SIFF opening gala tonight with Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend
It’s that time of year again. The Seattle International Film Festival takes over Seattle with 25 days of more than 400 films. It’s the 34th year for the festival, and tonight’s gala is the splashy beginning of it all.
Between 5:30 and 7 p.m., some big names are expected to grace the red carpet leading into McCaw Hall at Seattle Center: Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron (”Monster”) and her director boyfriend, Stuart Townsend. Both are scheduled to be in town to help promote “Battle in Seattle,” the movie being shown tonight as part of opening festivities.
Although the semi-fictionalized account of the 1999 WTO protests was shot mostly in Hollywood North (aka Vancouver, B.C.), Townsend did some shooting here, and I stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of Theron and Townsend and the film’s other stars as they shot a protest march down Fourth Avenue.
If you’re lucky enough — or willing to pay — the VIP option will get you some cushy accommodations pre- and post-screening. Otherwise, like me, you’ll be wandering with the rest of the masses in Exhibition Hall, trying to see if this will be a better party than last year’s. Who knows? The star glow that Theron and Townsend might lend to the evening could translate to good times.
Don’t count on being able to get a VIP ticket at this point, at least not for tonight. But regular tickets are still available.
If you’re interested in other movies throughout the festival, check on SIFF’s tickets page. Or you can go to SIFF Cinema (321 Mercer St. at McCaw Hall, Seattle Center) and the SIFF Main Office (400 Ninth Ave. N. in South Lake Union), which are also fully functioning box offices.
Charlize Rocks South African Screens in New Sun International Ad
| Filmmakers, a few astounded members of the public, and the occasional rogue journalist managed to catch a glimpse of Academy Award winner Charlize Theron in action on home ground, during the filming of the new campaign for Sun International. |
| The spot comes nearly 25 years after Sun’s initial “We Will Rock You” commercial did indeed rock the country. The commercial was directed by Giant Films’ Ian Gabriel and produced jointly by Anant Singh and Helena Spring of Videovision together with Cindy Gabriel and Kirsten Clarence of Giant Films. It was lit by Vicci Turpin and edited by Ricky Boyd. ‘This was a great opportunity to collaborate with Videovision. The experience was enlightening and hugely enjoyable,’ said Cindy Gabriel.
The commercial was conceptualised by creatives Felix Kessel, Jacques Massardo and Prabashan Pather of Ogilvy South Africa. ‘We set out to make this historic 90 second ad look like a segment of a feature film starring Charlize Theron,’ explains Ian Gabriel. ‘Charlize’s style and performance in this spot drew on the look and feel of her classic roles epitomized in films such as Woody Allen’s Celebrity, Robert Redford’s The Legend of Bagger Vance, and Lasse Hallström’s The Cider House Rules.’ ‘Charlize was an absolute pleasure to work with,’ Gabriel continues. ‘She’d respond with instinctive intelligence to any performance adjustments. Charlize is a great star and a greater talent and is able to step in and out of character at will. She particularly loved being lit by our camerawoman Vicci Turpin.’ Gabriel describes working on the last scene shot with Charlize at a very public poolside location – where some journalists managed to grab snaps of South Africa’s own Hollywood royalty, scooping cover stories for their publications. ‘Charlize certainly lived up to the unexpected comedy the scene created,’ smiles Gabriel, ‘I suspect we may see more comic work from her some time in the future. It’s definitely something she seemed to enjoy. The scene was a great way to end the intense collaboration we were all involved in. There was laughter all round. Charlize’s enthusiasm and love for life showed through on set, and literally shines through in the 90 second commercial for Sun International.’ |
Enthusiastic feedback pours in for Charlize ad
Enthusiastic feedback is pouring in for the historic 90-second commercial for Sun International featuring Academy Award winner Charlize Theron.
The commercial was directed by Ian Gabriel and conceptualised by creatives Felix Kessel, Jacques Massardo and Prabashan Pather of Ogilvy South Africa. The commercial marks a bold launch for Sun’s signature campaign for the coming years and gives notice that major brands are all gearing up for the big marketing opportunity that heralds the run-up to South Africa’s host status at the 2010 World Cup.
True to form, this commercial boasts an arresting soundtrack by Muse, aptly supporting its diverse and breathtaking visuals. Gabriel’s direction expertly brings out the commercial’s international feel while embracing its South African flavour: a melding of two worlds which Charlize Theron so accurately embodies.
Shooting with South Africa’s favorite Hollywood star presented the producers with some fascinating challenges. Time constraints were predictably tight, with Theron’s travel dates being confirmed just three weeks before her arrival back on South African soil. Lisa Jaffee, Head of Broadcast at Ogilvy explains, “Our delight with the end result of this commercial is doubled, when you consider that Giant Films were given three weeks, to quote and prep a six day shoot. In addition to pulling this off, Ian had to devise a shot list and shooting schedule which would maximize the very limited shoot days and shooting hours we had with Charlize Theron. I think a huge logistical feat and a fantastic visual result was achieved.”
Ian Gabriel describes how the shoot’s smooth running was made possible “because the agency bought into the process 100%. There was no room for confusion or two points of view on the floor,” he explains. “We’d pre-light and pre-rehearse with a double and would always shoot with two cameras, never asking Charlize for more than two or three takes to a set-up.”
“Charlize was an absolute pleasure to work with,” he continues. “She’d respond with instinctive intelligence to any performance adjustments. Charlize is a great star and a greater talent and is able to step in and out of character at will. She particularly loved being lit by our camerawoman Vicci Turpin.”
The commercial marked a unique collaboration between Giant Films and Videovision, as Anant Singh Executive Produced the commercial together with Cindy Gabriel and Kirsten Clarence of Giant Films, and Helena Spring of Videovision. It was lit by Vicci Turpin and edited by Ricky Boyd.
Brendan Seery, Media and Marketing, gives the spot an Orchid.
Red Carpet Photos: Charlize Theron At AFI Dallas
Dallas isn’t exactly LA. When celebrities roll into town, it’s kind of a big deal. So Saturday’s red carpet event at AFI Dallas’s closing festivities was crowded, with media and shoppers alike. That’s right, I said shoppers. This is Dallas, a city with no real culture of its own, so of course we hold our red carpets in the lobbies of Malls, and then all trundle upstairs for coffee from Starbucks and a screening of the movie being red carpeted. In this case it was Battle in Seattle, and the cast was there to get the word out on the film.
After waiting patiently through a host of minor celebrities and indie filmers, the night’s red carpet centerpiece arrived. Charlize Theron was there, looking resplendent, talking cordially with the swarming press, and enduring the screams of “We love you Charlize!” as they wafted down from the gaggle of shoppers assembled in the level above her, almost assuredly staring down her blouse.
She worked the red carpet with style, and as she was escorted up the escalator the AMC Northpark theater above, she was instantly mobbed by the rowdy mess of human infestation lurking in the rafters. Droves of people quite literally bum rushed her, running full tilt across the food court by the dozens, looking for all the world like an army of suicide bombers careening madly through the mall to blow her to hell. Luckily Charlize was already surrounded by security, and they rushed her upstairs without incident. At that moment though, I don’t think I’ve ever felt sorrier for someone richer and more successful than me. If that’s what it’s like for Charlize Theron to walk through a mall, her life must be a living hell.
You wouldn’t know it though from the smile on her face as she worked the carpet. Check out the image gallery below to see her radiance, as she works her way graciously through the assembled throng of red carpet press. And see all of our AFI Dallas red carpet photos here.
Charlize Theron blends in with the locals
As we showed you yesterday, Charlize Theron is in Paris at the moment, shooting an advert for Dior. Well today, it seems, she has decided to blend in with those other glamourous Parisian folk in this tres chic outfit.
Charlize and her boyfriend StuartTownsend visited the Gallery of the Evolution and the Garden of Plants, then St Suplice Church before of returning to the The Ritz Hotel.
And for this day of sightseeing Ms Theron sported black cigar pants teamed with black ballet pumps, and a long black scarf. She wore this with a pristine white mac and oversized shades.
I think this lovely look makes Cahrlize my Belle de jour!
Do your homework: Charlize Theron
Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron offered some stern advice to the paparazzi to do their homework before interviewing her at press junkets.
The 32-year-old actress revealed that she’s often left offended by comments reporters make when they chat to her about films in interviews.
“It bothers me that if you’re gonna come in, especially to these junkets… and you’re gonna be covering this industry, you should go and do your homework a little bit,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying.
“I understand that there’s a sense of entertainment and everybody wants the quick soundbite, but, at the same time, especially when you’re dealing with material that’s serious… Don’t come to me and tell me that North Country was a transformation; it’s dirt on my face.
“I got to a point… where somebody (said)… ‘You love playing ugly people…’ and I take such offence to that.
“Part of me almost wants to go, ‘Y’know what, that’s actually me… with no make-up, and I’m somewhat offended right now because you’re basically saying I’m ugly,’” she added.
Theron gets emotional on trip to AIDS testing clinic
London, March 11 (IANS) Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron got emotional when she visited a AIDS testing clinic in South Africa that she helped fund. Theron and talk show host Oprah Winfrey teamed up to create the clinic in Kwazulu-Natal. The actress went back home to shoot a short film about the mobile health clinic that travels to and fro to high schools and helps more than 3,000 students whose families were victim of AIDS, contactmusic.com reports.In the film, the actress is seen talking with kids and giving out gift bags and helping them with the AIDS test.
She said: “To see kids be able to talk that way with each other, with an adult, with a counsellor, that never happened when I grew up in this country. It’s hard because part of me feels incredibly blessed in my life and then you come here and you see people struggling, and then you see this beautiful thing which is the spirit of these people and how resilient they are and that’s the miracle.”
THERON AUCTIONS OFF CANNES DRESS
Oscar winner CHARLIZE THERON is auctioning off the first red carpet gown she was given by a designer - to raise money for charity.
Narciso Rodriguez made the one-of-a-kind silk dress especially for the actress when she made her debut at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2000.
The gown is currently up for auction on website eBay.com. The proceeds from the sale of the dress will be donated to Oprah Winfrey’s Angel Network charity.
Charlize Theron Beats Alyssa Milano In HD Hottie Poll
Washington, D.C. (March 9, 2008) — Charlize Theron has defeated Alyssa Milano in the first round of HDTV ‘Hottie Hysteria’ — TVPredictions.com’s elimination tournament to determine who’s the hottest female in High-Definition TV.
TVPredictions.com is posting a daily reader poll pitting one celebrity babe against another. Readers are being asked to vote on which female looks best in high-def. Then, based on their votes, each winner will move to the next round until only one woman is left standing.
(To learn more about our 32-woman tournament — and see past results — click Hottie Hysteria.)
In the Theron-Milano contest, Charlize, the Oscar-winning star of Monster, captured 55 percent of the vote to Milano’s 45 percent. (1,550 readers voted in the poll.)
Charlize, the number three seed in the Rear Projection division of Hottie Hysteria, will now face Jessica Biel, who crushed Cameron Diaz to advance.
Charlize Theron is sleepwalking her way to style
Charlize Theron Beats Alyssa Milano In HD Hottie Poll
The Monster star moves to the next round in HDTV Hottie Hysteria.
By Allison Moore
Washington, D.C. (March 9, 2008) — Charlize Theron has defeated Alyssa Milano in the first round of HDTV ‘Hottie Hysteria’ — TVPredictions.com’s elimination tournament to determine who’s the hottest female in High-Definition TV.
TVPredictions.com is posting a daily reader poll pitting one celebrity babe against another. Readers are being asked to vote on which female looks best in high-def. Then, based on their votes, each winner will move to the next round until only one woman is left standing.
In the Theron-Milano contest, Charlize, the Oscar-winning star of Monster, captured 55 percent of the vote to Milano’s 45 percent. (1,550 readers voted in the poll.)
Charlize, the number three seed in the Rear Projection division of Hottie Hysteria, will now face Jessica Biel, who crushed Cameron Diaz to advance.