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Disney announces first film production in China
Xinhua

Beijing, Dec 14 (Xinhua) The Walt Disney Co. Wednesday announced its first film production in China, adding to its efforts to break into the country's booming entertainment market. 

The Chinese-language film "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" began shooting in October in the eastern city of Hangzhou and is due to be released next year, Disney said. 

The film is based on a popular children's book by the late Chinese novelist Zhang Tianyi.

Disney's partners are state-owned China Film Group Corp. and Hong Kong's Centro Digital Pictures, Ltd., a special effects house best known for its work on director Quentin Tarantino's film "Kill Bill". 

Centro also worked on Chinese director Chen Kaige's newly released "The Promise". 

Disney has opened Disney-brand stores in several Chinese cities and is reportedly in talks on setting up a Shanghai theme park and a television channel. But its film offerings to audiences have been mostly imported US productions. 

"It's a perfect time for Disney to bring its wholesome family entertainment expertise to this rapidly growing market as part of The Walt Disney Co.'s focus on expanding our presence in China," Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said in a statement. 

The company didn't release the film's budget. 

Foreign film and television distributors are eager to expand in China, but face regulatory obstacles. 

China's state-owned film distributor frequently releases foreign titles at awkward times and limits the length of time they are shown in order to minimise competition with China's own film industry. 

Chinese studios have tried without success to create franchise characters that can match the success of Mickey Mouse and other Disney icons with Chinese children. 

China Film Group is the government's main film production and distribution company with interests in studios, a movie channel and DVD sales. 

Indo-Asian News Service

 
Christensen has rude encounter with fan
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 14 (IANS) "Star Wars" actor Hayden Christensen had an encounter with a rude fan that ended with the star chasing him down the street.

According to pagesix.com, Christensen who is currently shooting "Awake" with actress Jessica Alba, was leaving his trailer to do a scene when he was approached by the fan. But instead of asking for a autograph, the fan yelled, "You ruined the 'Star Wars' movies!" 

Onlookers said they Christensen later "chased the guy down the street and scared him away".

Crowe spills the beans on Kidman, Urban relationship
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 14 (IANS) Oscar winning actor Russell Crowe has revealed that Nicole Kidman is in love with singer Keith Urban.

According to Internet Movie Database, Kidman and Urban got engaged over the Thanksgiving weekend in Nashville where they celebrated the holiday with both their parents. 

He said: "I've spoken to Nicole a couple of times recently and it was clear she's enjoying great happiness right now. Hanging out with Keith is giving her a lot of joy and I'm happy for her."

But Crowe also expressed concern about the media attention that could bring this relationship to a premature end. 

He added: "A relationship under that microscope doesn't get the chance to evolve. It happened to me some years back. My summer was ruined as we were never left alone." 

Crowe experienced this with actress Meg Ryan in 2000.


Moss voted style icon of 2005
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 14 (IANS) Kate Moss has been voted the style icon of 2005 by Grazia magazine.

According to ananova.com, she won 34 percent of the vote that proved she is at the cutting edge of fashion. She beats the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller and Gwen Stefani. 

Despite the drug scandal that surrounded her career this year, she has managed to inspire people to copy her looks - imitation military jackets, skinny jeans and ballet pumps. 

The best dressed list is: 

1. Kate Moss
2. Scarlett Johansson
3. Sienna Miller
4. Gwen Stefani
5. Nicole Kidman
6. Angelina Jolie
7. Kirsten Dunst 
8. Jennifer Aniston
9. Keira Knightley
10. Victoria Beckham

Jude and Cameron to star in 'Holiday'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 14 (IANS) Actor Jude Law will play the lead opposite Cameron Diaz in a new romantic comedy titled "Holiday".

According to ananova.com, writer-director Nancy Meyers will start filming the movie for Columbia Pictures early next year. Law will star as Diaz's love interest. 

Diaz plays a woman on the rebound who begins a friendship with Kate Winslett, who has also just been dumped. 

Jack Black will also star in the film, which will be shot in London and Los Angeles.


Blunt says he is a tough guy
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 14 (IANS) British singer-songwriter James Blunt has dismissed as inaccurate his persona as a sensitive and emotional person.

According to contactmusic.com, he insists that he is tougher than people think. He had served time in the British army in Kosovo and says the war experience has made him a tough man.

He says: "I may be able to write emotional songs in the privacy of my own environment, but I'm not going to start crying out of the blue. Just because I had a guitar with me in Kosovo doesn't mean I'm overly sensitive. 

"In fact, most people would say I'm not very sensitive."

Williams seeks recognition as songwriter
Indo-Asian News Service

London, Dec 14 (IANS) Singer Robbie Williams wants more recognition for his abilities as a lyricist as he is convinced that most people assume he sings songs which are written for him.

According to contactmusic.com, he is appealing for fans to take him more seriously. 

He says: "I think it's a shame that no one knows I write my songs. People think I don't have any interest in music whatsoever. It breaks my heart. 

"I mean, if people don't like my music, I want it to be because they don't like what I wrote. Don't hate it because you think I'm singing someone else's song."

Moss to mock herself in TV ad
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, Dec 14 (IANS) Troubled supermodel Kate Moss will mock her recent drug scandal in a new TV ad for Virgin mobile.

According to Internet Movie Database, she had lost out on a lot of modelling contracts when she was photographed snorting cocaine in a British newspaper. She then spent some time in a US rehabilitation centre and is now working to rebuild her career.

In the ad she takes a rare speaking role, which will air for the first time in Britain on Dec 24. She jokes about her public image in it. 

The British model has reportedly been paid $2.15 million to star in the campaign.

But the rehabilitated supermodel will have to stay in the US for some time because British police have said they will prosecute her for possession of cocaine.

According to pagesix.com, she was caught snorting cocaine with her ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty. 

She is worried that a possible drugs conviction would make it impossible for her to re-enter the US and work there. 

A source said: "Although her plan has always been to return to Britain for Christmas, if work commitments mean she needs to stay in the US, she will."