to their music.
Celebrity Host:
Archie D owns a busy state of the art record studio which is equipped with the Solid State Logic (industry standard gear) located in New York. He recently was the sound engineer / producer of the following musical projects: the original movie soundtracks for Luis Pedron and Sherwin Morada's films "Problema" and "Multo"; two songs for Jellyn and Josh Echon (who are now in the Philippines and recently guested at the show of German Moreno); three songs for In'Artes USA (that led Cristina Aldecoa a deal with Viva Records); Rachel Anne Wolfe's Album CD (distributed by Sony BMG and Manna Records); two theme songs for pageant charity icon Nena Kaufman, entitled "Friends in Deed" and "Hearts and Hopes." Archie D is popular with recording artists due to his openness to experimentation, his cool demeanor and his geniune love of music. His motto is to bring every project into the mainstream level.
One of his successful collaborations was with Mortgage Icon John delos Santos, owner of CITIZENS MORTGAGE (NY, NJ and Hawaii). They co-created the jingle entitled "Your Dream Starts with Citizens Mortgage" which plays in Mainstream FM stations in Honolulu and Maui for two years now. Archie D is so excited to have a successful hit commercial playing in the radios of the 50th state of the US. John and Archie D has already finished their follow up jingle called "Direct Lender" which will be officially aired on the Labor day weekend 2007 in Hawaii. Due to the numerous satisfied recording artists he has helped produce, Archie D adds that he finds his endeavor really rewarding.
Archie D is also a sought after Host and Stage Performer in big events such as 3rd Phil-US Expo '07 (Edison, NJ) , which he co hosted with Rachel Anne Wolfe starring Ara Mina; Philippine Independence Day Parade stage show 2007 in NYC which he co hosted with Dr Dela Merced and Golda; Philippine Fiesta 2007 ( Secaucus, NJ ) where he did a spoof of "MMM Sarap Sarap" with MYMP and did a Cameo act with Rachel Anne Wolfe, Sarah Geronimo Show where he hosted the after party, PAFCOM Day where he was the director.
Archie D's is busy as the campaign/promotional manager in NY and NJ for Gary V's concert in Boston this October, 2007. He is lately, Producing songs for his new discovery - beautiful, classy with a golden voice - MARIAN.
Archie D's guarantee to his future clients, "I only make hit songs, I'm a song doctor and I constantly seek for the best resolution a recording studio can have." Archie D is a proud voting member of the Grammy's and the Songwriters Guild of America.
For inquiries: dml888cool@aol.com or 914-374-4133
The FILMLINC BLOG features daily NYFF coverage including photos, dispatches, contests, in-depth pieces and tips on making the most of your festival experience.
Representing both newcomers and acclaimed filmmakers, Hollywood features and independent visions from all over the globe, the 46th New York Film Festival opens on September 26th with The Class, from festival veteran Laurent Cantet. Clint Eastwood’s highly anticipated Changeling will screen as the NYFF Centerpiece, while Darren Aronofsky provides the Closing Night film with The Wrestler, starring Mickey Rourke in “the performance of a lifetime” says the Film Society’s Kent Jones.
Main Slate: With 28 films from 18 countries, the festival’s diverse Main Slate marks the return of many filmmakers familiar to festival-goers. With 24 City, Jia Zhangke explores the seamy side of China’s rapid development in the tale of the impact of a factory's conversion into luxury apartments. Wong Kar-wai restores his 1994 exercise in swordplay pyrotechnics and melancholy temps perdu with Ashes of Time Redux. Mike Leigh, the British master of ensemble dysfunction, offers Happy-Go-Lucky. Steven Soderbergh also marks his return with a much talked-about entry: Che, a controversial, two-part biography whose star, Benicio Del Toro, won the Best Actor award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
New faces at the festival include young American independent filmmaker Antonio Campos with Afterschool, a hypnotically focused first feature set in the insulated world of a New England prep school. Celebrated Kazakh documentarian Sergey Dvortsevoy provides as his first fictional feature a comic and awe-inspiring drama-cum-wildlife movie, Tulpan. Visual artist Steve McQueen debuts as a filmmaker with Hunger, the story of IRA member Bobby Sands and his 1981 hunger strike and turns it into an intensely lyrical reverie on human suffering. Read more...
Special Events: Several special panels complement the NYFF Main Slate including Film Criticism in Crisis?, presented by Film Comment magazine, and a discussion centered around the documentary It's Hard Being Loved By Jerks which tackles the 2006 controversy over a cartoon satirizing Islamic fundamentalism. The festival will also present restored versions of such classic films as Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (presented by Martin Scorsese in a new Technicolor print) and The Day Shall Dawn, a little known Pakistani masterwork now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Read more...
HBO Films Dialogues: With the HBO Films Dialogues, festival-goers can sit in on conversations with some of the festival’s most celebrated directors: Jia Zhangke (24 City), Wong Kar-wai (Ashes of Time Redux), Darren Aronofsky (The Wrestler), and Arnaud Desplechin (A Christmas Tale). Read more...
Views from the Avant-Garde: Situationist International founder Guy Debord’s 1978 In girum imus nocte et consumimur igni kicks off this three-day celebration of experimental and avant-garde filmmaking. Read more...
In the Realm of Oshima: From the 40 shots of Night and Fog in Japan to the over 1,000 shots of Violence at Noon, from avant-garde theater in Diary of a Shinjuku Thief to diary-like travelogue in Dear Summer Sister, the sidebar to the 46th New York Film Festival celebrates one of the essential figures of modern cinema with a near-complete retrospective. Read more...
NYFF Selection Committee: Richard Peña, chairman and program director at the Film Society; Kent Jones, associate director of programming at the Film Society; Scott Foundas, film editor and chief film critic for L.A. Weekly; J. Hoberman, senior film critic at The Village Voice; and Lisa Schwarzbaum, film critic at Entertainment Weekly.
Deluge is a 5 Star restaurant...
Restaurant Review by: Luis Pedron and Antonio Alvaira
Deluge Restaurant at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel
135-20 39th Avenue Flushing, NY 11368 Tel: 718-670-7400
If you are looking to impress your business prospect, your girlfriend, boyfriend or any loved one...head to Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel at their deluxe restaurant called "Deluge." Firstly it is great to know that their Express Business (Lunch) Menu is only $16.95 (American) / $14.95 (Chinese) per person. For that you get your selection of appetizers/salad, entree and dessert. When you enter this paradise haven you will be welcomed by a relaxing fountain followed by welcoming smile of the management and staff. They will escort you to your seats which are mostly private either partitioned with a curtain or for large groups ask for the private room. The ambience is casual elegant with a very relaxing Mediterranean feel - earthy and did I say oh so relaxing.
I visited the restaurant on two occassions for Lunch. First time was when I tried the Express American Business Menu. I selected the Crispy Seared Salmon with Sweet Chili Glaze. It was heavenly experiencing the contrasting flavor and the fresh Salmon went well with the Purple Sticky Rice with baby Bok Choy and the Brioce Bread Pudding.
The four course did its trick on me... It mesmerized me, it filled me up and after eating ...satisfied me. Usually all three do not match but in this case it did. I give credit to their Executive Chef Matthew Broder.
I had to come back another time to taste the Chinese Express Lunch. I selected the Sa-Cha Beef and Mushroom Entree, West Lake Monced Beef Soup and Taro & Sago Sweet Soup for dessert. I was pleasantly surprised to get not one but four appetizers delicately arranged in a four squared plate. The light and tastey Shanghai Seefood Spring Roll which had Shrimp soft in the inside Crunchy in the outside....it went well with the Hot & Sour Cabbage, Crunchy Sesame Celery and the big surprise - Drunken Chicken.
My main entree which was generously bathed with a lightly flavored brown sauce and mushroom - served with white rice on the side. The flank steak beef was so tender and juicy. The serving was so generous. I could not have asked for more. It was flavored just enough without the usual overwhelming Chinese Hoisin Sauce taste... This one was falvored to a T....The soup was oh so authentically Chinese - the West Lake Minced Beef Soup reminds me of the Rice Congee served in Chinatown and like my Mom's Filipino lugaw - yummmm! . The dessert is reminiscent of Filipino - BiloBilo. Kudos to the Chinese Chef Kevin Wong. - Executive Banquet Chef.
Deluge at Sheraton LaGuardia is conveniently located in Flushing Queens, a block away from the 7 Train off Roosevelt and Main Street. Valet Parking is available at the hotel or you can park at the Municipal Parking infront of the hotel.
Besides mesmerizing you, satisfying you, filling you up.... besides the totally relaxing ambience and privacy - the best reason to come to this place is their high caliber service. From the first moment you step in... to your ordering your food to the food service... you will feel like a king or queen.... You will be well taken care of. With their welcoming smile to their warm hospitality you will think you are being welcomed to their own homes....
I highly recommend "Deluge" at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel! You will thank me for it!
Jabbawockeez Mania continues on.... following up their much talked about performance at Stockton, CA with Gary V and Martin Nievera. Jabbawockeez will be hitting Jersey City by storm. Already much awaited by our Filipino and American Youth in our area. Ticket sales has been so hot that tickets might be sold out really soon. Tickets are available at www.scatproductionsnyc.com. MTV's America's Best Dance Crew Show Winner - Jabbawockeez will perform "LIVE" at this extravaganza. You have seen them win their way into the hearts of America, garnering 38 Million Votes at this Randy Jackson's TV Dance talent show. Now you will see them live......
Produced by SCAT Productions, the premiere concert producer of Filipino American shows, presents the
a fundraiser show starring Jabbawockeez benefitting Dorita Urrata's "Children's Chance" Foundation.
The event will be held on July 12, 2008 at 4PM at the St Peter's College, Yanitteli Center in Jersey City NJ.
The head liners are the Filipino American winners of the different National Talent Search Contests on American TV
including
* Jabbawockeez (Three of which are Filipino Americans - the gorup garnered 38 million votes at the final show)
winner of the MTV's "America's Best Dance Crew; "
* Melissa Reyes, first runner up of "The Pussycat Dolls Present:
The Next Doll" and
* Jaryd and Cara, Dancing with the Stars Champion
in the 10 & under category.
Other youth performers lined up are Dance Numbers from:
Part Time Models, Soul'D, Flo, Fr3sh Juniors, Major Definition (from Boton),
Rythmology, Project D, Sic, Culture Shock DC (from Washington DC) and School of Professional Dance;
and R&B crooner - Ciello.
Dorita Urrata of Children's Chance Foundation will be introducing
the current Filipino children Cherrie Mae and Jingle that will benefitted by this fundraiser
SCAT production would like to acknowledge the following for their support: Vincent & Eleanor Pardo, Marisse/Cosette Panlilio of MPE Entertainment, Bobby& Tonette Panlilio, Luis Pedron of Planet Philippines, Air Tabique,Cyrille Robes of SIGH Band, Ramon Legarda of Ole Production, Albert Ignacio/Ed Silvestre of Filipino Reporter, Amy Tuazon and Nel Castelvi and Ino & Val Rodriguez, Manny Agbanlog of Filipino Times and GlobalPinoy Magazine, John Ynayan of Newstar Philippines, Asian Journal, Philippine News, Filipino Asian Bulletin and Filipino Express.
Tickets are $35 at the door and Priority Seating for Pre-Paid Tickets.
The venue will be at the St Peter's College at the Yanittelli Center 2641 Kennedy Blvd.,
Jersey City, NJ 07306. Doors open at 3PM, Performances start at 4PM on July 12, 2008.
Tickets are available at www.scatproductionsnyc.com or www.myspace.com/scatproductionsnyc
email contact: events@scatproductionsnyc.com
and you can call for information and to buy tickets :
732 687 2413, 917 270 5800, 917 882 3426, 201 253 9405, 551 358 9670
Ticket outlets are: Perlas ng Silangan (Woodside, NY), Casa victoria in Jersey City,NJ, Wuzz up cafe in Bergenfield, NJ,Phil-Am foodmart & restaurant in Colonia, NJ and Topnotch in Jersey City, NJ
About Children's Chance:
Dorita Urrata is the founder of and executive director of CHILDREN's CHANCE, a non-government, non-profit foundation for children based in Connecticut, USA. Through the foundation she has reached out to thousands of impoverished children all over the world.
Its address is at 45 Proctor Street, Waterbury Connecticut 06706.
About SCAT Productions
SCAT Productions ( led by Executive Producers/Promoters:Cathy Uy, Satrick Uy and Rolando Abaquin ) is in the business of
promoting local and mainstream Fil-Am performers show casing them at shows like the recently concluded Phil-US EXPO 2008 in Jersey City starring Jaryd and Cara of Dancing with the Stars.. R & B singer Passion plus hosts of local talents..
Throughout the years, Scat Productions has produced successful concerts including:
Sarah Geronimo in Motion- 12 City Tour: September 15, 2007 held at the Hammerstein Ballroom,
MYMP with Geneva Cruz- July 21, 2007 held in Columbia University- NYC,
Southborder- Dec 18 , 2006 - Held in Columbia University NYC
Support our Youth and Filipino American Mainstream and Local perfomances at this event.
Portions of the proceeds from this event will be going to Children's Chance Foundation.
*****
Here are the bios of the local performers:
BIOGRAPHY | FR3SH Dance Company
Fresh from their California debut at Funkanometry SF's The Sockhop, FR3SH Dance Company is proud to be part of this special event. With the promise to provide each dancer: Formal Training, Frequent Performance, and Friends + Family, FR3SH Dance Company strives to build not only the confidence of each dancer but to inspire others through their love of dance, as well. FR3SH's auxiliary team- FR3SH Juniors was formed last year to serve as a vehicle to motivate and train dancers ages 10-17. Interested in joining the FR3SH Family? Auditions will be held at Paragon Ballroom on July 13th! Check www.FR3SHOnline.com for more details. WEBSITES | FR3SH Dance Company www.FR3SHOnline.comwww.MySpace.com/FR3SH_Dance
YOUTUBE | FR3SH Dance Company
Funkanometry SF's The Sockhop – June 21, 2008 | http://youtube.com/watch?v=3dbTfHmnHGw
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BIOGRAPHY | FR3SH Juniors
An important part of the FR3SH Family is their auxiliary team- FR3SH Juniors. Formed last summer to serve as a vehicle to motivate and train dancers ages 10-17, FR3SH Juniors learn the valuable skills and tools necessary to make it inside and outside the dance studio. Interested in joining the FR3SH Family? Check www.FR3SHOnline.com for more details.
WEBSITES | FR3SH Juniors www.FR3SHOnline.comwww.MySpace.com/FR3SH_Juniors
YOUTUBE | FR3SH Juniors
Prelude EC: Dance Competition - April 19, 2008 | http://youtube.com/watch?v=wnb-8x3Q3Pg
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Rhythmology started out with a group of friends that wanted to use dance as an outlet for enjoying themselves and having fun together. Five years later, Rhythmology quickly gained recognition through performing at various events in their surrounding community and recently won 3rd place in Prelude East Coast Dance competition this year! Rhythmology practice's in their own studio, Creative Image Studio in Bergenfield, NJ where they hold hip-hop workshops and classes every Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings! Come and dance with Rhythmology and learn from their directors with the hopes of inspiring others, developing leaders, and someday perform together! Feel free to talk to a Rhythmology representative and they will be happy to inform you on how you can be part of this amazing and talented group!
www.cistudioonline.com = Creative Image Studio www.myspace.com/rhythm_ready = myspace rhythm_ready@hotmail.com = Rhythmology email www.youtube.com/rhythmology = youtube webcrawl79@aol.com = Will Barrientos, Founder & Executive Director of Rhythmology, Owner of Creative Image Studio
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The Part Time Models is a freestyle dance crew that focuses on the fundamental styles that make up the roots of hip hop dance - bboying, popping, locking, house, and party grooves. The Models strongly encourage the individuality of the dancer, as each member has their own distinct and unique style. They seek to inspire other dancers to think for themselves as well as to think out of the box, while at the same time emphasizing the need to learn dance history. Above all, the Models stress the fact that dancing should always be fun and to dance is to become the music in physical form. Oh, yeah. And they look ridiculously good, too.
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tAByOCUeD0
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Ciello (R&B Singer)
You might have recognized her when she performed during Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre (and won twice!), popular venues around the tri-state area, or winning several contests. This singer/songwriter, "Ciello" is one of the new upcoming artists to watch out for. Ciello's music is truly a singular experience, bringing forth optimism and honesty. Honing her talents at an early age of 8. Growing up she spent her after school hours at a local gospel choir which became one of her biggest influences.
At the age of 20, Ciello is an evolving artist striving to create a movement in the music industry. She is continually raising awareness in her community putting together fundraisers for charities like Bantay Bata; sending forth the message that anyone can make a difference. Ciello is ready to take charge putting her profound voice and soulful appeal to work so that everyone can share the strong vocals and rapture of her talents.
You can check her out on youtube.com simply searching for Ciello
Her myspace music account www.myspace.com/ciellorockzit
or Read up on her daily fashion blog www.eatyourclothes.com
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Project D started out as a group of young talented friends from all different parts of New Jersey. This team of passionate dancers started off as a "project" four years ago, first appearing for the 2004 Annual Semi-Formal at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Since then, under the guidance of Bernie Armendi, the team has grown into an ever evolving dance company that entertains, educates, and inspires others through their "dedication and devotion to dance." Project D has grown into an incredible family of young inspired dancers and continues to influence young individuals throughout the Tri-State area -- "passing inspiration to the next generation."
The Project D mission is to motivate and actuate all to embrace their potential, as well as to foster the infinite growth and improvement of its dancers – to teach individuals to move as one.
Cyrille Robes is the lead singer of the fastest rising Fil-Am rock/metal band from Long Island, NY, Striving in Greater Hopes (S.i.G.H.). At first glance, you wouldn't expect the petite frame of Cyrille to produce such a powerful and soulful voice, but then again she has grown accustomed to surprising people. Cyrille's melodic voice perfectly balances the heavy rock riffs of the rest of the band. With a new full-length album out entitled "Between Sin and Solitude", numerous shows and their ever growing fan base, there is nowhere else this group could go to but up. To know more about Cyrille and S.i.G.H., visit their sites www.myspace.com/sighband and www.sighrobes.com
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What comes to mind when you think of SiC? No, it isn't an illness, it's an ill approach: an approach to aspire, inspire, and create.. First starting off as 21D founded by Tim Rhee, the simple crew grew to be a company. Although they encountered endless performances and competitions with constantly changing members, nothing stopped them from pushing forth. SERCisCompany not only has gone through the toughest of obstacles, but also has surpassed the expectations of their own initial goals No doubt that they have their fun times, but when it comes down to business they're sure to satisfy the crowd. Be ready to witness the passion and intensity of the ever emerging group, SERCisCompany.
Website: www.serciscompany.com http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14410307876&ref=share
Opening July 18 in New York City at City Cinemas Village East
Luis Pedron:The Doorman shows raw emotions from the real people in the club scene.
How did you involve those club industry people to be part of your movie?
Wayne Price: Well, we invited some friends to come down when we were planning to
shoot the club scenes. Friends can be unreliable, and on our first night of shooting,
only 2 friends showed up at the call time. We only had an hour to shoot at "The Club,"
so we had to do the only thing we could - approach the real people, those actually on
line to get into the club. We told them very little, only that we were shooting a documentary
about the doorman at the club, whose name is Trevor. We asked them if they would mind
being on camera when they approach Trevor, and warned them that they might not let them
in. These non-actors actually gave us some of the best performances of the film, probably
because as you pointed out, their emotions were raw. They weren't sure if what we were
doing was for real, but they definitely felt the sting of being told they can't get in by Trevor
and reacted accordingly.
Luis Pedron: What is a famous doorman to do without a door?
Wayne Price: That's the question at the heart of the film. What is a doorman without a
door? If you literally want to remove the "door" element from the equation, what are you
left with? Just a man. I can't really tell you what a famous doorman is to do without a door.
You'll have to watch the movie and see. But I can say that the answer more has to do with
the famous question. What would any famous person do when their fame is gone? Especially
somebody whose fame is built on something so fragile.
Luis Pedron: How did you guys all collaborate in this film? I like what you have produced
and I was laughing throughout the whole movie. How did you get about producing a film
about the NYC Doorman?
Wayne Price: Thank you. If you laughed several times, then we all feel good about what
we created. Which was a truly different creative process than usually is involved in making
a film. It started with Lucas and I writing basically a treatment for a film about doorman who
is being followed by a film crew and loses his job. I think it was 7 pages. No dialogue. And in
retrospect, what was written and what ended up on film is light years apart - although the
same structure is still there. Lucas and I hired a camera man, Patryk Rebisz, and the three
of us showed up at Fashion Week one night to start shooting our movie. That was it. Lucas
was actually working there, and got us access - somewhat miraculously - to the backstage
area. We went in, and he became Trevor, talking to girls, etc. I had to tell them to pretend
like they all know him. They "got it" right away. Who says models are dummies? Anyway,
it was basically like that from day 1. Always keeping our knees bent, ready for anything. We
shot maybe 70 hours in total, which is pretty much like we were shooting a real doc. So the
hardest part came down to sitting with all this footage in the editing room and trying to make
the best story out of it that we could. Again, we followed our original script, but each little
scene we needed to progress the story ended up being maybe 20 minutes on film, and then
several more scenes were usually spawned from it. You can imagine our cutting room floor.
So the collaboration in production was about being on our toes with Lucas and Patryk, and
then in the editing room, it was about not losing patience through 15 cuts of the film, with my
producers Brian Devine and Jonathan Gray (both who are in the film) giving rounds of feedback
each time, and fighting about how long it should be. For nearly 3 years, Jonathan thought it
should be 20 minutes, while Brian kept believing it would work as a feature. Guess whose side
I took? Needless-to-say, after our last screening, Jonathan told me he loved it. Which was my
best compliment yet. As for your question about why a NYC Doorman... Why not? I guess it's
because these guys are all such funny characters. And foreign. Pretty much all of them are from
another country and speak with a non-descript accent. Perfect for Lucas, who is originally from
Argentina. And finally, Lucas had many connections to that world, which we called upon to get
the film made.
Luis Pedron: Is Trevor based on any doorman in NY?
Wayne Price: Yes, several. Fabrizio Brienza, who plays himself in the movie, was a real inspiration.
Just go out and watch some of these guys, and you'll know.
Luis Pedron: You really captured the rise and fall of a person who seems to be stable and powerful
but falls hard because he built his power on sandy ground. Is this what you have observed in people
around the party scene?
Wayne Price: I've personally observed this inflated-ego type of personality amongst people who
hang out with celebrities and attend the top clubs, etc. I guess I had my moment where I wanted to
be one of them, too. And then I realized that I always felt pretty shitty around them, and especially
after leaving. Because in reality, nobody there cares about you. They care about themselves, and
anything beyond that is just surface. I know it's cynical. I'm sure many people who go out in this
element have a great time. I think because we, as a society, hold celebrity and money on such a
platform, that being so close to it is something we all naturally strive for, even if our own realities
are so far from that. I think that's what's so intriguing about the doorman. Here's this guy who is
respected by the cream of society, those with fame and fortune. They pat his back, make him feel
good. And he, in turn, makes them feel good by validating their own sense of self, literally by escorting
them into the club, getting them a great table, etc. They need each other. However, as soon as the
doorman loses his platform and has nothing to offer these people, what does he have left? Trevor refuses
to let reality mess with HIS reality. Which is amazing to me. The guy falls hard, yet we hardly ever see
his facade crumble. He is determined to remain an important individual no matter what. And I think by
the time the movie ends, as awful as we may find him at the beginning, we grow to be endeared by him
because of this. Lucas Akoskin really captures this subtle characterization. He's an amazing actor.
Luis Pedron: What is the selling point of your film?
Wayne Price: I tell people it's about a nightclub doorman who loses his job and doesn't tell the documentary
crew following him. They usually cut me off right there and go off about doormen, how funny of a subject
that is, etc.
Luis Pedron: Your influence and connections in the music and party scene were evident in the film.
Please tell me how you got your friends and acquaintances to agree to appear on your film. Wayne Price: Great little experiment in making this film. I found that pretty much everybody, from the
richest of the rich, to the poorest, all want to be movie stars. The only people who we actually had
trouble getting in the film were the already established movie stars we approached! Everyone else,
like the club owners, club goers, bands, etc. all were very eager to be involved. Sure, we asked pretty
much every favor we could and then some. But in most cases, it was mutually beneficial. I have been
working with bands in NYC for years, shooting music videos and generally promoting them. I love music.
90% of the artists whose music is used in the film are friends of mine. Brazilian Girls, 311, Kudu, White
Rabbits, The Epochs... man, I'm so excited just by my soundtrack! But all these guys got to feel like they
were collaborating with me. I've personally told them that I shot scenes with their music in mind. In one
case, I was at nublu one night and having a drink with Aaron and Jesse from Brazilian Girls. I told them
I needed a theme song for Trevor, and in less than a minute, they were literally singing the theme song
acappella! Our end credits is 60% Thank You's.
Luis Pedron: How did your producer Brian Devine and your lead actor Lucas Akoskin get in the picture?
Wayne Price: Lucas was my roommate (still is). We wrote the script together in one afternoon at home.
Brian Devine was close friends of Jonathan Gray, our first real producer. We met him at Jonathan's house
at Sundance a few years back. He had a production company in NYC, and when he saw the first rough
cut of the film, he immediately got excited and pretty much told us that he was gonna release it. Three
years later, it's due in large part to Brian's influence and assistance that we have a feature film opening
in theaters.
Restaurant Review by: Luis Pedron and Antonio Alvaira
"What wowed us were numerous things including...."
Valverde Cucina Italiana is a great place to have your dinner at. As this new Italian Restaurant is perfectly located at 36-02 Steinway St in Long Island City NY 11101 (2 blks away from the R Train - Steinway St stop a few minutes drive from the 59 St Queens Bridge on the way to Manhattan), this a perfect spot to eat at after your Steinway St shopping spree or pre movie at the United Artist Moviehouses just a few blocks away within the Kaufman Astoria TV studios. The perfect location is not the only asset of this place. You will be delighted with the freshness of its ingredients and the impeccable delicate taste that you will experience with all of their entrees.
You will be welcomed by owners Johann Velverde, Ivon Leon and Chef Jose Hernandez. Inspite of having two other support employees the trio restauranteurs will personally be the one welcoming you with their hospitality - like family members welcoming you to their home. We enjoyed the experience as they educated us with their authentic Northern Italian cuisine that Chef Jose Hernandez has perfected. Owner Johann Valverde describes their style as "Cosmopolitan Milanese. Everything is balanced and light."
We were curious what he meant. (We allowed Johann to bring us their specialties.) First we were served with our appetizers of Home made bread served with EVOO ( Extra Virgin Olive Oil ), oh was the bread light, flaky and oh so buttery, almost felt like a perfectly baked dessert pastry. We were wowed by the table bread.... and that's just for starters.....
The appetizer came in a gorgeous mountainful amount of a salad called Scaglie di Parmigiano ($8.95) numerous slices of artichokes, a tall pile of wild baby arugula and shaved 18 month old Parmesian Cheese. This dish is very appetizing, you will love its lemony flavor, its fresh ingredients that all matches to give you a healthy reminder that says you should eat like this every day. The artichoke in the mix actually felt like it was the protein in your salad. Wow a perfect combination.
We were served with a Red Italian wine (Terrilogio Primitivo Puglia, Italy Zinfandel) the mellowness matched with our main course of Pollo Cardinale ($13.95) and Spaghettini Chatarea alla Bolognese ($11.95)
Our first main dish the Pollo Cardinale was with Chicken Breast with sauteed with Tomato confit, sage, cooked with homemade mozarella, Pinot Blanc with French beans, carrots and brocolli. The chicken was so fresh and tender which was delicately flavored with the tomato sauce with mozarella and Pinot Blanc plus the crunchy veggie sides. Usually restaurants wants to wow you with their food and overly flavors everything. But Cucina Valverde works differently and makes everything with a light flavor and titilates you with this difference and it works. Light and delicate is definitely in.
Believe it or not their Spaghettini Chatarea alla Bolognese was immaculate. This Spaghetti was with tomato (Italian San Marsano Plum Tomatoes) meat (beef) sauce that will make you gasp in extacy. As Filipinos we are used to Spaghetti that is sweet or too sour. At Cucina Valverde the Spaghettini Bolegnese has a balanced flavor (of the tomato sauce)layered with the beef and aldente pasta. Its very balanced nothing is overwhleming its all simply perfect like a great orchestrated art work.
Don't get us started with our heavenly Ricotto Cheese Cake ($4.50). The adjectives that came to us were calming, positive vibes, simple, satisfying.
So it was a great zen like experience eating at Valverde. What wowed us are numerous things including the cozy ambience, great value, generous serving, personalized service, home made taste, freshness of ingredients and simple balanced tasty flavor did I say its conveniently located? Seldom do you find a perfect restaurant in a new establishment. We guarantee that this is worth a trip to Long Island City in Queens New York City for you to travel to.
36-02 Steinway St (at 36th Ave) Long Island City, NY 11101
Daily 11AM - 10PM closed on Tuesday
Tel: (718) 786-2070
Subway: G, V, R to Steinway St N, W to 36th Ave
*******
Thriller Pic “Crazy Eights” Opens Wide on November 9
NEW YORK, NY– With four feature films completed this year, production partners James K. Jones and Patrick Moses have hit the ground running with their entertainment venture IKM Productions, a New York-based company focused on film, television, and commercial clients. IKM’s debut theatrical film, the thriller Crazy Eights (starring Traci Lords, Gabrielle Anwar and Frank Whaley), opens wide Friday, November 9th on 450 screens nationwide as part of “8 Films to Die For,” the highly anticipated series from After Dark Films. Lionsgate holds TV and DVD distribution rights for the film.
Crazy Eights, which follows six people at the funeral of a childhood friend,is the first theatrical release in a wave of new films IKM has produced. Other films under the IKM banner include thriller genre pictures Manslaughter and The Wreck, as well as the drama New York City Serenade, which premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.New York City Serenade stars Freddie Prinze Jr. (I Know What You Did Last Summer ), Chris Klein (American Pie series), and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (“The Sopranos”). Next on IKM’s slate is the documentary Max’s Kansas City, the story of the famed New York City nightclub and Warhol hangout that launched the careers of Aerosmith and Iggy Pop.They are also producing a baseball coming of age feature titled Slugger.
“We aren’t locked into a particular genre or type of film; our main guide in choosing what to work on comes down to finding an interesting story,” says Jones.“We love horror films and thrillers, and chose our first films in that genre because, in addition to being fun to produce and direct, there is a great audience base for horror films. We are also planning to do much, much more -- dramas and comedies, documentaries, independent and large-scale projects.”
IKM Productions is helmed by Jones and Moses, whose backgrounds include directing, producing, writing, editing and financing films, television series and commercial projects. Their corporate clients include Hyundai, The Washington Redskins, Gold’s Gym, and The New York Times.
IKM co-owner James K. Jones is making his feature film directing debut with Crazy Eights. In 2006, Jones directed seven episodes of Court TV’s number-one rated show “Psychic Detectives.” Jones, who has produced and directed over 125 commercials and corporate pieces, honed his directing chops in Washington, DC, working with television projects and high-profile corporate clients such as Proctor & Gamble and McDonald’s.He is currently executive producing two television shows with Moses and will be directing the upcoming features Max’s Kansas City in Fall 2007 and Reasons for Leavingin Spring 2008.
Patrick Moses, IKM’s co-owner, was developer and executive producer of Bravo’s critically acclaimed and highly rated franchise “The Real Housewives of Orange County”.Moses was also executive producer and writer for Bravo’s top rated “The 100 Scariest Movie Moments.”He is currently creating and executive producing television shows for G4 and The DIY Networks as well as raising capital for large feature films.Prior to producing, Moses advised and raised capital for JPMorgan’s investment banking clients in the media industry.
Luis Pedron: How did you go about starting with your acting and modelling career in the Philippines?
Rafael Rosell: Like most balikbayans, I came here (Philippines) for a vacation. Prior to the vacation I searched the internet for auditions, and saw that ABS-CBN was casting for a new batch of artists. I sent them pics and a demo reel and they invited me for an audition.
So when we arrived Manila, we went to ABS-CBN after a few days of just chilling in the city. I passed it and they gave me a 6 months contract for workshops. I signed it, and things started rolling.
Luis Pedron: I heard you had to study Filipino (Tagalog) and it is now paying off with starring roles in Telenovelas and Movies? How was that a challenge in learning another language in your early twenties? BTW, how many languages do you speak?
During the 6 months training they gave Tagalog grammar classes, but it wasn't until I started reading the tabloids out loud to my friends that I learned how to pronounce the words properly. I had conversations with taxi drivers and people who were around me just to learn the conversational skills. I got myself into a Tagalog play for Tanghalang Ateneo to further enhance the language learning, and also to put pressure on myself. On stage, you can't make mistakes, so I really studied the script and "imitated" and learned how Pinoys express themselves on and off stage, and adapted mannerisms and intonations of the voice according to what the regular Pinoy wants to communicate.
It wasn't easy, but growing up I've always been fond of the different languages, but it was really Tagalog that I had my mind set on truly mastering, after all, one of my purposes of coming back here was to study my parents' roots. So by doing this, I really wanted to become "Pinoy" like them.
Learning a new language at that age was more difficult than when you're a kid. It takes more effort and understanding. As a kid you don't have to think about grammar or sentence structure, it just comes along naturally over the years.
There was a time when I spoke four, almost 5 languages (Norwegian, English, German, Tagalog and a little Spanish) but German faded because I never got to use it in a real conversation and Spanish was just a language I managed to speak under the influence of alcohol. Hehe! I can still understand a little bit of Spanish and German, but it's minimal. Norwegian, English and Tagalog are the languages I fluently speak now.
Rafael Rosell BIO:
Rafael Rosell's full name is Rafael Quimpo Rosell IV. He was born and raised in a place called Stavanger, Norway. His parents are both from the Philippines. Both have Spanish blood in them, but aside from that, he is pure blooded Filipino.
Born on the 10th of November, 1982,he lives under the traits of a Scorpio. When not working, he spends most of his time catching up with friends, family and loved ones. Usually it's spent by watching a movie, food tripping or just hanging out.
Rafael says he is pretty much a free spirit. "I need my time to do whatever I feel like without people ordering me around. Without the time for myself, things can get really messy. For me, showbiz is a job, there's so much more to me than what the media allows me project. "
Luis Pedron: Blood thirsty Man Eater is the common perception for what a shark is - through your documentary, how did you persuade the audience, in why they should change their misconception about sharks? Do you blame the film Jaws for all these wrong ideas about the SHARK!
Rob Stewart: Sharks have been portrayed as monsters for as long as the media has referred to them. The word Shark comes from the Anglo Saxon words "villain" and "cut", demonstrating how poorly sharks have been set up in our minds. A fraction of the planet has the opportunity to go underwater and experience the ocean, so a public that largely fears sharks is wholly logical considering the media's portrayal of them. A dangerous "man eater" sells more "shark attack" headlines than the reality.... usually that a shark bit a human, realized its mistake, and let go. Films like Jaws united the public even further with a wholly false view of sharks - that they're out there hunting man.
In Sharkwater, we use simple facts - that a mere 5 people are killed by sharks each year for example, that flesh is very rarely removed in shark bites, and that if sharks were predators of people, the oceans would be a very very dangerous place. We also show a totally new relationship with sharks, portraying the reality of sharks as beautiful creatures that are pinnacles in the evolution of the seas. You have to see Sharkwater to truly understand it.
Luis Pedron: What have you found out regarding why are sharks being killed left and right?
Rob Stewart: Sharks are being killed largely to fuel the growing demand for shark fin soup in Asia. Shark fin soup is a status symbol, served as a sign of respect and a symbol of wealth. When China began wide scale trade with the rest of the world in the late 80's, the opportunity to consume shark fin soup opened up to hundreds of millions of people, resulting in the price of fins skyrocketing to between $200-400 USD per pound. The word is now out that shark fins mean money, and humans now kill 100 million sharks a year to fuel the demand for fins. Many of these sharks are finned - where their fins are cut off the dying shark and its body is discarded, wasting over 95% of the animal. It's like killing an elephant for ivory or a rhinoceros for its horn, and because of this, shark populations have dropped 90% in the last 30 years.
Gary V Press Conference October 26, 2007 Holday Inn Boston Radolph
Jeremy & Gladiola DeKing of Milford, MA; Hector Bolante,Dr. Gay Bolante of Woodmere, NY and Gary V and Luis Pedron Photo courtesy of Jeremy and Gladoila DeKing More photos and video coverage from the event to be posted the next few days....
Luis Pedron receives the Leadership Award in Media and Entertainment from the Pan American Concerned Citizens Inc (PACCAL) October 14, 2007 Holiday Inn Newark NJ Photos by: Noilyn Abesamis-Mendoza: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39973864@N00/sets/72157602445336473
IPEX TV launched last April at MIPTV. We are a unique B2B e-Marketplace dedicated exclusively to buyers and sellers of multiplatform video programs. We serve the traditional Television and Film industry, as well as the growing Portable Device, Cellular Phone and Internet video markets. Since our launch, we have been expanding rapidly to offer a wide variety of services to an increasingly prestigious list of clients. ***
A Summer in the Cage
Interview with Ben Selkow
Exclusive Interview with the Director/Producer of the Documentary Film: "A Summer in the Cage" Ben Selkow
Premieres on Sundance Channel October 22, 2007 at 9PM.
Luis Pedron: For a film that spans 7 years, how much footage did you shoot and how much time did you spend editing the film? What was the process in sifting through the tapes you had?
Ben Selkow: I shot about 175 hours of footage and had about 40 hours of my subject Sam's own video diaries and materials. The combination of shooting everything myself and the emotional intensity of the material, made a lot of the images and bites stark to me. The gems were mining through all of Sam's footage over the years. He had material from 1996 to 2000, home video diaries he had been doing on his own, and of course some of the home video diaries that I had asked him to record from 2002 to 2006—much of this footage was where he was communicating with me during various mood states. Finding this footage and seeing Sam address me, even more intimately—sometimes ragefully—than our hundreds of hours together, was very unsettling personally. Of course, those tapes were gold on the filmmaking side. My editor John Mims and I started editing four years ago—nights and weekends as we both had full-time day jobs, me - producing another documentary and he - as an editor. I screened everything and transcribed much of it myself. Then I would create outlines and scripts with selects and pulls. John would work grossly from these and add much to my sketches. Then it was refinement, omission and paring away.
Luis Pedron: Personally, did you ever let go of the idea of filming a documentary about the basketballers in the cage? That idea seems to still linger in you throughout the film.
Ben Selkow: No! It was something I really did not want to give up. Basketball is still a huge personal interest to me and the uniqueness of that court holds an allure for me. I am working on a feature script with some elements and hybridization of characters from the many, many days and nights that I spent with guys from the Cage—many of whom I am still in touch with. One of the original characters from the street basketball film I started—Smush Parker—ended up having an amazing story of going from the streets to struggling to make it to the NBA to becoming the starting point guard for the L.A. Lakers starting next to Kobe Bryant would. I would have liked to stay on that ride. After Sam's manic episode in 2000, some of the trust with our characters from the Cage was compromised. Access and trust are some of the keys to a documentary. I had that with Sam and I know he felt guilty and responsible for the dissolution of the street basketball film.
Luis Pedron: You seem to be a very patient person to be able to film a topic in 7 years through thick and thin. What kept you going in spite of all the hindrances - twists and turns with your friendship with Sam?
Ben Selkow: There were very tough times in some ways. Self-doubt, questioning, fundraising, guilt-all the normal things you go through as a filmmaker—were very powerful forces. I had another job producing another documentary so there were many periods where that took complete priority and was a positive distraction from pre-occupation. One of the strengths of the film, I think, is the longitudinal study that it is—someone pre-diagnosis and followed for six years, and that was a rationalization to keep going. I didn't have an organic ending and I didn't want to contrive anything. In the end, the film had to end when it did. In terms of perseverance, my Mom's boyfriend (and who was like my stepfather), Corby, growing up taught me about not quitting and mental toughness. It sounds funny to say now, but Corby used to make me watch Clint Eastwood / Sergio Leone westerns to toughen me up. My mom is the sweetest person in the world and we were living in a commune in upstate New York, so I probably needed a little vigilantism.
Luis Pedron: Was it a conscious choice on your part why fellow producers Curt and Ian were the on camera talent of your film? Why wasn't it three of you finding yourselves in the cornfields of Iowa?
Aaron Woolf: Well someone had to be behind the camera – Curt and Ian are a lot younger and it seemed fitting that they would stand in for a whole generation whose health is threatened by all this bad food.
Luis Pedron: Where did this kernel of idea come from?
Aaron Woolf: I had been wanting to do a film about food for sometime and we were all wowed to figure out that we had this family connection to Iowa -and that corn was at the root of a lot of our fast- and processed foods.
Luis Pedron: This film has a sense of films like Super Size Me and Sicko. Were you influenced by those films or similar ones?
Aaron Woolf: SuperSize me came out when we had already begun filming the project and Sicko came out long after we were done.But it's nice to be compared to such successful films!
LuisPedron of Fanclubx.com has covered the New York FilmFestival since 2004. "I have met eventual Oscar nominees and winners: Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote), Helen Mirren (The Queen) at this event to name a few. This festival for me is a barometer of who will do well in the Oscar race. So, try to watch the films premiere at this fest. Most screenings include a Q&A with the cast and director which ads to the excitement." says Pedron.
The 45th New York FilmFestival will premiere 28 films when it runs September 28 - October 14 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. The festival, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and sponsored by Sardinia Region Tourism and The New York Times, also features the 11th Annual Views from the Avant-Garde as well as two other showcases, three music documentaries and six retrospective films. This year's HBO Films Directors Dialogues will be with Wes Anderson, Todd Haynes, Sidney Lumet and Julian Schnabel.
Opening Night This year's festival opens on Friday, September 28 with Wes Anderson's new film, The Darjeeling Limited. Featuring Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Jason Schwartzman and Angelica Huston, the films follows three brothers as they re-forge family bonds on a train ride across India. The film was co-written by Anderson, Roman Coppola and Schwartzman. Centerpiece On Saturday, October 6, Joel and Ethan Coen's No Country for Old Men will be honored as the festival's Centerpiece. Based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize-winner Cormac McCarthy and adapted by the Coens, the film is a mesmerizing thriller about the violent chain reaction that follows a hunter's discovery of several dead bodies, a major stash of heroin and $2 million in cash. Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson and Kelly MacDonald star. Closing Night Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud's Persepolis will be the festival's Closing Night film. The animated coming-of-age story, based on Satrapi's popular graphic novel about her own childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution, won a Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes FilmFestival. It features the voice talents of Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Danielle Darrieux and Simon Abkarian, several of whom are expected to attend the festival's Closing Night screening at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall on Sunday, October 14. For Tickets: check out the NYFilmFestival Website: filmlinc.com/nyff/nyff.html
**************************************************************************************** Roxanne Messina Captor ( Writer/Director "A Couple of White Chicks at the Hairdresser" )Kalusugan Coalition and Project AsPIRE will co sponsor once again two big health screening events in Jersey City and Queens. Here are the details:
JERSEY CITY, NJ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CITY HALL 280 GROVE ST. JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302
Take PATH Train to Grove St. Head towards south of Grove St. City Hall is two blocks from the Path Train station.
QUEENS, NY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. SAN SEBASTIAN PARISH CENTER 39-60 57TH STREET WOODSIDE, NY 11377
Exclusive Interview by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com
Luis: Your film is about loyalty, friendship and squabbling over men and possessions... please expound on these topics?
Roxanne: I have always been interested in the difference between what is on the outside and what is real on the inside. That people are not so different on the inside and what you see is not always what you get.This film is about how two very different women and a gay republican man can support each other through life's trials and tribulations.
Luis: Women are portrayed here at their most vulnerable. Is there something about being in a hair salon that makes them open up?
Roxanne: The salon environment is one that is very unusual as people relate in a very real way to strangers and divulge some of their most intimate details.
Luis: Do you also have a Lady BFF (Best Friend Forever) and a Hairdresser BFF -- if so why do you stick with them?
Roxanne: I met my best friend in a Beverly Hills hair salon. We have been through many of life's work together. A hairdresser is a very sacred person. One's hair is an identity and easy to change when need be. When one is this intimate with someone, change of person is not always enjoyed.
Luis: How did you go about casting Shelly Long, Harry Shearer abnd Deborah Theaker? Great ensemble work... pls tell me about your casting process? Roxanne: Once started it moved along at a fast clip. I met Shelley in a coffee shop.Not unlike our heroines.She read the script and two hours latter called me to say it was the best material she had read and was doing the part of Barbara. She felt I was a new and unique voice. The same with Harry, Deborah, Judith, Kate and James.Wayne Brady called me within 24 hours to say the same. Unfortunately his schedule did not allow for him to take on the short film. I believe in trusting my actors. hire best talent and crew...trust them. Show respect and honor for your professional talent and crew. I have a strong Broadway and repertory theatre background. From this I believe in a very collaborative process.Hire the best talent and work with them to guide the project to the best conclusion.
Luis: Of course you also have "Heroes" superstar James Kyson Lee as one of the characters...how was it working with him. Was this before or during his "Heroes" celebrity?
Roxanne: It was during his "Heroes" celebrity....he is a gifted actor, easy to work with and understands the process. I like working with gifted actors and improvising. I also believe in letting the actors exlore their process with guidance.
Luis: What is next for Roxanne?
Roxanne: I have a strong dance background and was a child performer in musicals and dance. I am writing two musical projects: Dream Moms, an interracial musical project about two women who find dreams can come true at 40.Gypsy Robe is about the Broadway quilt that goes to the Gypsies in a show. It follows the lives of three teenagers as they try to fulfill their aspirations for dancing and singing on Broadway.Maddie's Boy focuses on a "Manchurian Candidate" mother and her 20 year old son. Set in Louisiana in the 80's following Maddie's political career through her shy art student son, the audience realizes how Katrina could happened latter. Vilmos Zsigmond, Delroy Lindo, Kate Winslet and Doctor John are talking to me about working on the film. The Big Show Tallulah On Trial is about the turbulent life of Tallulah Bankhead when she in embroiled in a legal battle with her maid. I am in China now working on a project Pearl Buck: A Mother in Conflict a co-production with Shanghai Studios. It follows the life of the famous author who knew the soul of the Chinese Peasant so well.
******* "INSIDERS" the play, Starring: Frances Lozada, Franky G, Carlos Lozada, Antonio Alvaira, Rosemary Paniagua, Jesenia Bailey, Damian Bailey, Dino Roscigno, Daryl Denner, Nicholas Lopez, Jason Shanski & Luis Pedron Co-Directed by: Frances Lozada and Raul Santiago Sebazco September 7 & 8 , 2007 at 8PM at the Producers Club 358 W 44 St NYC Promo Photos by: Raul Santiago Sebazco
Luis: Congratulations on your DVD release. I want to ask you what made you think of the topic of gold digger - player relationships?
Jeff: When I was single I had a close call with a girl who had friends who were Golddiggers and was fascinated with their lifestyle. I wrote Gold Digger Killer to scare her and other women.
Luis: Did you experience this type of relationship before?
Jeff: Not directly and I don't have enough money to attract a Golddigger.
Luis: There should be different types or degrees of gold diggers and players?
Jeff: Not different levels but there are wannabe Playas and girls who try to juice men for money. Wannabe Playas get caught and labeled cheaters. It's hard to be a successful Gold Digger.
Luis: I know that hip hop videos have over glamorized gold diggers- player relationships almost demeaning our women... what can you say about this?
Jeff: I won't say it's the videos or even the music. It's really the American culture which is the problem. This belief that it's normal for a man to be a sex addict combined with the fact that women here are raised to want a Knight in shinning armor or a man who will take care of them. Hip Hop is just a offshoot of American culture.
Luis: I'm sure there are names out there hip hop wise who talk against this gold digger- player relationship besides you? Or are there? Why do you think that is?
Jeff: I can't say that there are people who interrupt our problems the way that I do. There are people who counsel people on finding a good man or woman. People like Michael Baisden and publications like Essence magazine address some of our male/female issues. Even the greater White American culture has many people address male/female bonding. Most of these efforts show ways of dealing with the status not change them. I believe the culture can be changed and it doesn't have to get progressively worse. That's why I developed the Hip Hop Dating Codes (see at the end of this interview).
Luis: If this was an open letter to the hip hop world pls feel free to express yourself in this interview...
Jeff: My message to the Hip Hop community is we have both good productive values and negative counter productive values we have the choice of which way we decide to behave . Hip Hop was formed under respect for ourselves and the world we live in. As long as we hold that true to ourselves and the people we bring into our lives we will be alright.
Transformers is set to be the biggest blockbuster movie of the summer and with a blockbuster movie, the usual follow up is to have a video game based on the movie.It was no different for this franchise as the release of “Transformers the game” took place in Club Cielo in downtown meat packing district.This event was an exclusive party sponsored by Stride chewing gum, IGN.com and myspace.com.Although this was a release party for Transformers, Nintendo WII games, guitar hero 2 and Dance, Dance Revolution was at hand for guests to enjoy.
Since this was an exclusive party, every guest had a chance to try out Transformers.There were different stages where you play either an Autobot or Decepticon.The game itself looks beautiful, and has the same format as the incredible Hulk games giving the player freedom to smash and destroy everything in site.The game seems simple enough with missions to either destroy or get to a certain point in the game.I asked one of the guests attending the event what he thought about the Transformers Game, he felt that it was a great looking game and looked to be hit, but also noted that when the Autobots transformed into vehicles, the driving controls seen to be a bit off.I agreed with this as well, playing Bumble Bee (one of the Transformers character) as a car, it seemed to slip off the road a little more often then it should.But besides that, this looks to be a solid game.
The night ended with games and an Xbox 360 console being raffled, and the top scorers for Guitar hero 2, and Dance, Dance Revolution receiving giveaways from Acclaim games and Stride gum.Transformers the game is out now where video games are sold for all consoles.Be sure to check out Transformers in theaters worldwide on July 4 2007.
Exclusive Interview by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com
Luis: What was the basis for you to write about these traumatic experiences?
Mia:In 1989, when I was cutting a movie on location in Virginia, a man broke into my condo through a window that was cracked for air.I woke up with him on top of me and he said, "There's a gun on the table, if you make a sound, I'll blow your brains out."
Luis: Were these characters based on true to life experiences?
Mia: Yes, but the film is fictional.
Luis: You were quoted as saying: "Every person has choices, in that sense we are free. We can have bad things happen to us, and in that we have no choice; but we do have a choice how we react to them. And that gives the power to the person and stops them from being a victim" Can you expound on this thought?
Mia: I realized that the experience could either ruin me, or make me stronger (like Nietzsche said: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger) and over time I decided I didn't want to let the experience mark me. I wanted to fight back, and I did, by choosing to go for help, searching for different ways to heal myself, by not giving up or giving in.
Luis: What aspects of your editing background has helped you write and direct this beautiful dramatic film?
Mia: Thank you for your kind words.Editing is writing with shots.It is a great training ground for understanding story.It makes you sensitive to actors, to language, to music, to the rhythms and DNA of film making.
Luis: What do you think are the selling points of this film?
Mia: My hope is that it can help change people.Make them not feel so alone, so alienated.That it can make people realize there is hope.
Luis: This film is a perfect film to show to the youth and people who have experienced traumatic experiences to deal with life... have you screened this to non profit groups who deal with the youth and victims of violent crimes?
Mia: We have spent the last year and a half since Sundance, showing the film to different groups and it has been gratifying to see the effect it has on both men and women. So many people have been touched by many different kinds of trauma.Having shown it at many colleges and other screenings promoted by different rape centers all over the country, we have seen how much people yearn for stories they can identify with. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has been an enormous help.We hope that through viewing the movie, people will feel freer to talk about their own unique and personal journeys, and that it will be a catalyst for change in the way people see and treat victims.
Luis: How should a family member or a friend reach out to person who has traumatized because of a life and death situation?
Mia: It is best to listen. Listening heals.Allow them to say anything they want, and then offer to find help if they are willing to let you help. If not, wait, offer other help – like staying with them so they are not alone, by offering them their favorite food, getting them a dog or an alarm.Be creative.Each person is different, has different needs, so listen and offer whatever you think is best. But most important, never be offended by how they respond.Be patient and loving.
Luis: Why do you think children misinterpret parents caring as meddling?
Mia: When someone is traumatized, they can find life frightening, and can often become irritated.We show our irritation most with those we are intimate with – because we can.
Luis: Can you briefly explain to us your casting process? What a beautiful and talented cast you have...great choice...
Mia: I was so lucky.All of my actors were gifts from the film gods.I wrote the role of Izzy, with Robin Tunney in mind, so it was a dream come true to have her play the role. Her intelligence as an actor, her commitment, her instincts, are precious, gold. Joel Edgerton came to the film late, but he was exactly who I had in mind.His role is key because it is through his eyes that so much is revealed.Joel understood this clearly.He needed to be a sensitive, masculine man (so hard to find), and Joel is it.I knew I wanted comic relief, so the film wouldn't become reverential, enter Cybill Shepherd. She has the humor, the depth, the simmering tenderness that was needed for Arlene, the mother. I wrote the role of the father, hoping to get Elliott Gould.Elliott has a profound understanding of life and I knew he would embody that kind of warmth and wisdom in the father. (His son, Sam Gould, plays the doctor too.) I also wrote the role of Peter's father for Scott Wilson.I had worked with him before and knew his incredible range and honesty.Shirley Knight was perfect as the shrink. She has such an acute ability to express subtle emotions, is a good listener, and a deep thinker.She brought all that to the role.Matt Keesler knocked our socks off in his reading. He had never done anything like this before, but he immersed himself in the psyche of the rapist and made us see the complexity of what could have made that character become a lost and violent man.It was also a family affair.My brother, Justin Ashforth, plays Peter's (Joel's) best friend, and my mother-in-law, Janet Rotblatt, is wonderful as a victim in the group therapy session.
Luis: I also like your choice of your DP, Editor and Music Composer, please tell us why you chose them and have you worked with them before?
Mia: Denis Maloney was a godsend.Talented, committed, and generous.We looked at movies together for two weeks before we shot and I barely had to speak to him. We shot for 21 days – the schedule was hell.Through it all Denis was calm and gracious.Heather Persons had worked with me when I was an editor, so she knew my sensibilities and all my tricks. Her collaboration was priceless and her influence is all over the movie. I had also worked with Cliff Eidelman, the composer as well.Cliff is so versatile, he can do anything, but I wanted the score to be surprising, like the topic of the film. I just said a few things, and let him go.The result is perfect.
Luis: I read that the original idea came to you more than ten years ago.. why did it take that long for the final product to come to fruition?
Mia: Hollywood.
Luis: Which do you enjoy the best, editing, writing or directing and why?
Mia: I love them all.But directing is the most fun because here you have a story to tell, and what is more fun than to be surrounded by talented people who want nothing more than to help you realize your dream?
Luis: Which for you is your favorite scene and line in the film and why?
Mia: The last scene is my favorite scene because it is the culmination of everything that has come before.My favorite line is, "Sometimes adversary has unseen benefits."
Luis: Is there a piece of advice from your Oscar winning Father, Bo Goldman about writing or life in general?
Mia: "You are a writer if you write."
Luis: Do you have a piece of advice to would be screen writers/ filmmakers out there who want to make a film this year?
Mia: Don't give up!Talent isn't the most important ingredient for getting your film made, it's perseverance.
Luis: Who are your heroes in the filmmaking field and why? What are you favorite films? Who are your favorite directors?
Mia: Bergman, Louis Malle, Coppola, Kieslowski, Woody Allen, Fellini, Milos Forman, Lasse Hallstrom, Todd Field, Susanne Bier – the list goes on.They are original thinkers, making films with passion, intelligence, courage, and great technique. Their films are about the human condition, they make you think, and they take you into a world that is unforgettable.
Luis: If sky is the limit what would be your next ideal movie project?
Mia: I have a film that is a complete change that I'm hoping to make next – a film that will be shot in Buenos Aires.It's about young love, lots and lots of dogs, the international mafia – it's just a lot of fun. Totally different.
Luis: Mia, I am so proud of you and your whole cast and crew! I am flattered you granted me this interview. Congratulations!
"Frost" will be playing in the Slamdance Film Festival Sat. January 19, 2008 @ 8:30 pm and Wed. January 23, 2008 @ 10am at the Treasure Mountain Inn, Park City, Utah
Luis Pedron: Friendships in a big city like NYC could be either super close or superficial. Please describe some of the different types of friends/relationships portrayed in your movie FROST.
Steve Clark: They are probably quite close to the friendships we all have. Some of Jack's friendships, say with Sophie, Scotch and Ozzy, are life-saving and deep, and others – though important in their own way and pleasant –are less significant.
Luis Pedron: Please describe your lead character Jack Frost and why he is nostalgic about his first (former) love.
Steve Clark: I think Jack is especially nostalgic for his first love because he does not want to grow up. In a way he is clinging to the life he had before his mother killed herself. Growing up would mean coming to terms with his mother's death and saying goodbye to her, which he is unprepared to do. . . I think there is a place reserved inside us for our first love, which is never vacated. However it should be looked back upon like one's first apartment, with warmth and nostalgia, not with the desire to move back in 25 years later!
Luis Pedron: There's an interesting relationship between the young Sophie, who ends up as Jack Frost's surrogate mother figure / savior / confidante. Why did you choose to have an unusual but unique relationship like this?
Steve Clark: Since Jack is consumed with the young Carolina from his past, we thought it would be interesting to have a girl the same age in his present. In a way the Sophie character becomes a bridge between these two worlds. I liked that ambiguity, and the way Sophie guides Jack out of this nostalgic childhood haze into a more mature clarity.
Luis Pedron: Depression is something that a lot of the young and the not so young have to deal with in the city. What are some of your suggestions in dealing with this problem?
Steve Clark: I think the horror of depression is that you feel you are the only person who has felt this feeling in the history of the world, and that you are utterly alone with no vocabulary to articulate what is happening to you. . . Darkness Visible by William Styron is such a beautiful expression of this horror and the path through and out of it . . .I would say you should talk to someone who can help you.
As opposite as Phil Mucci's black and white short last year - horror/film noire
"The Listening Dead" this year Phil spinned a film so colorful, so deliciously scrumptious that you will say
" wow I want to see a Phil Mucci feature film and I want it right now...."
So how delicious is candy colored "Far Out."
Firstly, Phil Mucci is a great story teller that he can get you
thinking, intrigued and salivating for the orgasmic
ending while enjoying the juicy and fruity center of the film.
If Phil Mucci was a cook he would be a 5 star chef.
A beautiful eye candy is lead actress Carly Trumbull
who plays Carmilla a coy new guest at the party. Everybody in their
slammed state gets intrigued by this saintly apparition.
You hear oohs and aaahs as she passes by. But is this saint really a
saint? The swirly ending will bite you in the ....
So saucey, so intriguing only Phil Mucci can execute with such
bravado, such precision, such enthusiasm... He truly loves his work.
High caliber filmmaking at its best. A party to die for. "Far Out" is
an exccellent short film, all film festivals should screen.
A sensational wetting of your senses.You will be tittilated.
This short film shows you what Phil Mucci can do. So producers,
investors and angels out there. Call this guy up. He is the next
best thing. Believe you me!
Sat Jan 19 at 830PM Treasure Mountain Inn (playing with FROST)
Wed Jan 23 at 10AM Treasure Mountain Inn (playing with FROST)
****
Filmmaker Interview: PHIL MUCCI
interview by: Luis Pedron
Luis Pedron: Where does your love for horror films come from? Any influences?
PhilMucci: I've loved horror films since i was kid. While the other kids were watching cartoons, I was watching Creature Double Feature and Chiller Theater. I just loved the fantasy elements of them, the monsters, the special effects, the escapism. As I've gotten older, my influences have changed. I'm more inspired by the work of Italian director Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, and to a lesser extent, the erotic horror films of Jess Franco.
Luis Pedron: What influenced you to go with the 70 's theme? ... wow FarOut man!
PhilMucci: It's an era I always found visually exciting, full of colors and patterns. It was also an era that was as far removed from my first short film, THE LISTENING DEAD, as possible. I wanted to get away from what I did with that film, to show another side of my interests as a filmmaker. I love tackling time periods, not only from a costuming and set-design angle, but also from the technical side. FAROUT is mostly influenced by Russ Meyer's BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and Mario Bava's 5 DOLLS FOR AN AUGUST MOON.
Luis Pedron: Where did you discover Carly Turnbull, wow she will be a star?
PhilMucci: Yes, she's quite lovely and talented. I was introduced to her through my photography contacts, by the agent Sean Ramsay at Michael Flutie's Talent Brand Management. She began as a model, but is now doing acting. She's done a feature film or two in the UK, where she's from originally.
Luis Pedron: What camera did you shoot this film? It has a very film like feel? Looks very expensive...
PhilMucci: We shot on an Arriflex 16mm camera, with 500 speed Kodak Vision 2 film. To achieve the old look, we pushed the film one stop in processing, then in the color-timing session at Technicolor, we really worked on lightening the blacks, and adding red to them, to create a sense that the film had faded over time. We also de-saturated the colors, which were very vivid originally. Later, in After Effects, I added even MORE grain, and some softening filters.
Luis Pedron: What was your casting process like?
PhilMucci: Very brief! We basically rushed the film into production because we had a very small window of opportunity to shoot it in late August of 2006. We used our contacts to lure talent, and posted ads in Backstage and on Craig's List. Again, Craig's List saved the day!
Luis Pedron: Was this shot on location or in a studio? The location is so photogenic....
PhilMucci: Thanks- but it's actually a set that we built! We rented an upper floor of a warehouse run by 3rd Ward out here in Brooklyn. For a very reasonable price they rented us the entire upper floor of their warehouse space. They have a fully equipped wood shop on the bottom floor, so we built the entire set in 2 days! We shot for 2 days, then tore it down on the 5th day- without ever seeing our footage! No chance for re-shoots or pick-ups on the set- it was gone!
Luis Pedron: I really feel that you enjoy doing your work... what is your secret to spewing all these masterpiece works of yours?
PhilMucci: Wow- you're too much! I think the important thing is to be a movie fanatic yourself, then just try to make the movies YOU would want to see...
Luis Pedron: What is the secret recipe for a successful film and a successful festival run? (You seem to be a festival hit each and every year)
PhilMucci: I think you have to love making films. Beyond that, you have to love the entire process, which includes all the prep, the shooting, the editing , the sound mixing, all of it. If you enjoy every single aspect of the process, it will show in your finished film. A little love goes a long way, but a whole lotta love goes even further! When your film gets accepted into festivals, whenever possible, it's really important to attend. By doing so, you're not just supporting your film, but the whole film festival circuit. The people who run these events don't make ANY money doing it, so it's important to encourage and support their efforts.
Other than that, I guess the biggest "secret" is that filmmaking is a group effort. If you can get the most talented people you know interested in working on your project, you're halfway there!
Luis Pedron: Was FarOut an easier experience compared to your Listening Dead journey?
PhilMucci: Yes, much! I think every film you make teaches you more and more about the process. I made a lot of mistakes on THE LISTENING DEAD that I was able to avoid on FAROUT. It just comes with experience. I guess my biggest lesson was about scheduling. When you're working with a small crew, and with special effects, there are only so many shots you can get in a day!
this peaceful women's revolution in Liberia.
Who were the main players of this
movement and how did they unite both the
Christian and Muslim women together to
accomplish this?
Abigail Disney: The main players were a few women who got together to round up the women they
knew and organize them. One was named
Assatu Kenneth and she
was a long-time officer in the police force, and she served both as a liaison to the
Muslim community, as well as a kind of spy inside of the security force. Vaba Flomo
was a social worker, Sugars Cooper a longtime activist and Janet Johnson a radio
journalist who was somewhat well known. But leading them all was Leymah Gbowee,
another social worker, and young single mother of four, whose natural leadership
abilities really blossomed during the women's campaign.
Luis Pedron: Why is story not more well-known in the Western world?
Abigail Disney: Well that's a very good question. I think that sometimes we in the
West ignore very important stories because they don't look like "news." Most of the
reporters there didn't take the women very seriously because they were just a rag-tag
group dressed in white t-shirts. The fact that the women were openly emotional and
anxious to remind the men of the moral dimension of their jobs probably also had
reporters dismissing them as a non-factor as well, even though those were precisely
the qualities that gave them strength and authenticity.
Film Reviews:
"Katyn" Directed by: Andrezej Wajda (POLAND)
The diary of Army Captain Andrzej is the catalyst for this epic that chronicles the Katyn massacre of
1940 where Russia's Red Army annihilated 12, 000 Polish officers and put the blame on the Nazis
years hence. "Katyn" is a beautiful poetic movie that rythmically works on your emotional being.
As beautiful as "English Patient" and as humane as "Schindler's List." You will be intrigued with this
film's epic story and be amazed with the artistic style of Director (Honorary Oscar Awardee)
Andrzej Wajda. Luis Pedron's rating: 10 out of 10
The Chicken, The Fish and The King Crab Directed by: Jose Luis Lopez Linares (SPAIN, Documentary)
If you are addicted to Food Network, Iron Chef, and Top Chef like me here is a feature documentary
which is double the excitement....You see how Spain's Top Chef prepare for the Top Prize of France's
Bocus d'Or vying for the Top Chef of the World Title. Jesus Almagro is marinated, prepared, seasoned,
grilled and sauted and deep fried to crisp by his mentors. The beauty of this is that you see the raw
emotions of months of preparation before the contest. It's a roller coaster ride. Believe it or not it made me
sweat and salivate for all the food prepping I was watching. Be sure you have time to go to a great
restaurant after this! Luis Pedron's rating 9 out of 10.
Special thanks to: Rubenstein PR, Tribeca Film Festival 2008,
Balcony Releasing Presents THE DHAMMA BROTHERS
Opening April 11 in New York City with select cities
to follow including LA, San Francisco, Seattle,
Boston, Portland, and Chicago
East meets West in the Deep South. An overcrowded maximum-security prison—the end of the line
in Alabama’s correctional system—is dramatically changed by an ancient meditation program.
Behind high-security towers and a double row of barbed wire and electrical fence dwells a host of
convicts who will never see the light of day. But for some of these men, a spark is ignited when it
becomes the first maximum-security prison in North America to hold an extended Vipassana retreat,
an emotionally and physically demanding course of silent meditation lasting ten days.
In The Dhamma Brothers, cultural anthropologist, psychotherapist and first-time filmmaker
Jenny Phillips tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as she documents the
stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into this arduous and
intensive program. The film dismantles stereotypes about men behind prison bars, and, according
to Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), “gives you hope for the human race."
View the trailer and find out more at http://www.dhammabrothers.com
The Dhamma Brothers will open at the Cinema Village on April 11, 2008 in New York City, followed
by a limited release in select cities nationwide.
The film is unrated with a running time of 76 minutes.
***
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What a well directed, well acted, well designed play! I was so
impressed by the whole package that I am planning to watch the next
play that the Pearl Theatre Company will produce. Henrik Ibsen's
"Ghosts" which in the original Norwegian text means "things that
return" has been reincarnated so many times in different countries
through the decades. A very controversial play when it was originally
published, "Ghosts' " topic still haunted me. Not that it scared me
but it made me think of how the topic shook the society of that
time. Ibsen's times was the era without CNN where you can still
keep family secrets within boundaries. Unlike now where even a
Governor's calls can be wiretapped and a tryst with a high class
prostitute can land you in the frontpage and a 24 hour CNN TV
news coverage. Behind a successful man is a supportive woman. In
the play, Mrs Alving , played by Joane Camp, was a strong willed
intelligent woman who stayed on a relationship (reminds me of the
Hillary - Bill ) even sans love and a philandering husband. Worse
was Captain Alving's sins even bore a fruit. Mrs Alving did not
wallow in self pity. She took care of business literally and
figuratively and managed to have her home in one piece. One will
think of why, why did she stay on this relationship, was it the
right idea? Was she a coward by doing this? (All these rhethorical
questions will haunt you.) Looking at the end results one would say
was it all worth it? Joanne successfully showed her veteran acting
skills through unravelling that Mrs Alving's demure modern woman
persona into the unsure, delicate little girl that she was inside.
Speaking of little girl, the young lady in the midst of the
controversy was Regina, succesfully played by Keiana Richard. She
is a wide eyed "excited about living" type of character who is
secretly looking for an able mate. Keiana Richard ads sexiness,
vibrancy and "intrigue" to her rendition of her character that
everyone is fighting over. She has instinctively captured the
allure of that era. Her mannerisms and her sexy innocent demeanor
gives the characters reasons to be attracted to her. She can hold
up to all the veteran actors with her mixed optimistic and
rebelious streak much like the teenagers of today but with more
meaning and maturity. Keiana Richard is one of the big reasons why
you should watch "Ghosts."
In this play which happens within a day, one sees a power struggle
- status changes between Mother and Son, Pastor and congregation
member, Lady of the House and Servant, etc.. At first the status is
obvious but eventually we will see that the one on the top does not
have to stay on top every time. What is right might not be right?
Who is right might be eventually wrong after all? Who needs who
(symbiotic relationships evolve)? Status changes by the minute as
secrets after secrets are revealed, we change our opinions of
each and everyone of the characters. Pastor Manders (Tom Galantich)
who is the symbol of solid strength and Purity, is faced with
Engstrand's (TJ Edwards) manipulative ways. How can a pastor be
manipulated by a simpleton like Engstrand? Mother, Mrs Alving's
relationship with son Osvald (John Behlmann) go south as both reveal
each other's secrets. Who really is on top. "Ghosts" reminds us
that each family has its deeply seeded secrets that keep them afloat
- or sinking. No family can say its has no problems. Its a matter
of handling them in a certain matter - as not to get out of hand.
Secrets or 'ghosts ' have a tendency of appearing when least
expected. That's what Ibsen's play leaves us - Rhethorical questions
- that do haunt us. Maybe because all of us have experienced these
horrible family problems? One can not explain it but the secrets
rising to the top and revealing itself might be scary and haunting -
as in some cases it could shoot down one's regarded high status and
dreams. All these must make us move on and think that problems are
given to us by God to make us stronger and do right. We are given
the right to free will. We must eventually know for oursleves what
is right and what is wrong.
Chef Alex Dino is featured as one of the top chefs in Fortune Magazine. He is proud to be PInoy!
Luis Pedron: Where did your dream of becoming a chef come from? Did you have any heroes when you were
growing up that influenced your decision in becoming a chef?
Chef Alex Dino: I dreamt of becoming a chef when I was young because I know
that I have passion for food. My Mom always was my hero. She taught / influenced me to be creative with food.
She was very good in recycling left over food.
Luis Pedron: Which Culinary School did you go to? How do you think Culinary school prepared you for the real
world?
Chef Alex Dino: I went to the Art Institute of New York (New York Restaurant School)
where I got my culinary foundation which gave me an advantage over other cooks.
In school you'll learn the fundamentals for cooking, terminology, knife skills, basic
approach to the advanced technique.
Luis Pedron: What was your first job and how did you get your current position at the
FactSet Research Systems (FSRS)?
Chef Alex Dino: My first culinary job here in the U.S. was in Alta Restaurant
(Scandinavian cuisine) with owner/ chef Christer Larson. He's known as one of the best
seafood / fish expert. At Alta , we worked mostly on catering. I also worked at Marriot
Hotel where I learned a lot in banquet. At my current job at FactSet Iwas able to apply
all the skills that I learned from different companies.
Luis Pedron: What is the secret to your success at FSRS?
Chef Alex Dino: The secret to my success at FactSet : hard work and the readiness to
adopt into sudden changes . Its not easy to deal with 800-900 ( differenct ethnicities and
backrounds) people you need to feed Monday - Friday. I really listen to them and
accommodate their request to the best of my ability.
Luis Pedron: How does it feel to be featured in Fortune Magazine? How does it feel to be
the chef of one of the best Executive Cafeterias in the US? How does it feel to be a Filipino
American honored as one of the best in the prestigious business magazine - Fortune Mag?
Chef Alex Dino: Yes, to be in Fortune Magazine - it feels good to be recognized ! I hope
that I'll inspire other Filipinos to go out there and face the challenged regardless of your
chosen field, I do believe that Pinoys are good in anything & everything they do.
Courtesy of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Communications Department 8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211-1972
CATEGORY: BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
SPEECH BY: SCOTT RUDIN, ETHAN COEN AND JOEL COEN
FILM: "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Scott Rudin:
This is an unbelievable honor and a complete surprise. So many people have a part of this, chief among them
Cormac McCarthy, who wrote a wonderful book that it was an honor to make into a movie. The three men
sitting down front, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, without them there would be no movie.
These two gentlemen [to Joel and Ethan Coen], I can't think of anybody I would rather be standing here with than
the two of you. Thank you so much for this.
Everybody at Vantage and Miramax who financed the movie together. The entire team at Miramax who did a
brilliant, brilliant job selling it. Thank you to all of them.
I want to thank Mark Roybal, It's a pleasure to work with him every day.
I want to thank my friend, Sydney Pollack, who taught me that with the responsibility -- with the opportunity to make
movies comes the responsibility of making them good. This for him.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
SPEECH BY: JOEL COEN AND ETHAN COEN
FILM: "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Ethan Coen:
I don't have a lot to add to what I said earlier. Thank you.
Joel Coen:
Ethan and I have been making stories with movie cameras since we were kids. In the late '60s when Ethan was
11 or 12, he got a suit and a briefcase and we went to the Minneapolis International Airport with a Super 8 camera
and made a movie about shuttle diplomacy called "Henry Kissinger, Man on the Go." And honestly, what we do
now doesn't feel that much different from what we were doing then. There are too many people to thank for this.
We're really thrilled to have received it, and we're very thankful to all of you out there for letting us continue to
play in our corner of the sandbox, so thank you very much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
SPEECH BY: DANIEL DAY-LEWIS
FILM: "THERE WILL BE BLOOD"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
And that's the closest I'll ever come to getting a knighthood, so thank you.
My deepest thanks to the members of the Academy for whacking me with the handsomest bludgeon in town. I'm
looking at this gorgeous thing you've given me and I'm thinking back to the first devilish whisper of an idea that
came to him and everything since and it seems to me that this sprang like a golden sapling out of the mad, beautiful
head of Paul Thomas Anderson.
I wish my son and my partner HW Plainview were up here with me, the mighty Dillon Freasier. So many people to
thank. One amongst them would be Mrs. Plainview down there, the enchantingly optimistic, open-minded and
beautiful Rebecca Miller.
I hope that all those to whom I owe and to whom I feel the deepest gratitude will forgive me if I say just simply,
"Thank you, Paul."
I've been thinking a lot about fathers and sons in the course of this, and I'd like to accept this in the memory of my
grandfather, Michael Balcon, my father, Cecil Day-Lewis, and my three fine boys, Gabriel, Ronan and Cashel.
Thank you very much indeed. Thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
SPEECH BY: MARION COTILLARD
FILM: "LA VIE EN ROSE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Oh -- thank you so much. Olivier, what you did to me, Maestro Olivier Dahan, you rocked my life. You truly rocked
my life. Thank you so much to Picturehouse for your passion, members of the Academy, thank you so, so much.
And -- wow. Well, I'm speechless now. I -- I -- well, I -- thank you life, thank you love, and it is true, there is some
angels in this city. Thank you so, so much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
SPEECH BY: TILDA SWINTON
FILM: "MICHAEL CLAYTON"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Oh, no. Happy birthday, man. I have an American agent who is the spitting image of this. Really truly the same
shape head and, it has to be said, the buttocks.
And I'm giving this to him because there's no way I would be in America at all ever on a plane, if it wasn't for him.
So, Brian Swardstrom, I'm giving this to you. And Tony Gilroy walks on water, it's entirely official as far as I'm
concerned, and Jen Fox and Steve Samuels, our incredible producers.
And Sydney Pollack, and George Clooney, you know, the seriousness and the dedication to your art, seeing you
climb into that rubber bat suit from "Batman & Robin," the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume,
on the set, off the set, hanging upside-down at lunch, you rock, man.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
SPEECH BY: JAVIER BARDEM
FILM: "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Wow. Alright, this is very amazing. It's a great honor for me to have this. I want to & I have to speak fast here, man.
Thank you to the Coens for being crazy enough to think that I could do that and put one of the most horrible
haircuts in history over my head.
Thank you for really proving my work. I want to share this with the cast, with the great Tommy Lee Jones, with the
great Josh Brolin, with the great Kelly MacDonald. And I want to dedicate this to my mother, and I have to say this
in Spanish, and I'm sorry...
[Speaking in Spanish]
Thank you very much!
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
SPEECH BY: DIABLO CODY
FILM: "JUNO"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
What is happening? This is for the writers, and I want to thank all the writers. I especially want to thank my fellow
nominees because I worship you guys and I'm learning from you every day, so thank you very much. I want to thank
the Academy, I want to thank Fox Searchlight, Mr. Mudd, Mandate, Dan Dubiecki. I want to thank our incredible
cast including the superhuman Ellen Page. I want to thank Jason Reitman, who I consider a member of my family,
and I'm in awe of his talent as a filmmaker. I want to thank Sarah Self. I want to thank Mason Novick who knew I
could do this before I did. And most of all, I want to thank my family for loving me exactly the way I am.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
SPEECH BY: CYNTHIA WADE AND VANESSA ROTH
FILM: "FREEHELD"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Cynthia Wade:
Thank you. It was Lieutenant Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight for, against discrimination would make a
difference for all the same sex couples across the country that face discrimination every day. Discrimination that
I don't face as a married woman. Sheila Nevins and HBO for making this film have a broadcast and a home on
Cinemax later this year. To my husband Matthew Syrett, who took care of our children and held down a full-time
job so that we could make this film. And to our incredible team in New York, thank you so much.
Vanessa Roth:
And to all our supporters and families who believe that even a 38-minute movie could change minds and lives and
our children who remind us about what's really important. And to Stacie, who's here tonight, who's really auto
mechanic by day but hero in life who always did what was right. And she's here tonight. So thank you so much.
Cynthia Wade:
Thank you.
Vanessa Roth:
Thank you.y all standing on the shoulders, we know this, of Daniel Day-Lewis, who isn't here right now, but thank
you all so much. Thank you. And Helen. Thank you so much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
SPEECH BY: ALEX GIBNEY AND EVA ORNER
FILM: "TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Alex Gibney:
Wow. Thank you very much, Academy. Here's to all doc filmmakers. And, truth is, I think my dear wife Anne was
kind of hoping I'd make a romantic comedy, but honestly, after Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, extraordinary rendition
that simply wasn't possible. This is dedicated to two people who are no longer with us, Dilawar, the young Afghan
taxi driver, and my father, a Navy interrogator who urged me to make this film because of his fury about what was
being done to the rule of law. Let's hope we can turn this country around, move away from the dark side and back
to the light. Thank you very much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: Achievement in cinematography
SPEECH BY: Robert Elswit
FILM: "There Will Be Blood"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
John Toll won this a number of years ago said that the production designer on his movie, that 50% of it belonged to
him. Well, 80% belongs to Jack Fisk and his production crew. And David Crank and Dylan Tichenor. But it really,
we all know it really, really belongs to Paul. That this is his imagination and his energy and his extraordinary vision. It sort of enabled us to create the world of "There Will Be Blood." Thank you, Paul. We're really all standing on the shoulders, we know
this, of Daniel Day-Lewis, who isn't here right now, but thank you all so much. Thank you. And Helen. Thank you so much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)
SPEECH BY: DARIO MARIANELLI
FILM: "ATONEMENT"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Well, that was a very long walk, it felt like. I feel like -- I'm a very lucky man. Thank you very much, Academy. I'm
very lucky because I was part of a fantastic group of people that made a fantastic film. It's called "movie" because
it's a moving film. I'm really grateful, above all to Joe Wright, the director, to have included me in this fantastic
group of gifted people. I'm very grateful to my good friends for supporting me through lots of things, through
these years, and my family, who I love very much. My girls, and my father and my mother. Thank you for passing
on a very deep and strong love of music. Thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)
SPEECH BY: GLEN HANSARD AND MARKETA IRGLOVA
FILM: "FALLING SLOWLY" FROM "ONCE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Glen Hansard:
Thanks! This is amazing. What are we doing here? This is mad. We made this film two years ago. We shot on two
Handycams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into
a room like this and be in front of you people. It's been an amazing thing. Thanks for taking this film seriously,
all of you. It means a lot to us. Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all the people who've helped us, they know who
they are, we don't need to say them. This is amazing. Make art. Make art. Thanks.
Marketa Irglova:
Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent
musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight,
the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And,
you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective
of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much,
who helped us along way. Thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
SPEECH BY: STEFAN RUZOWITZKY
FILM: "THE COUNTERFEITERS" (AUSTRIA)
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Thank you very much. There have been some great Austrian filmmakers working here, thinking of Billy Wilder,
Fred Zinnemann, Otto Preminger, most of them had to leave my country because of the Nazis, so it sort of makes
sense that the first Austrian movie to win an Oscar is about the Nazis' crimes. Making this movie, I had a most
brilliant cast, a wonderful crew, the best of all families to support me at home, so actually, it was easy for me.
Thank you very much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
SPEECH BY: CHRISTOPHER ROUSE
FILM: "THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Forty-eight years ago, my father was privileged enough to receive an Oscar, and I'm deeply, deeply honored that
you put me in his company tonight. To the brilliant Paul Greengrass, to Frank Marshall, thank you, thank you,
thank you. To everybody in post-production, led by my good friend and colleague, Mark Fitzgerald, each and
every one of you share in this award with me. To Universal Pictures, to the Academy, my deepest, deepest thanks.
To the amazing Matt Damon, thank you. And to my family, especially Anne, Anno, Ava and Fiona. My kids, I love
you. Thank you so, so much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
SPEECH BY: SCOTT MILLAN, DAVID PARKER AND KIRK FRANCIS
FILM: "THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Scott Millan:
Would it be all right to kiss Halle Berry now? We'd like to thank the Academy, certainly, Per and Karen, just thank
you, principally everybody, Frank Marshall, Pat Crowley. Our director, Paul Greengrass. Chris Rouse, our picture
editor. Everybody at Universal, Per and Karen, of course. Everybody at Todd AO, our team there.
And I'd like to add one thing, kind of a somber note, this last week we lost a colleague and a friend, who was also
a member of the Board of Governors here at the Academy, his name is Paul Huntsman. I would like to dedicate this
to Paul. So, thank you very much.
David Parker:
Thanks to everyone who worked on sound for the film and thanks to the Academy. Thank you very much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: Achievement in sound editing
SPEECH BY: Karen Baker Landers and Per Hallberg
FILM: "The Bourne Ultimatum"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Karen Baker Landers:
Oh my God, I went blank. It's such an honor to be here. I want to thank, we want to thank the Academy. We
want to thank Universal Studios.
Per Hallberg:
And the pleasure of doing something like this with filmmakers like Paul, and I'm blanking out, too.
Karen Baker Landers:
Frank Marshall
Per Hallberg:
Pat Crowley
Karen Baker Landers:
Pat Crowley
Per Hallberg:
Chris Rouse
Karen Baker Landers:
Chris Rouse. Paul Greengrass.
Per Hallberg:
You said that already.
Karen Baker Landers:
Mixers. Scott Millan, David Parker. We planned this and we blew it.
Per Hallberg:
And, anyway, most of all, we want to thank the crew that works with us every day.
Karen Baker Landers:
Yes, gosh, Chris Assells, Dan Hegeman, I know, I know, music. Thank you so much.
Per Hallberg:
Thank you, thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
SPEECH BY: JOEL COEN & ETHAN COEN
FILM: "NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Joel Coen:
Thank you very much for this. Thank you, Scott Rudin for bringing us this novel and giving us the opportunity to
make the movie. I think whatever success we've had in this area has been entirely attributable to how selective we
are. We've only adapted Homer and Cormac McCarthy, so thank you.
Ethan Coen:
We, uh and thank you very much.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
SPEECH BY: PHILIPPE POLLET-VILLARD
FILM: "LE MOZART DES PICKPOCKETS (THE MOZART OF PICKPOCKETS)"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Thank you, thank you very much. I don't really speak English. I'm very bad student. I can say I'm very happy and
I want to thank my producer Fabrice Goldstein and Antoine Rein and my wife Gaby and my son Sebastien. And
merci beaucoups& [speaking French] &Merci au revoir.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
SPEECH BY: SUZIE TEMPLETON AND HUGH WELCHMAN
FILM: "PETER & THE WOLF"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Suzie Templeton:
This is for everyone. This for our fantastic crew and this for everybody who worked so passionately on our film to
make our dream come true.
Hugh Welchman:
Yeah, no this really is a fairy tale ending for us, but hopefully it's only the beginning for Peter and this amazing
award, and it will help keep Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" in the hearts and minds of children all over the world.
So, the Academy, thank you so much. it's been amazing.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
SPEECH BY: "DANTE FERRETTI AND FRANCESCA LO SCHIAVO"
FILM: "SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Dante Ferretti:
Thank you to the Academy. And thank you to Tim Burton, fantastic director. Thank you to Richard Zanuck.
Thank you to everybody, thank you to my team, all the department, everyone. Thank you, Johnny. And I'm sorry,
I forgot something, but I'm very -- thank you anyway.
Francesca Lo Schiavo:
Just i would like to say, this time, thank you, thank you to the Academy. I'm so happy, so grateful. And thank you
to Tim Burton. Great director. Johnny Depp and all the actors, Everybody, for this fantastic movie.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
SPEECH BY: DIDIER LAVERGNE AND JAN ARCHIBALD
FILM: "LA VIE EN ROSE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Didier Lavergne:
Thank you very much. Thank you to the Academy and what can I say? I'm really happy and proud to be here with
you. Bye.
Jan Archibald:
Thank you to the academy for this huge honor. I'm overwhelmed. It's just amazing. I have a lot of people to thank.
My assistants, particularly, my Czech crew that worked with us in Prague and in Paris, they were amazing. They
worked very hard and I owe a lot to them. And just, it's so exciting to be here. I don't know what to say. Thank you.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
SPEECH BY: MICHAEL FINK, BILL WESTENHOFER, BEN MORRIS AND TREVOR WOOD
FILM: "THE GOLDEN COMPASS"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Michael Fink:
We just want to say "Thank you!" We just brought a small quote from Walt Disney, who said "It's kind of fun to do
the impossible."
And along with that, I want to extend some thanks to Phil Pullman, Chris Weitz, Susan MacLeod, our producers,
our incredible crew from all over the world. And to especially to our families and to my wife, Melissa, my handsome
son Alex.
Bill Westenhofer:
And to my family, Rhythm & Hues, Sue Rose out there watching this, Thank you.
Ben Morris:
Thank you to my family and my wonderful crew at Framestore CFC. Trevor Wood:
A great crew and a great family. Thank you very much indeed.
Ben Morris:
Thank you!
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
SPEECH BY: BRAD BIRD
FILM: "RATATOUILLE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
I think I'm gonna throw up, too. I want to thank the Academy and I also want to thank my junior high guidance
counselor for a meeting we had where he asked me, "What do you want to do with your life?" And I said, "I want
to make movies." And he said, "What else do you want to do with your life?" And I said, "Make movies," and he
said, "What if you couldn't make movies," and I said, "I'd find a way that I could."
"What if movies didn't exist?"
"I'd have to invent them." And it went on like this until we were sick of each other and i only realized just recently
that he gave me the perfect training for the movie business.
So, I want to thank my wife Liz, who I love, my sons, all the dreamers at Pixar and Disney, John Lasseter,
Steve Jobs, Ed Catmull. Wrap it up. I hate that thing. Producer Brad Lewis, Jan Pinkava, and Dick Cook, and all
the dreamers who are supporting a rat who dreams. Thanks.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
CATEGORY: ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
SPEECH BY: ALEXANDRA BYRNE
FILM: "ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE"
======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======
Wow. Thank you to the Academy. Thank you to Working Title and Universal. To Shekhar and Cate. And a huge
thank you to my brilliant team and to my family.
======END TRANSCRIPTION======
Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com's Oscar Prediction 2008
When you say Oscars, it gives me the shivers. It excites me.
It motivates me. For me its the ultimate prize.
People think of the Oscar awards as a three hour ordeal.
Watching glamorous actors and filmmakers saying thank you to
their acting teachers and agents.But for me its ultimate extacy.
I love it. Down the line, I want to be introduced as:
Academy Award Nominee: Luis Pedron or better yet -
Academy Winner: Luis Pedron.......LOL!
A couple of year ago, Vincent Nebrida and I with the help of the
ImaginAsian Theater hosted an Oscar Party at the ImaginAsian
Theater 239 E 59 St NYC. It was great watching the simulcast
at a theater with a hundred of like minded people, eating popcorn
and cheering for their favorite. That year we saw Ang Lee finally
won his well deserved Best Director award for "Brokeback Mountain.
Watch my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwzLY8qfGyA
Last year, 2007, I had my Oscar pilgrimage and had a chance to cover a
Pre Oscar event: "March of the Oscars - to the Kodak Theater" done
at the Red Carpet a day before the Oscar night. Was I excited
being an accredited press roaming around the red carpet that
morning of February 24, 2007. Watch my video and Oscar Prediction
that year.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YooGcJ3K5bE
This early morning I will be adding to this article the official
transcription of the acceptance speeched from the different
awards. Now that will be a treat (wow what an inspiration).
Here is my two cents: my Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com's
Oscar Prediction 2008
Performance by an actor in a leading role
Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood” (Paramount Vantage and Miramax)
Performance by an actor in a supporting role
Javier Bardem in “No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage)
Performance by an actress in a leading role
Julie Christie in “Away from Her” (Lionsgate)
Performance by an actress in a supporting role
Cate Blanchett in “I’m Not There” (The Weinstein Company)
Best animated feature film of the year
“Persepolis” (Sony Pictures Classics) Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud
Achievement in art direction
“Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (DreamWorks and Warner Bros., Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Art Direction: Dante Ferretti
Set Decoration: Francesca Lo Schiavo
Achievement in cinematography
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage) Roger Deakins
Achievement in costume design
“Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (DreamWorks and Warner Bros., Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount) Colleen Atwood
Achievement in directing
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage) Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Best documentary feature
“Sicko” (Lionsgate and The Weinstein Company)
A Dog Eat Dog Films Production
Michael Moore and Meghan O’Hara
Best documentary short subject
“Salim Baba”
A Ropa Vieja Films and Paradox Smoke Production
Tim Sternberg and Francisco Bello
Achievement in film editing
“No Country for Old Men” (Miramax and Paramount Vantage) Roderick Jaynes
Best foreign language film of the year
“Katy?” An Akson Studio Production
Poland
Achievement in makeup
“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (Walt Disney) Ve Neill and Martin Samuel
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)
“Atonement” (Focus Features) Dario Marianelli
Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)
“So Close” from “Enchanted”
(Walt Disney)
Music by Alan Menken
Best motion picture of the year
“Juno” (Fox Searchlight)
A Mandate Pictures/Mr. Mudd Production
Lianne Halfon, Mason Novick and Russell Smith, Producers
Best animated short film
“I Met the Walrus”
A Kids & Explosions Production
Josh Raskin
Best live action short film
“The Tonto Woman”
A Knucklehead, Little Mo and Rose Hackney Barber Production
Daniel Barber and Matthew Brown
Achievement in sound editing
“Ratatouille” (Walt Disney)
Randy Thom and Michael Silvers
Achievement in sound mixing
“The Bourne Ultimatum” (Universal)
Scott Millan, David Parker and Kirk Francis
Achievement in visual effects
“The Golden Compass” (New Line in association with Ingenious Film Partners)
Michael Fink, Bill Westenhofer, Ben Morris and Trevor Wood
Adapted screenplay
“The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (Miramax/Pathé Renn)
Screenplay by Ronald Harwood
Asia Society and The Japan Foundation
Present
Gamblers, Gangsters, and other Anti-Heros: The Japanese Yakuza Movie
March 6 – April 17, 2008 at Asia Society 725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, NYC
Asia Society and The Japan Foundation are pleased to present a special film series dedicated to Japanese yakuza films.
Curated by author and critic Ian Buruma, Gamblers, Gangsters and other Anti-Heroes features iconic films made by
Toei Studios from the late 1960s to early 1970s, the era in which yakuza films blossomed. In these films gangsters, gamblers,
hookers, and cops lit up the screen to make yakuza movies some of the biggest box office hits at this time. Their tales of chivalry,
revenge, betrayal and the thrill of violence captured the spirit of the post-war generation and the loyalty of millions of fans.
Although yakuza films have been hugely popular at home for decades, they are relatively unknown outside Japan.
What was it about these tragic figures that made them so popular with Japanese audiences? According to Ian Buruma,
the appeal of the classic yakuza film lies in their fidelity to the pre-modern codes of chivalry, loyalty, and honor. “Progress is bad,
tradition good. The good boss wears a kimono and sticks to a moral code. The bad boss wears a business suit and cares only about
money. In the new world of ruthless capitalism, the true yakuza hero, as a man of honor, only fights with a Japanese sword.
He is also a loner who sacrifices himself in a hopeless last battle against cowardly modern guns.”
In the later films, traditional values become meaningless. “The yakuza myth was duly debunked by a new generation of filmmakers,
who projected a very different image of the gangster,” says Buruma. “Directors, such as Fukasaku Kinji and Suzuki Seijun, showed
a much more cynical world of violent mobsters who killed for money, or just for the hell of it. In these films traditional values have
collapsed, or are seen as a black joke.”
To provide invaluable context for these dynamic films, author and critic Ian Buruma and Japan film scholar Kyoko Hirano will
hold a conversation on Japanese yakuza films on April 17 following the screening of Jingi Naki Tatakai (Battles Without Honor
and Humanity)
Program Schedule – All screenings begin at 7:00 pm
Thursday, March 6, 2008, 7pm
Jinsei Gekijo, 1968 (A Tale of Two Yakuza), 109 min./35mm
Directed by Tomu Uchida
A Tale of Two Yakuza is a ‘classical’ yakuza movie, rarely seen outside Japan, featuring the great stars of the genre, Ken Takakura
and Koji Tsuruta. The heart of the story, as in all ‘classical’ gangster pictures, is the conflict between personal desire and duty to
the gang.
Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7pm
Heitai Yakuza, 1965 (Hoodlum Soldier) 103 min./35mm
Directed by Yasuzo Masumura
Hoodlum Soldier is a highly unusual yakuza film, as it places the noble codes of the old-fashioned yakuza in the context of army
brutality in World War II.
Thursday, March 27, 2008, 7pm
Hibotan Bakuto: Hanafuda Shobu, 1969 (Red Peony Gambler), 98 min./35mm
Directed by Tai Kato
Red Peony Gambler, another film that has barely ever been shown outside Japan, features a female yakuza heroine. Junko Fuji is
the star. This is a rarity in the normal setting of the yakuza world, which is all-male
Thursday, April 3, 2008, 7pm
Irezumi Ichidai, 1965 (Tattooed Life), 82 min./35mm
Directed by Seijun Suzuki
Seijun Suzuki is the most aesthetic director of the yakuza genre. Irezumi Ichidai is beautifully composed and features a tender love
story, not between two men, which would be expected in a yakuza picture, but between a gangster and a woman.
Thursday, April 17, 2008, 7pm
Jingi Naki Tatakai, 1973 (Battles Without Honor and Humanity), 99 min./35mm
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Battles Without Honor and Humanity shows a break from the usual yakuza genre of noble gangsters struggling with questions of
conscience and duty. There is nothing noble left in Fukusaku’s world of greedy businessmen and brutal killers.
Ticket prices for the Asia Society performances are $10 members/students/seniors; $12 nonmembers. For tickets and info, call
Luis Pedron: How did you go about starting with your acting and modelling career in the Philippines? 
Luis Pedron: Blood thirsty Man Eater is the common perception for what a shark is 
Gary V Press Conference October 26, 2007 Holday Inn Boston Radolph
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Roxanne Messina Captor 
