'PSYCHO' VIOLINIST'S INSTRUMENT GOES UNDER THE HAMMER

A fine French violin owned by the legendary Louis Kaufman (1905 - 1994) until his death is to go under the hammer later this month. With solo performances on over 500 film scores and the almost single-handed revival of
Vivaldi's music to his credit, Kaufman is probably the most recorded violinist in history to date. The instrument is to sell at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, on 23 May.

Millions of cinema-lovers the world over will be familiar with Kaufman's work, since he can be heard on hundreds of film scores from the 1930s 'Golden Age' of Hollywood through to the 1970s. As Tinseltown's most
sought-after soloist, Kaufman played on the soundtracks of such classic movies as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, Showboat, For Whom the Bell Tolls, The Greatest Story Ever Told and Psycho. Of his life here, classical radio
DJ Jim Svejda gave the highest praise: "Maybe the only guy in the history of Hollywood who never said a bad thing about anybody, and about whom no bad thing was ever said."

Hailed by The New York Times as "a violinist's violinist and a musician's musician," Louis Kaufman was born in Portland, Oregon, and by the age of 13 was studying with Franz Kneisel at the Juilliard (New York's Institute of
Musical Art). From there he went on to fame and fortune both in the concert hall and on the silver screen, a life reflected in his posthumously published autobiography, 'A Fiddler's Tale: How Hollywood and Vivaldi
Discovered Me.' The introduction to the book, penned by Jim Svejda, honours Kaufman's abilities as a performer: "He had a big, rich, sweet sound, never cloying, wonderfully warm. He was a chameleon - he knew exactly how to get into whatever particular style or moment (the music) needed, but it was always recognisably Louis."

The music of Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) has penetrated our musical consciousness so vigorously that today it is hard to image a time when he was virtually unheard of. Yet when CBS conductor Alfredo Antonini asked
Kaufman, at short notice, to perform the Italian composer's 'Le Quattro Stagioni' (The Four Seasons), Vivaldi's name was not even listed in music history books. Yet since Kaufman's first recording of this piece in December
1949, which won France's Grand Prix du Disque in 1950 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002, 'The Four Seasons' has become one of the most famous and prized pieces in the basic repertoire of classical music.

The fine violin to be sold at Bonhams is thus made all the more remarkable given the talents of its previous owner. The rich red-brown instrument is by 'Gand & Bernardel Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique 1884,' and is
estimated to fetch £10,000 - 15,000 at auction. Two very fine silver mounted violin bows which belonged to Kaufman are also included in the sale; one by N. Maire of Paris, circa 1850, and the other by P. Simon, Paris, circa 1860. They are estimated to fetch between £6,000 - 10,000 and £10,000 - 15,000 respectively.

London Production Revolution

‘London Day’ in Cannes marks announcements to make London even more attractive base for film productions with new Police Filming Unit and Online Permitting Portal

At the Cannes Film Festival today Film London will announce "the most comprehensive revolution in film production in London for 25 years".

Top British film-makers Stephen Frears, Gurinder Chadha and Martha Fiennes will mark the launch of the new London Filming Partnership by participating in a series of events as part of a ‘London Day’ in Cannes. The Partnership delivers a package of ground-breaking initiatives which will cement London’s position as one of the world’s leading film production centres.

The Partnership is the result of 12 months of extensive consultation between everyone involved in film production in London - industry bodies, local authorities and the major landmarks and organisations - chaired by Lord David Puttnam as part of the Film London Executive Task Force. Mayor Ken Livingstone and the London Development Agency back the Partnership, and over 80 partners have signed up already including all of London’s 33 local authorities, PACT, The Production Guild, Production Managers Association, Guild of Location Managers, Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police.

Film, TV and advertising productions in London will now benefit from:

· The first ever Metropolitan Police Filming Unit dedicated to assisting all productions filming in the capital;

· A red-tape busting ‘single online portal’ system to access information on London locations and arrange filming permissions;

· The free use of Film London location scouts for major feature film productions;

· No local authority filming charges for student and low-budget film-makers;

· Special discounts on accommodation, parking, transport and iconic locations;

· A transparent fee structure for filming across all 33 London boroughs;

· A 24 hour ‘filming hotline’ for local residents;

· A new mediation service for any film-maker involved in a local dispute;

These new benefits will deliver a massive overhaul to filming in the capital. They will ensure London remains an industry leader in an increasingly competitive international marketplace and allay any outdated perceptions of London as a difficult city to film in. Productions currently benefiting from London's film-friendly approach include The Da Vinci Code, V For Vendetta and Basic Instinct: Risk Addiction.

Film London, through the Task Force process, has also now produced a new step-by-step guide for filming in the capital and a guide for local authorities to make London film-friendly on a practical level. Both of these are available online.

Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said, “The capital offers wonderful locations. It provides the backdrop of a lively, modern and diverse city, as in Closer and Bullet Boy, as well iconic and historic landmarks, like those featured in Woody Allen's recent film. London has risen to the challenge to put it at the forefront of the international screen industries and the London Filming Partnership, led by Film London, will make the city an even easier and cheaper place to film. This agreement will make sure that film continues to deliver massive cultural and economic benefits to the capital.”

Lord Puttnam, Chair of the Film London Executive Task Force said, "This Agreement and the new Code of Practice for filming represent a very significant step forward in making London a more attractive centre for production for all of the moving image industries. We've had an incredible level of cooperation from everyone involved in the process - from those who represent the citizens of London, from the industry and from private sector organisations. I'm confident that the work of the Task Force will deliver significant benefits to all of its stakeholders."

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London said, “The London Filming Partnership will make London one of the best, easiest and most efficient places to film in the world. With the unprecedented support of everyone involved in film and media production in the capital I have no doubt that this agreement will help to keep London at the top of the international production industry. We have delivered the most comprehensive revolution in film production in London for 25 years".

Assistant Commissioner Stephen House of the Metropolitan Police Service said, "The formation of a Metropolitan Police Filming Unit is an enterprise generated in response to the requirements of both the business and residential communities of the London boroughs. This initiative has been stimulated by the Film London Executive Task Force in order to provide an integrated approach between the Police and film-makers operating in the London environs. The purpose of the new unit is to dramatically streamline and improve the efficiency of our working relationship with everyone filming in the capital."

Eric Fellner, co-chair Working Title Films, producer of Bridget Jones and Love Actually said, "I have been shooting movies in London for more than 20 years and, with the advent of Film London, this is the first time that we at Working Title feel that our films are being really helped on the ground. Perhaps even more importantly, I feel that the Film London Task Force, which I am pleased to be a member of, is genuinely succeeding in improving things to make London a more film-friendly and thus more competitive place to make movies, for everyone's benefit.”

GURINDER CHADHA, ALAN RICKMAN AND KATE WINSLET JOIN TCM IN SEARCH FOR BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM FOR 2005

TCM (Turner Classic Movies) launches its sixth annual TCM Classic Shorts competition on 16th May. For the first time the launch takes place as part of the prestigious Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors' Fortnight) during Cannes Film Festival. As with previous years, the awards ceremony is held during The Times bfi 49th London Film Festival in the autumn (20th Oct - 3rd Nov) at the National Film Theatre. The shortlisted titles will be screened at the awards and within the Short Cuts and Animation strand as part of TCM's continued sponsorship of the LFF.

Each year, the competition grows in stature and exposure, which is reflected by the film industry luminaries who are giving their valuable time to participate as judges in TCM's search to find the best short film of 2005. TCM is delighted to welcome its first female director, Gurinder Chadha, on to the panel this year.

TCM Classic Shorts is now established as one of the most prestigious and valuable short film competitions in Europe with £10,000 of prize money. Having discovered some of the best new film making talent in the UK in recent years, this year looks to be as popular as ever. Since the competition began, many of the short-listed films have gone on to receive further acclaim. Last year's winning film, Nits directed by Harry Wootliff received a BAFTA nomination, whilst 2002 entry Brown Paper Bag directed by Michael Baig Clifford and 2001 winner About A Girl directed by Brian Percival, both went on to win BAFTAs for Best Short Film. Nits will be screened on 20th May at Quinzaine des Realisateurs (Directors' Fortnight) during Cannes Film Festival.

TCM Classic Shorts is open to all UK made short films. The opening date is 1st May 2005 and all films must be received by 1st September 2005 at the very latest. The short-listed nominations are aired during a special weekend of programming on TCM and also screened at The Times bfi 49th London Film Festival during the awards ceremony.

The judging panel comprises:

Gurinder Chadha Director: Bhaji on the Beach; Bend it Like Beckham; Bride & Prejudice

Alan Rickman Actor, Producer, Director: Die Hard; Truly Madly Deeply; Love Actually

Kate Winslet Actress: Titanic; Enigma; Iris; Finding Neverland

Helen Mirren Actress: Calendar Girls, Gosford Park, Prime Suspect 6 (TV)

Julian Fellowes Writer, Producer, Director: Gosford Park; Vanity Fair; Separate Lives

Rhys Ifans Actor: Notting Hill; Vanity Fair; Enduring Love

David Morrissey Actor, Director: The Deal; Blackpool; Basic Instinct 2

Stephen Woolley Producer: The Crying Game; The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones

Paul Trijbits Head of The New Cinema Fund, UK Film Council

Richard Jobson Film Critic, Writer, Producer, Director: Sixteen Years of Alcohol

Colin Kennedy Editor of Empire magazine

Matt Mueller Editor of Total Film

Wendy Ide The Times bfi London Film Festival, short film programmer

Nick James Editor of Sight & Sound magazine

Chris Law Managing Director - UK Territories, Warner Brothers

Tina McCann General Manager of Turner Entertainment Networks Europe


Further information and entry forms are available at: www.tcmonline.co.uk/classicshorts

and for further information about The Times bfi London Film Festival, please log on to: www.lff.org.uk

TCM (Turner Classic Movies), a Time Warner company, launched in Europe in 1999. The channel draws on an extensive library of timeless movies presenting them in a contemporary style. The channel is available via cable and satellite and reaches over 9.8 million UK households. In 2004 TCM was the 3rd highest rated movie channel behind Sky Movies 1 and Sky Movies 2.

London takes centre stage at Cannes

£400 London short sits alongside big name productions on Cannes shortlists

London will take centre stage at the world’s most prestigious film festival this week, as the star of Woody Allen’s eagerly awaited UK debut Match Point. New York’s favourite director shot this dark thriller, which stars Scarlett Johansson and James Nesbitt, all over the UK capital last summer – choosing London’s skyline landmarks like ‘The Gherkin’ (30 St Mary Axe) and Tate Modern. Allen is poised to make his second London film later this year.

Match Point will screen outside of the Official Competition on Thursday 12 May. Alongside it will be Chromophobia another high profile feature from one of London’s emerging big talents, director Martha Fiennes (Onegin). Her darkly comic film, set and shot in contemporary London and starring Penelope Cruz, Damien Lewis and James Nesbitt, has the coveted position as the selection for the festival’s closing night gala.

Another London contribution to the festival shows you don’t have to have a big budget to compete in the world’s most celebrated film event. The Man Who Met Himself, a short film shot on Super 8 by four London film-makers with a staggering budget of £400, has caught the eye of selection officials and screens as part of the Short Film Palme d’Or. With the support of Film London, the short will receive its debut screening at Cannes on Wednesday 18 and Friday 20 May.

To consolidate these achievements 16 May will see ‘London Day’ on the Riviera. Top London film talent including Stephen Frears and Gurinder Chadha are joining Film London, the city’s media agency, to mark a day of events celebrating London’s contribution to global film production.

‘London Day’ kicks off with a press conference where film-makers Paul Hitchcock, (Mission Impossible) and Sandy Lieberson (Performance) together with Film London Chief Executive Adrian Wootton will launch the results of the 12 month Film London Executive Task Force to make London a more film-friendly city.

Other events on the day include a head-to-head discussion with UK film-makers Stephen Frears and Gurinder Chadha who will talk about the unique qualities of film-making in London.

‘London Day’ also sees the launch of London Plus, a new partnership between the South East’s major film studios, screen agencies, post production sector and leading production crew. Under the scheme producers from around the world will be able to arrange to scout locations, source crew and find a studio stage or post production facility with a single phone call or email. London Plus will cement London’s position at the heart of European film industry and boost film production in the capital.

‘London Day’ – Monday 16 May 2005

9:00am

Press conference at the UK Film Centre

With Paul Hitchcock, Producer (Phantom of the Opera, Mission: Impossible);

Sandy Lieberson, Producer (Jabberwocky, Performance) and Chair of Film London;

Adrian Wootton, Chief Executive of Film London

11.45am-1pm
The Script Factory Head To Head: Gurinder Chadha talks to Stephen Frears
Two of the UK’s finest exports, Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride & Prejudice) and Frears (Dirty Pretty Things, Mrs Henderson Presents) explain why they love making movies in London.

3-4pm
The Script Factory - panel event TBC
***
The London Plus partnership of leading figures in UK production includes four major studios: Pinewood-Shepperton, Ealing, 3 Mills, Elstree and the three regions film commissions including Screen East, Screen South and Film London and UK Post, an umbrella organisation representing the UK post production and visual effects sector in the South East and the Production Guild of Great Britain. www.londonplus.org

Film London is the strategic agency for film and media in the UK’s capital. Film London sustains, promotes and develops London as a major international film-making and film cultural capital. This includes all the screen industries based in London – film, television, video, commercials and new interactive media. Film London is supported by the UK Film Council and the London Development Agency through Creative London. Film London also receives significant support from Arts Council England London, the European Regional Development Fund, the Mayor of London and Skillset.

See: www.filmlondon.org.uk

TOP INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE JOINS IN-FUSIO'S SUPERVISORY BOARD

Interactive Entertainment Veteran Executive Jeffrey Lapin
Appointed Vice Chairman to IN-FUSIO's Supervisory Board

Bordeaux - May 3, 2005 - IN-FUSIO, the international mobile games publisher and players community management provider, announced today that its shareholders have confirmed the appointment of top industry executive, Jeffrey Lapin as Vice Chairman to the company's supervisory board. Lapin has extensive executive experience within the interactive entertainment industry as the former Chief Executive Officer and Director of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and previously, the Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Director of THQ, Inc (NASDAQ: THQI).

"Jeff Lapin's extensive understanding of the games industry and successful publishing models will add a great deal to IN-FUSIO," said Gilles Raymond, Co-CEO and founder of IN-FUSIO. "His senior management experience and network will also help IN-FUSIO to strengthen its unique position as a mobile game service provider in our fast growing market."

"My decision to join IN-FUSIO's board is motivated by the company's unique strategy and position in the market. Beyond the games, IN-FUSIO is building through its player community services what the wireless entertainment will look like in a few years," said Lapin. "This is an exciting opportunity in a fast evolving industry and I look forward to help guiding IN-FUSIO's growth."

MODERN KOREAN WOMEN

Presented by: Korean Film Archive and Leeds Film Quarter

"Leeds Film Quarter is delighted to be the first international partner to present KOFA's new Modern Korean Women retrospective,an intriguing selection of features exploring female roles in a Far Eastern society,"

The most exciting filmmaking nation of the moment, Korea has a phenomenal,mostly unchartered cinema history and the country's national film agency KOFA is working hard to restore and promote some of the several thousand films produced.Leeds Film Quarter is delighted to be the first international partner to present KOFA's new Modern Korean Women retrospective,an intriguing selection of features exploring female roles in a Far Eastern society from six decades.Not until the 1990s was there much positive change in Korean women's social status,or even change for the women appearing in film: witness their demeaned depiction in the early work that contrasts with the societal shakedown in the most recent film A Good Lawyer's Wife.

"Modern Korean Women" is brought to the region by Leeds Film Quarter. Run by Leeds Film, LFQ utilises venues across the city to explore the vast and challenging universe of cinema that lies beyond the known mainstream, often featuring the only UK screenings of selected films and frequently
presenting brand new prints.

In addition to the year-round Leeds Film Quarter and education programmes, it delivers the annual Leeds International Film Festival (10-20 November 2005) and Leeds Young People's Film Festival (Easter 2006)


The complete season of Modern Korean Women films are:

Madame Freedom
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 7th May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53242

My Mother and the Guest
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 8th May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53243

Girl's Night Out
Ster Century Cinema Monday 9th May 6.15pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53246

Young-ja's Heydays
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 14th May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53241

Ticket
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 15th May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53244

A Good Lawyer's Wife
Ster Century Cinema Monday 16th May 6.15pm
Ster Century Cinema Wednesday 18th May 8.15pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53248

The Marriage Story
Hyde Park Picture House Saturday 21st May 4pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53245

To You, From Me
Hyde Park Picture House Sunday 22nd May 3.30pm
http://www.leedsfilm.com/2006/lfq/film/53247

THE INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
LAUNCHES NEW FRIDAY FILM FEATURE

Paris, April 27, 2005: The International Herald Tribune (IHT) announced today the launch of a new weekly feature on world cinema and the international movie industry called Film. Starting this Friday, Film will provide reviews, profiles and feature articles from IHT writers and The New York Times’s award-winning film critics, as well as look at trends and issues driving the business of filmmaking around the world.

Alison Smale, managing editor of the IHT, said: "Movie coverage is already a strong part of our daily cultural offering but this new Film feature allows us to give increased emphasis to this most international of media. The global movie industry is changing on a daily basis, both commercially and in terms of subject matter and the time has come for us take a focused look at the nature of these changes."

The IHT is gearing up to provide special daily coverage of the 58th Cannes International Film Festival (May 11-22). Prominent contributors will include award-winning film critic A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis from The New York Times as well as Joan Dupont, Doreen Carvajal and Thomas Crampton from the IHT.

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, IHT senior vice president and commercial director, said, "We know that it is important for our international advertisers to reach our high-end readers at their most engaged and that is why exciting new features like Film are great news for our advertisers as well as our readers.”

This weekend the
DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS GROUP
brings you...

FINAL CUT PRO WORKSHOP

Saturday and Sunday 30 April and 1st May 2005

10am - 6pm each day

B3 Media, Brixton, London

£275 + VAT
DFG MEMBER PRICE: £250 + VAT!

Only a couple of places left on this workshop, which is the penultimate in this season's short courses. But don't worry they're back in September.

This great two day course teaches you how to use industry relevant equipment and Final Cut Pro software to edit your own documentaries.

The course is aimed at beginners as an intensive introduction to Final Cut Pro and editing. However if you do have a little editing experience your skills will be greatly improved.

You'll have two whole days worth of precious access to and hands on experience on Apple Mac G4's and FCP under the supervision of a successful and highly knowledgeable trainer and editor.

The course takes you through the basics of Final Cut Pro covering non-linear systems, hardware, basic editing, capturing and digitising.

You'll also investigate and have fun with audio and visual effects.

You will gain a mountain of invaluable hands on experience and learn a great deal in a short space of time.

Max participants 10

Tutor
SUE BROOK Sue also teaches our Grammar of Documentary Editing workshop as well as teaching NFTS courses. Amongst her credits as an editor, she edited LEAVING HOME for LWT, which won a British Academy
Award for Best Arts Programme. She has also edited CUTTING EDGE and FRAGILE EARTH programmes for Channel 4 and a documentary series on Anthropologists directed by Andre Singer for Central TV and THE
COMMISION a three part series for Channel 4. As a Director she has made various independent films including BOY SOLDIERS.

DFG MEMBERSHIP
To join DFG and make the most of the special price on offer for this FCP workshop go to
www.dfglondon.com/members.php

As a member access, amongst other things, our DOC CLINIC, the first issue of the DFG MEMBERS' BULLETIN and a full set of LEGAL CONTRACTS.

So sign up now and access the mountain of info, services and discounts on offer!

For more info contact us on 020 7428 0882 email info@dfglondon.com
see www.dfglondon.com

NEW EA CHALLENGE FOR DARE

DATE OF ISSUE: TUESDAY 26TH APRIL 2005

Games giant Electronic Arts (EA) is laying down a further challenge to students taking part in the international games competition Dare to be Digital, as it offers a special prize for two talented competitors who will win the chance to join EA later on in the year.

The prize comes on the back of EA’s announcement that it will join the list of official Dare sponsors for 2005, after supporting the competition for the past two years. The world’s leading interactive entertainment software company, has taken a keen interest in the Dundee based competition, with EA’s Executive Producer & Vice President, Richard Leinfellner, predicting that it will have “a major impact on the global games industry.”

As part of the sponsorship, EA will offer two Dare students - artists or programmers - the opportunity to join the 'EA Academy' at its European Studios in Surrey, as a follow-on to the 2005 competition. The winners will be given the opportunity to join an EA development team, working on a live game for up to four weeks, with accommodation and a salary of £250 per week, also funded by EA.

Dare to be Digital is a competition open to students from Universities and Art Colleges and is based at the University of Abertay Dundee, which runs the competition in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Dundee City Council.

EA joins Develop - the international trade publication for creators of interactive entertainment software – as new sponsors of Dare 2005. With its growing reputation for producing some of the most promising talent entering the games sector, the competition continues to receive invaluable support from, Microsoft, NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts), BBC Scotland Interactive and NCR.

“'We are delighted that Electronic Arts has offered Dare students the opportunity to work on a live EA game,” says Project Manager of Dare to be Digital, Jackie McKenzie. “This is testimony to the quality and talent of the students we attract to the competition.”

Supported by some of the biggest names in the games industry, Dare not only has teams from across the UK entering for the first time, but goes global for 2005, with additional support from the Scottish Executive, providing eight scholarship places to talented programming or computer art graduates from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand.

Judged by a panel of leading industry experts, Dare provides a unique working experience and is hailed by games industry bible, Develop, as “the closest you can get to commercial game development.”

Eight teams made up of five students are asked to submit a concept for a new and original computer game or educational entertainment product. Judges will be looking for the most creative ideas and those that fulfil the greatest market potential. Receiving help from industry specialists and a project fee of £1700, teams who make it through will have only 10 weeks to present a finished digital prototype and business sales document which can be pitched to investors.

Dare to be Digital has produced a long line of graduates who are now working for some of the top names in the electronic entertainment industry, including EA, Lionhead Studios, Visual Sciences and Real Time Worlds.

Interviews will be held Wednesday 4th May 2005. The competition takes place from June 13th to August 19th at the University of Abertay Dundee.

The ultimate Inception of Indian Cinema, MUGHAL-E-AZAM, resurrected

The epitome of Indian cinema, Mughal-e-Azam, has made world cinematic history, with its re-release in colour to become the first film in the World Cinema to be colourised for a theatrical release. Along with colouring and restoring the film, the music, the background score and the sound effects of the film, which were first recorded in the 1950s, have been re-recorded by the original composer, Naushad Ali and re-created for a true Dolby/ Dts 6.1 experience, another first for world cinema.

Mughal-e-Azam, recognised as a world cinematic classic, will be launched nationwide in the UK on 1st April 2005, and like its original release more than 40 years ago and its re-release in India late last year, the film is anticipated to supersede all existing box office records set by any Bollywood film, globally.

From the sets – sweeping, regal palaces, sandscapes, dungeons and escape routes – to the costumes and exquisite jewellery - to the innumerable extras, Mughal-e-Azam, which took an incredible nine years to make (1951 – 1960), is undeniably a cinematic classic, standing a monumental testament to director K. Asif's vision and commitment. The lavish song picturisations, the poignant performance of one of India’s most acclaimed legendary actors Dilip Kumar, the breathtaking beauty of the late celebrated Indian actress Madhubala, arguably one of the most beautiful actresses to have come from Indian cinema, and the ornate jewel and gold encrusted jewellery and costumes renders itself remarkably to a colour scheme that takes the epic beyond the black and white shades of the original.

The colour version of this magnum opus has renewed the life of this cinematic great, and cineastes from the UK, both old and young alike, will experience the enthralling and enchanting splendour of this grand epic. Mughal-e-Azam’s re-release in colour, has granted the ensuing generations, immediate access into this all-time classic, which will continue to remain undimmed by the tides of time.

The return of Mughal-e-Azam brings a revived version of a timeless soundtrack created 44 years ago. The haunting music, which was originally composed by one of India’s most celebrated music maestros Naushad has been re-recorded again by Naushad (now 85 years old), with meticulous care to preserve the pristine and sublime quality of each song. Music lovers will once again become enchanted by the young melodious voice of Indian nightingale and Guinness Book of World keeper Lata Mangeshkar, anthropomorphised through the coloured screen. Interestingly, while re-recording and re-mixing the songs, using a very advanced technology developed indigenously in India, the original voices of the artists and the singers have been maintained.

The original production company, Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt Ltd, has produced the new version of Mughal-e-Azam, and around 150 technical personnel worked at six different studios to complete the whole work.

Synopsis:

Set in 16th century AD, Mughal-e-Azam tells the story of doomed lovers, court dancer Anarkali (Madhubala), and Prince Salim (Dilip Kumar). Their relationship makes us ponder if we have ever seen a pair so sheathed in ardour, passion and despair as every caress, touch and breath they take exudes the power of true love. When Prince Salim’s father Emperor Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) learns of their love, he is furious and does his best to thwart the romance saying a commoner could never be the empress of India. Though the love story is the backbone of the film, it is Akbar's dilemma that is placed centre stage as he is torn between love for his only son and the demands of the Mughal Empire. Salim however is adamant and rebelliously leads an army against his father. He is defeated in battle and brought before Akbar who sentences him to death. Anarkali agrees to sacrifice her life for Salim to be spared and after spending the night with him is taken to be entombed alive in a brick wall.

But is Anarkali ever rescued and reunited with her lover?

Does Emperor Akbar ever accept the relationship and defy the rules of his kingdom?

Mughal-e-Azam evocatively, passionately and endearingly reveals the answers to the above, whilst captivating a mesmerised audience …

Mughal-e-Azam Fact Sheet:

Mughal-e-Azam will be on general release nationwide in the UK in March 2005.

Mughal-e-Azam is the first film in the world to be colourised for a big screen (35mm) release

The colourisation technology development and execution was completely done in India. It would be the first time that Indian cinema has achieved technological achievement ahead of Hollywood in Image Processing.

Hollywood firms have been able to colourise films only for TV or DVD output. Never before has colourisation technology been developed to transform the black and white dyes of a feature film’s print, to reveal a spectrum of true colours. The technique has been pioneered in India, where a new restoration and colourisation software was created and customised in such a manner that it accepts only those dyes that match the grey shades of the original input and incorporates features for a 35mm release. The Research and Devlopment on colourisation and restoration process took almost one and half years to develop and over 12 months of execution time. It comprises digitizing the 300,000 frames of the film at 2k resolution. In order to revive the masterpiece, gamma contrast and fungus correction, scratch and pinhole removal, digital stitching of torn frames and stabilization work has been carried out on the original negatives. This ensures that the colours selected are as close as possible to the original.

The whole exercise was extremely complex owing to exquisite clothing and the ornate jewellery and grand sets used in the movie.

The old version of Mughal-e-Azam was showcased in more than seven international film festivals across Europe and the US in 2003-04. The first screening of the new version was held at the Berlin Film Festival on 18th February, 2005 and showcased in the Retrospective &Homage segment, which has screened other classics such as Citizen Kane, Gone With The Wind and Wizard of Oz. Mughal-e-Azam was launched with 150 prints on November 12th 2004 and is now running successfully in 194 prints in India and the Gulf. The number of prints is set to increase to over 250 when launched overseas in the UK and US. Gone With The Wind was re-released in 1998 with 200 prints.

Mughal-e-Azam was made at a time when colour technology had just been introduced in India. In paying heed to this technological development, K. Asif’s desire was to re-film Mughal-e-Azam into colour, as this would best portray the magnitude of his film. He was only able to shoot four reels in colour, and as a result of impatient distributors (who had already waited for nine years), Mughal-e-Azam was released 85% in black and white and 15% colour. Nonetheless, the colourisation of his film signifies the fulfilment of K. Asif’s incomplete vision and not a tamper with art. The artists of the film, the heirs of the artists and the family of K Asif are all very happy with the new version.

The film was re-released in India on the same scale and grandeur as was done in 1960, for instance, the print for Mughal-e-Azam was once again unloaded at the cinemahall from an elephant top (as in 1960), becoming one of the most talked about film premieres in the world.

When originally released in 1960 in Maratha Mandir, India, the film had 100% booking requests for seven weeks even before the first show of the film. The film had an uninterrupted run for three years in full shows, a record unbeaten for 44 years.

While creating a 21st century cinematic experience, the originality of the film was completely maintained – a rare combination of Medieval Art and Contemporary Technology.

In the shooting of the war scenes, 2000 camels, 4000 horses and 8000 army men from the Indian army took part. In the war scenes, real soldiers, horses, cavalry from the Indian army was used, arranged through a special permission from the Ministry of Defence, India.

Lurker Films Announces the H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind on DVD

Portland, OR (PRWEB) April 21, 2005 -- Lurker Films, Inc. the world's leading producer and distributor of Lovecraft related film products announced the immediate availability of "The H.P. Lovecraft Collection™ Volume 3: Out of Mind" on DVD, available from merchants throughout the United States.

"Out of Mind" casts an entertaining eye on the work of American writer H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), one of the early 20th century's masters of gothic-horror literature. The film offers an encounter with Lovecraft and enters into his world. Engaging in a kind of game around the writer, the film playfully winks at many of the themes characteristic of his work: the occult, cursed books, monstrous creatures, and the world of dreams. Out of Mind draws its inspiration from Lovecraft's actual personal correspondence and many of his stories, carrying the viewer through a labyrinth "beyond the wall of sleep."

The H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind DVD includes:
• “Out of Mind: The Stories of H. P. Lovecraft” television feature film
• Two audio commentary tracks by writer/director Raymond Saint-Jean, actor Christopher Heyerdahl, and cinematographer Serge Ladouceur.
• John Strysik's award winning student short film “The Music of Erich Zann” with both Dolby 2.0 and 5.1 audio options.
• Aaron Vanek’s student short films “The Outsider” and “My Necronomicon”.
• Interviews with the crew of “The Music of Erich Zann”
• The third part of the continuing interview with the foremost Lovecraft scholar in the world, S. T. Joshi.
• Bonus trailers of upcoming films including “Call of Cthulhu”

The H.P. Lovecraft Collection Volume 3: Out of Mind DVD will be available through retail at a suggested price of US$21.95. The DVD is not rated but a rating of PG-13 is suggested. Total running time of the DVD is over 120 minutes."It is fitting that this DVD was mastered on March 15th, the anniversary of Lovecraft's death," said producer Andrew Migliore, "and occurs in the wake of the Library of America’s newly released volume of Lovecraft short stories proving that Lovecraft’s writings have literary merit and is worth preserving."

Tiscali announces Best UK Debut Short Award for the Raindance Film Festival

Tiscali UK is set to continue its support of The Raindance Film Festival in September by launching the Best UK ‘Short’ by a First Time Film Maker Award - to be announced today at the opening of the Raindance East Film Festival.

The entry criteria: contestants must be first time filmmakers and have submitted a short film of under ten minutes. Raindance will select a shortlist of the five best short films, which will then be shown online and voted for by Tiscali users as well as a Raindance panel of judges. The winner will be awarded a prize of £1,000 and free Tiscali broadband for a year.

This is not the first time Tiscali has shown a commitment to the film industry. In 2004, Tiscali was announced as one of the major sponsors of the Rotterdam Film Festival, where it experimented in distributing art house films over the Internet and has also supported The Venice Film Festival. The company also backed a full feature film, 05/06 directed by Theo Van Gogh about the assassination of the flamboyant right-wing politician Pym Fortuyn which made its debut online. Within hours of its Internet release thousands of broadband users were downloading the film.

Richard Ayers, Portal Director of www.tiscali.co.uk says: "This is the next step for the film industry. The question is not "what is broadband?" but "what can you do with it?" The music industry has finally embraced online distribution and for film makers it offers very cost effective distribution to millions.”

"We are absolutely committed to putting more entertainment online. We have been showcasing free short films for over two years and this is a great way to debut new talent."

Elliot Grove, founder and Managing Director of Raindance says: "We believe Tiscali is particularly innovative in this area. We welcome any company that champions creativity, and brings independent film to a wider audience consuming in a new medium."

The Raindance Film Festival was established in 1992 to celebrate and support British film making and innovation and has gone on to become the largest independent film festival in Europe. Patrons include directors such as Mike Figgis, Ken Loach and Michael Winterbottom, and artists including Ewan McGregor, Samantha Morton and Bill Nighy.

For more information on the Tiscali Best Short by a First Time Film Maker Award, go to www.raindance.co.uk to download the submission form along with the rules and regulations.

ALIENWARE CREATES FIRST-EVER STAR WARS PC

New Alienware Aurora: Star Wars Edition Systems Feature Dark Side and Light Side Case Designs, Exclusive Star Wars Content, and AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 Processors

Alienware®, the leading manufacturer of high-performance desktop, notebook, media center and professional computing systems, announces the creation of the new Alienware Aurora™: Star Wars Edition, the first-ever
officially licensed Star Wars PC. Aurora: Star Wars Edition systems are based on AMD Athlon™ 64 FX-55 processors and packed with exclusive Star Wars content such as movie soundtracks, wallpapers, and desktop skins. The systems are available in two extraordinary versions, Dark Side and Light Side, which feature breathtaking Star Wars artwork on the cases.

http://www.alienware.co.uk/Starwars_Pages/teaser.aspx

The Dark Side version features a case design that captures the imposing presence of Darth Vader and the rest of the evil Imperial forces in lifelike detail. The Light Side system beautifully displays the vivid images of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and the other heroic Star Wars figures. The Light Side system further enhances the Star Wars experience by including a highly unique Jedi wallpaper and desktop skin, while the Dark Side system counters with an exclusive Imperial wallpaper and desktop skin.

“Star Wars indisputably ranks as one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, yet had never been featured on a PC, so Alienware worked with Star Wars to fill that void,” said Robert Lusk, vice president of sales and marketing for Alienware. “The result of this collaboration, the Aurora: Star Wars Edition offers an irresistible
mix of both visual appeal and power that is sure to make an unforgettable impression.”

MR.T RETURNS IN MAY 2005!

APC RELEASES ALL-NEW ONGOING MONTHLY “MR.T” COMIC BOOK

American cult hero and iconic all-round entertainer Mr.T returns to pulp fiction - and to pulp bad guys - this May in an all-new comic book series published by APComics.

Announcing one of the biggest licensing deals in the history of UK comics, APComics today said that MR.T #1 will be launched in the USA on Mr.T’s birthday, May 21 2005. UK fans will be able to get an exclusive sneak peek
at the UK Comic Expo, Bristol, UK, May 13-15.

Mr.T, known worldwide for his roles in the smash-hit television series THE A-TEAM and hit feature films such as ROCKY III, as well as solo television shows, is overseeing the series as Creative Supervisor.

Mr.T said: “Quit your jibber-jabbering and buy my comic!”

“I pity the fool who don’t read it! It’s gonna be pure gold!” quipped the star, making reference to his trademark gold jewelry.

The comic book will be scripted by up and coming British writer Christopher Bunting. He said: “This truly is a dream job for me. Mr.T’s winning combination of toughness and tenderness have earned him an army of fans all
over the world and they are going to love this book!”

Bunting is joined by the art team of Neil Edwards and Randy Emberlin.

APComics - based in St. Albans near London in the UK – has been producing comic books since 2001 with popular titles such as MONSTER CLUB, DARKHAM VALE and THE CHASE to its name. The publisher recently secured a deal to produce comic book versions of best-selling children’s novels.

APComics' publisher and editor-in-chief, Richard Emms, said: "For a British publisher like us to get this deal is beyond belief! We're all huge Mr.T fans and can’t describe how excited we are about having such a legendary
character in our midst!

"I want to thank the people who have rallied around to get this terrific and unique project off the ground, including Chris Bunting who has put this comic together from literally nothing and turned it into a certain success.”

The comic book’s US distribution will be exclusively by Diamond Comics. Its UK and Europe distribution will be by both Diamond Comics and APComics. It has a suggested retail price of $3.50/£2.50.

Two MR.T trade paperbacks are due for release in December 2005 and July 2006.

OFT REFERS ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION BY FUTURE PLC
OF HIGHBURY HOUSE PLC

The OFT today referred the anticipated acquisition by Future plc of Highbury House plc to the Competition Commission (CC).


The OFT has decided that the test for reference is met in relation to the supply of certain special interest consumer magazines in the UK. The reference is made on the basis of concerns that the combination of the largest supplier of computer games magazines in the UK with its largest competitor may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK.

The CC is expected to report by 28 September 2005.

Ma Mère

DVD release date 25th April 2005

Isabelle Huppert (‘I Heart Huckabees’, ‘The Piano Teacher’), Louis Garrel (‘The Dreamers’) and Emma de Caunes (daughter of Eurotrash presenter Antoine) star in Ma Mère, director Christophe Honoré’s superb adaptation of Georges Bataille’s violent, magnificent and scandalous 1966 novel. Following a successful theatrical release, the title will now be released on DVD by Revolver Entertainment on 25th April.

One of the most controversial films ever to be shown in British cinemas, Ma Mère has garnered rave reviews at screenings and festivals around the world, including France (Cannes Film Market), Belgium, Russia (Moscow Film Festival), Italy, Canada (Toronto Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival) and the London Film Festival 2004, where extra screenings had to be held following two sold out showings.

SYLVIA SYMS HOSTS A CHARITY SCREENING OF

‘ICE COLD IN ALEX’

The first Help the Aged classic film series kicks off with the screening of the classic wartime adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, and is to take place on Thursday 2 June 2005 in aid of the Charity’s Elder Abuse Campaign. Hosted by one of the stars of the film, Sylvia Syms, this exclusive screening is organised by the Arts for Age Committee, a sub committee of Stage for Age – the celebrity arm of Help the Aged.

Movie Legend Sylvia Syms, who plays the role of Sister Diana Murdoch in the film, will introduce the film and reveal many of the secrets behind the making of this classic movie.

She will also take questions from the audience after the screening.

The film, set in a war zone in 1942 Libya, sees a British ambulance officer escape the siege in Tobruk and try to get his passengers to safety in Alexandra – where he dreams he will have an ‘ice cold’ glass of beer. His passengers include a stranded nurse, a Sergeant Major and a stray South African Officer –although not all is what it seems with all the passengers.

All money raised from this event will go towards the Help the Aged Elder Abuse Campaign. Half a million older people are at risk of abuse right now – either psychological, financial, physical and sexual. The problem affects men and women, both rich and poor. Shockingly, much of this abuse takes place in people’s own homes.

This special screening of the wartime classic adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ will take place at the Cine Lumiere, Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, South Kensington SW7 2DT, from 6.30pm-10.30pm. Tickets are limited and are priced at £50 per person, which includes a champagne and canapé reception.

To purchase a ticket, or for more information, please contact Sara Goodburn at Help the Aged on 0207 239 1926 or email sara.goodburn@helptheaged.org.uk. Alternatively write to Sara Goodburn, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ.

Go West and Mark Owen Headline at First Thunder Sunday Event

Live Music and American Oval Racing Kick Start the 2005 Season at Rockingham

The adrenalin pumping, white knuckle, ‘Thunder Sunday’ series of events featuring the spectacular SCSA American style Stock Car racing and live music series, is back and ready to launch into the 4th season of what can only be described as the ultimate family day out. On Sunday May 1st, Rockingham, near Corby, will welcome the first live performers of the new season - Go West and Mark Owen.

To celebrate 20 Years in music, ‘80’s legends Go West will be appearing on the Rockingham Stage in the only outdoor gig of their 20th Anniversary Tour which kicked off in Manchester on April 3rd.

Go West’s legends Peter Cox and Richard Drummie will be performing their hits including classics; ‘We Close Our Eyes’, ‘Faithful’ and the smash hit from the Hollywood blockbuster Pretty Woman ‘The King of Wishful Thinking’ - A selection of songs which will definitely set the Rockingham stage alight.

Mark Owen was the first member of Take That to launch a solo career and his first album ‘Green Man’ sold over a million copies and resulted in two top 3 singles ‘Child’ and ‘Clementine’. He went onto find a wider public appeal in 2002 when viewers of the hit Channel 4 programme Celebrity Big Brother voted Mark the winner. On Monday 18th April Mark Owen’s third album ‘How The Mighty Fall’ goes on sale and the fans at Rockingham will be some the first people to see Mark and his band perform some of the new tracks live, along with the smash hit ‘Four Minute Warning’.

The final act to hit the Rockingham stage is Kontrol Freek, one of the UK’s most up and coming bands.

“We’re delighted with the range of music artists we have lined up this year. We are providing live music and entertainment to suit all tastes. This year we are especially keen to complement our existing pop music portfolio with a range of alternative music genres and with Go West at our first event we are confident we are providing an excellent mix of entertainment. Watch this space for further acts we will be announcing over this year’s Thunder Sunday event calendar,” said Mark Claussner, SCSA Race Series Director.

Rockingham in Northamptonshire is the only venue in the UK to offer the adrenalin pumping American-style stock car racing, alongside a live music featuring the UK’s leading music artists. Previous artists to have performed on the Rockingham stage, include, Busted, Girls Aloud, The Darkness, Lemar and Rachel Stevens, with more leading artists planned for 2005.

The SCSA Racing package consists of two races featuring the
awesome 450bhp American style Stock Cars, along with the adrenalin pumping Pickup Trucks and other supporting track events. The races see the cars battle two or three-wide at speeds of up to 170mph around the banked 1.5-mile oval track. The 5.7-litre V8 American Stock Cars certainly offer an amazing spectacle, unique in the UK. As well as the racing and live music, there is yet more family entertainment at Rockingham. A Spitfire air display, the HKS Drift Car stunt display, a fun fair, trampolines, the ‘Adrenalin Alley’ skateboard park and quad bikes are also features of each Thunder Sunday event.

Tickets cost £18 (adv), £25 (gate) for adults, £7 (adv), £10 (Gate) for children 5 to 16. Under 5’s are free. There is also a special advance only family ticket at £44 for two adults and two children. To purchase advance tickets and find more information on Thunder Sunday events visit www.rockingham.co.uk or ring the box office on 08700 134 044.

For more about NASCAR racing see our review of the new IMAX 3D movie by Andrew Lyndon on the main www.talkingpix.co.uk website.

WORLD PREMIERE FOR MOVING FILM FESTIVAL

Channel 4 is calling for film makers from across the globe to showcase their work in the world’s first moving film festival, launched by online creative resource, IDEASFACTORY.

Throughout June 2005, 78 Central Trains carriages in the West Midlands are being transformed into moving cinemas, thanks to the IDEASFACTORY Rolling Stock Short Film Festival. Over 100 short films will be screened during the four week event, to an audience of over 55,000 passengers.

Dan Jones, Editor of IDEASFACTORY West Midlands said:

“As the world’s first industry event of its kind, the Rolling Stock Short Film Festival is a unique opportunity for both new and experienced film makers to show their work to a diverse audience and play a part in film history.”

Film makers of all ages and experience can enter their shorts, which need to be less than five minutes long and suitable for a family audience.

Passengers will be able to text vote for their favourite film throughout the festival, with the most popular short taking home a cash prize of £500. For more information, or to download an entry form visit www.channel4.com/ideasfactory

Prospective Subscribers Embrace Phantom Game Service

New Research Study Shows the Phantom Game Service as an Attractive, Convenient On-Demand Solution For Consumers

Sarasota, Fla. - March 31, 2005 - According to a recent study conducted by media research firm SmithGeiger LLC and commissioned by Infinium Labs, Inc. (OTC BB: IFLB), three in four respondents (76%) said they would like to have the Phantom Game Service.

The majority of respondents said they see the Phantom service as an attractive alternative to current game rental and purchase options, with convenience, simplicity, timeliness, and ease of access to a wide range of current titles and old favourites as key drivers.

The study, which was conducted by SmithGeiger in February 2005, surveyed over 600 current or former console or PC gamers with residential broadband internet access.

“The initial interest in the Phantom Game Service is substantial and validates the promise of this new platform. There is a tangible demand for a new alternative in gaming that better serves lifestyle and interests by delivering a more convenient way for consumers to experience PC quality games through the TV in their own living room” explained SmithGeiger principal Seth Geiger.

The report's major findings include:

Features and Benefits of the Phantom Game Service Have Strong Appeal

When potential subscribers were asked about the features and benefits of the Phantom Game Service, the majority of gamers clearly grasped the value proposition:

- Two-thirds of the respondents said the service was more appealing than current rental options
- More than half said the service was more appealing than their current purchase options
- Nearly seven-in-ten percent saw benefits in the time it takes to receive a game or have it in hand
- Two-thirds cited the ease and simplicity of making a game purchase as a key benefit of the service
- Phantom’s ability to deliver a broad array of titles holds significant appeal to consumers, with 64 percent of respondents citing game availability, in stock and “titles you want” as key attributes of the service.
- Nearly half said they would like a way to play PC games on their living room TVs

In addition, the survey noted that the release of the next round of consoles would have no dramatic impact on the likelihood of purchasing the Phantom service among respondents.

Survey respondents were screened for broadband access and gaming interest, and represent 58% of all 18 to 54 year olds online today, or roughly 63.4 million prospective subscribers to the Phantom Game Service.

The Phantom Game Service will be the first end-to-end solution of its kind combining broadband receiver hardware and integrated game service that, in addition to offering the greatest breadth of PC game titles, will allow consumers to demo games before purchasing and will stream games for virtually instantaneous start of play, all via broadband from the convenience of the living or family room.

Infinium Labs plans to launch its Phantom Game Service in 2005.

24: THE GAME

Fans of hit Sky One series 24 will now be able to put Jack Bauer through his paces in a new version of 24, this time as a computer game being developedfor Sony's PlayStation 2.

Jack is currently in the midst of preventing nuclear meltdown in Day Four on Sky One. The new PlayStation game will let players take control and live aday in the hectic life of Jack Bauer and the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit. The game will also answer some burning questions left open in the realtime thriller series.

Featuring many of the stars from the first threeseasons, Sony said it would offer the most extensive cast of Hollywood actors ever seen in a game, which is set for release this autumn. 24 scriptwriter Duppy Demetrius is also on board.

24: The Game is the latest spin-off of the Sky One series, which has already this year made the transition to mobile phones via a deal with Vodafone inthe UK. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe in collaborationwith Fox and the TV show's producers, directors, scriptwriters and stars, 24: The Game is set between seasons two and three and promises to give theshow's fans answers to some burning questions not addressed in the series.

24, Sky One, Sundays, 9pm

ProHD from JVC

London, March 2005 - As the worldwide consumer electronics industry begins to gear up for the anticipated growth in HDTV capable home entertainment products, JVC introduces ProHD, which offers corporate and
broadcast programme makers alike the low cost option to shoot in either standard or high definition.

At NAB 2005, JVC introduces a range of cost-effective production tools that open the doors of HD to broadcasters, production companies, educational and religious organizations as well as independent film and video producers.

The centerpiece of JVC's affordable HD approach is called ProHD, an HDV-compatible video system with full professional specifications which can fulfill the high quality standards of both standard and high definition
capture. By including professional capabilities such as time code, true 24p HD, and dual media direct recording to hard disk, ProHD becomes a tool that can be easily used to produce film-like quality HD programming in a
variety of applications.

To achieve its affordable HD solution, JVC utilises widely available, non-proprietary technologies such as MPEG-2 compression, DV recording media and conventional hard disk drives.

Realising that many users will want to phase in HD production, JVC has designed ProHD to provide spectacular standard definition performance as well as true high definition. Recording in either Professional DV or HD is
currently available on all ProHD cameras, recorders and disk drives. JVC's ProHD products use their superior resolution and processing power to deliver top performance in either native 16:9 or 4:3 modes, producing standard definition recordings superior to competing SD-only products. And, ProHD decks are even capable of playing back DVCAM™ tapes.

JVC's first ProHD models, being shown at NAB 2005, include GY-HD100 the revolutionary compact-sized 3-CCD camcorder and the BR-HD50E ProHD recorder player.

A PUBLIC SCREENING FOR YOUR VERY OWN FILM

To celebrate the release of Tarnation, LOVEFiLM.com is launching a novel competition to give all those passionate about filmmaking the chance to let their talent shine in front of a public audience.

Made for only £218 on an Apple iMac, Jonathan Caouette’s Tarnation was the talk of the town at the Cannes Film Festival 2004. It is a spellbinding and heartbreaking documentary self-portrait that re-imagines the whole idea of what a documentary can be.

The film chronicles Caouette’s chaotic upbringing in a dysfunctional Texas family and the unexpected relationship that developed with his mentally ill mother Renee. Tarnation was awarded the 2004 Sutherland Trophy at The Times BFI London Film Festival for “the most original and imaginative first feature”.

LOVEFiLM.com is offering all budding filmmakers, regardless of experience, a chance to have their film screened alongside Tarnation at an exclusive preview event on 19 April 2005 at The Clapham Picturehouse, London. The entries will be judged by Jonathan Caouette himself and the winner will also be awarded a place on a three-day advanced filmmaking course at London’s Metropolitan Film School.

To enter your film or to find out further information, simply log onto www.LOVEFiLM.com

TV HIT PARADE

Sunday, April 17, 2005, 3pm

Queensborough Performing Arts Center

With Loretta Swit (MASH), Barry Williams (Brady Bunch)

Adrian Zmed (T. J. Hooker and Dance Fever) and Mackenzie Phillips (One Day at a Time).

In this new and exciting concert production your favorite TV celebrities sing the themes, medleys and the greatest hits from the tube that have become a part of our daily lives.

For tickets call (718) 631-6311. Tickets: $42, $39, $35

222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY, USA, 11364

TV HIT PARADE

Sunday, April 17, 2005, 3pm

Queensborough Performing Arts Center

With Loretta Swit (MASH), Barry Williams (Brady Bunch)

Adrian Zmed (T. J. Hooker and Dance Fever) and Mackenzie Phillips (One Day at a Time).

In this new and exciting concert production your favorite TV celebrities sing the themes, medleys and the greatest hits from the tube that have become a part of our daily lives.

For tickets call (718) 631-6311. Tickets: $42, $39, $35

222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY, USA, 11364

Men from Mars" explore the boundaries of visual effects using the JVC DLA-HD2K

The HD2K has been purchased for use in digital intermediate and colour grading work

(London - UK) - Due to the increasing demand for colour grading and digital intermediate work, the team at Men from Mars have purchased a JVC DLA-HD2K projector and image processor. The projector is being used directly with a Baselight film colour grading system and a Truelight colour management system from Filmlight. The unit was installed in March 2005.

The HD2K was sold through Kaurus Limited who specialise in projection, viewing and grading suites. Paul Sutton, a Director of Kaurus comments, "The HD2K fully meets and satisfies the requirements of post production companies such as the Men from Mars."

Men from Mars are a small but dynamic bespoke visual effects company based in Ealing, West London which employs about 20 people. Rhodri James, Chief Engineer at Men from Mars explains why he invested in the HD2K, "We needed a projector which would give a near to true representation of what our film projects would look like on film and on the cinema screen. We had already
seen the HD2K at the London premises of Filmlight and knew that the projector was good enough for use in grading. The HD2K is certainly the best tool for the job. "

The HD2K produces natural but deeply rich colours with a high definition resolution of 1920 x 1080i at 60Hz. It has an impressive contrast ratio of 2000:1 which allows for real cinema-quality blacks with smooth gradations and low noise.

Current productions that are using the HD2K include American Haunting, Derailed and The Wild and Wycked World of Brian Jones.

At the Men from Mars' Studio, DOPs and Directors will view the rushes and digital dailies footage, ensuring that the look and colour are correct, confident in the knowledge that what they see is what they get - a true representation of what the final project will look like on film.

James says of the projector, "it was very easy to install. For HD signals, a Doremi HD/SDI convertor is used". He goes on to enthuse, "the HD2K is a dream to operate."

Revenues from Mobile Games Set to Mushroom by 78% in 2005

Hampshire UK, 9th March 2005: The onset of mass multiplayer gaming, a widening gaming demographic, greater playability, and increased adoption of mobile services in emerging markets point to a fast expanding market for mobile games, according to a new report from Juniper Research.

“With console games, customers are obliged to make the commitment to purchase a fairly expensive piece of hardware. The beauty of mobile is that it provides a potential global audience of several hundred million 2.5G users who already have that hardware in the form of their handset,” said report author, Dr Windsor Holden.

Dr Holden added that developers and publishers were now recognising the need to expand the demographic beyond the core gamer.

“Many of the mobile games released thus far have been first person shooter (FPS) and sports simulations. These staple genres of console and PC have attracted a similar calibre of gamer to the mobile, namely young adult males. Consequently, the rest of the mobile audience was largely ignored. Increasingly, we’ll see a wider range of lifestyle games aimed at audiences beyond the core gamer.”

“Furthermore, in a number of emerging markets – most notably India – games console, PC and indeed fixed broadband penetration is negligible. Any games market which develops in these countries will see a substantial proportion – possibility even the majority – of their revenues derived from mobile services.”
Other findings from the report include:

Total value of global mobile games market to rise by 78% during 2005 to nearly US$5.6 billion.
The value of the North American market expected to increase tenfold over the next five years to US$4.1 billion.
For mass mobile multiplayer gaming to become a reality, data download costs must fall, while the average purchase price of games will rise to reflect this.
More than one-third of games revenues to be derived from rentals and subscriptions by 2009 rather than download.

Tiscali announces backing for Raindance 2005

First major sponsor for 2005 festival and online partner to show ‘best of’ Raindance short films

Tiscali UK and Raindance today announce a partnership which will see the leading internet company become a major sponsor of the 2005 Raindance Film Festival.

Every month, viewers will get exclusive access to five Raindance short films that can’t be viewed anywhere else on the web. From today, film fans will be able to see the best independent short films from around the world by logging onto www.tiscali.co.uk/raindance.
With their five million plus online audience, Tiscali will be the medium to watch the best from up and coming directors.

The first five films available to view this month are:

No Deposit, No Return

House

Old Tricks

Something Real

Stretched Too Thin

This is not the only involvement that Tiscali has had with up and coming, and established film makers. In 2004, Tiscali was announced as a major sponsor of the International Rotterdam Film Festival (26 January - 6 February 2005), where they launched an experiment to distribute arthouse films over the Internet.

And, Tiscali aren’t strangers to controversy with the backing of Theo van Gogh’s much talked about, thought-provoking film 06/05 - about the assassination of Dutch right-wing, anti-immigration politician, Pim Fortuyn. Following the making of the film Van Gogh – who was related to the famous Dutch painter – was stabbed and shot dead himself in Amsterdam.

The film was the first European feature film to be legally broadcast on the Internet before its theatrical release. Tiscali, who financed the €2m feature, allowed the film to be downloaded over a period of four days for a fee of €5. In the first couple of hours, hundreds of Dutch web surfers had bought the film.

Richard Ayers, portal director and editor of www.tiscali.co.uk says: “Tiscali provides some of the finest quality entertainment content online and we aim to showcase the best in emerging talent, both in film and in music. Partnering with Raindance means we will continue to offer excellence in entertainment by showing compelling short films throughout the year AND by backing an established but still cult film festival.”

The Raindance Film Festival was established in 1992 to celebrate and support British film making and innovation and has gone on to become the largest independent film festival in Europe. Patrons include directors such as Mike Figgis, Ken Loach and Michael Winterbottom, and artists including Ewan McGregor, Samantha Morton and Bill Nighy.

Elliot Grove, founder and managing director of Raindance says: “Raindance was founded in order to innovate and inspire. Working with Tiscali, we can expose exceptional film work in a new and innovative way to an even wider audience.”

To gain access to the site, viewers can log onto:

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/raindance

The first five films are outlined below:

No Deposit, No Return
(UK, 11mins, Dallas Campbell)
A desperate woman breaks into a sperm bank only to find love with a kindly security guard.
Courtesy of Rocliffe Productions and Dazzle Short Film Label.

House
(UK, 3mins, David Theobald)
A camera roves around the suburban home. In each room we find the same man caught frozen in mid-air. Is he meditating, or are we the witnesses to something more sinister?

Old Tricks
(USA, 8mins, Christopher Glass)
The disenfranchised cruise the city streets at night.

Something Real
(UK, 8mins, Jon Rennie)
Reydon realises he is tired of his utopian life.

Stretched Too Thin
(USA, 1min, Varda Hardy)
In a monumental effort to get into shape, a man gets out of shape.

Star Wars PEZ is out of this world!

Blasting onto a cinema screen near you on the 19th May is the final Star Wars epic - Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. And to mark this momentous occasion, in a galaxy not so far away PEZ* is launching its latest intergalactic range of Star Wars inspired sweet dispensers.

This newest collection of sweet-and-toy-in-one PEZ* heads includes seven of the most popular characters from the deadly dark lord duo The Emperor and Darth Vader, to Chewbacca the temperamental Wookiee and revered Jedi Master, Yoda.

Other characters include the fussy and worry-prone protocol droid, C-3P0; proficient marksman and unarmed combatant, Jango Fett and the resourceful, spunky and adventurous astromech droid, R2-D2.

Retailing at 99p for the limited edition dispenser and 59p for a six-pack refill, Star Wars PEZ, 'the Coolest Collectibles on the Planet' take their place in selected Asda, Tesco, Woolworths and Poundstretcher stores this spring.

Desperately seeking a disc? - Never again with Imation Disc Stakka

Bracknell UK (3 March 2005) - Imation (UK) is today launching its new product Disc Stakka, an automated carousel that stores, protects and retrieves optical media such as CDs, DVDs, music and computer games discs.

The first of its kind, the Imation Disc Stakka holds up to one hundred 12cm discs and is linked to a PC or Mac computer via a single USB connection supplying both power and data. The carousel can be stacked up to five high to create a tower holding up to 500 discs in any format, without needing additional cabling or desk space.

Films, music or computer games' discs are often found lying in drawers or on shelves but the various discs needed for different home entertainment means it is difficult to manage, protect, and retrieve the content that is stored on all of these discs.

The Disc Stakka comes complete with OpdiTracker(tm) disc management software, which includes a database and powerful search engine that can find and eject any disc within seconds so there is no need to remember where the disc was stored. The user can browse the discs and files stored in the OpdiTracker database, or use OpdiTracker's search engine to locate any disc or file within seconds. Once located, the disc containing the required content will be ejected and then used in the CD or DVD player, games console or computer, for instance.

The Imation Disc Stakka enables users to solve this problem by:
* Saving time by keeping retrieval operations to a minimum
* Reducing the risk of damage to your discs
* OpdiTracker(tm) software to help you manage the contents of each disc
* Removes the hassle of storing disc covers, plastic or cardboard cases that are often lying around

OpdiTracker's database searches stored discs by title, keyword, and directory or file name to find and eject any disc within seconds. The intuitive OpdiTracker software is simple to use and allows users to quickly store, manage and protect discs.

The Imation Disc Stakka is available from February 2005 at selected retailers across the UK including PC World Stores, Amazon.co.uk, dabs.co.uk, microanvika.com, Maplin and ebuyer.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 03/04/2005 -- Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced a deal with multi-million album selling hip-hop superstar and entertainment icon 50 Cent to collaborate in the creation of a new video game that will hit retail shelves in late 2005. 50 Cent®: Bulletproof™, in which 50 Cent will star and provide his likeness and voice, will be unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 18th, 2005.

"In everything I do, I play to win," said 50 Cent. "I'm out to destroy the competition and my video game is no different. It's a fantasy version of my life. I plan to shake up the video game world like I did the rap world -- I'm pulling no punches with my game."

"50 Cent is one of the most talented artists in the recording industry with legions of fans around the world. Everything he touches turns to gold -- music, movies, clothes, cars, watches," said Bruce Hack, CEO of Vivendi Universal Games. "We are thrilled to collaborate with 50 Cent and Interscope Records in a video game debut that will deliver extraordinary music, exciting game play, and best of all, 50 Cent."

About 50 Cent: Bulletproof

In 50 Cent's video game, which will be revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 18th, 2005, 50 gets caught in a web of corruption, double-crosses and shady deals that lead him on a bloody path through New York's drug underworld. Working with the unlikeliest of allies, the streets heat up as 50 Cent takes on the most dangerous crime families in the city, uncovering an international conspiracy with devastating implications. The streets are watching as 50 Cent blasts his way to the truth.

Further blending the lines between Hollywood, music and games, Sopranos executive producer and Emmy-Award winner Terry Winter inked both the game's script as well as the screenplay for 50's forthcoming film, Get Rich or Die Tryin'.

More information about the game can be found at http://www.the50centgame.com/

2nd ANNUAL BAFTA GAMES AWARDS

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Half-Life 2 roared home with six prestigious Awards at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards, winning in the categories Best Game, Action Adventure, Online & Multiplayer, PC, Art Direction and Animation. Hosted by Jonathan Ross, the 2nd Annual Games Awards ceremony was held last night at London’s Café Royal and was attended by some of the biggest names in the Video Games Industry.

Burnout 3: Takedown scooped three Awards in the categories for Racing, Technical Direction and PlayStation 2. In the other individual console categories, Halo 2 won the Xbox category, and the GameCube category was won by Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.

A BAFTA Special Award, one of the most prestigious awards bestowed by the British Academy, was awarded to Sam Houser and Leslie Benzies of Rockstar Games for their outstanding contribution to the Games Industry.

The Originality Award was won by Singstar/Singstar Party, the Children’s category was won by Donkey Konga and Pro Evolution Soccer 4 snagged the Sports Award.

In other categories, the Handheld Award went to Colin McRae Rally 2005, the Mobile category was won by Blue Tooth Biplanes, the Audio Award was won by Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Hitman: Contracts won the Original Music Award.

Grant Dean, Chairman of the BAFTA Games Committee said, “Last year was a great year for the Video Games industry. These awards reflect the enormous achievements, progress and diversity that we have seen in that time. ”

> Simon Mayo
1-4pm BBC Radio Five Live

Paul and Jayne Walmsley - 2pm* Chris Guelff and Mike Ritz from Torture: The Guantanamo Guidebook -

From 1pm the sport panel discuss the latest news from the world of sport including the forthcoming round of Six Nations matches. Mark Kermode joins Simon from 3pm to discuss the weeks latest movie releases including Bewafaa, Casshern, Coach Carter, Hide and Seek, Hotel Rwanda, Spanglish and The Woodsman.

Listen to Five Live on AM, on digital and online.

No Oscar

After thousands of votes via text message and the web site, bbc.co.uk/fivelive, the final winner for the best film never to have won
Best Picture was announced just before 9am on Five Live this morning.

The audience voted overwhelmingly for "The Shawshank Redemption", the 1994 Frank Darabont tale of hope and humanity, which received 52% of the online votes and 68% of the text messages. The other two finalists, "Citizen Kane" and "A Matter of Life and Death" split the remaining votes roughly equally.

Five Live's resident film critic, Mark Kermode, said of the result: "The Shawshank Redemption is a classic choice for a 'people's favourite' Best Film. Having flopped in cinemas on its initial release (despite positive reviews and a brace of Oscar nominations) the movie was subsequently discovered on video by viewers who then recommended it to their friends, proving that there's no better publicity than word of mouth.

"Having written a book and made a documentary both of which attempted to uncover the secret of the film's universal appeal, I can only conclude that writer/director Frank Darabont was right when he said that 'The film touches people, and apparently it gives them hope -- hope to deal with whatever difficulties they face in their own lives.'

"I still think A Matter of Life And Death is a better film, though..."

Dariush Mehrjui's "Mama's Guest" makes debut in Wood Green, London

Following the launch of the project of screening Iranian films in the UK, which was coincided with the opening of The Duel with the presence of its director and a number of cast, Behnegar company in London is delighted to announce the release of Mama’s Guest (Mehman-e Maman) in Cineworld Wood Green to the North of London from Friday 18 February.

Mama’s Guest is another work of a great Iranian director, Dariush Mehrjui, who some critic believe that his first major film The Cow (or gav) has inspired many contemporary Iranian directors.

Mama’s Guest Synopsis:

The “mama” receives two dear guests: her recently married nephew and his wife are visiting her house for the first time. Her husband, who is a film buff and theatre movie projectionist, is coming home empty handed with no money while informing the rest of the family about the closing down of the theatre. Mama, who is suffering from a heart disease, is desperate because their financial situation is not allowing her to receive her guests properly and serve them in a traditional Iranian manner. The neighbours, in this old fashioned housing complex, who are even in worse financial stress, wholeheartedly come to rescue and help her to create a wonderful dinner feast.

Director: Dariush Mehrjui
Screenwriters: Dariush Mehrjui and Hooshang M Kermani and Vahideh Mohammadifar
35mm, Color, PG, 104mins, 2004, Persian with English subtitle

Cast:
Ms Golab Adineh
Mr. Amin Hayaee
Mr Parsa Piroozfar
Mr Hassan Poorshirazi

Producer: Dariush Mehrjui
Production: Cima Film Centre
Distributer: Behnegar

Director of photography: Tooraj Mansoori
Sound: Jahangir Mirshekari
Editor: Mehdi Hosseinivand
Music: Emad Bonakdar
Website: www.behnegar.com

Some reviews:

Washington City Paper
Iranian New Wave cinema icon Dariush Mehrjui crafts an apparently artless tale with beguiling skill and mastery. The arrival of her nephew and his new bride throws poor Mrs. Effat into a crisis. Her larder is too meagre to do them honour and she is too proud to lose face. Through self-pity and manipulation, she eventually involves her entire bickering apartment complex in her dilemma. But what begins as comedic farce evolves into something more compassionate: We come to understand each neighbour's struggle and means for coping. All may be poor and even wilfully self-deluded, but for one night at least, they create a small miracle of food and happiness on behalf of Mrs. Effat's guest.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Florida Premiere
Iranian New Wave cinema icon Dariush Mehrjui crafts an apparently artless tale with beguiling skill and mastery. The arrival of her nephew and his new bride throws poor Mrs. Effat into a crisis. Her larder is too meager to do them honor and she is too proud to lose face. Through self-pity and manipulation, she eventually involves her entire bickering apartment complex in her dilemma. But what begins as comedic farce evolves into something more compassionate: We come to understand each neighbor's struggle and means for coping. All may be poor and even willfully self-deluded, but for one night at least, they create a small miracle of food and happiness on behalf of Mrs. Effat's guest.


Asia Society
Mama's Guest/Mehman-e-Maman
Veteran director Mehrjui (The Cow, Leila) proves to be a master of the ensemble comedy in this story of one of family's attempt to throw an impromptu banquet for a newly married nephew, which evolves into a chaotic operation involving the whole neighbourhood. The mother in question is anxious to receive her guests in a proper Iranian fashion, while her husband, a film buff who has recently been laid off from his work, raises mischief at every turn and almost bungles her plans. With its heart-warming slapstick and cast of charming characters.


FOCUS ON ASIA FUKUOKA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Receiving a visit from your newly wed, successful nephew and his bride must be a great joy, but it turns out to be a disaster if you do not have spare food plus your just laid-off, film buff husband and naughty son repeatedly raise mischief. Now, eccentric but kind neighbours come to the family's rescue to treat the guests!
Set in an old-fashioned housing complex, Iranian film master Dariush Mehrjui presents a heartwarming slapstick comedy full of charming characters.


Mama's Guest" has won the prize for `best film' in the 2004 Fajr Film Festival.
The film was presented in several festivals including The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Fukuoka International Film Festival and Freer Gallery of Art Arthur M. Sackler Gallery

About the director:
Dariush Mehrjui is born in Tehran in 1940 and graduated in philosophy and filmmaking from UCLA in 1964. His works have been awarded numerous prizes at local and international film festivals. His major works are:
The Cow (1970)
Mr Simpleton (1971)
Postman (1973)
The cycle (1976-79)
The School we went to (1981)
Journey to the land of Rimbaud (1984, france)
Lodgers (1987)
Shirak (1989)
Hamoon (1990)
Banoo (1992)
Sara (1993)
Pari (1995)
Leila (1996)
The Pear Tree (1998)
Mix (2000)
Bemani (2002)

Behnegar is one of the leading Iranian companies in the field of producing and distributing film. The UK representative of this company in co-operation with Cine-UK (the owner of Cineworld Cinemas) has started their new project to showcase Iranian films in the UK. In this scheme many Iranian films, for the first time, will be premiered in the UK soon after their first release in Iran The screening of the films in other cities that have mainly large number of Persian speaking population will then follow the scheme.

Following “Mama’s Guest”, “Girls Dormitory” (Khabgaheh Dokhtaran) a film currently on screens in Tehran.will then be showed in London.

In terms of quantity, Iranian cinema is quite productive, with its output in recent years standing at average annually 70 feature films. In terms of quality though, Iranian cinema has already shown its strength in many international film festivals. However, these festivals alongside few screenings of Iranian films in art house theatres have been the main windows to discover Iranian cinema outside Iran. Lack of a proper space for regular screening of Iranian films in mainstream cinemas in the West has resulted in art house and especially popular Iranian films stay concealed from the public view in countries like Britain.

The main challenge is to tackle this weakness while promoting better cultural understandings.

Telling Lies

Following the launch of the film Telling Lies late last year, the entire cast will be attending the film’s first ever photo call next week, where pop sensation come actress Melanie Brown will once again boast her acting talent, alongside promising actresses Jenna Harrison, Kelly Stables and acclaimed actor Jason Flemyng.

The talented New York Film Academy graduate Antara Bhardwaj, who made her mark in her assistant directorial efforts with films such as Edge of the World and Backwaters starring Tamzin Outhwaite, directs this taut, highly charged thriller.

Telling Lies is produced by Sunanda Murali Manohar who has a high profile roster of films to her name including Jungle Boy, Inferno, Tropical Heat, Indian Summer, Blood Stone, Backwaters and Private Moments a film that is posed as London’s answer to Sex and the City. Also at present, Sunanda Murali Manohar is working on the film adaptation of Rasheed Kidwai’s biography on Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Kelly Stables has appeared in Hollywood blockbusters The Ring (2002) and Spider-Man (2002) performing stunts and has just finished playing one of the lead parts in The Ring 2 (2005). She stars in the American version of Pride and Prejudice (2003) and most recently in State’s Evidence (2004), as well as appearing in the U.S television show General Hospital. Telling Lies sees Kelly in her debut role in a British production where she plays Eve Forrester: the school rebel, Goth and genuine troublemaker.

Jenna Harrison plays Faith who has recently lost her mother to suicide and returns to school to find that her boyfriend has gone off with her best friend. Vulnerable and disenchanted she gets led astray by bad girl Eve Forrester and a sinister series of events evolves. Jenna made her television debut in My Brother Tom (2001). Since then she has appeared in several TV shows and films such as Submerged (2001), Stranded (2002), the Cambridge Spies (2003) and most recently in 12 Days of Terror (2004).

Film Synopsis:
Seventeen year-old Faith Munro had everything a young girl could want: loving parents, a great boyfriend, and life as the most popular girl at exclusive St. Matthew’s Private School on the outskirts of London. Her perfect life is thrown into disarray by the sudden, inexplicable suicide of her mother.
Unable to move past the grief of her mother’s death, Faith shuts everyone who really cares for her out of her life, including her father Jack and boyfriend Derek. She returns to school from sabbatical to discover her popularity has waned, and Derek has taken up with her former best friend Portia.
Friendless and lonely, Faith quickly falls under the spell of Eve Forrester. Just transferred in from a private school in the States, Eve is loud, brash, and completely fearless--- everything that Faith desperately wants to be. The two girls become fast friends. Together they plot to win back Derek by making him jealous of Faith’s new boyfriend, ‘Vincent.’ Only Faith and Eve know that ‘Vincent’ does not exist, he’s simply a made up person with a handsome face they acquired from an Internet site.

The ruse works beautifully at first, but things take a dark turn when the police discover a body in the Kensington Square Hotel identified as Vincent Craig, alongside Faith’s fingerprints and personal items. Unable to convince the authorities that it was all a harmless prank, Faith goes on the run in an attempt to find the real killer. But with Detective Inspector Maggie Thomas hot on her heels, will she be able to find the proof she needs in time?

The Film will be released later this year.

PRIVATE MOMENTS

London’s answer to Sex and the City

The first ever photo call with the cast from new movie Private Moments, billed as London’s answer to Sex and the City, took place on Monday 13th December at the Apart Gallery, Portobello Road. The cast, which included Jason Connery, Luke Goss, Catalina Guirado, Judi Shekoni, Natasha Vermeer and Aruna Shields, gleamed and glittered for the cameras and the paparazzi, proving that we Londoners are as sexy and sassy as our New York counterparts.

Veteran director Jag Mundra in speaking about the film commented, ‘’Private Moments is a sexy and sassy yet humorous film with influences from Sex and the City and the Red Shoe Diaries. Living in America and watching Sex and the City made me realise that the ideal city to set these hot topics would be London. It is so much more multi-cultural, and truly cosmopolitan. People of all ethnicities co-exist in a completely different way here. Sex and the City is very New York-centric and doesn’t represent all of America’s ethnic cultures, and uses almost exclusively Caucasian actors. That’s where Private Moments differs.’’

Film Synopsis:

Serena Call (Judi Shekoni) is having a bad day. She’s just turned a year older, her love life is non-existent, and her job as host for London’s lowest-rated night time talk show is in serious jeopardy. Serena’s got one week to come up with an idea to boost the stations sagging ratings, or it’s off to the unemployment line.

What’s a girl to do? Why, turn to her friends, of course! An impromptu birthday party and several bottles of wine lead to a night of sinful confessions for these four funny, sexy ladies. From titillating talk in a corner phone booth to a sensual rendezvous on a moving underground train, these ladies share their sexiest, most private moments.

It turns out that they are not alone in this desire. Serena returns to the air with a new style, new sense of purpose, and a new direction for the show. Re-dubbed “Private Moments, Public Places”, she finds that there are as many sexy stories in the city after dark, as there are women who want to tell them.

Cast:
Jason Connery; son of actors Sean Connery and Diane Cilento, London-born Jason inaugurated his own film career in 1982 with The Lords of Discipline. His next film was The Boy Who Had Everything (1983), which was critically acclaimed. He also starred in Robin of Sherwood, a well-distributed BBC television series of the late 1980s. In 1990, Jason Connery was wittily cast in the title role in the made-for-cable The Secret Life of Ian Fleming, a fanciful biography of the author/adventurer whose "James Bond" novels had helped catapult Sean Connery to fame. also regarded by many as the greatest living theatre practitioner.

Luke Goss; as part of the pop duo Bros, Luke received the Brit award for best newcomer and has now established a successful acting career and appeared in a number of TV productions and films including Frankenstein.

Catalina Guirado; British model first found fame on "TFI Friday" as Chris Evan's gorgeous sidekick. She has since been highly in demand as a model and appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Series 2. Filming work has included a highly publicised appearance on the Osbournes and a Channel 4 documentary Summer In St Tropez.

Natasja Vermeer; a French actress who has played Emmanuelle a record seven times in the internationally successful series.

Judi Shekoni; a gorgeous model, TV presenter and actress who has appeared in Eastenders and Casualty.

Aruna Shields; sassy new British Asian actress who has starred in an array of Bollywood movies.