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Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Production notes for Run Fat Boy Run
Thandie Newton
Libby
BAFTA Award-winning Thandie Newton is not only one of the world's great beauties, but an actress of uncommon talent and range.
Newton was recently seen in Gabriele Muccino's critically acclaimed box office hit ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, opposite Will Smith as Smith's estranged wife and in Brian Robbins' comedy ‘Norbit’ opposite Eddie Murphy.
Newton was praised for her work in the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2006: ‘Crash’, the story of a multiracial group of characters whose lives interconnect following a car accident in Los Angeles. For her performance Thandie received BAFTA (Supporting Actress) and SAG (Best Ensemble) Awards.
Born in London to a Zimbabwean mother and an English father, Thandie was raised in London and Zambia until she was three years old. Due to political unrest in Zambia, her family then relocated to England permanently.
At age 16, while studying modern dance at London’s Arts Educational School, she won the lead role opposite Nicole Kidman in John Duigan's critically acclaimed 1990 coming-of-age film, ‘Flirting’, playing a Ugandan girl isolated in an Australian Ladies Academy who begins a romance with a teenage boy from a neighbouring boarding school. After completing the film, Thandie returned to England to continue her education, earning a B.A. (Hons) in anthropology at Cambridge University, while also acting in feature films for some of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors - including Neil Jordan's ‘Interview with a Vampire’ and James Ivory's ‘Jefferson in Paris.’ Newton also appeared as a troubled singer opposite Tupac Shakur and Tim Roth in Vondie Curtis-Hall's comedy-drama, ‘Gridlock’d’ and won critics' praise as the exiled wife of an African leader in Bernardo Bertolucci's ‘Besieged.’
Other credits include Jonathan Demme's contemporary romantic thriller ‘The Truth about Charlie’, inspired by Stanley Donen's 1963 film ‘Charade’ and the John Woo-helmed action film ‘Mission Impossible 2.’
Thandie received rave reviews for her astonishingly original and bold performance as the title character in Jonathan Demme's 1998 adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel, ‘Beloved,’ co-starring Oprah Winfrey.
On television, Newton made recurring guest appearances as Kem, a Congolese Aid Worker on NBC's hit drama ‘ER’, opposite Noah Wyle. It marked Thandie's American television debut.
Thandie Newton resides in England with her husband, writer/director Ol Parker, and two children.
Libby
BAFTA Award-winning Thandie Newton is not only one of the world's great beauties, but an actress of uncommon talent and range.
Newton was recently seen in Gabriele Muccino's critically acclaimed box office hit ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, opposite Will Smith as Smith's estranged wife and in Brian Robbins' comedy ‘Norbit’ opposite Eddie Murphy.
Newton was praised for her work in the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2006: ‘Crash’, the story of a multiracial group of characters whose lives interconnect following a car accident in Los Angeles. For her performance Thandie received BAFTA (Supporting Actress) and SAG (Best Ensemble) Awards.
Born in London to a Zimbabwean mother and an English father, Thandie was raised in London and Zambia until she was three years old. Due to political unrest in Zambia, her family then relocated to England permanently.
At age 16, while studying modern dance at London’s Arts Educational School, she won the lead role opposite Nicole Kidman in John Duigan's critically acclaimed 1990 coming-of-age film, ‘Flirting’, playing a Ugandan girl isolated in an Australian Ladies Academy who begins a romance with a teenage boy from a neighbouring boarding school. After completing the film, Thandie returned to England to continue her education, earning a B.A. (Hons) in anthropology at Cambridge University, while also acting in feature films for some of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors - including Neil Jordan's ‘Interview with a Vampire’ and James Ivory's ‘Jefferson in Paris.’ Newton also appeared as a troubled singer opposite Tupac Shakur and Tim Roth in Vondie Curtis-Hall's comedy-drama, ‘Gridlock’d’ and won critics' praise as the exiled wife of an African leader in Bernardo Bertolucci's ‘Besieged.’
Other credits include Jonathan Demme's contemporary romantic thriller ‘The Truth about Charlie’, inspired by Stanley Donen's 1963 film ‘Charade’ and the John Woo-helmed action film ‘Mission Impossible 2.’
Thandie received rave reviews for her astonishingly original and bold performance as the title character in Jonathan Demme's 1998 adaptation of Toni Morrison's novel, ‘Beloved,’ co-starring Oprah Winfrey.
On television, Newton made recurring guest appearances as Kem, a Congolese Aid Worker on NBC's hit drama ‘ER’, opposite Noah Wyle. It marked Thandie's American television debut.
Thandie Newton resides in England with her husband, writer/director Ol Parker, and two children.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Thandie Newton interview
Run, Fat Boy, Run - Thandie Newton interview
Interview by Rob Carnevale
THANDIE Newton talks about the pleasure of appearing in Run, Fat Boy, Run and establishing a believable mother-son relationship with her young co-star…
Q. Was it nice to do something closer to home after roles in Crash, The Pursuit of Happyness and Norbit?Thandie Newton: Yeah, I was sent the script but it was the cover letter actually. I didn’t need to read it [the script]. It was directed by David [Schwimmer] and starred Simon Pegg. I didn’t know Simon at the time, which was why I leapt at the chance to do it. That was a dream come true. I’d also heard about David’s work in theatre and a few of my friends knew him and he sounded like a completely lovely person and incredibly talented too. I’ve admired Simon’s work for many years, so I wanted to do it on that basis.
Then when I met David and he talked about how he wanted to portray London and how he didn’t want to play the film for laughs, but with an authenticity and have the humour come out of that. I think that’s one of the strongest things about the film – it’s hilarious but everything is rooted in realism.
Simon Pegg: Well, I think that’s the least believable moment… it’s the moment in the film that requires the most suspension of disbelief – that I would jilt you at the altar [laughs]. Hang on a minute, Lord of the Rings is more convincing than that!
Thandie Newton: [Laughs] I genuinely think that what’s so lovely about the film is that you realise he [Pegg’s character] does that because he’s motivated by his lack of self worth. I think that’s really sophisticated and it’s very modern to have that kind of predicament in a film.
Q. Did you envy the physical element of the film and not being able to get out there and run with them?Thandie Newton: No, not at all. In fact, before we started shooting David, very reasonably, said: “We want these characters to be real, how can we make you a girl next door?” So we looked at costumes and hairstyles and he said: “Just get friendly with puddings!” I can’t remember exactly what he said but something like that! So I did and that was easy. Simon got prosthetic breasts, bum and tummy. I thought it was quite unfair really.
Q. How did you go about establishing a maternal bond with Matthew?Thandie Newton: A couple of times he came over to my house with him mum and hung out with my kids. He’s lovely and we’ll continue doing that. I get on very well with his mum. He was so much part of all of us – the cast and the crew. At the beginning of the movie as well, David gave Simon and Matthew really cool light sabres and I was really jealous. I got a beautiful candle but I would have loved a light sabre. But I think the presence of him mum there all the time was also really important. They’re just a lovely, down to earth family – they were grateful for the opportunity and were proud of Matthew. He had a tutor on the set as well, so in breaks he’d go and have lessons. It was a really great set-up.
Interview by Rob Carnevale
THANDIE Newton talks about the pleasure of appearing in Run, Fat Boy, Run and establishing a believable mother-son relationship with her young co-star…
Q. Was it nice to do something closer to home after roles in Crash, The Pursuit of Happyness and Norbit?Thandie Newton: Yeah, I was sent the script but it was the cover letter actually. I didn’t need to read it [the script]. It was directed by David [Schwimmer] and starred Simon Pegg. I didn’t know Simon at the time, which was why I leapt at the chance to do it. That was a dream come true. I’d also heard about David’s work in theatre and a few of my friends knew him and he sounded like a completely lovely person and incredibly talented too. I’ve admired Simon’s work for many years, so I wanted to do it on that basis.
Then when I met David and he talked about how he wanted to portray London and how he didn’t want to play the film for laughs, but with an authenticity and have the humour come out of that. I think that’s one of the strongest things about the film – it’s hilarious but everything is rooted in realism.
Simon Pegg: Well, I think that’s the least believable moment… it’s the moment in the film that requires the most suspension of disbelief – that I would jilt you at the altar [laughs]. Hang on a minute, Lord of the Rings is more convincing than that!
Thandie Newton: [Laughs] I genuinely think that what’s so lovely about the film is that you realise he [Pegg’s character] does that because he’s motivated by his lack of self worth. I think that’s really sophisticated and it’s very modern to have that kind of predicament in a film.
Q. Did you envy the physical element of the film and not being able to get out there and run with them?Thandie Newton: No, not at all. In fact, before we started shooting David, very reasonably, said: “We want these characters to be real, how can we make you a girl next door?” So we looked at costumes and hairstyles and he said: “Just get friendly with puddings!” I can’t remember exactly what he said but something like that! So I did and that was easy. Simon got prosthetic breasts, bum and tummy. I thought it was quite unfair really.
Q. How did you go about establishing a maternal bond with Matthew?Thandie Newton: A couple of times he came over to my house with him mum and hung out with my kids. He’s lovely and we’ll continue doing that. I get on very well with his mum. He was so much part of all of us – the cast and the crew. At the beginning of the movie as well, David gave Simon and Matthew really cool light sabres and I was really jealous. I got a beautiful candle but I would have loved a light sabre. But I think the presence of him mum there all the time was also really important. They’re just a lovely, down to earth family – they were grateful for the opportunity and were proud of Matthew. He had a tutor on the set as well, so in breaks he’d go and have lessons. It was a really great set-up.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Toronto International Film Festival
Run, Fat Boy, Run (David Schwimmer) 6/10
Relentlessly conventional, though better than it has any right to be, thanks to Simon Pegg and Dylan Moran, who give completely committed performances. David Schwimmer pulls off one particularly nice scene towards the end (Pegg finally hitting the runner's wall), but plays it safe throughout, which works for the film. Bonus points for the best Q&A of the festival so far, with a funny Pegg, a drunk Thandie Newton, an outburst from Nick Frost, and the Mayor of Toronto, the single most obnoxious audience member I've seen this year.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Friday, September 07, 2007
Run, Fatboy, Run Q and A
Director David Schwimmer and stars Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton, on London marathon comedy Run, Fatboy, Run By A Gent
David, In terms of coming to direct the movie, why this film, and why now in particular in your career?
David: Well I've always wanted to direct a feature film, I started doing a lot with theatre and then was doing and directing some episodes of friends and some other television. I always wanted to direct a feature but as you know it takes more than a year of you life so I kinda had to wait until the show [Friends] was over. So I started looking for scripts and was reading many, many scripts and this was just the funniest thing I've read and I was really moved by it. I was just really excited about the challenge of trying to capture the tone of that script on film.
The script originally was set in America, tell us about the transformation, and Simon in terms of making it a British story as well.
Simon: Yes it was set in New York so I had a crack at it to anglicise it, or 'Briticise' it, I don't know what the word is! But it was a combination of things, just cultural translations and also, just linguistic stuff obviously and words. Not just "sidewalk" and "pavement" but there is also rhythms in speech that were interesting to eke out. And I think it was just a little more sentimental the English one wasn't it, which is ok I think in an American context because I think Americans are more ok with emotion and not so ashamed of their emotions as we are, we are obviously a little bit more reserved and less inclined to emote. There was a little kind of shift to the timing as well to make it, not more cynical because I think cynicism is negative but perhaps a little more British. Which is an interesting process and we added a few more scenes and some swearing, which I love.
David: We also changed the character of the land lord character. It also used to be is wife but we made it his daughter just because we found it more interesting.
Simon: He was actually an Italian character in the American version called Mr Giacometti and I went on to a website of Indian names to find a Hindi names that began with G which was long, and I found Goshdashtidar which is a lovely name. And Harish is one of the funniest men isn't he? I'm so glad I worked with him. David worked with him already didn't you?
David: Yeah we became friends when I directed him in a pilot for NBC and I just thought he was, he was like the Indian Walter Matthau. I mean his timing was the funniest timing I had ever seen.
Simon: He's the closest human being to a perfect circle as well. He's like a walking orange.
Thandie, your recent run of films have been "In Pursuit of Happiness" and "Crash", was it nice to do something a bit closer to home?
Thandie: yeah, I was sent the script and it was the cover letter actually, I didn't even need to read it, it was directed by David and starring Simon Pegg, I didn't really know Simon at the time which is why I leapt at the chance to do it. But that was just a dream come true and I kinda knew David, we had not met but I had heard about his work in theatre and he just sounded like a completely lovely person and very talented and I had admired him for many years, his work, and I just wanted to do it on that basis. And also being in England and working here. I mean when I met David he talked about how he wanted to portray London and how he wanted to play it with an authenticity and the humour came out of that and I think that's one of the strongest things about the film. I mean it's hilarious but everything is routed in realism. So it was very easy yes.
And nice to go to work on a travel card?
Thandie: Yes! Very nice to go home to my bed every night
Simon: I think it's probably the least believable moment. It's the moment in the movie that requires the most suspension of disbelief. That I would jilt you (Thandie) at the alter! Hang on a minute.... Lord of the Rings is more convincing than that.
Thandie: No but I genuinely think that what's so lovely about the film is that you realise he does that, that he his motivated by his lack of self worth. I think that's a very sophisticated, very modern predicament to have in a film.
Simon: It's a hell of an awful thing that he does at the top of the film and one of the challenges of rewriting the script was trying to solidify why the hell we should ever stand beside him. I mean he does an awful thing, especially for the female audience who are thinking "why the hell do I like this guy? he's an arsehole and jilted a pregnant woman" but the point that we were trying to get across was that he feels that if he was to go through with marrying her he would ruin her life. And in his bizarre, skewed, silly way thinks that, as he said "ruining her day is better than ruining her life".
From another point of view, why did she stand by him even though he abandoned her?
Simon: Absolutely, it's kind of what makes Libby a loveable character, despite what he does, she commits him to be part of her son's life, which is an incredibly selfless thing to do and the trick is with the film was to make the audience believe that even though he had done this awful thing, he had done it in a bizarre way for an unselfish reason.
David, you said you loved the script when you first read it, what was the point that you decided to anglicise it?
Yes, I had been attached to this script for a while. And I don't know whether it was me or someone else who suggested it. But I spoke to Simon and said "what do you think about re-writing it, anglicising and starring in it?" We had such a good time together before that we thought it would just be fun and kinda easy.
Did you two know each other from Band of Brothers?
David & Simon: Yes
Simon: He didn't talk to me in those days. Band of Brothers was crazy it was like all the actors in the UK between 18 and 30 all pretending to be soldiers; you could smell the testosterone in the air. But that was a really big role for you because it was so different to what you were known for. I imagine it was quite a nerve racking time in some respects.
David: Yeah well, I didn't make too much of an effort to get know people at the time because I was kind of in my own little world and just because my character was really ant-social.
David, what are the main differences that you've come across working in the UK as opposed to the USA?
Again, I haven't made many films so I can't speak to that. I didn't notice many differences, in both instances the crews have all been top notch. I mean I mostly worked in LA, worked a little in Chicago and again I find that on that side of the camera it works great. Then again, I think it depends on the tone set by the producers and the directors and of course, the stars of the movie. And a lot of the crew really picked up on that and they feel that we have a good time and all get along because we are all friendly. There are some actors that aren't and some directors that aren't but I think Simon and I, and Thandie for sure, are all kinda friendly so I think you just have to make it a team effort and maybe that's why we've had good experiences so far.
Simon, we were talking about it between ourselves earlier, and we couldn't find anyone that enjoyed running. Are you one of the rare people that actually enjoys running?
It's an odd human thing that we should put ourselves through something that is essentially tiring and annoying, for no other reason maybe that it makes us fitter or something. I don't know. I do enjoy running... I love running...On a treadmill... Slowly. But the idea of doing a marathon is bizarre I think. But I suppose it's testing yourself, it's pushing yourself to the limit so you can complete something that's almost insurmountable. But it is a weirdly human thing. I mean obviously cheetahs and that lot do it, but they do because they are chasing gazelles... We don't really chase gazelles. I don't really know where I'm going with this. Did I mention I was hungover?
Thandie, to help you get into character were you quite physical, did you go running?
Thandie: No, no not at all. In fact in the beginning, before we started shooting David said very reasonably that I really want these characters to be real, how can we make you a sort of girl next door as possible? So we looked at costume and hair etc. And so I did and then that was easy. And Simon got prosthetic breasts and tummy, which I was a bit unfair really.
Simon: It wasn't fair when you were going to the toilet believe me! The thing didn't come off!
Thandie: No but Simon is very very fit. You're very fit aren't you?
Simon: Yes I'm incredibly fit yes. I need to chase all the gazelles. But running a marathon is nothing compared to child birth?
Thandie: Well I haven't run a marathon but I'm sure there are similarities.
What was it like working with Hank?
Thandie: Oh he's lovely. He's quite self possessed isn't he? He kept himself pretty well to himself on shoot.
Simon: Yeah he's incredibly funny, I mean most of my time with Hank was spent, because we are both such comedy geeks just quoting Python. I mean he's a massive fan of Python, our first night out together he took me to see Spamalot. But because I'm such a big Simpson's fan he would do voices for me like that. He had no problems doing it, he wouldn't say "No I'm not a performing monkey", he just did it.
His character is interesting as well because one of the things I'm sure Michael would have done if he had re-written it was to make Whit a little more complex. Because when you first meet him you don't necessarily know he's the bad guy, we thought it would be nicer if he seemed quite a nice proposition; he's nice with Jake, he's funny, he's good looking, he's built well. He didn't wear a modesty patch in that scene either, I was face to face with 'little Hank' for quite a long time that day... I don't know why I mentioned that. And so it's not until later on that you realise that he is the bad guy, and the archetypes start to fall into place.
Did Hank do voices for Matthew on set?
Simon: Yes he did. Bu then again Matthew just took everything in stride. Matthew is this kinda weird, adult child. Not least last night when he stood on stage and waved as if it was his ninth premiere. But he used to love hanging out with us on set and Hank was always more than willing to do Mo or Apu or whatever.
David, you said earlier that you couldn't think of much difference between working in Britain and America but how did you find working in London? Did you find there was much red tape to cross?
David: I meant in terms of crew mostly, but I mean the big difference I guess was the expense in shooting, mostly because of location. We were on a modest budget and we had over 50 locations throughout the city, and each one you had to deal with security, police, traffic...
Simon: Nutters.
David: It's true. But also because we were shooting right in the city rather than outside. The unions are incredibly strong, and rightly so, but it meant with extras, we could have had 50 or 100 extras out side the city, but for the same price you could only get 10 here. So there were challenges throughout the film.
Simon: London is expensive though isn't it?
David: But the producers were great, they tried to keep that stuff out of my way as much as possible.
David, you were quoted as saying "at the end of the day Friends was just a job". Would you work with any of them again?
I wouldn't rule out working with any of those guys again, they were all incredibly talented and I wouldn't hesitate, I mean we all got on great and I directed all of them on the show as well. I would never do that show again but I wouldn't hesitate. They were all terrific actors.
We talked about Matthew [Fenton], when you were playing his parents what particular steps do you have to take to bond with him. Are you (Thandie) the more sensible maternal figure and Simon just teaches him the words "shit head"?
Simon: He came around your (Thandie) house didn't he, you did that?
Thandie: He did that's right. A couple of times he came round with his mum and came out with my kids, it was lovely, and we will continue doing that. I got on very well with his mum. But he was so much part of all of us, the crew and I think I'm even caught on camera swearing in front of Matthew, just constantly forgetting that I'm the mother figure. So I didn't do very well with that.
Simon: We took him up to the park to play football didn't we? Thandie and I had a running battle on set of just trying to out joke each other. I used Matthew in a joke once that I had to make work without in any way damaging him or berating him. So I got him and said "Wow Matthew your hands are amazing, show me your hands, show me every one of your fingers". So I photographed every finger, and sent Thandie the middle finger!
Thandie: And I literally thought Oh my God! What are we doing to this poor child!
Simon: But he never knew... That I was exploiting him.
What did you think of the audience's reaction last night?
Thandie: Fantastic. Really great.
Simon: It's always nerve racking, I don't like being in those situations really. Premieres are really odd occasions because it's a mixture of adrenaline and genuine unease in every part of it. But then you can relax at the party, but even then you're still being pulled around. But the actual watching the film, I think "I'm having a heart attack what's going on?" My heart was really racing but it's always nice to be validated by the response of the crowed. Premiere's can sometimes be a little stiff you know, it's not like a paying audience. But last night they were lovely and it was a great vindication for us I think.
How did you manage that wonderful relationship with Matthew?
Simon: I just talked to Matthew as a grown-up, I never soft of babied him, I would drop swear words in front of him because it made him laugh and then pretend that I was sorry. Never anything too bad. The whole "shit head" thing was kinda like, well you know what kids are like, they laugh at stuff like that. I sort of met him in the middle, he's very together. On one hand he's a complete whirlwind of a child, you can't keep his attention for more than two seconds, he's off talking about something else. But it was just a case of him coming out and doing his magic.
Thandie: At the beginning of the movie David gave you (Simon) and Matthew cool lightsabers. I was actually really jealous. I got lovely things, but would have loved a lightsaber.
David: Simon and I were both very aware that it was absolutely necessary that the audience believed that you're his father. Because otherwise the film falls apart. The only way for the audience to forgive this character was to see what a good dad he was. We talked a lot about films like Kramer Vs Kramer and that unique relationship that Dustin Hoffman has with his son, I think the bar was set very high for that father-son relationship in that film. We did everything we could to get to know Matthew, to make him feel comfortable, play with him, and make friends, really, make him feel safe. But again it's all him, he's wonderfully mature, in some ways he's a kid but at the same time he's a professional. He showed up with every single one of his lines learnt, and everyone else's as well.
Simon: He prompted us.
David: He was a pro. He would play with us and joke, but when it was time to work and to take direction he would immediately focus. He was amazing.
Thandie: I think the presence of his mum there all the time was really important as well. The most lovely family, really down to earth, really grateful for the opportunity that they had been given and very proud of Matthew. He had a tutor as well on the set, so on breaks we go away with him and work, the guy would help him learn his lines. It was a really great set up.
Simon: It was weird last night because I saw him last night and thought, "he looks a bit different tonight", then I thought "ahh he's got teeth!"
Run Fat Boy Run is out now
source http://www.iofilm.co.uk/feats/interviews/r/runfatboy_09072007.php
David, In terms of coming to direct the movie, why this film, and why now in particular in your career?
David: Well I've always wanted to direct a feature film, I started doing a lot with theatre and then was doing and directing some episodes of friends and some other television. I always wanted to direct a feature but as you know it takes more than a year of you life so I kinda had to wait until the show [Friends] was over. So I started looking for scripts and was reading many, many scripts and this was just the funniest thing I've read and I was really moved by it. I was just really excited about the challenge of trying to capture the tone of that script on film.
The script originally was set in America, tell us about the transformation, and Simon in terms of making it a British story as well.
Simon: Yes it was set in New York so I had a crack at it to anglicise it, or 'Briticise' it, I don't know what the word is! But it was a combination of things, just cultural translations and also, just linguistic stuff obviously and words. Not just "sidewalk" and "pavement" but there is also rhythms in speech that were interesting to eke out. And I think it was just a little more sentimental the English one wasn't it, which is ok I think in an American context because I think Americans are more ok with emotion and not so ashamed of their emotions as we are, we are obviously a little bit more reserved and less inclined to emote. There was a little kind of shift to the timing as well to make it, not more cynical because I think cynicism is negative but perhaps a little more British. Which is an interesting process and we added a few more scenes and some swearing, which I love.
David: We also changed the character of the land lord character. It also used to be is wife but we made it his daughter just because we found it more interesting.
Simon: He was actually an Italian character in the American version called Mr Giacometti and I went on to a website of Indian names to find a Hindi names that began with G which was long, and I found Goshdashtidar which is a lovely name. And Harish is one of the funniest men isn't he? I'm so glad I worked with him. David worked with him already didn't you?
David: Yeah we became friends when I directed him in a pilot for NBC and I just thought he was, he was like the Indian Walter Matthau. I mean his timing was the funniest timing I had ever seen.
Simon: He's the closest human being to a perfect circle as well. He's like a walking orange.
Thandie, your recent run of films have been "In Pursuit of Happiness" and "Crash", was it nice to do something a bit closer to home?
Thandie: yeah, I was sent the script and it was the cover letter actually, I didn't even need to read it, it was directed by David and starring Simon Pegg, I didn't really know Simon at the time which is why I leapt at the chance to do it. But that was just a dream come true and I kinda knew David, we had not met but I had heard about his work in theatre and he just sounded like a completely lovely person and very talented and I had admired him for many years, his work, and I just wanted to do it on that basis. And also being in England and working here. I mean when I met David he talked about how he wanted to portray London and how he wanted to play it with an authenticity and the humour came out of that and I think that's one of the strongest things about the film. I mean it's hilarious but everything is routed in realism. So it was very easy yes.
And nice to go to work on a travel card?
Thandie: Yes! Very nice to go home to my bed every night
Simon: I think it's probably the least believable moment. It's the moment in the movie that requires the most suspension of disbelief. That I would jilt you (Thandie) at the alter! Hang on a minute.... Lord of the Rings is more convincing than that.
Thandie: No but I genuinely think that what's so lovely about the film is that you realise he does that, that he his motivated by his lack of self worth. I think that's a very sophisticated, very modern predicament to have in a film.
Simon: It's a hell of an awful thing that he does at the top of the film and one of the challenges of rewriting the script was trying to solidify why the hell we should ever stand beside him. I mean he does an awful thing, especially for the female audience who are thinking "why the hell do I like this guy? he's an arsehole and jilted a pregnant woman" but the point that we were trying to get across was that he feels that if he was to go through with marrying her he would ruin her life. And in his bizarre, skewed, silly way thinks that, as he said "ruining her day is better than ruining her life".
From another point of view, why did she stand by him even though he abandoned her?
Simon: Absolutely, it's kind of what makes Libby a loveable character, despite what he does, she commits him to be part of her son's life, which is an incredibly selfless thing to do and the trick is with the film was to make the audience believe that even though he had done this awful thing, he had done it in a bizarre way for an unselfish reason.
David, you said you loved the script when you first read it, what was the point that you decided to anglicise it?
Yes, I had been attached to this script for a while. And I don't know whether it was me or someone else who suggested it. But I spoke to Simon and said "what do you think about re-writing it, anglicising and starring in it?" We had such a good time together before that we thought it would just be fun and kinda easy.
Did you two know each other from Band of Brothers?
David & Simon: Yes
Simon: He didn't talk to me in those days. Band of Brothers was crazy it was like all the actors in the UK between 18 and 30 all pretending to be soldiers; you could smell the testosterone in the air. But that was a really big role for you because it was so different to what you were known for. I imagine it was quite a nerve racking time in some respects.
David: Yeah well, I didn't make too much of an effort to get know people at the time because I was kind of in my own little world and just because my character was really ant-social.
David, what are the main differences that you've come across working in the UK as opposed to the USA?
Again, I haven't made many films so I can't speak to that. I didn't notice many differences, in both instances the crews have all been top notch. I mean I mostly worked in LA, worked a little in Chicago and again I find that on that side of the camera it works great. Then again, I think it depends on the tone set by the producers and the directors and of course, the stars of the movie. And a lot of the crew really picked up on that and they feel that we have a good time and all get along because we are all friendly. There are some actors that aren't and some directors that aren't but I think Simon and I, and Thandie for sure, are all kinda friendly so I think you just have to make it a team effort and maybe that's why we've had good experiences so far.
Simon, we were talking about it between ourselves earlier, and we couldn't find anyone that enjoyed running. Are you one of the rare people that actually enjoys running?
It's an odd human thing that we should put ourselves through something that is essentially tiring and annoying, for no other reason maybe that it makes us fitter or something. I don't know. I do enjoy running... I love running...On a treadmill... Slowly. But the idea of doing a marathon is bizarre I think. But I suppose it's testing yourself, it's pushing yourself to the limit so you can complete something that's almost insurmountable. But it is a weirdly human thing. I mean obviously cheetahs and that lot do it, but they do because they are chasing gazelles... We don't really chase gazelles. I don't really know where I'm going with this. Did I mention I was hungover?
Thandie, to help you get into character were you quite physical, did you go running?
Thandie: No, no not at all. In fact in the beginning, before we started shooting David said very reasonably that I really want these characters to be real, how can we make you a sort of girl next door as possible? So we looked at costume and hair etc. And so I did and then that was easy. And Simon got prosthetic breasts and tummy, which I was a bit unfair really.
Simon: It wasn't fair when you were going to the toilet believe me! The thing didn't come off!
Thandie: No but Simon is very very fit. You're very fit aren't you?
Simon: Yes I'm incredibly fit yes. I need to chase all the gazelles. But running a marathon is nothing compared to child birth?
Thandie: Well I haven't run a marathon but I'm sure there are similarities.
What was it like working with Hank?
Thandie: Oh he's lovely. He's quite self possessed isn't he? He kept himself pretty well to himself on shoot.
Simon: Yeah he's incredibly funny, I mean most of my time with Hank was spent, because we are both such comedy geeks just quoting Python. I mean he's a massive fan of Python, our first night out together he took me to see Spamalot. But because I'm such a big Simpson's fan he would do voices for me like that. He had no problems doing it, he wouldn't say "No I'm not a performing monkey", he just did it.
His character is interesting as well because one of the things I'm sure Michael would have done if he had re-written it was to make Whit a little more complex. Because when you first meet him you don't necessarily know he's the bad guy, we thought it would be nicer if he seemed quite a nice proposition; he's nice with Jake, he's funny, he's good looking, he's built well. He didn't wear a modesty patch in that scene either, I was face to face with 'little Hank' for quite a long time that day... I don't know why I mentioned that. And so it's not until later on that you realise that he is the bad guy, and the archetypes start to fall into place.
Did Hank do voices for Matthew on set?
Simon: Yes he did. Bu then again Matthew just took everything in stride. Matthew is this kinda weird, adult child. Not least last night when he stood on stage and waved as if it was his ninth premiere. But he used to love hanging out with us on set and Hank was always more than willing to do Mo or Apu or whatever.
David, you said earlier that you couldn't think of much difference between working in Britain and America but how did you find working in London? Did you find there was much red tape to cross?
David: I meant in terms of crew mostly, but I mean the big difference I guess was the expense in shooting, mostly because of location. We were on a modest budget and we had over 50 locations throughout the city, and each one you had to deal with security, police, traffic...
Simon: Nutters.
David: It's true. But also because we were shooting right in the city rather than outside. The unions are incredibly strong, and rightly so, but it meant with extras, we could have had 50 or 100 extras out side the city, but for the same price you could only get 10 here. So there were challenges throughout the film.
Simon: London is expensive though isn't it?
David: But the producers were great, they tried to keep that stuff out of my way as much as possible.
David, you were quoted as saying "at the end of the day Friends was just a job". Would you work with any of them again?
I wouldn't rule out working with any of those guys again, they were all incredibly talented and I wouldn't hesitate, I mean we all got on great and I directed all of them on the show as well. I would never do that show again but I wouldn't hesitate. They were all terrific actors.
We talked about Matthew [Fenton], when you were playing his parents what particular steps do you have to take to bond with him. Are you (Thandie) the more sensible maternal figure and Simon just teaches him the words "shit head"?
Simon: He came around your (Thandie) house didn't he, you did that?
Thandie: He did that's right. A couple of times he came round with his mum and came out with my kids, it was lovely, and we will continue doing that. I got on very well with his mum. But he was so much part of all of us, the crew and I think I'm even caught on camera swearing in front of Matthew, just constantly forgetting that I'm the mother figure. So I didn't do very well with that.
Simon: We took him up to the park to play football didn't we? Thandie and I had a running battle on set of just trying to out joke each other. I used Matthew in a joke once that I had to make work without in any way damaging him or berating him. So I got him and said "Wow Matthew your hands are amazing, show me your hands, show me every one of your fingers". So I photographed every finger, and sent Thandie the middle finger!
Thandie: And I literally thought Oh my God! What are we doing to this poor child!
Simon: But he never knew... That I was exploiting him.
What did you think of the audience's reaction last night?
Thandie: Fantastic. Really great.
Simon: It's always nerve racking, I don't like being in those situations really. Premieres are really odd occasions because it's a mixture of adrenaline and genuine unease in every part of it. But then you can relax at the party, but even then you're still being pulled around. But the actual watching the film, I think "I'm having a heart attack what's going on?" My heart was really racing but it's always nice to be validated by the response of the crowed. Premiere's can sometimes be a little stiff you know, it's not like a paying audience. But last night they were lovely and it was a great vindication for us I think.
How did you manage that wonderful relationship with Matthew?
Simon: I just talked to Matthew as a grown-up, I never soft of babied him, I would drop swear words in front of him because it made him laugh and then pretend that I was sorry. Never anything too bad. The whole "shit head" thing was kinda like, well you know what kids are like, they laugh at stuff like that. I sort of met him in the middle, he's very together. On one hand he's a complete whirlwind of a child, you can't keep his attention for more than two seconds, he's off talking about something else. But it was just a case of him coming out and doing his magic.
Thandie: At the beginning of the movie David gave you (Simon) and Matthew cool lightsabers. I was actually really jealous. I got lovely things, but would have loved a lightsaber.
David: Simon and I were both very aware that it was absolutely necessary that the audience believed that you're his father. Because otherwise the film falls apart. The only way for the audience to forgive this character was to see what a good dad he was. We talked a lot about films like Kramer Vs Kramer and that unique relationship that Dustin Hoffman has with his son, I think the bar was set very high for that father-son relationship in that film. We did everything we could to get to know Matthew, to make him feel comfortable, play with him, and make friends, really, make him feel safe. But again it's all him, he's wonderfully mature, in some ways he's a kid but at the same time he's a professional. He showed up with every single one of his lines learnt, and everyone else's as well.
Simon: He prompted us.
David: He was a pro. He would play with us and joke, but when it was time to work and to take direction he would immediately focus. He was amazing.
Thandie: I think the presence of his mum there all the time was really important as well. The most lovely family, really down to earth, really grateful for the opportunity that they had been given and very proud of Matthew. He had a tutor as well on the set, so on breaks we go away with him and work, the guy would help him learn his lines. It was a really great set up.
Simon: It was weird last night because I saw him last night and thought, "he looks a bit different tonight", then I thought "ahh he's got teeth!"
Run Fat Boy Run is out now
source http://www.iofilm.co.uk/feats/interviews/r/runfatboy_09072007.php
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Channel 4 Run Fat Boy Run Special 8th September
Its on Channel 4 at 12:55 on Saturday coming
12:55
T4 Movie Special
Run Fat Boy RunSteve Jones presents a behind-the-scenes special, taking a look at the latest hilarious British comedy, starring Simon Pegg and The Simpsons' Hank Azaria
12:55
T4 Movie Special
Run Fat Boy RunSteve Jones presents a behind-the-scenes special, taking a look at the latest hilarious British comedy, starring Simon Pegg and The Simpsons' Hank Azaria
Independent 7th September
The truth about Thandie
Two years ago, a mystery "heavy breather" called Pandora to complain about that day's column. It emerged, on teatime telly, that the aggrieved reader was none other than the subject of that article, David Schwimmer.
I worried, then, about criticising the Friends actor's new film, Run Fat Boy Run. Would my Batphone tinkle in the night, Schwimmer announcing a writ?
It turns out, instead, to be the father of the flick's lead actress, Thandie Newton. "Dear Pandora," writes Nick Newton. "Thandie is not Zambian, she is British. I, her father, am British, her mother, my wife, though born in Rhodesia, is also British. Following Thandie's birth at Charing Cross Hospital, we spent three years in Zambia, after which we returned to Cornwall, where we still live. Thandie, of course, now married and with children, lives in NW London. I read this and other errors frequently. They persist, like warts!
"Sorry you didn't like the film, I've yet to see it. Nick Newton." Good man!
Two years ago, a mystery "heavy breather" called Pandora to complain about that day's column. It emerged, on teatime telly, that the aggrieved reader was none other than the subject of that article, David Schwimmer.
I worried, then, about criticising the Friends actor's new film, Run Fat Boy Run. Would my Batphone tinkle in the night, Schwimmer announcing a writ?
It turns out, instead, to be the father of the flick's lead actress, Thandie Newton. "Dear Pandora," writes Nick Newton. "Thandie is not Zambian, she is British. I, her father, am British, her mother, my wife, though born in Rhodesia, is also British. Following Thandie's birth at Charing Cross Hospital, we spent three years in Zambia, after which we returned to Cornwall, where we still live. Thandie, of course, now married and with children, lives in NW London. I read this and other errors frequently. They persist, like warts!
"Sorry you didn't like the film, I've yet to see it. Nick Newton." Good man!
Thandie talks about Run Fat Boy Run
http://www.mtv.co.uk/overdrive/mtv_one/id/60921/mtv_news__run_fatboy_run_stars
Thandie mentioned is a blog at GMTV
Love Life
A blog about identity and difference: the path to discover who I am, understand my addictions and the madness of the years Out There. A blog with a good heart that will seek to educate, inform and entertain (a bit like the BBC but not so straight).
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A Pound of Flesh
TV is a funny old game.
Although I worked in it for 7 years, I'd forgotten just how surreal it can be.
Being picked up by a limo; at 5am.
The feeling of fear and nausea-inducing nervousness that builds in anticipation.
Arriving at the studio and meeting an ecletic range of people: Thandie Newton-> a couple talking about problems getting pregnant.
Being a very small cog in a large machine that is creating this strange varied menu, that is breakfast TV, day-in-day-out.
The Green room at GMTV has to be one of the weirdest gathering places of humanity on earth.
It is overseen by a lady in enormous red heels: who looks like she has seen it all (she has); and won't tolerate any nonsense.
If I hadn't worked in TV and encountered this kind of strange scene many times at The Big Breakfast, I think I may have done a runner straight back to Surrey; and my relatively "normal" life.
The first challenge was What To Wear.
I had two options- ironed, on hangers- and consulted the lady in the heels about what would look best on the set.
I put on option a) a long-sleeved shirt: only to discover that my recent enforced bed-rest has put on a few pounds and this favourite Hawes & Curtis shirt is now in danger of popping open- and revealing extra-ample cleavage, live of TV.
Not something I was prepared to risk; look at the problems such an event created for Janet Jackson.
Option b) a short-sleeved white and pink Gant top felt much more relaxed (and safer). A little less formal than usual but as this is GMTV- that may be a good thing?
The next hurdle- hair and make-up.
Simon, a lovely man, did great make-up but when he straightened my hair he asked do I want to "curl out" or "under".
I'm new to hair H straightening- H has got me on to it: so I didn't really know the correct answer. I guessed at "out". Wrong answer.
When I put my glasses back on it turned out that my hair was really flickey- like Madonna in the Hung-Up Video.
It was only 3 or 4 minutes until my first appearance- so I had to smile and say "lovely" (whilst saying the serenity prayer to myself- "accept the things I cannot change").
I needed to use those last few moments to ask for my intro to be changed from the vague "works for drugs charities" to "works for the drugs charity, In-volve".
This first slot went well. I liked what came out of my mouth (it's like sitting back and watching sometimes- I really don't know what will flow out).
I got a text straight after, from H, saying "call me" and knew immediately that the hair needed some adjustment!
The second slot was an hour later- plenty of time to build-up extra nerves (and tiredness).
And to "curl hair under".
Thandie Newton was the guest before us- me and Paul Stokes from the NME- so we had to wait just off camera for her to say her goodbyes and then hot-seat it with her.
Thandie is so beautiful and charming.
But SO thin.
She is the epitome of what women are told by fashion to strive for but in the flesh (lack of it) I felt slightly sick looking at her.
The camera does add 7 pounds (at least)- as I saw to my cost later in the day- but even so, she would look so much better (I think) if she wasn't so tiny.
I'm not judging her.
In fact I felt great empathy for all people working on-camera today.
When I watched back GMTV and Channel 4 a couple of shots really affected me.
It's difficult enough looking at yourself- in private snaps- but when you look even fatter than reality and millions of people are seeing you- it does start up the "lose weight- fast! voice".
If your career depends on how you look and you are being constantly judged by producers, I can totally understand why these actresses are tempted to stay dangerously underweight.
I had my own difficult discussion with the producer today- to try and get Frank's website details on screen.
GMTV have their own website that they trail- which has a link to Frank on it.
After a very good debate about addiction issues: we reached a compromise and she put a question into the script about young people and the impact of the bombardment of pictures of Amy and other famous addicts.
This gave me an opening to crow-bar in a Frank reference- with an encouragement for parents to access the site too- to get the facts to talk to their children
Job well done.
Glad TV's not my day-job anymore.
Posted by SarahOneDayAtaTime at 4:59 AM
http://sarahonedayatatime.blogspot.com/2007/09/pound-of-flesh.html
A blog about identity and difference: the path to discover who I am, understand my addictions and the madness of the years Out There. A blog with a good heart that will seek to educate, inform and entertain (a bit like the BBC but not so straight).
Thursday, September 6, 2007
A Pound of Flesh
TV is a funny old game.
Although I worked in it for 7 years, I'd forgotten just how surreal it can be.
Being picked up by a limo; at 5am.
The feeling of fear and nausea-inducing nervousness that builds in anticipation.
Arriving at the studio and meeting an ecletic range of people: Thandie Newton-> a couple talking about problems getting pregnant.
Being a very small cog in a large machine that is creating this strange varied menu, that is breakfast TV, day-in-day-out.
The Green room at GMTV has to be one of the weirdest gathering places of humanity on earth.
It is overseen by a lady in enormous red heels: who looks like she has seen it all (she has); and won't tolerate any nonsense.
If I hadn't worked in TV and encountered this kind of strange scene many times at The Big Breakfast, I think I may have done a runner straight back to Surrey; and my relatively "normal" life.
The first challenge was What To Wear.
I had two options- ironed, on hangers- and consulted the lady in the heels about what would look best on the set.
I put on option a) a long-sleeved shirt: only to discover that my recent enforced bed-rest has put on a few pounds and this favourite Hawes & Curtis shirt is now in danger of popping open- and revealing extra-ample cleavage, live of TV.
Not something I was prepared to risk; look at the problems such an event created for Janet Jackson.
Option b) a short-sleeved white and pink Gant top felt much more relaxed (and safer). A little less formal than usual but as this is GMTV- that may be a good thing?
The next hurdle- hair and make-up.
Simon, a lovely man, did great make-up but when he straightened my hair he asked do I want to "curl out" or "under".
I'm new to hair H straightening- H has got me on to it: so I didn't really know the correct answer. I guessed at "out". Wrong answer.
When I put my glasses back on it turned out that my hair was really flickey- like Madonna in the Hung-Up Video.
It was only 3 or 4 minutes until my first appearance- so I had to smile and say "lovely" (whilst saying the serenity prayer to myself- "accept the things I cannot change").
I needed to use those last few moments to ask for my intro to be changed from the vague "works for drugs charities" to "works for the drugs charity, In-volve".
This first slot went well. I liked what came out of my mouth (it's like sitting back and watching sometimes- I really don't know what will flow out).
I got a text straight after, from H, saying "call me" and knew immediately that the hair needed some adjustment!
The second slot was an hour later- plenty of time to build-up extra nerves (and tiredness).
And to "curl hair under".
Thandie Newton was the guest before us- me and Paul Stokes from the NME- so we had to wait just off camera for her to say her goodbyes and then hot-seat it with her.
Thandie is so beautiful and charming.
But SO thin.
She is the epitome of what women are told by fashion to strive for but in the flesh (lack of it) I felt slightly sick looking at her.
The camera does add 7 pounds (at least)- as I saw to my cost later in the day- but even so, she would look so much better (I think) if she wasn't so tiny.
I'm not judging her.
In fact I felt great empathy for all people working on-camera today.
When I watched back GMTV and Channel 4 a couple of shots really affected me.
It's difficult enough looking at yourself- in private snaps- but when you look even fatter than reality and millions of people are seeing you- it does start up the "lose weight- fast! voice".
If your career depends on how you look and you are being constantly judged by producers, I can totally understand why these actresses are tempted to stay dangerously underweight.
I had my own difficult discussion with the producer today- to try and get Frank's website details on screen.
GMTV have their own website that they trail- which has a link to Frank on it.
After a very good debate about addiction issues: we reached a compromise and she put a question into the script about young people and the impact of the bombardment of pictures of Amy and other famous addicts.
This gave me an opening to crow-bar in a Frank reference- with an encouragement for parents to access the site too- to get the facts to talk to their children
Job well done.
Glad TV's not my day-job anymore.
Posted by SarahOneDayAtaTime at 4:59 AM
http://sarahonedayatatime.blogspot.com/2007/09/pound-of-flesh.html
Heard the one about Thandie, the Marmite and the Y-fronts?
Emine Saner
Thursday September 6, 2007
The Guardian
It turns out that Thandie Newton has more in common with Jeremy Beadle than you might at first suspect. While promoting her new film Run Fatboy Run this week, she revealed how she played a series of practical jokes on its star, Simon Pegg. "I put Cellophane over the loo," she reveals. Amateur! But she continues: "I got a king-sized Mars bar, squished it into a turd shape, left it in the loo in his trailer, and then got a pair of Y-fronts and rubbed Marmite skid marks and left that on the floor, so it looked like he'd done his business and left." Hilarious. Newton is 34.
Would it have been less surprising if the scatological prank had been performed by Pegg rather than the demure, poised Newton? There is no reason why women should not partake in practical jokes, but it is just as unfunny when they do. And it is usually men - from Candid Camera's 1940s star Allen Funt to Ashton Kutcher via Noel Edmonds, Beadle and other TV sociopaths. Let's not forget Rio Ferdinand's World Cup Wind-Ups, in which the footballer filmed "jokes" on Wayne Rooney (believing he'd killed a dog - priceless!) and David Beckham (a kidnap attempt - my sides!).
Thursday September 6, 2007
The Guardian
It turns out that Thandie Newton has more in common with Jeremy Beadle than you might at first suspect. While promoting her new film Run Fatboy Run this week, she revealed how she played a series of practical jokes on its star, Simon Pegg. "I put Cellophane over the loo," she reveals. Amateur! But she continues: "I got a king-sized Mars bar, squished it into a turd shape, left it in the loo in his trailer, and then got a pair of Y-fronts and rubbed Marmite skid marks and left that on the floor, so it looked like he'd done his business and left." Hilarious. Newton is 34.
Would it have been less surprising if the scatological prank had been performed by Pegg rather than the demure, poised Newton? There is no reason why women should not partake in practical jokes, but it is just as unfunny when they do. And it is usually men - from Candid Camera's 1940s star Allen Funt to Ashton Kutcher via Noel Edmonds, Beadle and other TV sociopaths. Let's not forget Rio Ferdinand's World Cup Wind-Ups, in which the footballer filmed "jokes" on Wayne Rooney (believing he'd killed a dog - priceless!) and David Beckham (a kidnap attempt - my sides!).
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Premiere of Run Fat Boy Run and interview
Thandie is a 'prankster queen'
Monday, September 3, 2007
Actress Thandie Newton has told how her co-stars had fallen foul of her practical jokes on the set of new film, Run Fat Boy Run.
The actress, dubbed "the queen of practical jokes" by actor-turned-director David Schwimmer, said the main target of her tricks had been comic actor Simon Pegg, who stars alongside her in the film.
Newton revealed how she had filled all Pegg's water bottles with vodka at the media event set up to promote the film.
She also covered the toilet with cellophane, she said.
"He is so extremely easy to do these things to. Today at the press junket, I brought in two litres of vodka and replaced his water with it.
"I got him, what a sap," she said.
Newton was speaking at the world premiere of the film at the Odeon West End in London's Leicester Square.
It is the first feature-length film directed by Schwimmer, best known as Ross in hit US sitcom Friends.
In the film, Newton plays Libby, a pregnant woman who is jilted at the altar by Dennis, played by Pegg.
Five years after the aborted wedding, Dennis regrets his decision, especially when he discovers Libby has got together with rich, handsome go-getter, Whit.
In a desperate bid to win her back, he enters a marathon to show he is more than a quitter and that the new man in her life is wrong for her.
The diminutive star, who turned up in an eye-catching black and white dress, said she had put on a stone for the role by not exercising and eating puddings.
"I didn't go crazy. It wasn't required, but they just wanted me to stop exercising. That was easy," she joked.
"And then I turned up having done that and Simon had prosthetic tits and a and I thought: 'That's not fair, I could have done that'."
Pegg, who also stars in Shaun of the Dead, said he had never run a marathon and his way to a woman's heart was by buying her bags and shoes.
"That does it most times. If you get into trouble, buy a nice little bag," he said
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Run Fat Boy Run Poster
http://www.cinematical.comwww.cinematical.com/2007/08/30/exclusive-poster-for-run-fatboy-run
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Mandela urges Britain's black leaders to help empower community
Mandela urges Britain's black leaders to help empower community
· Move aims to focus on unsung high flyers
· Success stories to provide role models for young
Hugh Muir Tuesday August 28, 2007
The Guardian
The following correction was made on Tuesday August 28 2007
There were inaccuracies in our report below about Nelson Mandela's statement to the Mayor of London's Black Leaders' Dinner. We said the former South African president would speak at the event when his appearance had not been confirmed. Also we said a new statue of Mr Mandela was due to be unveiled today when in fact that event, which he will attend, occurs tomorrow.
Nelson Mandela will tonight warn Britain's black leaders they must play a key role in efforts to tackle conflict and under-achievement in the inner cities.
The former South African president will tell an audience of high achievers that they must beware of cutting themselves off from the less fortunate and show that they are bringing their expertise to bear.
The strong message is being delivered against the backdrop of this month's government-backed Reach report into gangs and inner-city deprivation which said black teenagers need a new generation of role models, aside from the usual group of musicians and sports stars. It called for more mentoring and outreach work.
Mr Mandela's message will be heard by a large group of black businessmen and women, celebrities, politicians, journalists and financiers who will meet for the mayor of London's inaugural Black Leaders Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair.
Organisers say part of the rationale for the event is to show that there are many unsung black success stories throughout a wide range of professions but that they are rarely focused on by the media.
The guest list ranges from Stanley Musesengwa, the chief operating officer of Tate & Lyle, to figures such as Naomi Campbell, Thandie Newton, Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor, Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis Hamilton, the former sports star and TV presenter Ian Wright and England footballer Sol Campbell.
Most of those invited feature in a list of the 50 most powerful black men and women in the UK compiled by the New Nation newspaper; rankings topped by Damon Buffini, the boss of private equity firm Permira, and Baroness Scotland, the attorney general.
Mr Mandela is in Britain for the unveiling of his statue in Parliament Square and the dinner is being held in his honour.
The message, which is signed and will be handed to each attendee, reads: "It is important for you as leaders to harness those responsibilities and ensure that you also empower those around you who scale the mountains with you."
A source close to the event said: "What the event shows is that people are making great strides in all kinds of fields. These are the great black role models that everyone has been calling for. There are many people doing things that all young men and women could aspire to and we have hundreds of those role models together in one room. It is a great achievement."
The event is taking place amid growing concern about the alienation of youths in the inner cities and fears that many drift into gangs merely because they see no more attractive future for themselves.
There is continuing discussion within black communities about the extent to which they should expect help from the authorities and the degree to which they are able, or should be able, to help themselves.
Last week, the Rev Jesse Jackson launched Equanomics, an attempt to address inequalities by focusing on the economic situation of black communities.
The intervention of Mr Mandela may be timely as his stock is even higher among black professionals than the wider community. Tomorrow's unveiling marks the end of a long battle to recognise his achievements. The sculpture, the work of the late Ian Walters, was earmarked for Trafalgar Square but Westminster city council said it was inappropriate in that setting and the matter went before a planning inquiry which found in the authority's favour. Parliament Square has since been accepted by Westminster and the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, as a good compromise.
· Move aims to focus on unsung high flyers
· Success stories to provide role models for young
Hugh Muir Tuesday August 28, 2007
The Guardian
The following correction was made on Tuesday August 28 2007
There were inaccuracies in our report below about Nelson Mandela's statement to the Mayor of London's Black Leaders' Dinner. We said the former South African president would speak at the event when his appearance had not been confirmed. Also we said a new statue of Mr Mandela was due to be unveiled today when in fact that event, which he will attend, occurs tomorrow.
Nelson Mandela will tonight warn Britain's black leaders they must play a key role in efforts to tackle conflict and under-achievement in the inner cities.
The former South African president will tell an audience of high achievers that they must beware of cutting themselves off from the less fortunate and show that they are bringing their expertise to bear.
The strong message is being delivered against the backdrop of this month's government-backed Reach report into gangs and inner-city deprivation which said black teenagers need a new generation of role models, aside from the usual group of musicians and sports stars. It called for more mentoring and outreach work.
Mr Mandela's message will be heard by a large group of black businessmen and women, celebrities, politicians, journalists and financiers who will meet for the mayor of London's inaugural Black Leaders Dinner at the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair.
Organisers say part of the rationale for the event is to show that there are many unsung black success stories throughout a wide range of professions but that they are rarely focused on by the media.
The guest list ranges from Stanley Musesengwa, the chief operating officer of Tate & Lyle, to figures such as Naomi Campbell, Thandie Newton, Richard Taylor, father of Damilola Taylor, Anthony Hamilton, father of Lewis Hamilton, the former sports star and TV presenter Ian Wright and England footballer Sol Campbell.
Most of those invited feature in a list of the 50 most powerful black men and women in the UK compiled by the New Nation newspaper; rankings topped by Damon Buffini, the boss of private equity firm Permira, and Baroness Scotland, the attorney general.
Mr Mandela is in Britain for the unveiling of his statue in Parliament Square and the dinner is being held in his honour.
The message, which is signed and will be handed to each attendee, reads: "It is important for you as leaders to harness those responsibilities and ensure that you also empower those around you who scale the mountains with you."
A source close to the event said: "What the event shows is that people are making great strides in all kinds of fields. These are the great black role models that everyone has been calling for. There are many people doing things that all young men and women could aspire to and we have hundreds of those role models together in one room. It is a great achievement."
The event is taking place amid growing concern about the alienation of youths in the inner cities and fears that many drift into gangs merely because they see no more attractive future for themselves.
There is continuing discussion within black communities about the extent to which they should expect help from the authorities and the degree to which they are able, or should be able, to help themselves.
Last week, the Rev Jesse Jackson launched Equanomics, an attempt to address inequalities by focusing on the economic situation of black communities.
The intervention of Mr Mandela may be timely as his stock is even higher among black professionals than the wider community. Tomorrow's unveiling marks the end of a long battle to recognise his achievements. The sculpture, the work of the late Ian Walters, was earmarked for Trafalgar Square but Westminster city council said it was inappropriate in that setting and the matter went before a planning inquiry which found in the authority's favour. Parliament Square has since been accepted by Westminster and the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, as a good compromise.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Hopeless Romantic Thandie's next film
Parachute has attached Marc Samuelson (STORMBREAKER, WILDE, ARLINGTON ROAD) as Executive Producer on its romantic comedy, HOPELESS ROMANTIC, by Ben Miller and Sophie Winkleman.
Marc is one of the industry's most experienced producers and has recently finished work on STORMBREAKER starring Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Mickey Rourke and Alicia Silverstone – based on the first of the best-selling series of Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz. STORMBREAKER was the largest independently produced UK film of 2006 and took over £6 million at the UK box office.
Ben Miller (SAXONDALE, STARRY NIGHT) is attached to direct HOPELESS ROMANTIC. Thandie Newton (CRASH, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS) is to play PATIENCE, the female lead role. Filming set for Autumn 2007. Gail Stevens is casting.
http://www.parachute-uk.com/news/news.html
Marc is one of the industry's most experienced producers and has recently finished work on STORMBREAKER starring Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Mickey Rourke and Alicia Silverstone – based on the first of the best-selling series of Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz. STORMBREAKER was the largest independently produced UK film of 2006 and took over £6 million at the UK box office.
Ben Miller (SAXONDALE, STARRY NIGHT) is attached to direct HOPELESS ROMANTIC. Thandie Newton (CRASH, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS) is to play PATIENCE, the female lead role. Filming set for Autumn 2007. Gail Stevens is casting.
http://www.parachute-uk.com/news/news.html
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Times 25th August
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August 25, 2007
Thandie lightens up
British star Thandie Newton has negotiated personal trauma, a Cambridge degree and motherhood to become an A-list Hollywood star by stealth. And now, with a new direction in comedy, she’s looking on the bright side
Martyn Palmer
Thandie Newton can do intense (Beloved), troubled (Crash) and downright tragic (The Pursuit of Happyness) with a commitment that makes Hollywood beg for more, please. “God, yeah, I’m good at playing the emotionally strangled person,” she says. “The woman who is in the worst place in her life. That’s me!” Off camera, she’s far from emotionally strangled – she laughs easily and chats happily about anything you care to mention, with the savvy of an actress who has not only survived but thrived at the top of her industry for a long time. For while we’re used to the fuss being made about Kate Winslet and Keira Knightley, Thandie Newton has been quietly carving out an international reputation for herself with big-budget Hollywood movies and Oscar-contender roles. Remarkably, she’s well into her second decade of making movies and she’s only 34.
But Newton is drawn to exploring darker characters, pointing out that, even though her life is happy now, this wasn’t always the case. In her early twenties she emerged from a relationship with an older man feeling guilty, so she went into therapy to get herself “sorted”. Today she is “fascinated by the darker sides of people. I feel such sympathy. I can’t stand serial killer movies, seeing all these one-dimensional baddies. Life is about shades…”
Her best performances have come from examining such territory: a good example is the Oscar-winning Crash, which deftly dissected racism in Los Angeles. Newton was brilliant as a woman sexually assaulted by a white cop, who later saves her life.
“I so love that film,” she says. “I waited 18 months for the role and it was worth it.” Newton’s performance was arguably the most memorable of a stellar ensemble cast and rightly won her a Bafta for Best Supporting Actress.
She followed Crash with another tough role in The Pursuit of Happyness, playing a young mother at the end of her tether who walks out on her husband (Will Smith) and their son when he loses his job and they face economic ruin. It’s a measure of Newton’s clout and her personality – she’s certainly no pushover – that, although she wanted to work with Smith, she argued for a radical script change in the way her character was portrayed and won the day.
“The Pursuit of Happyness was miserable. I could barely get to grips with the idea of it. But I realised that if a woman wants to do that, she’s at the end. If you leave your kids, you want to die. That’s the only way I could think of it and that’s the way I played it. I hope that came across. You should have seen the script when I first got it. I thought, ‘Shit, I’ve got to do this. I can’t let someone else portray this character as a one-dimensional bitch.’ That would be another strike against women. To give them credit, the director and Will knew that.”
It’s hardly surprising that she decided to follow these two films by turning to some lighter fare. There was the Eddie Murphy star vehicle Norbit, which was critically mauled. Next, she stars alongside British comedy’s man of the moment, Simon Pegg, in Run, Fat Boy, Run, directed by David (Ross from Friends) Schwimmer.
“It was like, ‘Oh yeah, please, I want to play a girl who has it sorted.’ I realised that I wasn’t making films that reflected my joy and my optimism. Simon made me laugh and I needed a laugh.”
Newton is delighted with the film. “I thought it would be entertaining and Simon is hilarious. But it’s more than that; it has depth and a heart. That was David’s big thing. He kept saying, ‘Look, we can do a comedy but can we do a drama with a real story and real people that is also funny?’ It’s very funny and very poignant.”
Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) plays Dennis, a commitment-phobe who jilted his pregnant girlfriend (Newton) on their wedding day. Five years later, as she is about to marry her American boyfriend (Hank Azaria), he wakes up to the fact that he is about to lose her – and his son – for ever. “It’s about him growing up,” she says. “But for my character, when you are eight months pregnant, compassion for that kind of behaviour goes out of the window. It’s like, ‘Step up to the plate or sod off then…’”
We meet in the Electric, a private cinema on Portobello Road, near her home in West London. She’s small-boned and delicate; in the past there was speculation that she was unhealthily thin. It’s not the case, she says; she’s always been tiny – although she did once admit to struggling with bulimia in her early twenties. Born in Zambia, to a Zimbabwean district nurse, Nyasha, and a white English lab technician turned artist, Nick Newton, Thandie and her younger brother Jamie, a TV producer, grew up in Penzance, the only black children in the area.
“I don’t remember racism. Just cruelty, the usual kids’ stuff, you know ‘big ears’ or ‘big nose’,” she says. “But my mum and I have talked about this and my parents kept us safe from a lot of crap. I knew that, as a girl, none of the boys wanted to go out with me, it was too extreme.” Mostly, she has happy memories of her early childhood and is close to her parents and her brother. Now she has a family of her own – she is married to the British director Ol Parker and they have two daughters, Ripley and Nico. She delights in taking them down to Cornwall. “Ripley loves it there. It’s where I grew up and it wasn’t that I became jaded by it but, you know, you want to move on from where you grew up. Because she’s a Londoner, Ripley has a much stronger appreciation of it, and I love seeing it all through her eyes.”
A talented dancer, at 11 Newton won a scholarship to the Arts Educational School, an all-girl boarding school on the outskirts of London. Although she loved the fact that she could dance every day, the downside was being separated from her parents. At 16, she had already picked up a succession of dance-related injuries that prevented her from dancing for three months. Post-GCSEs, she was facing a long summer of boredom when one of the teachers suggested she audition for a film that was holding open casting sessions in London.
“It was totally out of the blue,” she recalls. “I’d never acted before and was convinced I couldn’t do it. But the head of drama said: ‘Come on, Thandie, they are paying for us both to go on the train to London, we may as well go. Here’s the script.’ I only read my page, I couldn’t see the point of reading the rest. I went up for the audition in my school uniform and got the part. That was it.”
Weeks later, she was in Australia filming Flirting for director John Duigan, joining Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman, who were both equally unknown at the time. Newton played a schoolgirl who falls for an awkward youngster (played by Noah Taylor) from the nearby boys’ school. The film literally changed her life: “I was 16, for Christ’s sake; it was everything, a huge watershed: being in Australia, working on a film. My dad came for a month and after that I think he was bored and needed to get back to the UK and I was on my own after that. He thought I was fine. Little did he know.”
For not only did Flirting introduce Newton to acting and lead to the professional life she has now, she and Duigan – 23 years her senior – began an affair that would dominate her life for the next five years. She now feels that the relationship was unhealthy for her. “It has no bearing on who I am now but it did for a very long time. It’s pre-history. But once you gain consciousness about something and get perspective – especially an adult perspective – it can be shocking. I was angry with myself. And there are young people who get into this business and they need to be protected. It seems fun, but it attracts unconventional people who pride themselves on being unconventional, because that’s sometimes an asset to being an artist, right? But sometimes conventions are there for a reason and they are conventions because they work, because they are more healthy.”
Her parents were mostly unaware of the affair. “They didn’t know about it for years,” she says. “There were a few foggy years, where I was sort of conducting my life based around the shame I felt. There was a lack of self-worth and it took me many steps backwards. But I was fortunate that I could get therapy and that helped me to deal with what had happened.”
I ask her if she ever felt the need to confront Duigan. “Oh, no. Well, I spoke to him on the phone. He tracked me down because he said that he didn’t like the way I was talking about him in the press. And then Ol had a word with him,” she says, raising her eyebrows.
“But I don’t condemn. I feel so much compassion for people who harm other people because they are harming themselves through other people. I’m well adjusted, and I’m in touch with the whole spectrum of how complicated people are. To go around being afraid of certain people, and saying, ‘That person is bad,’ just closes you down further and further until you only exist in a little box.”
Remarkably, through all of this, Newton managed to finish her schooling, read anthropology at Cambridge and make films. “I didn’t want to do English or drama, because I already had my snout in the door with that,” she says. “I wanted to do something that fascinated me and anthropology did that. Cambridge was amazing. But I never really got into the social side of it. I was making films – Jefferson in Paris, Interview with the Vampire, The Journey of August King. I remember studying for my finals at the Cannes Film Festival. I probably ended up working as hard, if not harder, than the others. And I got a 2.1, which I was pretty pleased with.”
Newton has always been admired in Hollywood. She has worked with some of the biggest male stars, including Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Will Smith, and combined roles on blockbusters such as Mission: Impossible II and The Chronicles of Riddick with edgier films such as Crash and Beloved (in which she played the ghost of a slave).
“I don’t put the pressure on myself to be a very successful movie star,” she says. “I want to enjoy being an actor and I want to be challenged by the roles I take. What is lovely is that I’ll get sent a small movie, and you know that by virtue of me being involved they get their money and that's fantastic.”
Earlier in the summer, she finished filming Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, playing a crooked accountant. “It was great fun,” she says. “And we were filming in London, so I was at home every night.” Newton met Parker a decade ago on the set of the BBC film In Your Dreams, which he wrote, and they have been married for eight years. Giving birth to Ripley changed her profoundly, she says, and helped her erase some painful memories.
“Having children is life-changing, to state the obvious. It’s a gigantic shift in your life and I welcomed it. Not to put too fine a point on it, there’s something about the shame that goes with sexual exploitation, deviance, whatever. As a woman, having a baby psychologically erases it all from your body. And that, for me, was incredibly important.” She shows me a picture of two girls. “Aren’t they beautiful? They’re my life, they really are.”
So that angst on screen doesn’t equate with the contentment she feels at home. “But that’s all right,” she says. “It’s called acting, isn’t it?”
Run, Fat Boy, Run is released on September 7
Friday, August 17, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
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Saturday, August 11, 2007
If you are near then its off to Film Society of Lincoln Center
Schedule for Thursday, September 20
7:30PM Run, Fatboy, Run
Series: Young Friends of Film [2007]
Director: David Schwimmer, Country: United Kingdom, Release: 2007, Runtime: 95
Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) stars in this quirky London comedy about lost love, written by comedian Michael Ian Black and directed by Friends star David Schwimmer in his feature directorial debut. Five years ago Dennis (Pegg) was at the altar about to marry Libby (Thandie Newton), his pregnant fiancée. He got cold feet and ran for the hills, and he’s been going in circles ever since. When Dennis discovers Libby’s hooked up with high-flying go-getter Whit (Hank Azaria), he realizes it’s now or never. He enters a marathon to show he’s more than a quitter but then finds out just how much sweat, strain and tears it takes to run for 26 miles. Nobody gives him a chance, but Dennis knows this is his only hope to be more than a running joke.
A Q&A with Pegg, Newton and Schwimmer will follow the screening. Join us afterward in the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery for a reception with hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.
7:30PM Run, Fatboy, Run
Series: Young Friends of Film [2007]
Director: David Schwimmer, Country: United Kingdom, Release: 2007, Runtime: 95
Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) stars in this quirky London comedy about lost love, written by comedian Michael Ian Black and directed by Friends star David Schwimmer in his feature directorial debut. Five years ago Dennis (Pegg) was at the altar about to marry Libby (Thandie Newton), his pregnant fiancée. He got cold feet and ran for the hills, and he’s been going in circles ever since. When Dennis discovers Libby’s hooked up with high-flying go-getter Whit (Hank Azaria), he realizes it’s now or never. He enters a marathon to show he’s more than a quitter but then finds out just how much sweat, strain and tears it takes to run for 26 miles. Nobody gives him a chance, but Dennis knows this is his only hope to be more than a running joke.
A Q&A with Pegg, Newton and Schwimmer will follow the screening. Join us afterward in the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery for a reception with hors d’oeuvres and an open bar.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Rocknrolla on set
if you go to this link you can see more...
http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/07/guy_ritchie_my_life_with_madon.php
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
From Independent 1st August
Thandie Newton's pert buttocks are currently perched on the cusp of Hollywood "A-list" status, so let's hope her indiscreet ramblings don't jeopardise things for the likeable British star.
Newton appears in this month's Easy Living magazine, in which she spends a large chunk of the interview discussing the time she broke wind while staying with her former co-star Tom Cruise.
Recounting the premiere of her most recent film, The Pursuit of Happyness, she says: "[I said to Tom] 'Do you remember the time we came to Colorado, and we were watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I had the worst wind ever. It was stinking. You must remember. Everyone goes silent and then J-Lo says: 'Oh my God' and moves away."
Newton recently told me she'd been filming with British actor Simon Pegg. I do hope he was as accommodating as the Cruisester.
http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article2823070.ece
Newton appears in this month's Easy Living magazine, in which she spends a large chunk of the interview discussing the time she broke wind while staying with her former co-star Tom Cruise.
Recounting the premiere of her most recent film, The Pursuit of Happyness, she says: "[I said to Tom] 'Do you remember the time we came to Colorado, and we were watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail? I had the worst wind ever. It was stinking. You must remember. Everyone goes silent and then J-Lo says: 'Oh my God' and moves away."
Newton recently told me she'd been filming with British actor Simon Pegg. I do hope he was as accommodating as the Cruisester.
http://news.independent.co.uk/people/pandora/article2823070.ece
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