Have you ever had one of those unexpected moments, when things before that have been taking a turn for the bad, when you feel like walls are closing in, you cant breathe, and there is nothing but dark and gloom surrounding you. Then suddenly there is a thing, an event, a moment where it all seems to turn on a dime, how one perhaps tiny gesture can make such a HUGE difference, that it leaves you smiling like crazy, leaping with joy, and speechless at the wonder of it all.
If you've ever gotten a gift or had a moment like that, then you will full well understand what it was like for me the other night when I checked my email and saw a photo. Taken in one moment of time, one photo can say so much and mean so much to someone else, its really true. One single photo with lovely beautiful handsome faces, ones who I would ordinarily never know of or meet and would probably walk right by me without ever speaking to, ones with stories and pasts and thoughts and life journeys far different from mine, and yet in this photo are people I genuinely respect admire (and in some cases flat out adore) Such are the people below, those of Sigma Films.
Tiernan Kelly who runs Film City Glasgow, Anna Duffield, Gillian Berrie, Alastair Mackenzie, David Mackenize, Colin Kennedy and Brian Coffey
Dear people of Sigma films, It's like the best birthday, best holiday, best present in the world getting this photo, I just cherish this. I am so so thrilled, so happy to know about your work, so happy to share my thoughts on all your excellence via this blog, just plain...happy. That you would think of goofy me, take the time out to snap this pic and send this is just above and beyond, freaking cool lol, and frankly a hell of a very nice nice thing. Class acts all around, and I love this so very much!
I LOVE YOU SIGMA, and these talented cool interesting and fantastic people,with their lovely smiling faces (and woot note the HEART AND THE DOG in the background, MUCH LOVE AND ADMIRATION FOR YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH! CHEERS!!! Sue
UPDATE: I HAVE NICE PICS OF ALASTAIR, Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott and James Anthony Pearson at premiere of New Town Killers up on my FLICKR HERE
WENN has the first pics of Alastair Mackenzie, Claire Forlani (Mister Hallam Foe) and her husband Dougray Scott at the premiere of New Town Killers at the London Film Festival.
GETTY IMAGES -WITH CLAIRE, DOUGRAY AND RICHARD JOBSON (plus a closeup of her shoes and bag of all things but no Al wtf?)
REX FEATURES -again none of all, just the trio above
New Town Killers stars Alastair Mackenzie, Dougray Scott, James Anthony Pearson and is directed by Richard Jobson.
Personal note: I had intended to go, but unfortunately several weeks ago my father was diagnosed with cancer and I've been under a great deal of strain with that (my mother is quite ill and in a wheelchair so its double the work) as well as work this election -VOTE PLEASE and such. I greatly am saddened I am unable to attend the premiere of this film after following it and dedicating time and love to the process of the film (and all things Sigma for that matter) but truly truly my heart, good thoughts and support is with them all tonight. More pics when I find them!
ATTENTION HELGE- be on the lookout for a handsome but odd young man wearing a dead badger on his head! No its not some crazy tea fortune, HALLAM FOE IS HEADED YOUR WAY!
ps-the schedule said Hallam screened there back in April, was this right? did you get to see it then?
pps- check Colin's blog- GREAT ENTRY on Sound and he mentions you!
Double bonus-Part of the Trifecta of S, Savalas Sound will apparently being doing post production work on Luci, which makes sense of course, and is way cool too. The Savalas update says they did some work on the new BBC series PA as well as that Scotland's History which I want to watch, dunno if I will ever get to see either but both look good! I think Film City Glasgow is serving as a base or did for production on PA, hope the show is good too!
Woo!, there's been some good news on the progress of Colin Kennedy's I Love Luci short film. Because I am a doof, I was reading the comments on an older post, and he noted very recently this week that "The casting has gone very well. I'm not sure how much I am allowed to say about it, but all the parts have been cast and I am absolutely over the moon with the actors involved - they are all genuinely fantastic."
YES, THIS IS GREAT NEWS! I hope we will learn more in the next few weeks on who has been cast in the parts (and lol did he cast a DOG lol, and how exactly does one go about that process :D) I remember him writing on the official Sigma Films blog about the process of Hallam Foe, noting how tricky and involved the casting can be for a major film like Hallam was and what a huge step it is to have that complete; am anxious to hear a bit more on this front (think Kahleen Crawford handled it for this film but not certain)
UPDATE: COLIN HAS INDEED CAST his Lead, LUCI the Dog LOL Dude, I honestly do heart you soooo much for the update via Luciblog as it seems that Luci, will be portrayed by this friendly looking fellow, Wilson. awww Love it! :))) No word on if the salary is in bones or dog treats are in his rider teehee ;)
Oh yea, Anyone with artistic skills-SEE THE LUCI BLOG cause there's been a call for a Tattoo Artist to create something for the leading female to sport in the film. I have zero artist skills, let alone would have no idea on what to do for a tattoo, but I am certain with all the amazing and talented people working over there around Sigma this will turn out cool. Been pondering getting a tattoo for years, never been brave enough to try it alas but they are cool enough. I think Jamie S has a couple too, or maybe those were just for the films?
Finally, weather appears to be playing a role in getting production started on the short film. Gah. I am sure this must be a very stressful time with Colin, Gillian Brian and all in trying to decide when to shoot this. I remember reading how the horrid conditions that randomly popped up n the spring (HAIL one time ) so I can only imagine that weather in Scotland is a huge consideration esp if the film is having outdoor scenes and light just isnt there. blurg. FINGERS TOES AND ALL CROSSED you can get a schedule sorted and things can work out to shoot this year Colin!
Helge did you have to deal with stuff like this on your last film? I think I remember hearing about having to shoot something in those less that lovely winters you have there in Russia :)
Followup: WINNER! New Town Killer director Richard Jobson is Scottish Man of Style. Nabs win over his star in NTK, Dougray Scott. My vote of course would have gone to Alastair Mackenzie who wasnt nominated or Jamie Sives, but perhaps Im a bit biased on that front :D Anyway, congrats lol :)
*warning rant ahead: One I know Mr Jobson was in Aberfeldy screening New Town Killers but according to the film festival site, it said he was taking part in the Style Awards event too, so where the hell are the pics from this event?( and no not the festival thing which I doubt I will ever see a pic from *woe* Im talking this award show. They wonder why the heck there isnt more awareness of things happening in scotland...let's think.... oh how about- SERIOUS LACK OF PHOTOS on the major wire is one big reason. It is so so hard to come by ANY photos of any number from most events held in Scotland, it truly astounds me given the day in age, the sheer amount of technology available that there isnt more available. Anyone can put stuff out there for all, yes even in Scotland, and Im not on about random events held in tiny Highland villages, but Info and PHOTOS from major events held in major and modern cities like Glasgow-come on folks! Sad truth is that unless reuters/ap/getty/wireimage/even the freaking tabs dont get access/coverage events in Scotland, scottish news, films, happenings etc do NOT get the coverage it deserves. Sure an ap wire/press release is all well and fine, but we live in a visual world now folks, time to get the lead out and get more stills/videos out there. /end rant.
UPDATE: WELL WELL WELL -Guess what showed up almost 3 days after the fact- WIREIMAGE PHOTOS of the event, good grief. Still better than never, but honestly now....
IGN, one of the big game/movie/dvd sites out there (and one of the most reliable) has a small mention of the upcoming Mister Foe DVD that is due to be released finally here in the US on November 11. The uber brief mention just summarizes the plot and notes the DVD "will contain bonus materials and extra features, such as deleted scenes and feature commentary."
Hopefully it will contain director David Mackenzie's commentary, but I remain dubious any of the features/extras will be anything new ie not hopeful there will be new interviews conducted for the disc, but I do remain hopeful that there will be some of the fantastic stuff that 4C Slater/All things uploaded via their Youtube channel.
Most of all, I had really really wanted a hard copy of Colin Kennedy's fantastic documentary/behind the scenes features he worked on. I know that many are looking for info new clips here in the US and if you have not yet had the chance, or just want to watch again and dont have them on your iPod or MP3 player anymore, please go to iTunes and watch the Hallam Foe podcasts HERE. You can see-FOR FREE-many behind the scenes glimpses especially of Jamie and Sophia. I know many of their fansites also (and hte Ciaran Hinds folks do as well) have these uploaded as well as screencaps, so please go check them out! You can read more about the filming of Mister Hallam Foe via the well done GET YOUR PEOPLE BLOG here.
It should be noted that on the Magnolia Website it reads DVD release date Nov 4, but maybe that is the NetFlix date or who the heck knows. I pre-ordered mine from Amazon and Im getting it the 11th of November - a red letter day to say the least! (I think I will call it the Mister Foe Marathon day, when I watch the movie over and over along with all the various clips/interviews I can find!) The film also continues to screen in a very few theaters now and esp thru the entire month of Nov here in the States.
Mister Foe stars Jamie Bell, Sophia Myles, Ciaran Hinds, Claire Forlani, Jamie Sives, Ewan Bremner and was directed by David Mackenzie. Mister Hallam Foe is a SIGMA FILMS PRODUCTION
Earlier this month Nicholas Winding Refn gave a lengthy new interview to Twitchfilm.net where the director spoke about working on "Valhalla Rising," filming in Scotland, and his main star Mads Mikkelsen. Mr. Refn also spoke a bit about Jamie Sives (Sigma films Hallam Foe, Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself) and had some really positive things to say about my favorite actor. Quotage about the two lead actors in the film from Refn:
TB: When you cast Jamie Sives for Valhalla … first of all, I was really, really happy to see him show up in a film again because it’s been way too long.
NWR: He’s a great actor.
TB: He’s fantastic. Did the fact that he and Mads had worked together before factor into that some?
NWR: What’s strange is that I actually met Jamie when I was casting Bronson. We looked at him not to play Charles Bronson but one of the other major characters in the movie. Bronson just didn’t work out with him but I kept him in mind and when we went on to do Valhalla, because I basically had to hire the same casting director to do Valhalla and Bronson so that I could cast the two movies at the same time, we just naturally went towards Jamie. Who I think is just a fucking brilliant actor. He looks like a movie star. I’m quite amazed that nobody’s picked up on him so far ... He’s very photogenic, which is important, and he’s just a really good actor.
TB: He’s incredible in Wilbur Wants To Kill Himself.
NWR: Yeah. And he’s a very pleasant guy, which is not always the case. And that’s the thing with Mads, too, he’s such a nice guy. And there’s no bullshit with Mads.
FUCKING BRILLIANT ACTOR. LETS REPEAT THAT LAST PART
BRILLIANT ACTOR
BRILLIANT ACTOR
BRILLIANT ACTOR
yep ! (and err yea I totally agree with how photogenic, movie star good FREAKING HANDSOME HE IS part, just just ...*swoonage city*)
Anyway, back to reality, the interview likened Valhalla Rising to a type of prehistoric Pusher movie lol, and Nicholas Refn went on to discuss this and the process of filming in the highlands of Scotland.
Originally I sold it as that, that I was going to use that sort of approach. But then once I got to the first day of shooting – it was a nine week shoot, we had no money but that forces you to think creatively – I had found a mountain that took three hours to get to the top of. It was minus ten. It was freezing, freezing, freezing. I was standing up there thinking, “What the fuck have I got myself into?” And that’s when I said “This is not Pusher. I may have sold it as that, but this is something else.” It became a combination of a lot of things: the mythological heroes that I grew up fascinated with, having a family that was very much into the fine arts and cinema, growing up with American television and badly dubbed samurai movies and spaghetti westerns. Escape From New York was the biggest thing in my life when I was younger. It suddenly gravitated towards that. And because I shoot my films in chronological order they’re able to take on a life of their own and that’s what happened on Valhalla. It began to dictate its own approach to things, how it wanted to be told. And visually, you honestly can’t just shoot the way you would in an urban environment when you’re out in the middle of nowhere in the mountains because it just screams for something else. I always believe that if it feels right, go for it, and that just became the approach."
Excellent!! and props to Todd Brown of Twitch for asking about Jamie especially!
One related Valhalla Music note: It would seem that Magwai is NOT doing a piece for the score/soundtrack of VH. Scotland on Sunday ran a feature on the band recently and they mentioned their works for films. Quotage:
At the moment, touring has quelled the potential for anything else, he admits. "There have been vague things mentioned. There's a film being made in Scotland, I can't even remember the name, about Vikings (it's called Valhalla Rising, and stars Mads Mikkelsen] and we were in talks about that; it sounded pretty cool but we just aren't here at the right time." In the long term, though, he does admit he would love to work with David Lynch or Lars von Trier."
New Town Killers, starring Sigma's Alastair Mackenzie is not just a film full of handsome men, nope, it's also a showdown between two stylish men....co-star Dougray Scott and director Richard Jobson.
In what can only be described as a loopy sort of style off, both Mr. Scott and Mr. Jobson are nominated this year as "Most Stylish Male" in this year's Scottish Style Awards. The awards are due to be presented later this week, and no word on who has that killin edge going into this hard fought contest, but I wonder if another music dynamo might sneak off a surprise victory (David Bryne of the fabulous Talking Heads) but LOL how cool I thought-only they overlooked Alastair, and Jamie Sives, and David, and Jamie and Colin and and ...ok I'll stop now :))))
BESIDES MR. JOBSON wont be there, for as noted earlier, he is screening New Town Killers THIS FRIDAY!! For the lucky folks who are going to Aberfeldy, you can see the film early before its world premiere at the London Film Festival (opening night- SOLD OUT). The Herald reminds us that at Aberfeldy:
"a fiver buys you a sneak preview of the film, a talk by Jobson and a glass of wine as well. Jobson will be talking about his work, with particular emphasis on the use of Edinburgh as a location. Last week, however, he was holed up in an editing suite, battling to get New Town Killers finished in time for the Aberfeldy and London events.
Jobson, a Fifer who found fame in the pop group The Skids in the 1970s, said: "It's a story based around two hedge-fund managers who are out of control and get their kicks from hunting people rather than animals."
Dougray Scott, recently seen in American drama series Desperate Housewives, and Monarch Of The Glen star Alastair Mackenzie play two financiers who target a young man, played by James Anthony Pearson, who played Bernard Sumner in last year's Joy Division film Control. They plan the hunt months in advance, entrapping their target financially and forcing him into a deadly 12-hour game of hide and seek.
"The hunt is all over the city," said Jobson. "I'm using everything from the Innocent Tunnel to the canal, various back streets and alleyways, bars from the port of Leith to a whole array of different restaurants and clubs."
Mr. Jobson will also be a guest on the Radio 4 programme Loose Ends shortly after (next day I think). NTK is getting some good coverage, SKY has a photo and article here, where he is quoted as saying:"In my head now, I'm still 17 years old and my movie still feels like a gig to me and playing here in Leicester Square, during the London Film Festival and having a really nice slot, it's a fantastic experience and the tingle factor is still there," he said.
Edinburgh Guide also has this preview of the New Town Killers online.
Footnote: Mr. Jobson, and Andrew Orr of "Independent Film Sales were speakers at a recent UK Film Finance Summit; not sure if progress was made toward getting more funding towards independent and esp to the film industry in Scotland or what they said.
Egads but have I been dreadfully overwhelmed of late, and pitifully behind on things from the sweet world of Sigma, so here is what I've missed of late.....
It's no fish tale this bit of news, no, it's Trout, the short film directed by Johnny Barrington and produced by Anna Duffield of Sigma. Trout has been screening over the past few weeks as part of Scottish Digital Shorts 2009; the last showing this month was yesterday of course, but fear not, lucky people in Inverness can see it next month on November 3 at Eden Court, then on November 13 folks in Dundee can see it at the Contemporary Arts center there. No word if Mr. Barrington or Anna D was there but blurg I hate this ocean that gets in my way from enjoying all this stuff!
Congratulations go to Jamie Bell for a win as Best Actor at the Tunisia Film Festival for his role as Hallam Foe!
The ever awesome KATIE DICKIE presented the nominations for the Scottish Bafta Awards. One film she is in even got a nom (the lovely Summer which Ive now seen and really liked, just a lovely film). The Herald had a short mention of Katie and her own BAFTA she rightly won for her flat out brilliant performance in Red Road. The piece noted Katie has to store this on a shelf high out the reach of wee hands, those belonging to her young four year old daughter who "thinks the Bafta face-mask is a dressing-up head, and Kate usually found it festooned with necklaces and earrings when her back was turned." LOL my twin nieces do the same thing, only its with a freaky Bratz/Barbie head that I got them last Christmas. Anyway, the Herald blurb also said Katie wants to smile more in roles (People think I'm a miserable cow," she admits) WELL WHAT ABOUT IN ROUNDING UP DONKEYS???? I thought this was supposed to be much more comedic, right people Sigma- HINT NUDGE HINT FOR MORE INFO ON THIS MOVIE PLEASE .... :))) No word if Katie will be presenting this year, but I can hope, along with another appearance from Alastair Mackenzie or Kahleen Crawford or any of the gang from Sigma-I dearly hope Colin will be going and post something just because I especially enjoyed all his drunken hilarious and strangely well written post party posts, like for the Baftas and at all the festivals...ah the good old days!
Anyway, here is a pic of Katie, who I think has a great smile!
Quick update: Been down with a horrible cold, went to NYC-FRANZ FERDINAND I LOVE YOU! more on that shortly, and just saw via Empire via Variety lol, the new full length trailer for "Defiance" is now online. The film of course stars Daniel Craig who is getting huge amounts of press these days bleh, as well as Jamie Bell (Mister Hallam Foe). I have to say this new trailer seems to be a bit too bondish for me, but Craig is actually a fine actor (as is Mr. Bell and Liev Schreiber), and I remain hopeful the film will actually be better than this.
The Sunday Times has a nice profile online today regarding the upcoming "New Town Killers" starring Alastair Mackenzie and Dougray Scott. The article features a good interview with director Richard Jobson who describes the film as "a metaphor for banks and “what they do on the margins of society to socially invisible people”.
Calling the new film 'a David and Goliath fable for our time, in which the Armani-wearing, Maserati-driving agents of rabid capitalism get everything that’s coming to them,' the director gives his thoughts on how he sees the roles played by Dougray Scott and Sigma Films own Alastair Mackenzie as follows:
“It’s Burke and Hare in beautiful Armani cashmere jackets: two handsome men with guns in their hands driving a Maserati Quattroporte. It’s a pretty high-octane chase movie. It doesn’t slow down."...'They are nihilistic in the extreme.' "
A bit of news for Claire Forlani (Hallam Foe) fans, for the piece notes that Mr. Jobson is making another film with Dougray Scott, and has cast his wife in the film as well, a 'a film noir of Macbeth.' Excellent news!
New Town Killers opens this month at the London Film Festival on October 28
Today I should like to address matters of the heart.
I honestly dont know, I really dont know what the hell is the matter with me of late, but I am truly slipping and there's been enormous pressure on the personal and professional front, so I'm woefully behind on things that matter. things that matter to this heart at least:
Heartbeat One: Great news in that last week Colin Kennedy began the casting process for his short film "I Love Luci." I think this is terrific, and if he is holding true to what he posted earlier, I am thinking Kahleen Crawford must be doing the casting for him, but not certain. In lieu of an imdb page for referrence, my plan is -tangent upon me surviving past november that is-to make up a separate page here with all the crew and shoot dates etc. Dorky to be certain, but I actually like knowing who does what on films, and bother to wait for the credits at the end of the film too! ooh freak :P but anyway, aces ACES Colin that the film is moving forward in such a tangible way! Upward and onward for you! :))
Heartbeat Two: Heartland Film Society 2008 Festival features another topic close to my heart: New Town Killers, starring Sigma's own Alastair Mackenzie along with Dougray Scott. Director Richard Jobson will be giving a presentation on New Town Killers, WITH CLIPS TO BE SHOWN, as well as a talk on his work filming in Edinburgh. In addition, the festival website notes this talk will describe how he uses locations as characters in screenplays- yeS!! This is one of my favorite things about filmmaking, and I think David M does this as well to a lovely degree in his movies. Anyway this talk by Mr Jobson is the OPENING EVENT ON OCTOBER 24, with tickets now available for the event in Aberfeldy, Scotland Bonus Video: Clip from Youtube user Vincent
Heartbeat Three: Jamie Sives. Now yes yes I flat out ADORE him, my favorite actor (plus so damm swoonworthy, my heart just pounds sometimes when I watch him in Wilbur-which I did the other night which saved me) This mention however is not about shameless drooling this time, but rather to point out that at the above event, A Woman in Winter will be screened at the Heartland Festival on Saturday, October 25. No word if Jamie will go to this event, probably not and no way in hell I can fly over to Scotland now for it anyway, but still hopefully others will get a chance to watch this unique film of Jamies and Mr. Jobsons.
Heartbeat Four: No bloody word yet on what is happening with the follow up to REd Road, "Rounding up Donkeys," booo! please please anything? Am I the sole fan out here who cares and is waiting for this movie? Anyway, was checking to see if Digital Guerillas had released any of their footage they shot while the movie was ongoing and it turns out they are making a peice for VALHALLA RISING. Quotage: "Digital Guerillas has visited and produced a set report for Glasgow Film Office on the new feature film Valhalla Rising. With interviews from Mads Mikkelsen, Gary Lewis, producer Karen Smyth and many more it will show an interesting insight into the making of the film. Look out for the report closer to the release of the film." Ok yes I will look for that- and lets hope there is lots of JAMIE Sives in there too besides Mads :)) BTW I am thinking VH has wrapped, but could be wrong. Those videos of Sasha seem out of order to me, but I am uncertain if theyve finished filming completely in Glasgow/ FCG?
Heartbeat five: Right, clearly I've got a broken heart yet again-I fail... besides being horrified that Sarah Moosehunter Palin may actually be one heartbeat/attack away from the presidency of the US-just no no NOOOOOO (for the non myriad keeping score at home, I sent mr. waay too young, yet sexy pickup driving manboy on his way-seems hes been driving round too many other ladies when I'm not there for even old bat and lonely me to endure heh- so buhbye babycakes! ) Naturally when you are blue and disgusted there is nothing but romance and sappy movies showing on tv, but I was reminded of a film that had love in it, rather sums up my own life Love and other disasters, lol. The film was eh errm well ..., and the following clip is out there, and yes totally I lied,time for more Jamie Sives
