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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Liz Hurley ready for a comeback

ANI - May 20, 2009

After staying away from the cameras for five years, Elizabeth Hurley is once again planning to make a comeback to the film industry. 

Hurley rebuffed the suggestion that her decision to stay away from films came in the wake of the failure of her last film ‘Method’ to be granted a cinema release.  She said that it was instead her son Damian, born in 2002, because of whom she did not make movies. 

"I decided I couldn't do movies for a while, which was a huge decision for me because I actually love making movies more than anything," the Telegraph quoted her as saying. 

The 43-year-old star says that she is ready to do any film role, provided it could be organized around her son’s school holidays.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Eminem puts on free concert in Detroit

AP - May 20, 2009

DETROIT — Eminem has given hundreds of hometown fans in Detroit extra reason to celebrate his first new album in almost five years — a free show.

The rapper put on a free concert at MotorCity Casino's 1,500-seat Sound Board theater Tuesday — the same day his album "Relapse" was released.

Spokesman Dennis Dennehy says Eminem performed eight songs. The set was largely new, except for "Lose Yourself" from the film "8 Mile."

The show comes after Eminem and Jimmy Kimmel flew about 200 laid-off auto workers to Los Angeles for the rapper's Friday appearance on Kimmel's TV show. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" also plans to feature Eminem on Tuesday and Friday.

Source: http://www.google.com

Mah Govt hopes Aamir Khan won't shun their award

Agencies - May 20, 2009

In Bollywood, it is common knowledge that actor Aamir Khan shuns awards functions, even ones where he is to receive the award. 

Maharashtra Government is hoping that Aamir makes an exception for the Maharashtra State Awards ceremony to be held Pune on May 30.  Maharashtra Government plans to present the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award to actress Rekha and honour Aamir with the Raj Kapoor Memorial Award for Special Contribution. 

The actor has given his consent to the award but has conveyed to us that he has film shooting commitments for May 30, a senior State Government official said. 

"Rekha has assured us that she would be present at the awards nite and we are keeping our fingers crossed that Aamir attends," the official said. 

The V Shantaram Award, instituted by Maharashtra Government, would be presented to veteran lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar and actor-director Mahesh Kothare. 

Each award comprises of Rs 2 lakhs, a citation and a memento. The Shantaram Awards are presented to those who have made a mark in the Marathi film industry, while the Raj Kapoor Awards honour achievers from the Hindi film industry. 

Minister for cultural affairs Harshvardhan Patil said the ministry has also decided to felicitate recipients of the Padma awards this year who belong to the film industry, including singers Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu and Shamshad Begum and music director Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar. 

There are also plans to felicitate the stars of the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' and double Oscar winner music director A R Rahman has also been invited, the official said.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Preserving history in motion

Bangladesh Film Archive celebrates 31st anniversary

By Nadia Sarwat - May 20, 2009

Bangladesh Film Archive celebrated its 31st anniversary on May 17 with renewed enthusiasm and hopes, as it is finally going to move to its own building at Agargaon, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The institute has also managed to secure a generous grant from Japan recently. On the occasion of the anniversary, a daylong event was held at the Central Public Library, featuring a poster exhibition, discussion and screening of the classic feature film "Shurjo Dighal Bari" (1979).

Screen diva of yesteryears, and currently a member of the parliament, Sarah Begum Kabori inaugurated the poster exhibition at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium premises. Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, additional secretary, Ministry of Information was present as special guest. The exhibition featured over a hundred rare posters of Bengali feature films that were released between 1959 and 1991. Posters of "Matir Pahar" (1956), "Dharapat" (1963), "Shutorang" (1964), "Rupban" (1965), "Abirbhab" (1968), "Arunodoyer Agnisakshi" (1972), "Dhirey Bohey Meghna" (1973), "The Rain" (1976), "Dumurer Phool" (1978), "Ashikkhito" (1978), "Janmo Thhekey Jolchhi "(1981) and many more films were on display at the exhibition. 

The discussion was presided over by Information Secretary Samar Chandra Pal. State Minister for Housing and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan was the chief guest. Noted cultural personality Syed Hasan Imam was present as special guest. Filmmaker and president of Bangladesh film Archive Alumni Association, Morshedul Islam reminisced on the early days of Bangladesh Film archive. Dr. Muhammad Jahangir Hossain, director general of Bangladesh Film Archive, welcomed the audience and informed on the history, development and recent activities of the organisation. Bangladesh Film Archive (BFA) started its journey under the name 'Film Institute and Archive' in 1978. It's been a member of International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) in Brussels since 1980. Committed to promote and preserve films and rare documents on celluloid, BFA acts as a centre to encourage a healthy film movement in the country. The organisation also extends support to national and international film festivals to familiarise the audience with the heritage of Bangladeshi cinema. 

The organisation has a collection of 2,269 films including a copy of the first film in the world by the Lumier Brothers (1896). BFA also has a rich library where thousands of books on films, still photographs, posters, scripts, books of songs, magazines and other documents are preserved. Beside, BFA organises many research-based and educational programmes, trainings, workshops, seminars and symposium on films. BFA also screens films once a week.  Recognising the importance of preserving films as "documents in motion," and to develop the organisation as a full-fledged film institution, the State Minister assured to provide necessary support to the organisation on behalf of the government of Bangladesh, calling it a "national responsibility." 

The event ended with a screening of the film, "Shurjo Dighal Bari," scripted and directed by Shiekh Neyamat Ali and Masihuddin Shaker. Adapted from the novel by Abu Ishaak, the film's story is set in the backdrop of the famine in the '50s.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Cinebeat Shadakalo turns 100

Cultural Correspondent - May 20, 2009

The 100th episode of Banglavision's musical programme "Cinebeat Shadakalo" will be aired this evening at 6:20pm. The programme features popular film songs from yesteryears.

Alongside regular segments, tonight's episode will feature special interviews of the once popular filmstars Faruk and Mahmud Koli. To mark this special occasion, the programme, which is aired in black and white, will be in colour tonight. A special segment featuring the making of the show is also a part of tonight's programme.

Shagota hosts the programme produced by Nahid Ahmed Biplab.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net

Ballads of the Agonised Souls begins at Zainul Gallery

By Khamin - 20 May, 2009

The first solo photography exhibition titled ‘Ballads of the Agonised Souls’ by Noor Alam is being held at the Zainul Gallery of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. The exhibition began on May 16 and will remain open from 10:00am to 8:00pm till May 22.

Twenty-eight photographs are on display at the exhibition and each of them tries to narrate to the viewers about the struggling souls who are on the edge of a crude cold death due to Thalassemia. The photographer also tries to lock in frames the sufferings of the Thalassemia patients in portraits and still life images.

All the images that have been captured into the slow shutter speed in his D70S Nikon camera have been on the roll for the last two years. The cause of taking these images is to express the pain and agony of the Thalassemia patients whose lives wither away due to the complications involved in this disease.

‘I have been capturing the patients’ plight affected by the deadly disease for last two years and I know that this fatal disease can only be prevented through mass consciousness,’ says Alam. ‘The battle against this disease cannot be fought alone. A social movement is required to uproot Thalassemia where the government, media, physicians, guardians, patients and everyone will have equal roles to play’.

‘After watching the images of the patients, my heart bleeds for the children who have been affected with the disease for no fault of theirs. Moreover, many die due to the lack of treatment,’ says Farhana Sushmita a viewer and student of Dhaka University. Another viewer, Einstien Hasan appreciated and thanked the photographer for arranging this exhibition that indeed needs a lot of attention.

The photographer also launched a book titled ‘Ballads of the Agonised Souls’ on Shampurna, Pintu, Anika, and other children fighting the disease. The book is priced at Tk 500 and the proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the welfare of Thalassemia patients.

Source: http://www.newagebd.com

Lisa Ray in Hello's '50 Most beautiful' list

Agencies - May 20, 2009

Lisa Ray, the Indian origin actress who catapulted to international recognition through Deepa Mehta's 'Water' has been featured in the Canadian edition of ‘Hello’ magazine as one of the '50 Most Beautiful People' of the country. 

The 37-year-old supermodel-turned-actress features along with Ruby Dhalla, a Canadian politician, in the list which features only two Indians, reported ‘Hello’ online.  While reacting to her inclusion in the list, Lisa Ray said, "I guess I need to thank my parents for this. I am really proud to feature along with such prestigious people." 

The list which was topped by country singer Shania Twain , featured renowned names like 'Complicated' singer Avril Lavigne, actor Keifer Sutherland, 'Sex and the City' star Kim Catrall and model Gabriel Aubry among others. 

Lisa Ray who was born in Toronto to a Bengali Indian father and a Polish mother originally planned to study journalism but started modelling when she was spotted by an agent in India at the age of 16. Ray first came to the public attention when she appeared in an advertisement for Bombay Dyeing wearing a high-cut black swimsuit.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com/

'Road Movie', first Indian film picked up at Cannes market

Agencies - May 20, 2009

With Bollywood heavyweights like, 'Kites', 'My Name is Khan' and 'Kambakkht Ishq' vying for attention at the Cannes market this year, Dev Benegal's 'Road Movie' stole the thunder as the leading global sales agent Fortissimo Films has picked up its distribution rights. 

The film's leading lady Tannishtha Chatterjee, who was recently at the French Film Festival to promote the film, is elated to be a part of what she calls, "travelling cinema" and the first Indian movie to be picked up by the international sale giant at the Cannes. "The film is a kind of cinema which is bound to have a universal appeal. It is like a dream, a fantasy-like film whose content goes across the boundaries," Tannishtha said. 

Tannishtha, who has tasted success internationally with her BAFTA nominated film 'Brick Lanes', plays the love interest of the film's protagonist, actor Abhay Deol in the 'Road Movie'. Produced by 'Lost in Translation' fame Ross Katz and Susan Landau, the film revolves around Deol's character, a truck driver who undertakes a life changing journey.  Deol meets different people, including a young boy, a tribal woman, a silly and a wise man in the process of his journey. 

"This journey which Abhay's character goes through is life transforming and it can be felt by anybody and everybody. That is what makes it cross boundaries," Tannishtha said. 

The film was a part of the prestigious L'Atelier selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2006. It is slated to be released in India in October.  "There is a certain buzz about Indian films after Slumdog. Though it was directed by a British filmmaker, the talent was certainly Indian and that is what creating curiosity about our films," the actress said. 

Tannishtha was all praises for the new brigade of filmamkers like Raj Kumar Hirani, Shimit Ameen, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Basu who she believes are telling Indian stories in a renewed fashion.  "Content is what matters in global cinema. Bollywood has it is own distinct style which is being noticed. It is just a matter of time when our storytelling will enthrall audiences beyond Indian diaspora," she said. 

After making her mark in international circuit with 'Brick Lanes', the actress is looking forward to her innings in Bollywood.  Tannishtha, who was last seen in Naseeruddin starrer 'Barah Aana', has two back to back releases in 'Road Movie' and 'Bombay Summer' with New York-based Indian origin actor Samrat Chakrabarti. 

The actress is also shooting for British director Sarah Gavron next film called 'Pole Dancer' co-starring Kal Penn, Mischa Barton and Martin Sheen.

Source: http://www.screenindia.com

Chace Crawford to replace Zac Efron in ‘Footloose’

ANI - May 20, 2009

Gossip Girl hottie Chace Crawford would be replacing Zac Efron in the remake of ‘Footloose’. 

Crawford was roped in after the ‘High School Musical’ star stepped out of the movie. 

Paramount Pictures has announced that the 23-year-old actor will play Ren McCormack, the rebellious dancing high schooler who launched the career of a then 25-year-old Kevin Bacon. 

Efron had told ‘EW.com’ that he passed on the role because he didn't want to be typecast as the musical guy and was searching instead for "the unknown”, reports ‘People’ magazine. 

‘Footloose’, to be directed by High School Musical's Kenny Ortega, is set to go on floors in March next year.

Source: http://www.eonline.com

Brad Pitt, brother donate $600k to Missouri university

ANI - May 20, 2009

Brad Pitt and his younger brother Doug have together made a contribution of 600,000 dollars to a university in Missouri to help its sporting arena land an eco-friendly title. 

The Hollywood heartthrob and his sibling donated the amount to Drury University in their native Springfield to lend a helping hand to the institution's O'Reilly Family Event Center get a Gold Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED) certification. 

According to PerezHilton.com, the arena, now the first one to boast of the title, has "low-flow water fixtures, a dedicated recycling area and a solar-reflective roof and pavement materials”, reports ‘Contactmusic’. 

And in a bid to recognise the generous efforts of the brothers, school officials have decided to rename the court of the arena after their father. It is now to be called as the William A. Pitt Court.

Source: http://www.news.google.com