JUNE 2005
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23 June 2005
Nic comments on Aussie epic
- Further to recent news regarding Nicole Kidman's potential involvement in Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic, I have now come across a direct quote from Kidman. Other articles have indicated her interest, but this is the first article I have come across that features a direct quote from the actress herself. The following quote is taken from an Australian Woman's Day magazine interview, the entire transcript of which can be found here.
Kidman makes the following comments:
"Baz Luhrmann [Moulin Rouge director] is putting together a love story that Russell and I are interested in doing together, so I'd be thrilled if this worked out because it's important to all of us to put that money back into the Australian economy."
Not only does this quote confirm her interest in the project, it also shows that she believes Russell Crowe is interested. This is despite his elusive comments regarding the film that were reported earlier this month. Kidman also mentions how important it is to her to give back to the Australian economy, and I fully believe she would be very keen to take part if Luhrmann decides to make this his next movie.
On a personal note, I am going on holiday to Paris tomorrow until the middle of next week, and so there will be no further updates to this site for a short time. Hopefully, no major Baz Luhrmann news will happen while I'm away! :-)
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13 June 2005
William Alexander article
Click
here to view the Sunday Telegraph article
(courtesy of foxy at Nicole Kidman
United)
- Following yesterday's report of the recent birth of William Alexander Luhrmann, foxy has kindly given me permission to use her scanned article from the Sunday Telegraph that announced the news to the world!
The article makes several interesting revelations. First of all, the spokesperson for the couple made the following statement: "Catherine and William are doing wonderfully, Lillian was thrilled to meet her little brother and Baz is over the moon again."
And it turns out that William is named after
Luhrmann's grandfather and great grandfather, Wilhelm. But the Shakespeare connection is still there, I
reckon! :-)
Furthermore, directly after the statement from the spokesperson, the article
goes on to read: "Luhrmann is expected to take some time away from his next film project, described as an Australian period epic, to celebrate the birth of his
son."
Could the spokesperson have let something slip about the Aussie epic being
definite? Does the Sunday Telegraph know something we don't? It's all
looking very promising, but we are still waiting for an
official announcement!
ATG speculation continues
- On a separate note, special thanks to nicolekidmanunited.com's roving reporter for allowing me to post this article that was published back in February 2005 when, even then, there was still speculation that Luhrmann's Alexander the Great could go ahead. Interestingly, the article reports producer Dino De Laurentiis said the film "was likely" to go ahead in 12 months time, which would be February 2006. But this was before rumours of Luhrmann's Australian epic began to surface... hmm, as stated above, all we can really do is wait for an official statement from Luhrmann for confirmation of his next project. Let's hope we hear something definite soon! ;-)
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13 June 2005
Congratulations Baz and CM!
William Alexander Luhrmann, 3.5kg, born in Sydney, on Wednesday, 8th June 2005!
- Special thanks to foxy from the fabulous Nicole Kidman United for being the first to share with me this fantastic news, as reported in the Sunday Telegraph! Catherine Martin was due to give birth this month, and check out the name... William (as in Shakespeare?) Alexander (as in Alexander the Great?)
This is the couple's second child, Lillian (Lilly) Amanda Luhrmann having been born on 10th October 2003.
Congratulations and all the best to Baz and CM! :-)
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9 June 2005
Nic set to reunite with Baz
- This week Entertainment Weekly indicated that Russell Crowe has not been approached regarding Baz Luhrmann's Australian epic. However, in an interview with Moviehole, the other rumoured star of the project, Nicole Kidman, has indicated that she is set to reunite with Luhrmann. The entire interview, dated today, can be found here. The relevant text reads as follows:
"The actress does hope to return to Australia to work, admitting that she and Baz Luhrmann are set to reunite for a new project, following the disappointed collapse of Eucalyptus, in which she was to star opposite Russell Crowe."
Unfortunately, this is all the interview reveals, and it is not a direct quote from Kidman. Still, at this stage, it is promising news until we hear more! :-)
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6 June 2005
Aussie Epic - Crowe not approached?
- All has been quiet regarding Luhrmann's proposed Australian epic over the past few weeks, which is not surprising as Luhrmann is not expected to speak out regarding this possible project until after the birth of his second child. It was widely reported last month that Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe were being 'wooed' by Luhrmann to star in the feature. However, according to a recent quote from Russell Crowe himself, he has not been approached. Crowe was asked about the project during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, which is featured in the magazine's 10th June edition (pictured above). The following is the relevant excerpt from the interview:-
EW "There have been reports recently you're going to do a big romantic epic with Kidman and Baz Lurhmann."
RC "I really believe in what Nicole and I could bring to the screen together, and Baz is somebody I would go to the ends of the earth with. I really don't know anything about what's been printed in newspapers, but considering I see Baz quite regularly for coffee and he hasn't brought it up...
whatever."
Unfortunately, the interview on the Entertainment Weekly website can only be accessed by paying subscribers. However, I have kindly been given permission to link to the interview posted by the excellent fansite, Russell Crowe - The Prose and the Passion (thanks to Murph). Click here to read the entire interview, including the except above.
I have to say I am not overly surprised by Crowe's comment that Luhrmann has not approached him regarding the film. Last month's reports of Crowe and Kidman being wooed were not backed up by any official quotes from either actor, or from Luhrmann, or indeed from any of their spokespeople. Perhaps it was merely media speculation, with reports attempting to link the two stars together in another Australian project after the failure of Eucalyptus? I guess nothing can be assumed regarding this project until we get an official statement from Luhrmann's camp, which will hopefully come within the next month or two. :-)
Baz gets 'rouge backside'!
- Late last month, Baz Luhrmann participated in the Great Australian Outback cattle drive, and the Daily Telegraph featured a great image of Luhrmann riding his 'trusty steed'! Click here to view the scanned article and full image (with special thanks to the fabulous Nicole Kidman United). The text reads as follows:
Rouge backside for Baz
Daily Telegraph, 30 May 2005
"He's famous for spending time with the likes of Nicole Kidman and Leonardo DiCaprio on sumptuous film sets
but lately Baz Luhrmann has rouged it.
The Moulin Rouge director last week joined the Great Australian Outback Cattle
Drive in outback South Australia.
Baz mounted his trusty steed and joined the six-week event at halfway in Mungerannie, helping drove 500 cattle on the Birdsville Track. He later partied at the Mungerannie Pub.
Maybe he found inspiration for his next film project, described as an Australian period epic."
Everybody's Free... 6 years later
- Finally, a nostalgic snippet of information from Sound Generator today announced that on this date in 1999, "Australian film maker Baz Luhrmann went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen'." Personally, I can't believe it's been 6 years since that song was released in the UK! And I believe the tune was released in 1998 in the US and Australia, which makes it even longer... I still remember listening to the tune for the very first time on my way to work one day, an account of which can be found here. It is a classic song, and one that I'm sure will be remembered for many years to come. :-)
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2 June 2005
Baz to judge Saatchi Awards
- A press release this week announced that Baz Luhrmann will be a judge for this year's Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas. Details are as follows:
"Change the World! The Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas
NEW YORK, May 31 /CNW/ -- Innovation -- the inspirational act that changes the world for people in life-enhancing ways. This is the focus of a prize worth $100,000 to be awarded by the global ideas company Saatchi & Saatchi. Held every two years, the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas for 2005 is currently open for entries and calls upon innovators from all over to submit their most communication-focused innovative project that could help change the world.
Worldwide Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi, Bob Isherwood, says the company believes passionately in the power of ideas -- to make the world a better place. "The award has a focus on communication and we aim to recognize brilliant thinking in this area, bring it to the world's attention and reward the most outstanding innovation."
Any innovation which could improve, revolutionize, or make possible communication between individuals, between individuals and their environment, between companies and their customers, between performers and their audiences, between nations or even between planets will be considered.
Previous finalists have ranged from a tornado early-warning system, self-adjusting spectacles, a sonar system that enables the
visually impaired to 'see' with their ears, a compound that can replicate the sensitivity of human
skin, a new kind of airplane, a storage system for the world's languages, and viable electric lighting for the developing world.
This year's award Judges are all unique innovators in their own right:
* Baz Luhrmann - Acclaimed film and theatre director
* Chris Anderson - Owner of the TED conference
* Edward de Bono - Inventor of lateral thinking
* Oliviero Toscani - Corporate image maker and photographer
* Philip Glass - Contemporary composer and musician
* Sue Savage-Rumbaugh - Leading primate-language researcher and author
Call for Entries is Open
All candidates may submit their entry with a central focus on communication. They may be scientific, linguistic, artistic or technological
-- hi-tech, lo-tech or no-tech -- prototype, completed project or merely a compelling idea.
The Prize
The judges will select the idea that, in their view, has the potential to provide the greatest communication benefit to the greatest number of people or
to a group of people with a particular need. The winner will receive a prize valued at US$100,000 (half cash, half in Saatchi & Saatchi marketing
expertise). An additional prize will be awarded -- the "Edward de Bono Medal for
Thinking" -- for an outstanding new idea which Dr de Bono considers is simple, practical, effective and in use.
Submitting an Entry
It costs nothing to enter the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing
Ideas, but winning the prize could change your world. Additional information and entry forms can be downloaded on:
http://www.saatchi.com/innovation
Entry for the Saatchi & Saatchi Award for World Changing Ideas closes on 10 June 2005. Finalists and winners will be announced towards the end of the
year."
Craig Armstrong update
- Craig Armstrong's official website yesterday announced that he will be performing at a concert in Portugal as part of the Serralves Festival. There was also news of a brand new collaboration involving Armstrong called The Dolls - hopefully more information regarding this will be released soon. I have now added the announcement to my Craig Armstrong page, which reads as follows:
LIVE DATES!
Craig Armstrong will be performing again with AGF at a special concert in Porto! The title of the show is 'The Dolls' and will feature Craig, AGF and Vladislav Delay, the widely known electronic music producer.
The three solo artists known for their many works and collaborations in all different fields of music come together to play a show based on a solo record of Craig Armstrong, "Piano Works" and introducing for the first time ever to the public their forthcoming collaboration album project, "The Dolls".
Details below..
Concert: 10:30pm
Serralves em Festa (Party as Serralves)
Serralves Museum of Contmporary Art
Rua D.Joao de Castro, 210
4150-417 Porto - Portugal
Website: www.serralves.pt
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