The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz
The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz |
| Yimou to head China’s Oscars hopes as local films struggle Posted: 29 Sep 2011 04:45 AM PDT  The Zhang Yimou-directed 'The Flowers of War' – starring Hollywood Oscar-winner Christian Bale – has been put forward by China as its entry in the foreign film category at next year's Oscars. The Zhang Yimou-directed The Flowers of War – starring Hollywood Oscar-winner Christian Bale – has been put forward by China as its entry in the foreign film category at next year's Oscars and is currently on limited release so that it can qualify for the award. The film is based on events that happened in the former Chinese capital of Nanjing during the Japanese occupation and marks a return to high drama for the acclaimed Yimou, who in the past has seen five of his films put forward for Oscars by China, including Curse of the Golden Flower (2006) and Hero (2002). It marks another stage in the storied career of the director, once the bane of authorities in China due to the politically charged nature of some of his early efforts but also the man the country charged with organising the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. At the Chinese box office, meanwhile, two films expected to do big things have failed to excite local audiences over the past week. Jackie Chan's historical drama 1911 – the actor's 100th film and released to mark the anniversary of Xinhai Revolution – picked up 18.1 million yuan (RM8.66 million), while the 3D concert film Mayday 3DNA collected 12.6 million yuan. Those figures trailed some ways behind the top grossing film in China over the past week, the James Cameron-produced Sanctum, which took in 22.3 million yuan. In Japan, the locally produced drama Moteki led the way with just over US$5 million (RM15.90 million) over its opening week, while in Hong Kong the audience proved they cared not a jot for the opinions of the critics by once again turning out in numbers to see the look at the local nightlife scene Lan Kwai Fong, which picked up just over US$180,000 for a two-week total of just over US$850,000. – AFP |
| Polanski picks up award at Zurich two years after arrest Posted: 29 Sep 2011 02:59 AM PDT  Polish-born French film director Roman Polanski on September 27, 2011 at 7th Zurich Film Festival. – AFP pic The film director arrived at the award ceremony wearing a black suit and a white shirt, to the applause and cries of his fans. He took some time to sign several autographs, before posing for hundreds of photographers. Polanski did not address the media on arrival, but after picking up his award, the director told the audience that it was "a strange anniversary," in reference to his 2009 arrest. "It was not only a blow to me, but also to my family and the festival itself," he said. But he noted that it was "better late than never" for him to pick up the lifetime achievement award at the Zurich film festival which he missed out on in 2009. "Thanks to all those people who supported me during these difficult months. He added that he wanted to "say thanks to the prison staff who were trying to make my stay as good as possible. This is not a joke". Visibly emotional, Polanski said he was "too touched by the situation". "I love coming to Switzerland and I'm happy to be here. Thank you," he added. Polanski was arrested on an international warrant on September 27, 2009, upon his arrival at Zurich airport, while he was travelling to the film festival. He fought the US extradition request over a child sex case dating back more than three decades, and finally convinced Bern to release him about 10 months after his arrest. The Franco-Polish director had plied a girl called Samantha Geimer with champagne and drugs during a 1977 photo shoot at the Hollywood home of actor Jack Nicholson before having sex with her despite her protests. The director was initially charged with six felony counts, including rape and sodomy. The charge was later reduced to unlawful intercourse after a plea deal agreed in part to spare his victim the ordeal of a trial. Polanski later served 42 days at a secure unit undergoing psychiatric evaluation but fled the United States on the eve of his sentencing in 1978 amid fears the trial judge planned to go back on a previously agreed plea deal. His flight from justice came after a string of hit films including "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown". The director, whose then wife Sharon Tate was horrifically murdered by Charles Manson's "family" in 1969, won an Oscar for his 2002 film "The Pianist" but was unable to collect the award because of his fugitive status. – AFP |
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