VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 - Days 9-10

The closing ceremony is coming, but still we have a couple of movies to talk about. "KILLER JOE" was presented on September 8. It is directed by William Friedkin. Emile Hirsch plays a drug dealer Chris, who hires a hint man Joe to kill his mother and to get an insurance, which will free him from debts. But he is not the only one after this money and when Chris has been tricked, bloody Joe doesn't care who is going to die - he just wants to get his payment. Matthew McConaughey, who played that crazy killer with detective skills, hasn't come to the Venice, but there were spotted William Friedkin and Emile Hirsch, who both have a great sense of humor.

"TEXAS KILLING FIELDS" was one of the last movies presented in competition at this year's festival. This story is inspired by true events. Three detectives are solving a mystery about disappeared kids. The director is Ami Canaan Mann. Starring Sam Worthington, Jessica Chastain, Chloe Grace Moretz and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Read about previous days of the 68th Venice Film Festival!

William Friedkin and Emile Hirsch Presenting "Killer Joe"



"Killer Joe" Premiere - Emile Hirsch, William Friedkin

"Killer Joe" Photocall - Emile Hirsch

"Texas Killing Fields" Press Conference



"Texas Killing Fields" Premiere - Michael Mann (producer), Ami Canaan Mann (director)

Photos - ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 - Day 8

Wednesday, September 7

After big premieres it's getting more and more complicated to find interesting movies, because there is less information about upcoming Italian, French, German etc. movies, which are being presented at the 68th Venice Film festival these days. Yesterday the attention got Italian drama "Quando La Notte" ("When the Night") by Cristina Comencini. It's is based on the her own novel of the same name. The movie was presented in competition, of course, there were a photocall and a press conference, later in the evening its actors along with the director were on the red carpet, before its premiere. "Quando La Notte" is about a man and a woman, who meet in the mountains. The man saves her child and they're becoming closer by discovering each other big secrets.

One of my favorite villain actors, Willem Dafoe, came to Venice with his latest movie "4:44 Last Day On Earth", which is also in competition. It's directed by Abel Ferrara and tells a story about two lovers, who know that they don't have much time, because the world will come to an end the next day.

More about VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011!

"Quando La Notte" Premiere
Claudia Pandolfi, Filippo Timi

Lorena Bianchetti

Cristiana Capotondi

Denis Fasolo, Michela Cescon, Filippo Timi, Cristina Comencini, Thomas Trabacchi, Claudia Pandolfi

"4:44 Last Day on Earth" Press Conference



"4:44 Last Day On Earth" premiere - Giada Colagrande, Willem Dafoe

Photos - ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 - Day 7

Tuesday, September 6

Another British drama was presented at the Venice Film Festival. Andrea Arnold directed a new adaptation of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights", a classic story about the power of love and passion. Firstly it supposed to be a bigger project with Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender, but then it became independent of the famous stars. The main parts are played by young actors James Howson and Kaya Scodelario. For James it is a debut, but Kaya is known thanks to the TV show "Skins" and a role of Peshet in "Clash of the Titans". The most important thing is it's not just regular costume drama. Critics are saying Andrea Arnold reconsidered this classic story, tried to make it not ordinary. She breaks all canons. Also it's promised to be visually stunning, because the movie was made in North Yorkshire.

The last adaptation of the novel "Wuthering Heights" was directed by Coky Giedroyc in 2009 and starred Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley.

More about VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011!

"Wuthering Heights" Photocall - Solomon Glave, James Howson, Andrea Arnold, Kaya Scodelario, Shannon Beer

"Wuthering Heights" Premiere - Solomon Glave, Shannon Beer, Kaya Scodelario, James Howson, Andrea Arnold

Photos - The Guardian, ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 - Day 6

Monday, September 5

The main event of this day was certainly a premiere of the criminal drama by Tomas Alfredson, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Hurt, Mark Strong and Tomas Alfredson came to the festival to support their latest movie. From the very beginning, when I discovered about it, I was sure this movie will be great. All these talented actors just couldn't make it bad. But I have no idea that critics will love it! I guess that's what people call a real success.

Release dates - September 16, 2011 (UK), November 10, 2011 (Germany), November 18, 2011 (USA), November 24, 2011 (Russia), December 15, 2011 (Ukraine).

More about VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011!
More about "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"! (trailers, stills, synopsis, posters, clips etc.)

Critics about "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy":
"The film is a triumph." (Daily Telegraph)
"A classy, very British affair." (Clothes on Film)
"Oldman gives a deliciously delicate, shaded performance, flitting in and out of the wings like some darting grey lizard." (Guardian)

Gary Oldman on "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"



Colin Firth on "Tinker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy"



Benedict Cumberbatch on "Tinker, Sailor, Soldier, Spy"



"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" Photocall - John Hurt, Colin Firth, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Benedict Cumberbatch, Gary Oldman, Mark Strong

"Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" Premiere

Gary Oldman, Alexandra Edenborough

Colin Firth, Livia Giuggioli

Mark Strong

Tomas Alfredson

Benedict Cumberbatch

Photos - ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011 - Day 5

Sunday, September 4

Venice welcomed more stars, who came to present their latest movies.

My favorite actor Al Pacino along with actress Jessica Chastain were present at the photocall and press conference about "Wilde Salomè". It is the third Al Pacino's movie, which he not only starred in, but also directed. The premiere was in the evening, when Al Pacino was honored by receiving a Golden Lion award, which is the highest prize at the Venice Festival (watch video).

Michael Fassbender presented his second Venice Festival movie "Shame", which turns out to be a dramatic story about a man, who has problems with his sex life. So I'm not surprised that journalists asked him how he feels filming sex scenes. Steve McQueen, who directed this story, also came to support his movie.

And I've heard some nice words about French drama called "Poulet aux prunes" ("Chicken with Plums"), which is based on the novel by Iranian writer Marjane Satrapi. It is directed by its author and Vincent Paronnaud. Starring Mathieu Amalric, Isabella Rossellini. This movie was screened In Competition and got a long standing applause (video).

More about VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2011!

"Wilde Salomè" Press Conference



"Wilde Salomè" premiere - Al Pacino, Lucila Sola

"Wilde Salomè" premiere - Jessica Chastain

Michael Fassbender on "Shame" and sex scenes



"Shame" photocall - Michael Fassbender

"Shame" premiere - Michael Fassbender, Abi Morgan, Steve McQueen

"Poulet aux prunes" Press Conference



"Poulet Aux Prunes" premiere - Mathieu Amalric, Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud

Photos - ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL - Days 1-4 in pictures

As I promised I'm posting some pictures from the first 4 days of the 68th Venice Film Festival. All photos are in chronological order - from the opening day to September 3.

More about 1-4 days of the Venice Film festival. (information about premieres and press conferences, videos)

"Ides of March" photocall - Grant Heslov, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney

"Ides of March" premiere - Evan Rachel Wood, Philip Seymour Hoffman, George Clooney, Marisa Tomei, Paul Giamatti, Grant Heslov

"W.E." premiere - James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Madonna, Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, Natalie Dormer

"CARNAGE" photocall - John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz

"CARNAGE" premiere - John C. Reilly, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz

"Mildred Pierce" photocall - Evan Rachel Wood, Kate Winslet

"Mildred Pierce" premiere - Kate Winslet, Evan Rachel Wood

"A Dangerous Method" photocall - David Cronenberg, Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Gadon, Vincent Cassel

"A Dangerous Method" premiere - Michael Fassbender, Sarah Gadon, David Cronenberg, Keira Knightley, Vincent Cassel, Viggo Mortensen

"CONTAGION" photocall - Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Laurence Fishburne, Steven Soderbergh

"CONTAGION" premiere - Laurence Fishburne, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Steven Soderbergh

Photos - ZIMBIO

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL - Days 1-4 - video

I haven't enough time to cover every day of the 68th Venice Film Festival, which ends on September 10, but I'm going to write a couple of posts dedicated to it with photos and videos. During those intense four days, there were presented some interesting movies, which I desperately want to see.

"Ides of March", directed by George Clooney, opened the festival and got many positive critics reviews.

The next day, on September 1, Madonna came to Venice to present her new movie "W.E.". But as it was expected, critics smashed it up.

"Carnage" by Roman Polanski was also presented that day and was more successful. Kate Winslet was stunning on the red carpet (I'll post photos later).
Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly and the composer Alexandre Desplat (who also wrote the music for "Ides of March") were at the press conference as well.

Then Kate didn't left Venice, because there was another movie she starred in - "Mildred Pierce" by Todd Haynes. It is miniseries charting the hopes and heartaches of a single, middle class, Los Angeles mother as she fights to win her daughter's affections during the Great Depression. Evan Rachel Wood also was spotted at the photocall, Guy Pearce and Todd Haynes joined at the press conference.

Later on September 2, it was a time for "A Dangerous Method" cast and its director David Cronenberg. I've read that this movie is not that good, but still it has a big rating. Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley and Vincent Cassel were there to support their latest movie.

And yesterday, on September 3, Venice Film Festival was occupied by Steven Soderbergh and the cast of his "Contagion". People, who were waiting before the building in the hopes to get an autograph, were screaming so hard, so even if the movie won't be critics choice, it'll get a good box office.

George Clooney Talks "Ides of March"



Madonna on "W.E."



Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly talk "Carnage"



"Mildred Pierce" Press Conference



David Cronenberg on "A Dangerous Method"



"Contagion" Press Conference

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" - Press Conference and photocall in London

Press tour of "Deathly Hallows: Part 2" was officially started yesterday, when its cast along with director and producers was answering lots of questions at the London press conference. My favorite moment is when they're talking about the things, which they'd like to keep after filming (answers were various - wands, lion hat, costumes, Pensieve, Godric Gryffindor's sword, Tom Riddle's diary etc.). Also it was very interesting to hear their favorite lines and how they feel about this epic story in general. 

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) told us how it was kissing Dan (Harry Potter) and Rupert (Ron Weasley). Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort) confessed that he isn't being recognized in the streets, because in the real life he has a nose and hair. Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore) was very surprised and honored when he's got an invitation to play in such long movie series. Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) will miss a chance to dress up again like a weirdo. Helen McCrory (Narcissa Malfoy) was very impressed by the creators who made the little models of the set. And David Yates (director) told how supporting Jo (J.K.Rowling) was.

I really enjoyed this first press conference though I wasn't there, but thanks to The Leaky Cauldron's life coverage I read about every interesting answer. It was incredibly fun and the actors, director and producers were so friendly, relaxed and happy being there. I hope this evening's premiere will be a great event. I'll definitely write about it.

Press Conference in London - Part 1 (source - DigitalSpy)



Press Conference in London - Part 2



Press Conference in London - Part 3 (the last one)



Photocall in London (source - Zimbio) - the main cast (except Daniel Radcliffe, Helena Bonham Carter), director David Yates, producers David Barron, David Heyman

Festival de Cannes 2011 - Day 11

The Festival is going to an end with the last movie 'In Competition', which is the latest work of Radu Mihaileanu. "The Source" (original title "La Source Des Femmes") is a story of a little village somewhere in North Africa, where women always fetch the water. They are bored of this work, so they're making a sex strike to force men to provide the water into the village. The director with actors gave a press conference and told that his movie is a reflection of the revolutions in the Arab world: "These revolutions represent a huge step forward. We wrote the film with the same sort of intentions, and we bet on the chance that women would be the ones to bring change, not simply throughout the world but especially in the Muslim world." Also he added that the village in his movie is not less important than its characters: "The main character in the film is the village. It was amazing, with ochre colours, that earth… it needed just a little bit of colour. We made the decision to borrow from the culture of all the Arab countries without betraying the unity of the Arab-Berber Moroccan whole. We used blues, yellows, oranges. The light was kind to all of the colours, the ochre, the walls, and skin tones as well." As for the photocall, the actresses looked very cheerful, so I hope they portrayed their characters with such passion.

A movie, which is chosen to close the Festival, is "The Beloved" (original title "Les Bien-Aimés") by French screenwriter and director Christophe Honoré. He presented his movie along with actors Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Louis Garrel, Paul Schneider, Christophe Honore, Laudivine Sagnier, Rasha Bukvic and the composer Alex Beaupain. This musical shows two love stories, which are survived by a mother and her daughter and takes place in the 1960s and 1990s, happening in Prague, Paris and London. The director told the journalists about how he understands the filmmaking: "I've never been of the view that the role of cinema is to film everyday life, but I do try to make films that are true to life." Catherine Deneuve said about working with Christophe Honoré: "I’ve always liked Christophe’s way of portraying female characters and love affairs. When I heard about the project, I was immediately interested. During filming, Christophe was very attentive, friendly and open." The screening of the movie will be tomorrow, May 22, but some critics, who just saw it, think it is very boring, except the decor.

The last movie presented 'Un Certain Regard' is "Elena" by Russian filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev, whose movie was once nominated for a Palme d'Or. This year he came to tell a dramatic story about complicated relationships between parents and sons. Can it be interesting? I think definitely yes - this movie just got SPECIAL JURY PRIZE.

And tomorrow we will discover who earned the other awards. There are rumors that "Drive" by Nicholas Winding Refn has good chances to win.

"The Sourse" photocall - Radu Mihaileanu, Leila Bekhti, Hafsia Herzi, Hiam Abbas, Sabrina Ouazani, Biyouna

"The Beloved" photocall - Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni, Louis Garrel, Paul Schneider, Christophe Honore, Laudivine Sagnier, Rasha Bukvic, Alex Beaupain

 "Elena" photocall - Andrei Zviaquintsev,  Elena Lyadova, Nadezhda Markina

 More photos from sunny Cannes - http://www.panarmenian.net/photo/ , http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/