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Nalin plans biopic on Shaolin legend
By Saibal Chatterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Cannes, May 21 (IANS) Paris-based Indian filmmaker Pan Nalin, whose first feature - the visually lush but thematically complex "Samsara" - had won critical acclaim, is planning a film on Bodhidharma, the legendary Buddhist monk who developed the Shaolin school of martial arts.

The new film "Satori", to be shot almost entirely in Thailand, is the story of the life of Bodhidharma and will seek to explore the relationship between Buddhism and martial arts. 

"Satori", Nalin points out, means somebody who has attained sudden enlightenment.

It will take Nalin's take on religion a step further. "Samsara" was a study of the link between sex and spirituality. The new film will probe the connection between the divine and the violent. 

"Samsara" had opened the Cinefan Film Festival in New Delhi a few years ago to great critical acclaim. The director is likely to be back at the same festival in July with his second film "Valley of Flowers".

"'Valley of Flowers' is nearly complete barring some minor elements," says Nalin, who shot the film in various high altitude locations in northern India, besides Tokyo. 

"It is a love story spanning two centuries. The story begins in 19th century India and ends in present-day Tokyo," he reveals.

Apart from a Japanese actress, the cast of "Valley of Flowers" features Naseeruddin Shah and Milind Soman in key roles. The budget of the film is in the region of a whopping Rs.300 million, thanks to the funding that the writer-director received from a multiplicity of sources. 

"The Indian financial participation in the film is a meagre Rs.60 lakh (Rs.6 million)," he says.

"Valley of Flowers", however, isn't the only reason that has drawn Nalin to the ongoing 59th Cannes Film Festival. "Satori" is also in need of a sizeable injection of production funds. 

"I am here to negotiate with prospective partners," says the filmmaker. 
 
Hollywood children's film shot in Rajasthani backdrop
By Anil Sharma, Indo-Asian News Service

Jaipur, May 21 (IANS) The exotic locations of Rajasthan have attracted yet another Hollywood unit to shoot a children's film in the desert state.

The film, titled "Travels of Shaka Muni", is produced by Mako Kamitsuna under the aegis of Hollywood production house "Buddha Baby Entertainment". 

Actress Rebecca Prince plays protagonist Shaka Muni in the film directed by Natalie Wills. While in India, the unit is being assisted by Exotique Productions, an Indian production house run by V. Jayaraman and Gautam Kurup. 

"Basically, it is a movie for kids. Shaka Muni is an elephant, which loves children and travels across various parts of the world and shares his experiences and stories with them. It also tells them about the culture and people of the other parts of the world," Gautam Kurup told IANS. 

The movie will, in all probability, be released in October in the US. The movie would be shot in various countries like Japan, India, Mexico, Ghana and the US (Los Angeles), said Kurup.

In India the film is being shot in Jaipur, Udaipur and Agra. Having shot in Udaipur, the unit arrived in the Rajasthani capital Friday and have captured several locations including Hawa Mahal, Chokhi Dhani, the ethnic village resort, and various market places in the walled city areas.

After completing a sequence at the well known Amber Fort, apart from other historical monuments, the crew will head for Agra.

Said director Wills: "It was terrific to shoot in Rajasthan. The state has enormous potential and a lot many things to offer to Hollywood. I would certainly like to come here again for my next project."

"Rajasthan, over last few years, has emerged as a much talked about destination among Hollywood big-wigs. Several units are likely to camp here in the next couple of months for their projects," Kurup said.

He added that Exotique Productions had entered into an agreement with Kevin Pike, the special effects supervisor of Jurassic Park, who has worked with many Hollywood production houses. 

"We officially represent him in India and a lot of queries have been coming from there about Rajasthan," said Kurup.
 
Controversial Lordi wins Eurovision title
DPA

Athens, May 21 (DPA) Finland's controversial rock-band Lordi, whose gruesome masks, armour and jets of flame sparked big controversy, won the 51st Eurovision Song Contest in Athens, with Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina coming a close second and third.

Some 38 countries voted for the 24 musical acts late Saturday, which ranged from a German country band to a British rapper to a Latvian group in the finals of the competition.

The Finnish win with 292 points for the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" will go down as one of the most bizarre results in the competition's history. It was Finland's first Eurovision title.

In the 51st Eurovision show, Lordi's win was a radical departure from the catchy pop tunes, folk songs and emotional ballads usually associated with the contest.

Russia's Dima Bilan finished second with the song "Never Let Me Go", and "Har Mata Hari" from Bosnia-Herzegovina won third.

Romania's Mihai Traistariu finished fourth, and Carola from Sweden, the pre-contest favourite of bookmakers and a 1991 winner, came fifth.

Host country Greece's popular artist Anna Vissi could only manage ninth out of 24 countries with her song "Everything".

Malta's Fabriyio Faniello came last with one point.

Other contenders included a German country, Israeli gospel and a Latvian group.

Initially shocking many people in the traditionally Christian orthodox country with their scary masks, which Lordi members refuse to take off in public, even the Greeks ended up giving the outrageous group top points for a total of 292.

Even many Finns had urged the country's president to intervene after Lordi won the domestic competition, for fear of a national humiliation at the European level.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

 
Willis confirms 'Die Hard 4' ready to roll
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 21 (IANS) Action superstar Bruce Willis confirmed that shooting on the fourth "Die Hard" movie will begin soon and it is set to be released next year.

According to contactmusic.com, Willis said: "We are as close as we have ever got to getting 'Die Hard 4' started. It won't be called 'Die Hard 4' but that will be the story. Hopefully it will be out next summer."

The movie's plot had to be rewritten after last year's Hurricane Katrina tragedy - the original script included an oil tanker explosion that sends huge waves flooding into New Orleans.

Williams says he will sing with Take That
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 21 (IANS) Pop star Robbie Williams has agreed to reunite with his former band Take That but only if he loses a bet with talk show host Jonathan Ross.

According to contactmusic.com, during the interview Ross asked Williams if he would join his former band on their current reunion tour. Ross said, "Take That are playing in Manchester next week. If you play tennis with me I will personally drive you to Manchester so you can join Take That." 

Williams agreed saying, "If you beat me at tennis, I'll go and sing 'Could It Be Magic with Take That."

Williams had left the band in 1995 and has refused to take part in the band's current reunion tour, saying that he was too busy to take time out.
 
Romano donates Emmy award to bakery
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 21 (IANS) Ray Romano, star of the hit show "Everybody Loves Raymond", has donated one of his Emmy awards to a baker who used to regularly send him treats while he was a struggling comedian.

According to contactmusic.com, Romano had said that he would never part with the award but soon reconsidered. He gave the trophy to his friend Bobby Mallozzi so he could display it in his bakery window. 

A source says: "Bobby sponsored Ray when he was doing stand-up at local theatres and clubs. When Ray hit the big time in Hollywood, Bobby sent him pastries and other goodies in monthly care packages. He still does and Ray never forgot his kindness. 

Mallozzi adds: "It's a little piece of Hollywood that has made a home in Schenectady (New York)."
 
Cruise doesn't know what he is talking about, says Wallace
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 21 (IANS) Veteran TV newsman Mike Wallace has slammed actor Tom Cruise for his stance against anti-depressants and psychiatry, saying he has no idea what he is talking about.

According to contactmusic.com, Wallace, who has suffered from depression, says Cruise cannot talk credibly about the issue because he has not experienced it. As a devout Scientologist, Cruise doesn't believe in medication or counselling to treat depression.

Wallace said: "Tom simply does not know what he is talking about. Scientology is a different thing and may god bless him! But he doesn't know his tail from third base about depression. Simple as that." 

Wallace recently admitted that he attempted suicide two decades ago and claims he has gone public about his suicide attempt in order to help others. 

He added: "I had never come clean about the suicide business and I thought to myself, 'Yeah, look, I have had 20 extraordinary years since that episode.'"

 
Davis apologises to Lohan
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 21 (IANS) Actress Mischa Barton's ex-boyfriend Brandon Davis has apologised to Lindsay Lohan for slamming her.

According to hollywood.com, Davis was recorded making unsavoury comments about the actress while he was partying with socialite Paris Hilton. During his tirade against Lohan, Davis condemned her personal hygiene, lifestyle and former boyfriends.

Joe Francis, creator of "Girls Gone Wild", claimed he spoke to Davis and who told him that he had called Lohan to apologise. Davis, who is heir to a billion-dollar oil fortune, also ranted about Lohan not having as much money as his family. 

He said: "I think she's worth about seven million. Which means she is really poor. It is disgusting, she lives in a motel."

Cannes festival goes from glitzy escapism to gritty politics
By Siegfried Mortkowitz

Cannes, May 20 (DPA) After opening with the glitzy escapism of "The Da Vinci Code", the 2006 Cannes International Film Festival was plunged headlong into gritty politics with the showing of Ken Loach's "The Wind that shakes the Barley" and Lou Ye's "Summer Palace".

Loach is well known for his very personal and dramatic brand of left-wing social realism, and in his new film, he and his long-time screenwriter Paul Laverty, applied that vision to the Irish rebellion of the 1920s against British rule.

A complex, brilliantly written and directed work, "The Wind that shakes the Barley" dramatises the perverse consequences the political occupation had on the Irish, creating a situation in which a young man is forced to kill a childhood friend and another man must execute his brother.

The situation of ordinary people being trapped in political events is neatly summed up in the film by its main character, Damien, when he declares, "I didn't want to fight this war. But I did. Now I want to get out of it, and I can't."

The 69-year-old Loach was quick to point up resemblances of the Irish situation of that day to the present, and therefore of the pertinence of his film to today's political events.

"There are always armies of occupation in the world being resisted by the people they are occupying. Britain now has an illegal army of occupation causing death and destruction in Iraq."

His films have always been more popular in continental Europe than in his native Britain and the US due to his outspoken criticism of capitalism. "The Wind that shakes the Barley" still has not found a distributor for North America.

However, Loach's problems of distribution pale when compared to those of Lou Ye, whose "Summer Palace" was in danger of not being shown at all because Chinese censors have not approved it.

Lou, however, is ready to change his film in any way to receive approval by the film bureau of the Chinese state administration of radio, film and television.

"I would agree to removing any scene they want," Lou said after a screening of "Summer Palace", the only Asian movie selected this year to compete for the Palme d'Or for best film.

The reason given by the bureau was that the print had lighting and sound flaws, informed Nai An, one of the producers of the film.

However, most observers believe that the censors are objecting to the film's explicit sex scenes and its political background - the student rebellion of June 1989, which culminated in bloody repression by Chinese soldiers in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Although Tiananmen is never mentioned in the movie, certain filmed and documentary scenes in "Summer Palace" point directly at that event, in which several hundred protesters were killed.

In a probable attempt to appease Chinese authorities, Lou tried to play down the political implications of his film, calling it "a love story" and said he set the film in 1989 only "because I was a student at university then and I was in love."

This is not the first time the 40-year-old Shanghai-born director has had problems with the film bureau. He was previously banned from making films for two years for his 2000 movie "Suzhou River", which was produced without official approval.

If "Summer Palace" is rejected by the authorities, he could be blacklisted again and the film would probably be denied legal exhibition in China.

Funny whys and wherefores at Cannes press meet
By Saibal Chaterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Cannes, May 20 (IANS) At the customary press conference involving the Cannes Film Festival jury chief and his panel, one journalist asked why Bollywood wasn't represented either among the jurors or in the official selection. 

Don't we know? The question obviously foxed jury chairman Wong Kar-Wai. He fumbled in an attempt to formulate an answer when the moderator of the press conference stepped in to point out that the composition of the jury hadn't been decided by the Hong Kong filmmaker. 

Another reporter, obviously unaware of the director's global stature, wondered why Kar-Wai had been chosen to preside over the jury. The moderator shot back, more than a little irritated: "Aren't all the great films that Wong Kar-Wai has directed enough to earn him the honour?" 

He then delivered the knockout punch. "Well, he is here because Fellini is dead and Bergman is too old to make the trip to Cannes." 

One thing is for sure, no Cannes Film Festival press meet is ever a completely dull affair.

 
Beautiful jurors

The glamour quotient of the Cannes Film Festival jury is higher this year than it has ever been in recent times. 

Italian actress Monica Bellucci, Chinese star Zhang Ziyi and Britain's Helena-Bonham Carter are all on the jury. So on the opening night and at subsequent events, it was the jury that shone brighter than the camera flashbulbs. 

The festival organisers never fail to get a beauty or two to sit in on the jury. Last year, they had Salma Hayek, the year before it was Aishwarya Rai, but this year they have gone the whole hog and packed the panel with not one, not two, but three of the world's most beautiful women. 

Nobody's obviously complaining. The festival, after all, is as much about glamour and glitz as it is about cinema. When beauty judges the best, the outcome can only be handsome. 

 
Mills relapses after split from McCartney
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Heather Mills, the estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney, has suffered a relapse and is back in a wheelchair after the split from her husband.

According to ananova.com, friends say Mills has not had proper sleep for the past two weeks. A friend says: "She's in a very low place."

Another said: "We're very worried about her. She's at a very low ebb emotionally and physically. She is unable to walk and is in a wheelchair. She is in so much pain."

Mills recently had a revision amputation on her amputated leg. 

McCartney is supposedly very concerned for her and calls her up regularly but has not seen her since the split two weeks ago. Mills is being taken care of by her sister and close friends. 
 
No TV, computer games for Cruise's kids
Indo-Asian News Service

Los Angeles, May 20 (IANS) Superstar Tom Cruise is strict with his two elder children and doesn't allow them to watch TV or play computer games.

According to hollywood.com, the two children, Isabella and Connor, also have to help around the house. They are home-schooled by tutors from the Church of Scientology. 

He says, "The kids have no computer games. And absolutely no television. None. They can listen to music and read just about any book they want, and they can choose the movies they want to see on the weekends, within reason."

"They also have chores, because I want them to know that it's important to work. I had a job when I was eight years old delivering newspapers. So for me, it's like: You want a clean room? Then you've got to clean your room. No one is going to do it for you."
 
Routh laughs off 'Superman curse'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) The "Superman Returns" actor Brandon Routh says he will not be frightened by what is called the 'Superman curse'.

According to contactmusic.com, the Superman saga has been plagued by bad luck and even a string of incidents affecting the crewmembers. George Reeve, the original TV Superman, was shot dead at 45 and Christopher Reeve was paralysed in a riding accident before he died at the age of 52. 

Routh confesses that he didn't even know about the curse and is determined to ignore any such speculations. He says, "Curse? What curse? I don't think in those terms. If something happens to me, I'll deal with it. I'm not going to worry about it."
 
Bharatbala to roll out Indo-Japanese martial arts film
By Saibal Chatterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Cannes (France), May 20 (IANS) Chennai-based filmmaker Bharatbala is all set to kick off an Indo-Japanese co-production, depicting a Japanese samurai's search for enlightenment which finally brings him to India.

Tentatively titled "The 19th Step", the film is to be shot in Japan and the southern Indian state of Kerala. It will showcase the famed martial arts form of Kerala, Kalaripayuttu, for the first time ever in a mainstream production. 

In Bharatbala's words, "It has the makings of the first truly breakthrough film from India."

A big Japanese showbiz company has agreed to provide 65 percent of the film's budget. "In terms of canvas and scale, this will be much bigger than my first films," says Bharatbala, who is in Cannes to market his previous film, "Hari Om". Though not a co-production, it has used French acting talent to great effect. 

In "The 19th Step", talks are currently on with three Japanese actors for the lead role of the samurai warrior. Representatives of the Japanese co-production partner are expected to make a trip to India to see how the script can be tweaked in a way that will make the film viable in Japan.

"Japan is a big market, second only to the US," the filmmaker told IANS. "If an India-themed film clicks there, it will represent a huge breakthrough for us." The script of the film has been written by Malayalam litterateur M.T. Vasudevan Nair, "whose knowledge of Japanese literature is phenomenal."

The co-production is set in the 19th century, a period when the samurais were wiped out by the imperial army. In the aftermath of the bloodbath, one surviving samurai ends up killing a monk by mistake. Overcome with guilt, he retraces the journey of Bodhidharma (Buddhism) and travels to Kerala to learn Kalaripayuttu.

The role of the Kalaripayuttu guru is to be played by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal. "The 19th Step" is expected to roll by the end of 2006.

Though the film is being designed to appeal to a global audience, like Chinese martial art fantasies such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hero and The House of Flying Daggers", Bharatbala points out that it will have no special effects. 

"All the action will be real," he says. "Even as the film will entertain through a mix of action, spirituality and romance, it will be rooted in the ethos of its setting."

That sure seems like a step in the right direction.
 
Huffman liquored up for awards show
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Felicity Huffman, the star of "Desperate Housewives", was so nervous during the Academy Awards that she brought along a flask of vodka to keep her calm.

According to contactmusic.com, Huffman was nominated for best actress for her performance in "Transamerica". She and her husband brought along flasks and she even shared them with fellow stars. 

She says: "During a break, Bill and I went out to use the restroom or something and we bring flasks to all the award shows - I have vodka and he has scotch."

"So we have our little flasks - you just need a little help (with nerves). And we're alcoholics," she said.

"But anyway, we were in the waiting room and we were there with Steve McPherson, his wife Jennifer, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard and we were all waiting, passing the flask back and forth and getting more drunk as the awards went on."
  
Hoffman longs for recognition
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman who recently won an Oscar for his performance in "Capote" is unhappy to be known as America's favourite character and still dreams of being a Hollywood idol.

According to contactmusic.com, Hoffman is hoping that the world will see him in a different light now that he has won an award. 

He says: "I find it lacking in imagination to just refer to me as fat. I've never been described in an attractive manner, but I hope that one day I will be."
 

Doherty vows to win Moss back
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Troubled rocker Pete Doherty has vowed to get clean on drugs and win back supermodel Kate Moss.

According to ananova.com, Doherty is desperate to prove to Moss that he can give up drugs. Moss is currently dating MTV host Russell Brand. Doherty has decided to have another implant to give one more try to overcome his drug needs once and for all. 

He is checking himself into a clinic in Burford to have a drug, which stops heroin having an effect on him. It will be inserted into his stomach. 

A source said: "Kate really loves Pete but she cannot be with him if he continues to use drugs. Russell is perfect for her because he has managed to get clean - and he makes her laugh. 

Pete was furious to hear that she is dating him - especially as he is a pal of Pete's old Libertines bandmate Carl Barat. But he has vowed to get her back."

 
Heather never made me dye my hair: McCartney
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Sir Paul McCartney is dismissing claims that his estranged wife Heather Mills made him dye his hair saying he had done it on his own.

According to contactmusic.com, McCartney in a message posted before the split said: "Heather makes me dye my hair, it's not true. It is true that I colour my hair. Wow, shock horror! I've actually been doing this for many years now with varying degrees of success, but it's my hair, and if you don't like the result I'm afraid it's just too bad, but it's certainly nothing Heather suggested.

"I was engaged in this devilish practice years before I met her. I remember a strange blue dye dripping down my forehead on an Australian tour over 10 years ago, but let's face it, if I want to dye my hair pink, that's up to me and no one else. The suggestion that it was Heather's doing simply isn't true."

 
Jackman says Allen is very organised
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 20 (IANS) Hollywood star Hugh Jackman loved working with Oscar winning director Woody Allen on the movie "Scoop" because it was akin to having a regular office job.

According to contactmusic.com, Jackman was amazed with Allen's strict routine, which made sure that nobody had to go home late during the shoot in London. This left him more time to spend with his family.

He says: "Working with Woody is like working in a bank. You go to work at nine o'clock in the morning and you're home by 4.30 p.m. It was terrific."

Routh vomited during first 'Superman' movie
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) Actor Brandon Routh, who is an ardent Superman fan, was so thrilled at the release of the first movie that he got sick in the theatre.

According to contactmusic.com, Routh, who stars as Superman in the upcoming movie "Superman Returns", was upset when his childish enthusiasm caused a horrible headache and made him to miss most of the film. 

He says: "When I was six years old I would dress up in my Superman pyjamas. When the first film came out, I was so excited I got a migraine. I was puking through the movie, I don't even remember watching it!"

Tautou plans to quit acting
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) French actress Audrey Tautou, who plays code expert Sophie in "The Da Vinci Code", says she might give up acting because she is sick of being famous.

According to ananova.com, Tautou said: "When I started acting, I had the idea that I would continue until I am 40. Now, after doing 'The Da Vinci Code', I am probably ready to quit at 30. I know I am not the best actress in the world and not the worst but I think that maybe I'd be happier doing something that doesn't leave me so exposed."

Tautou nearly missed the chance of starring alongside Tom Hanks in the film. Director Ron Howard always had her in mind for the role but she couldn't make it to the audition because she was vacationing in Mexico. 
 

'The OC' fans upset with Barton
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) Fans of the hit TV show "The OC" are angry with the star Mischa Barton for revealing that her character dies in the show's season finale.

According to contactmusic.com, Barton revealed this in an interview with the entertainment news show "Access Hollywood", which will be aired a few hours before the season finale. 

There were reports that Barton's character would be leaving the show but the producers tried to keep the ending top secret, filming multiple conclusions with different cast members being killed.

"Access Hollywood" sent out an email promoting the interview with Barton that revealed the secret. The e-mail alert said: "On the next Access Hollywood: Mischa Barton Confirms Her Character On The OC Dies and Reveals What the Show Has in Store For Fans."
 

Bettany lied to Howard
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) English actor Paul Bettany lied to "The Da Vinci Code" director Ron Howard when he was initially approached for the role of the monk Silas by telling him that he had already read the book.

According to contactmusic.com, Bettany was thrilled when he got the call from Howard who had previously directed him in the Oscar winning movie "A Beautiful Mind". Bettany told Howard that he knew the story already. 

Bettany said: "Ron rang me up and asked me to be in the movie and he said, 'Monk, assassin and 'Da Vinci Code',' and it was Ron calling me so I said, 'Yes!' immediately. 

"And he asked me if I had read the book and I said, 'Yes, of course.' And I hadn't so I ran and got the book, not in theology and personal growth, but in the fiction department and I read it in two sittings. It was a real page-turning adventure story."
 
Jackman terrified during love scene with Weisz
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) Actor Hugh Jackman was scared while filming a love scene with Rachel Weisz in their latest movie "The Fountain" because the British actress' fiancé was directing.

According to contactmusic.com, Jackman's character engages with Weisz's character in a bath in the sci-fi drama. Jackman admitted that he found it difficult to concentrate with director Darren Aronofsky watching. 

He says: "In the scene, she pulls me in the bath and we start kissing. Darren didn't shout, 'Cut,' so we kept kissing. Rachel started to take off my shirt and I was thinking, 'Shall we keep going?' 

"Then I heard Darren yelling, 'Take off his pants! Take off his pants!' But we couldn't do it. He said, 'Why did you stop?' And I said, 'Because I thought you were going to beat the crap out of me.'"
 

Berry feels inferior despite Oscar
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 19 (IANS) Halle Berry is disappointed because winning her best actress Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball" failed to have the impact on her life she hoped for.

According to contactmusic.com, Berry assumed that the award would automatically lead to a slew of high profile parts. She says: "You get lots of flowers and kudos, but when the haze wore off I realised I was still the same actress I always was. 

"I am not sure that anything really comes out of it other than pressure. I still have that underdog feeling."
 
Hollywood snaps up Beslan massacre
DPA

Los Angeles, May 19 (DPA) Leading Hollywood production house Imagine Entertainment has bought the rights to a movie about the horrific 2004 Beslan massacre, said media reports.

The movie will be based on an article by New York Times writer C.J. Chivers, who interviewed numerous survivors of the notorious incident last year.

Producer Brian Grazer, whose films include "The Da Vinci Code", "A Beautiful Mind" and "Apollo 13", said the story "cried out to be told on the big screen".

The three-day siege of a school in the North Caucasian republic of North Ossetia by Chechen rebels led to the death of 331 people including 186 children, when Russian troops stormed the building in an attempt to free the hostages.

The move is part of a new trend in the US entertainment industry to turn recent tragedies into movies. Earlier this month, "Flight 93", a movie about the plane that crashed in a Pennsylvania field on Sep 11 after a passenger revolt, was released in American cinemas.

An Oliver Stone movie about two policemen trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Centre on that day is also set for release shortly.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Foster quotes Eminem in graduation speech
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) "Silence of the Lambs" actress Jodie Foster spoke at a university's commencement ceremony and ended her address with a surprise quote from rapper Eminem's song "Lose yourself".

According to contactmusic.com, the speech got serious when Foster said that the US and the world were worse off than they were four years ago and challenged graduates to become active in world affairs. 

One of the graduates, Aimee Masters said Foster was "really inspiring". She said: "Everyone around me was really happy with what she said." 

Masters added that the Eminem quote "was surprising, but I liked it".
 

Oprah says she loves hip hop
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) Talk show host Oprah Winfrey has lashed out at the hip hop community that has accused her of bias and says she loves their music.

According to contactmusic.com, rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent openly condemned Winfrey saying that she has a bias against hip-hop. 

She says: "I listen to some hip hop. I have been accused of not liking hip hop and that's just not true. I got a little 50 (Cent) in my iPod. I really do. I like 'In da club'. Have you heard the beat to 'In da club'? Love that, love Jay-Z, love Kanye, love Mary J. Mary J is one of my friends."

The spat began when Ludacris came on the show to promote his movie "Crash" but instead got a lecture from Winfrey on his raunchy lyrics. Winfrey claims she spoke to him after the show to explain why she questioned him. 

She says: "I said to Ludacris, 'A lot of people who listen to your music aren't as smart as you are. So they take some of that stuff literally when you are just writing it for entertainment purposes'."

She adds: "Hip hop is like jazz and gospel music, evolved from the people, a form of protest, a form of expression, so you can't deny that, nor would I try. But I do believe there needs to be awareness of who we are, how we got here and what that means about staying here."

Britney Spears quits Kabbalah
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) Singer Britney Spears has given up on her Kabbalah studies saying she has found a new religion in her family.

According to contactmusic.com, Spears, who was introduced to Kabbalah in 2003 by Madonna, has left a brief note on her site saying, "I no longer study Kabbalah (sic), my baby is my religion." 

Spears didn't clarify if she meant her eight-month-old son or the child she is currently pregnant with.
 

Oasis plans one-year break
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) Rock band Oasis is planning to take a year off as its recent songs have failed to live up to the band's past standards.

According to contactmusic.com, the band believes that a well-earned 12-month rest will rejuvenate its spirits. 

Guitarist Noel Gallagher says: "We had a couple of tracks left over from the last record and in our own heads we thought they were good enough to be released as an EP. We went back and listened to the tapes and we reckon we can get it better, so we are having the year off instead."

Longoria tops 'Hot 100' list
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria has topped Maxim magazine's annual Hot 100 list for the second year in a row.

According to contactmusic.com, Longoria said: "I was actually really shocked last year when I made the list and then to get it a second time in a row - I just couldn't believe it." 

Jessica Alba came in second followed by Lindsay Lohan, Angelina Jolie, Stacy Keibler, Scarlett Johansson, Cameron Diaz, Kate Bosworth, Keira Knightley and Christina Milian.

Longoria added: "I would have voted all of our Housewives on the list."

Depp is a signing star
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) Movie star Johnny Depp has topped a movie poll of the most generous autograph signers in Hollywood while Cameron Diaz came in at the bottom of the list.

According to contactmusic.com, in the survey conducted by the American magazine Autograph Collector, George Clooney came in at the second place. This is the second time Depp has topped the poll. 

The editor Steve Cyrkin says: "Many stars become bad signers once fame and fortune hits, but not Depp. He's even signed autographs for crowds at the airport while carrying luggage. But Diaz disappoints fans, even telling them off when they ask for her signature.

He adds: "She may be a talented actress, but she's persistently a terrible signer. Instead of just turning down a person's autograph request, she'll lecture them about how dumb autographs are."

The top five celebrity signers are: 

1. Johnny Depp 
2. George Clooney 
3. Matt Damon 
4. Al Pacino 
5. Tom Cruise
 

Cannes `06: Many firsts for India
By Saibal Chatterjee, Indo-Asian News Service

Cannes, May 16 (IANS) India is set to go all out to make its presence felt at the 59th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off in this French Riviera town Wednesday, although mainstream Mumbai cinema is once again missing in action.

A fair sprinkling of Mumbai showbiz personalities, including Karan Johar and Preity Zinta, will descend on the Croisette promenade this year in the hope of securing global purchase, but Bollywood movies, not surprisingly, are off the official radar of the event.

India drew a blank at the Cannes Film Festival official selection last year, as it did in 2004. The last Indian film to be showcased in Cannes was in 2003 - Murali Nair's rather disappointing "Arimpara". 

The latest edition of the world's premier film festival will, however, see Indian cinema registering several significant firsts.

For the first time ever, India will have a full-fledged pavilion in the Cannes Film Market's International Village - it is made up of a row of snow-white tents that run along the beach off the Croisette. 

Numerous Indian production and distribution outfits, including a few from down south, will be peddling their wares from this pavilion. An unprecedented number of Indian showbiz companies - around 80 - will be in the thick of the Cannes Film Market action this year.

No less, a student of Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Anirban Datta, will be in the Cinefondation competition for diploma efforts with a 31-minute short film, "Tetris". 

A jury headed by Russian filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky will judge the films in the Cinefondation and short films competition. The jury includes French actress Sandrine Bonnaire and the celebrated filmmaker from Mali, Soulemayne Cisse. 

A 33-year-old animator from Mumbai, Gitanjali Rao, will seek to make her presence felt in the sidebar Critics' Week with a 15-minute film, "Painted Rainbow". The film focuses on the story of a woman who seeks escape from the drudgery of urban existence. 

Dev Benegal, armed with the screenplay of a film titled "Road, Movie", will figure in the prestigious l'Atelier alongside 17 other filmmakers from around the world. The Atelier, founded by Cinefondation, helps filmmakers in finding co-production partners for their upcoming projects.

In yet another first, a bunch of 30-odd filmmakers from different parts of the country have created a combine, Indian Independent Filmmakers (IIF), that will go all out in Cannes this year to prove that there is more to cinema from this part of the world than Bollywood glitz.

Respected names like Ketan Mehta, Sudhir Mishra, Vijay Singh and Pan Nalin will be on the IIF roster. Other Indian filmmakers who will be in Cannes under the IIF umbrella are Krishna Shah, Aditya Bhattacharya, Shonali Bose, Vinta Nanda, Bharatbala, Ashvin Kumar, Anup Singh and Manu Rewal.
 
Bono turns editor, Condoleezza Rice music critic
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 16 (IANS) Bono, arguably the most popular rock star in the world, turned editor for a day for a special edition of Britain's The Independent in which US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote a music column.

In a unique initiative, the newspaper said half the revenue from Tuesday's edition prepared by the well-known third-world campaigner would be donated to the Global Fund to Fight Aids.

The edition was part of Product RED, an AIDS fund-raising scheme that Bono co-founded with former US president John F. Kennedy's nephew Bobby Shriver in January.

The U2 front man has got to interview British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Finance Minister Gordon Brown on the front page. Other members of the Irish band also contributed to the paper.

Bono also interviewed Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez for the newspaper.

The guest editor's scoop, however, was to have a column from Rice listing her 10 most favourite musical works.
 

Glamour, controversy, politics at Cannes film festival
DPA

Paris, May 15 (DPA) The 2006 Cannes International Film Festival, which opens Wednesday, will feature its usual large serving of glamour, a healthy dose of controversy, a generous offering of contemporary politics and a new generation of talented film makers.

The controversy starts on the very first day with the world premiere of the most eagerly awaited film in many years, "The Da Vinci Code".

Before shooting of Ron Howard's movie of Dan Brown's blockbuster book was wrapped up, Christian groups around the world were complaining that it attacks the foundations of Christianity by raising doubts about the divinity of Jesus Christ and the origins of the Bible.

Christian leaders in the US, where the film opens May 19, have threatened a variety of protest actions, including boycotts.

The Catholic organisation Opus Dei has demanded that a disclaimer be attached to the film declaring it as a work of fiction.

Howard has refused, saying: "Spy thrillers don't start off with disclaimers."

Screening "The Da Vinci Code" on opening night ensures that the Cannes film festival will start off with a huge media bang.

Media attention will remain high because of the showing of films concerning two hot political issues, the environment and terrorism.

The films are "An Inconvenient Truth", featuring failed US presidential candidate Al Gore as a crusading environmentalist, "United 93", a Paul Greengrass recreation of the downing of the fourth and final plane hijacked by Islamist terrorists Sep 11, 2001, and a 30-minute clip from Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center".

The glamour also begins on opening night, with Da Vinci stars Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou climbing the red-carpeted stairway of the Festivals Palace.

Other stars expected to climb those mythic steps during the festival include Cate Blanchett, Penelope Cruz, Marianne Faithfull, Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, Ethan Hawke, Juliette Binoche and Bob Hoskins.

And if the state of Angelina Jolie's pregnancy allows it, Brad Pitt will also show up to help present Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's "Babel".

The Mexican director is part of what Cannes festival artistic director Thierry Fremaux has described as "the up-and-coming generation" of film makers that will be challenging established stars of world cinema for the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) award for best film.

Of the 20 films vying for the Palme d'Or, one of the most prestigious awards in world cinema, a surprisingly large number are by relatively young or little-known directors.

In addition to Inarritu, these include the Uruguayan-born Adrian Caetano, the 36-year-old Italian Paolo Sorrentino, Shanghai's Lou Ye, and three young American Cannes first-timers, Sofia Coppola, Richard Linklater and Richard Kelly.

In fact, Fremaux has suggested that youth was one of the selection criteria for this year's Cannes festival.

"The selection for 2006 is to be classified in the category of 'years of renewal'," Fremaux said. "We wanted to put new names on the international map and show films whose presence at Cannes will astonish."

But many of the young filmmakers chosen to compete have already established their credentials with fans and critics alike.

Coppola, who will be showing "Marie Antoinette" at Cannes, directed the 2003 international hit "Lost in Translation", while Gonzalez Inarritu made another box office smash that same year, the quirky "21 Grams".

In addition, Kelly wrote and directed "Donnie Darko", and Richard Linklater, who will have two films screened at Cannes this year, is best known for the critically acclaimed Ethan Hawke-Julie Delpy romances "Before Sunrise" (1995) and "Before Sunset" (2004).

These young talents will be pitted against such established stars as Pedro Almodovar of Spain, Finland's eccentric genius Aki Kaurismaki, Britain's Ken Loach and Nanni Moretti of Italy.

Among these long time Cannes favourites, the 56-year-old Almodovar is universally considered a giant of world cinema. His films have harvested dozens of awards around the world. His 1999 hit "All About My Mother" won both the best director's award at Cannes and the Oscar for best foreign film.

Kaurismaki is another Cannes veteran, having won the festival's Grand Prix in 2002 for his popular "Man Without a Past".

The festival ends on May 28 with the awards ceremony.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Fans upset with Eddie Vedder
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 15 (IANS) Fans of the rock band Pearl Jam are worried that the lead singer Eddie Vedder's girlfriend Jill McCormick might wreck the band.

According to pagesix.com, a source present at a show recently said: "Vedder puzzled fans (who had waited up to 38 hours at Tower Records to get a ticket for the show) by repeatedly signalling to his girlfriend and other celebrities on the balcony."

Some of the hardcore fans were upset that former child star Mary-Kate Olsen, who is a friend of McCormick, was there too. McCormick had wrecked Vedder's first marriage.

Sarandon's Mother's Day protest
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 15 (IANS) Actress Susan Sarandon gave up her Mother's Day to spend time protesting with parents of soldiers in Iraq.

According to contactmusic.com, accompanied by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan whose son died in the conflict, Sarandon addressed a 24-hour vigil opposite the White House by reading out a letter she had written to First Lady Laura Bush. 

The letter called on the First Lady to force the US President George W. Bush to personally notify mothers that their sons had been killed in action. 

She said: "Those moms praying as they wait for the phone to ring and they hear the voice of their child serving in Iraq. Let him be the one to tell them that this week the call will not be coming."
 

Comic Manne condemns Paris Hilton
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 15 (IANS) Another comic, Mark Manne, has composed to add to the growing number of songs slamming the socialite Paris Hilton.

According to pagesix.com, Manne wrote a song called, "Everything that is wrong with America today a.k.a. the Paris Hilton Song" and he performed the song at the Laugh Factory recently. 

Some of the lyrics are: "Paris, I want to hit you in the face with a bat because you pampered your dog, then got rid of her when she got fat. Paris Hilton, why did they name you after that city? 'Cause Scranton Hilton has got a nice ring, a nice ring to me... Paris, do you sleep on a big pile of cash? You must have paid the studio some money to put you in the 'House of Wax' Cause you got no talent, you can't act, and you can't sing. 

"You are not that pretty, you are not that hot, you are not even interesting. You are so mean, all bathed in green, a sex machine, until your cell phone rings, until your cellphone rings. 

"Paris Hilton, why do I even know your name? Is it the short skirts? No! 'The Simple Life'? No! It is cause you'll have sex with anything. You are so mean, all bathed in green, an amateur porno queen. Go away, just go away from here, go away."
 

Hetfield slams rock 'n' roll drug culture
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 15 (IANS) James Hetfield, lead singer of Metallica, spoke passionately to rockers to resist drugs as he was awarded a special prize for helping people in the music industry receive treatment for addiction. 

According to contactmusic.com, some of the stars present there included Ozzy Osbourne and Anthony Kiedis. They were there to fight the myth that great music has to be accompanied by a wild lifestyle. 

Hetfield, a former addict, asked for a moment of silence "for the people who didn't make it, that aren't with us, who could be and I think should be", before slamming drug culture. 

He said: "To have those things attached to music, which is the best drug in the whole world, moves me like no other. And I thank god that I discovered that gift early on."

McCartney-Mills' marriage on the rocks
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 15 (IANS) Celebrity couple Paul McCartney and Heather Mills have aroused suspicions about their marriage after the two were spotted spending more time apart after a series of fights.

According to pagesix.com, two weeks ago Mills went on a solo trip to the South of France and when she returned to their home, Paul went to the French Riviera. 

A friend of the couple said: "She is angry that he gets so much adulation from fans and is one of the most famous people on the planet, while she feels she should get just as much respect for being a model and campaigner... She feels she should be seen as just as big a star."

Aniston sick of TV
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 15 (IANS) Actress Jennifer Aniston has vowed never to return to television after calling it "gruelling and repetitive".

According to contactmusic.com, Aniston, who had starred in the show "Friends" for 10 years earning thousands of dollars an episode, is sick of the tight schedules even though she is grateful for the career boost. 

She says: "Episodic television is gruelling and it was years and years of the same thing. I really don't think I'd ever go back to television, and not just because I am above it, but because I really don't think I could ever top that experience."
 

'Poseidon', a deathly voyage
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, May 9 (IANS) "Poseidon", a remake of the 1972 classic "The Poseidon Adventure" about a luxury ocean liner that capsized, is releasing Friday. 

Wolfgang Petersen, who has left his indelible mark by making seafaring epics "The Perfect Storm" and "Das Boot", has wielded the megaphone for "Poseidon".

The tale of sea disaster goes like this: It's New Year's Eve and festivities have begun aboard the luxury cruise ship Poseidon at sea in the North Atlantic. Guests gather to greet New Year in style in the magnificent Main Ballroom. 

Meanwhile, on the ship's bridge, the chief officer smells danger. While scanning the horizon, he sees a wall of water over 150 feet high, bearing down on them. He tries to steer the ship away from maximum impact but it is too late. The wave strikes with colossal force, pitching the ship heavily to port before rolling it upside down. 

In its aftermath, a few hundred survivors are left to huddle in the still-intact Main Ballroom, waiting for the rescue team. However, one man, professional gambler Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas), prefers to test the odds alone. Ignoring orders, he prepares to exit the Ballroom and find his way to safety, but is collared by nine-year-old Conor (Jimmy Bennett), who asks that Dylan take him and his mother Maggie (Jacinda Barrett) along.

Fast behind them is Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell), anxious to search for his daughter Jennifer (Emmy Rossum) and her fiancé Christian (Mike Vogel). 

Wary of alliances, Dylan reluctantly leads the small band of survivors upward through the bowels of the ship. 

During filming, Lucas was hospitalised twice for two major injuries. First time Lucas got injured when he and Russell were shooting under water and Russell by mistake swung his metal flashlight on Lucas and tore open his eye. 

The second time Lucas crawled up a wall and fell down so hard that he snapped a muscle in his thumb and had to have a surgery. 

The film has also been dubbed in Hindi and Tamil.
 

I am not Suri's godfather: Jamie Foxx
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 10 (IANS) Actor Jamie Foxx has slammed reports that his friend Tom Cruise has asked him to be godfather to his daughter Suri. 

According to contactmusic.com, Foxx was thrilled when Katie Holmes gave birth to the baby girl last month, but says reports of him being a godparent are just rumours. However, he admits he is beguiled by Suri and has found time to deliver gifts for Cruise and Holmes's daughter. 

He says: "It is a rumour. I did give them a nice basket to congratulate them but I am not Suri's godfather."
 

Spears confirms second pregnancy
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 10 (IANS) Pop queen Britney Spears has confirmed rumours she is pregnant with her second child by making a surprise appearance on David Letterman's TV show.

According to contactmusic.com, Spears appeared on the show with eight-month-old son Sean Preston to make the happy announcement. Talking to Letterman she said: "Don't worry Dave, it's not yours."

Prior to the show she was spotted shopping in exclusive French baby boutique, Jacadi. While the new arrival will be Spears' second child, it is the fourth for Kevin Federline - he has two children from a relationship with his ex-girlfriend Shar Jackson.

Anderson buys love shack in Vegas
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 10 (IANS) Former "Baywatch" star Pamela Anderson has bought a penthouse in Las Vegas to entertain her male lovers. 

According to contactmusic.com, following her splits from Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, Anderson is shunning monogamous relationships. These days she has "a few" secret male friends who take turns dating her. 

She says: "I have been pretty good about not revealing them. We must have some privacy. I just bought a penthouse in Las Vegas, Panorama Towers. We'll have fun there for sure."

You can't die of Parkinson's, says Fox
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 10 (IANS) Ailing actor Michael J. Fox is convinced a cure will be found for Parkinson's disease in his lifetime. 

According to contactmusic.com, Fox has suffered the debilitating condition since his diagnosis in 1991. He was just 30 then, but he remains confident he will beat it. 

He says: "Sometimes people say that someone died of Parkinson's, it is actually a misstatement. You can't die of Parkinson's, but you will invariably die with Parkinson's. If you have Parkinson's, it is not curable. Well, I think this will be the first generation of people who could have Parkinson's that will not die with it."
 

Hrishitaa and Zampano going to Cannes
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, May 10 (IANS) "Friends Forever", which has Hrishitaa Bhatt forming a rare emotional bond with 3D animated character Zampano, will be screened at the Cannes International Film Festival this month.

Directed by Soumitra Ranade, "Friends Forever" is an atypical concept that focuses on the friendship between the 3D character and the main leads and how they cope with life together. 

In this love story produced by Celluloid Dreams Pvt. Ltd, Zampano is the main hero who helps Hrishitaa succeed in love.
  

Marley remains hero to oppressed 25 years after death
DPA

New York, May 10 (DPA) The cannabis-smoking Bob Marley, the leading prophet of the Rastafarian religion who died 25 years ago on May 11, remains an enduring symbol of reggae, a Caribbean style of music that emphasises social and political grievances with mesmerising melodies.

Among Hopi Indians, Bob Marley fulfilled a centuries-old prophecy. The Nepalese consider him the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu and Australian Aboriginals honour the reggae legend as a prophet for peace and the rights of the oppressed.

Marley lifted his voice fiercely and poetically against the suffering in the slums of Kingston, Jamaica, and the arrogant attitude of the white upper class.

"Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war, me say war," Marley sang in the song War.

Marley accurately predicted his music would live on after his untimely death in a Miami hospital at age 36, when cancer had spread from a spot of melanoma on his foot to his brain.

After introducing Jamaican music to the world, Marley became the first musician of that country to achieve international stardom. No other reggae musician has reached his level of fame.

Marley's popularity resurfaces with each new generation of young people as they experiment with marijuana.

The many images of Marley smoking a joint continue to appear on modern-day record releases and posters, and are a rallying cry for Rastafarians who consider cannabis a part of their religion that helps them get closer to their inner spirit - and who try to defend its use as such when they are arrested.

Marley drew huge audiences around the world and he died when his star was still on the rise. Some people consider the charismatic singer and songwriter the greatest rock star of all time.

Aside from reggae, Marley gave the world dreadlocks and red, green and yellow crocheted caps - colours synonymous with the Rastafarian movement, of which Marley was a member and later its most important prophet, especially among the poor people of Jamaica where the religion developed.

Most Rastafari believe that the Ethiopian monarch Haile Selassie I, who came to power in 1930 and died in 1975, was a reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

The belief emerged in Jamaica under the influence of Marcus Garvey's "Back to Africa" movement, which held Selassie to be the Black Messiah. Selassie, a devout Christian, never encouraged the belief.

Rastafari teaching is still a cornerstone in the conscience of Marley fans.

Just recently, fans in Passau, Germany, vandalized the spire of the city's cathedral by spray-painting the words "Jah is mighty" in the colours red, green and yellow.

Jah is the Rastafari name for god.

Robert Nesta Marley was born Feb 6, 1945, in Rhoden Hall Jamaica, to a black Jamaican mother and a white British navy officer father who largely disappeared from Marley and his mother's life.

At age 14, Marley left his village to work in Kingston as a welder. In 1964, with short hair stylish at the time, he founded the group that eventually was called the Wailers with Peter Tosh.

For 10 years his fame was limited to the Caribbean island.

British guitar virtuoso Eric Clapton, who had risen to fame in the '60s, helped Marley achieve international recognition with his chart-topping cover version of Marley's song, "I Shot the Sheriff".

In 1974, Marley released his breakthrough album Natty Dread, an immediate hit among European Bohemians and hippies in New York City's Greenwich Village.

It included the song "No Woman, No Cry" and soon after, Marley's albums were selling millions worldwide.

By the mid '70s Marley was so revered in Jamaica that his influence as a poet and prophet became a political threat.

In December 1976, he was wounded in an attack at his home in Kingston.

He left Jamaica for more than a year, releasing his biggest album to date - "Exodus" - in 1977 with the hit songs "Jamming" and "One Love/People Get Ready".

By 1980, Marley was enjoying worldwide popularity and preparing for a US tour, but his health suddenly forced him to withdraw from the spotlight.

He collapsed while jogging in New York City's Central Park and underwent cancer surgery in Miami.

In early 1981 he spent time at a cancer clinic in Germany, receiving treatment with herbal teas and grains.

As he embarked on his return journey to the US, he collapsed in Munich airport and died only a few days later in Miami.

Marley left behind 11 children fathered with eight different women, hundreds of songs written in his relatively short career of 15 years and a steady stream of royalties.

He was honoured in Jamaica in 1990 when the country declared his birthday, Feb 6, a national holiday.

--DPA
 
Indo-Asian News Service
  
Warner to distribute TV, movies over file-swap site
DPA

Los Angeles, May 10 (DPA) If you cannot beat them, join them. Hollywood studio Warner Bros said Tuesday it would start distributing movies and television shows over the BitTorrent file-sharing network, one of the most popular forums for the illegal sharing of music and video content.

The company, a unit of the world's largest media conglomerate Time Warner Inc, said it would make over 200 films available at BitTorrent.com starting in August, including blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and TV shows like Babylon 5.

"Entering into agreements such as this to distribute our content is not only a better way to reach existing and new customers, but a reflection of the critical role distribution technologies play in the future of the entertainment industry," Warner Bros executive Darcy Antonellis said in a statement.

The content will be available on the same day and date they are put on sale in retail stores, but cannot be copied and burned onto a DVD. They must reside on a computer drive.

The cost has not yet been fixed but is likely to be in line with the current one dollar per episode rate on other web sites, while movies are to be around the price of a new DVD.

"We have just been embraced by the largest movie studio that is owned by largest media company," said Ashwin Navin, co-founder of BitTorrent. "We expect to see more deals and to push the envelope for getting people, video on the Web."

Warner said the groundbreaking deal became possible after BitTorrent reached an anti-piracy agreement with the Motion Picture Association of America and took other steps to stem illegal swapping of digital movies.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service
 

Winstone says actors don't need the method
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS) British actor Ray Winstone has dismissed method acting calling it unnecessary because it is impossible to properly research truly evil roles.

According to contactmusic.com, Winstone was impressed with the versatility of his "Sexy Beast" co-star Sir Ben Kingsley mainly because he enjoyed watching Kingsley play an abusive, crazed mobster. Kingsley's performance reminded Winstone that acting is about bringing out what is already within, no matter how dark it might be.

He says: "How do you research being a child-molester? A wife-basher? Do you go and do it? In 'Sexy Beast', Ben Kingsley played a really nasty gangster, and I thought, 'Hang on a minute, this is Gandhi.' But he said to me, 'This is part of me. There's a dark side within all of us.'"

Spears upset with spendthrift husband
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 9 (IANS) Pop singer Britney Spears is pregnant and depressed but still angry with her husband Kevin Federline over his spending ways and is not allowing him to go to have fun in Las Vegas with his friends.

According to pagesix.com, a source said: "Kevin asked Britney for money to go to Las Vegas in two weeks, and she shut him down. Britney told him that she won't be funding his trips with his friends any longer. He used to fly everyone out on her dime. The monthly allowance she had put him on seems to be disappearing after only one week."

Despite being pregnant Spears is working on her album "Jive".

Berry shoots sex scene alone
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS) Oscar winning actress Halle Berry had to act sex scenes alone in the movie "Perfect Stranger" because her co-star Bruce Willis couldn't make the shoot.

According to contactmusic.com, Berry had to writhe around in bed wile the crew played a tape recording of Willis' voice. Editors later had to use computer technology to show the pair together. This is the first time this technique has been used for a sex scene. 

A source said: "Halle wasn't phased performing solo. Although she, in effect, keeps her hands to herself, she is very convincing indeed in the love scenes."
 

Vedder desperate to stop smoking
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS) Eddie Vedder, lead singer of Pearl Jam, is desperate to stop smoking after having helped friends with their addictions.

According to contactmusic.com, Vedder admits he has helped his friends like Mike McCready move on with their lives but is unable to do the same for himself. 

He says: "Mike MCCready has been through all kinds of stuff, and we have supported him through it. At one point, we refused to enable him, though. We requested that he address these issues, and he did. He pulled it off incredibly. But we've lost a number of friends who we just couldn't help... 

"And me? No drugs, no, but I can't seem to stop the cigarette smoking. Another couple of attempts, though, and I might just get my life back."

White hits back at criticism
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS) Jack White, lead singer of the White Stripes, has slammed criticism from his fans that he has sold out by writing a tune for Coca-Cola.

According to contactmusic.com, White said he never promised that he wouldn't do a commercial. White is being criticised by his most faithful fans who say that his latest decision is a betrayal. The fans feel his decision goes against another decision he had made in 2001 when he turned down $1 million from the clothing line Gap to let them use one of the band's songs.

White says: "They (fans) assume someone drove up to my house with a truck full of money and a gun to my head, and said, 'Crack open a Coke on television and give the thumbs up.' That's not what happened. I saw a beautiful ad, and I wrote a song for it because I was inspired by it. That stuff about the Gap years ago, I even said then that I wasn't saying we would never do a commercial."
 

Rose plans autumn release for 'Chinese Democracy'
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS Lead singer Axl Rose of the band Guns 'N Roses made a rare appearance on radio and promised fans that the group's much awaited new album called "Chinese Democracy" will be released at the end of 2006.

According to contactmusic.com, the album's release has been delayed many times in the past but Rose now insists that the album is all done and ready for release. 

Rose was on the radio with host Sebastian Bach, the former lead singer of Skid Row. During the chat Rose could be heard playing new songs in the background. He said: "It (album) will be out this year."
 

Tautou initially rejected 'Da Vinci' role
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 9 (IANS) French actress Audrey Tautou came close to missing out on starring in "The Da Vinci Code" because she was on holiday in Mexico at that time.

According to contactmusic.com, Tautou, who rose to fame with her role in the 2001 French hit "Amelie", refused to go to Los Angeles for the screen test opposite Tom Hanks because she felt she was too young for the part of Sophie. But she found herself being chased by director Ron Howard who was very keen to have her in the film. Other actresses were also desperately trying to snag the role.

Tautou says: "I didn't refuse to see him. He was doing one day of casting where he was going to meet everyone, but I was in Mexico and I said it is not even worth it for me to go. 

"I didn't see how it could work. I thought this character had my strong-mindedness but it didn't go further than that. And I thought that at 27, I was a bit too young when Ron contacted me. To me, Sophie was older."
 
Rolling Stone guitarist Richards underwent brain surgery
DPA

Wellington, May 8 (DPA) Rolling Stone Keith Richards, who was reported to have fallen from a coconut tree while holidaying in the South Pacific, is believed to have had surgery for a blood clot in his brain, a New Zealand newspaper reported Monday.

Doctors were worried that the 62-year-old rocker would not survive, the New Zealand Herald said.

The paper said the operation was for a subdural haematoma, a blood clot that forms in the outer membranes of the brain, often from a torn vein, and it could be caused by a fall or other head injury.

It quoted an unnamed source as saying that the operation was done soon after Richards arrived on April 27 in New Zealand from a holiday resort in Fiji.

A Rolling Stones spokesperson reported then that the guitarist had suffered a mild concussion, but the Herald said it understood his condition was much more serious and that he remains in New Zealand while the rest of the band is in Europe preparing for the next leg of their world tour.

Earlier, reports that Richards had suffered brain haemorrhage were denied by the band's publicist, Fran Curtis.

She was quoted over the weekend as saying that he was in "good spirits" and would join the rest of the band in Barcelona for the start of the tour on May 27. She did not know when he would leave New Zealand.

A spokesperson for Auckland's Mercy Ascot Hospital said early last week that the guitarist had been discharged after being monitored, but would not say whether he had had surgery. A duty manager at the hospital told the Herald Sunday that she could give no information about Richards.

--DPA

Indo-Asian News Service

Rossellini says she grew up poor
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Actress Isabella Rossellini is upset that people assumed she grew up rich and says her parents squandered their riches.

According to contactmusic.com, Rossellini reveals that her director father Roberto Rossellini and actress mother Ingrid Bergman struggled to keep control of their finances and wasted their fortunes. 

She says: "Everyone thinks my parents were rich and I had no need to make my own living. But they were so bad with money that the bailiffs were constantly coming round to take the furniture away. My father died penniless."
 
Grant almost became a writer
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Actor Hugh Grant almost missed his chance to become an actor because he started out as a comedy writer.

According to contactmusic.com, British comic star Griff Rhys Jones thought Grant had found his career when he wrote for the TV comedy team Smith and Jones in the 1980s. But Grant gave up writing when he decided to become an actor. 

Jones says: "Hugh Grant was in the comedy group the Jockeys Of Norfolk. We sat around recently and tried to remember what bits he did. But it didn't last long. His group got quite miffed because one of their stars had gone off and started a film. They all thought that nothing would come of it - but now look at him!"

Willis admires cops
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Hollywood actor Bruce Willis says his obsession to play cops is because he thinks highly of the work they do. 

According to contactmusic.com, Willis is currently starring in "16 Blocks" as detective Jack Mosley and he believes that policemen are the world's ultimate, and often unsung heroes. 

He says: "I think it is partly because I am from South Jersey and I have a strong affinity to working-class people. I believe that any job that requires you to possibly get shot dead, you should get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for. These guys don't get paid anything. And yet they go out and do it. 

"There is not a lot of them out there, and they are the last line between us and the wolves and the chaos that is out in the world."
 
Davis still wants 'Sex And The City' movie
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Actress Kristin Davis is still hopeful that she can convince the stars of the hit TV show "Sex And The City" for a movie version of the popular series.

According to contactmusic.com, Davis played the character Charlotte York and confessed that she was devastated when the show had to end. 

She says: "There won't ever be a TV special. It doesn't sound enticing. But I am the hopeful one and I am hopeful someday we'll make a movie. But we'd better hurry up. None of us are getting any younger."
 
Jolie sets 'Tom Raider' slimming goal
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Soon-to-be-mother Angelina Jolie is planning to use her costume for the "Tomb Raider" movie to help her lose weight after she gives birth.

According to contactmusic.com, Jolie, who is expecting her and Brad Pitt's first biological child, is determined to regain her figure she had when playing Lara Croft in the "Tom Raider" movies and will go to any lengths to achieve her goal. 

She says: "I'll use that costume as a benchmark and I'll keep going until it feels comfortable again."

Lavigne goes for glamorous look
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne is transforming her tough style for a more ladylike look and says that growing up was the main reason for the change of her image.

According to contactmusic.com, Lavigne is keen to retain her rock 'n' roll edginess on which she gained fame in her teens. But she has recently added some glitz into her wardrobe. 

She says: "I think I just went from 17 to 21. I am a woman now. When I first broke on the scene, I was a little kid straight out of high school and into skate-boarding and all that. Now I am older. 

"I'll keep wearing the rock look but a little more feminine, a little more of that rock glam thing going on."

Wyman says Stones did not respect him
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 8 (IANS) Bassist Bill Wyman was happy when he left the Rolling Stones in 1993 because singer Mick Jagger and Keith Richards did not respect him.

According to contactmusic.com, Wyman did not take any drugs other than smoking cannabis in the band's early years and because of this he was made to feel like an outcast. He also felt there was a lack of appreciation. 

Jagger and Richards supposedly expected him to drop everything when they needed him but refused to cooperate when he had other plans. 

He says: "I'd never felt as if I was really part of the gang. For a start, I wasn't taking drugs. Sometimes I was the only one who wasn't doing stuff, so I felt like an outcast all the time. There was other stuff that went on, too - the lack of appreciation for what you are doing, the lack of honesty about your contribution. The lack of them being respectful of your other life. You had to drop everything, no matter what it was, when they had the inclination. 

"(Drummer) Charlie (Watts) would say: 'I am sorry, I am going to be in Zimbabwe on a wildlife thing. But they'd say, 'You are going to have to cancel.'"
 
Budhia may jog right into Hollywood
Indo-Asian News Service

Bhubaneswar, May 8 (IANS) Orissa's marathon kid Budhia Singh, who created a world record by running 65 km in seven hours and two minutes in the state last week, may soon be seen in a Hollywood film.

US film production company Foster Entertainment has evinced interest in making a film on Budhia's life, local newspaper Dharitri reported Monday, quoting the boy's coach Biranchi Das. 

A company official reportedly contacted Das with the proposal on Sunday.

Four-and-a-half-years-old Budhia has been shown on almost all TV channels in India and a French channel has also shot a documentary on him.

Touch Productions Ltd, a UK-based documentary film unit, had planned a documentary on Budhia and even invited him to London next week. However, Budhia's trip was put off, Das told the daily.

The shooting stands cancelled for the time being with no reason given for the delay, he added.

Budhia's sporting adventure ran into trouble with the state government imposing a ban on his marathon run on the basis of a medical report that said he was "undernourished with a high blood pressure".

The team of doctors has also said that Budhia may face the risk of a stroke if made to run a marathon, a report that Das slammed as "manipulated".

Das and his wife adopted Budhia after paying Rs.800 to his impoverished mother, who lives in a slum.

The boy became a celebrity after a 60 km run between Puri and Bhubaneswar last year. Budhia runs 45 km twice a week and 20 km on other days.

The boy had last Tuesday earned a place in the Limca Book of World Records running 65 km from Puri to Bhubaneswar.
 

Avril Lavigne enters Hollywood
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne was ecstatic to be offered a part in the animated movie "Over the Hedge" since she feels she has always been an actress at heart.

According to contactmusic.com, Lavigne had started focusing on singing after she began with the song "Complicated" almost five years ago. But she could not wait for Hollywood to come calling. She believes that she is going to make it big as she gets bigger parts. 

"Over The Hedge" is her first movie where she has worked alongside Bruce Willis and Rosanna Arquette and she did not have to audition for the role of Heather.

She says, "I love performing and actually when I was quite young, I was acting in the theatre as much as I was singing. Hopefully, I will land a really cool part or a bigger part in a movie."
 

Teri Hatcher warns daughter of sex violators
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Teri Hatcher, the "Desperate Housewives" star, has already started warning her daughter about child molesters after she went public about her own childhood trauma.

Hatcher has not yet told her eight-year-old daughter about the sexual ordeal she suffered by her uncle Richard Hayes Stone, but she wants to make sure her daughter does not suffer the same fate, reported contactmusic.com.

She said: "I have not told her (about) my own experience but I have said things about your private areas and who should touch them and when and why, and what's not appropriate."

Albarn jokes about Gallagher collaboration
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Rocker Damon Albarn has jokingly asked rival Liam Gallagher to appear on the next Gorillaz album.

Albarn said this would happen depending on "how Oasis does in the next 12 months", contactmusic.com reported. Albarn had publicly feuded with Gallagher's band Oasis when both Blur and Oasis came out with albums in the early 90s. However, Albarn now pretends to put their tensions behind and has invited Gallagher to join him on his next effort. 

He said: "I would love him to be on the next Gorillaz record, but let us wait and see how his band does in the next 12 months. I am sure he will be all right on his own - he doesn't really need me."
 
Goldfrapp says Chris Martin is insane
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Singer Alison Goldfrapp has called Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin "insane", after having toured with him.

According to contactmusic.com, Goldfrapp toured with Coldplay last year and was stunned to discover Martin flying home between performances in his private jet.

She said: "We supported Coldplay and Chris Martin used to fly home on his jet, go home, write songs then fly to the next gig. I thought, 'What? Are you insane?'"
 
Wyman lashes out at former band mates
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Wyman, the former Rolling Stones' bassist has slammed Mick Jagger and Keith Richards saying that they are egomaniacs who have kept on performing only because they are incompetent to do anything else.

According to contactmusic.com, Wyman left the band in 1993 and says the rest of the band has no choice but to tour just for the constant adulation of their fans. He adds that he does not listen to any of the band's albums these days. 

Wyman says, "If they want to carry on doing it - rolling on and on- then that's up to them. I am past all that. I have got more interesting things to think about. I do not listen to their records any more as I do not see anything fresh or exciting there. I just don't think Keith and Mick know how to do anything else. They need adulation in their lives. They need people worshipping them, loving them, telling them how fantastic they are."

Love regrets first meet with Chris Martin
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Rocker Courtney Love is still upset about her behaviour when she first met Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin because she was rude and high on crack cocaine.

According to contactmusic.com, Love is even more embarrassed because she accused him of being in a rival British band while Martin behaved like a perfect gentleman the whole time. 

She says, "The first time I met Chris Martin, I was on crack and I was an absolute a**hole and I kept saying, 'Aren't you in Travis?' to him. I was just so horrible to him and I cannot believe that he was so nice to me."
 

Lohan determined to look healthy again
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 7 (IANS) Actress and singer Lindsay Lohan is eating more these days in an effort to gain the weight she lost through heavy dieting.

Lohan is bowing to public pressure over her drastic weight loss and is focused on regaining the weight she lost, contactmusic.com reported. 

She said: "You want to be called sexy and you want to have tits and an a*s. I like food. I eat all types of things. I would never be able to do the no carbs and no sugar thing. I just ordered a peanut and jelly sandwich. I like MCDonald's and I love sushi. I do good stir-fries, but the meal I cooked the other night was grilled chicken and parmesan, sautéed spinach and mashed potatoes."

Kidman surprised with Cruise divorce
Indo-Asian News Service

New York, May 6 (IANS) The Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman revealed she was surprised when Tom Cruise filed for divorce.

According to pagesix.com, Kidman said, "That was a major shock. I always knew the rug was going to be taken out from underneath me at some stage. I didn't think it was going to happen in the way it happened . . . I knew I was going to get hit with something. But I think a divorce, and the demise of what your family is, is a little death in itself."

Kidman gave the interview from Nashville where her boyfriend Keith Urban lives. She then went off to do some shopping.
 
Farrell dropped from Dylan movie
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 6 (IANS) Actor Colin Farrell has been dropped from the lead role in a movie about rock legend Bob Dylan.

According to ananova.com, actor Heath Ledger has replaced Farrell. The director Todd Haynes is supposed to have been the one to make the change. 

The columnist Roger Friedman says, "The reason for Farrell's departure is unknown." 

Farrell left the rehabilitation as recent as December and was to be on of the six actors playing Dylan. The others to play the singer are Ledger, Richard Gere and Christian Bale. 

The movie is titled "I'm Not There" and will begin shooting in the summer. 

Dylan is helping by waiving his publishing income to help with the budget. Artists set to perform for the movie are The White Stripes and Aimee Mann.
 

Hatcher's dad accepts blame for molestation
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 6 (IANS) The star of "Desperate Housewives" Teri Hatcher's father has accepted his part in the child molestation trauma, saying that he should have been more affectionate towards her.

According to contactmusic.com, Hatcher shocked her parents when she came forward to testify against her uncle Richard Hayes Stone after he was linked to the suicide of teenager Sarah Van Cleemput. 

Stone was accused of molesting the 14-year-old girl in 2002 but there was not enough evidence to convict him. So Hatcher decided to come forward and reveal that her uncle molested her when she was a child. 

Hatcher wanted to remain anonymous when she testified against Stone but recently went public about her past in an interview with "Vanity Fair". 

This has led to her talking with her parents about this whole issue. And she was shocked when her father blamed himself for the childhood trauma she had to suffer. 

She says, "He said that he really consciously, because of his upbringing, withheld affection from me because he didn't want me to be a brat. 

He told me, "I feel now that if I hadn't done that, maybe you wouldn't be such an open victim to somebody giving you attention."

"It was a great jumping-off point between us. I genuinely wanted to hug my father and my mother... It felt like a great release and a great feeling."
 
Lee sends new album to US troops
Indo-Asian News Service

London, May 6 (IANS) Rocker Tomy Lee is showing his support for US troops in Afghanistan by sending them a consignment of his latest album.

According to contactmusic.com, Lee was shocked when he heard that shipping containers full of personal items sent for a US Army National Guard unit in Afghanistan were raided by thieves. 

He soon contacted the charity organisation Operation AC, which sends care packages to US troops, and made arrangements for copies of his album to be shipped out.

He says, "I'm so happy to be able to do something for them. Music gets us through a lot." 

He also hopes to send more albums to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.