October 2005 (Back to Index)

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		October 29, 2005
		New Photos Provided By Sakurazukalori
		October 27, 2005
		Luciano Sings for Cancer Kids' Supper
		October 26, 2005
		'Munich' Movie Poster Released
		October 21, 2005
		Eric Supports the Cause
		October 21, 2005
		Bana Backs Safety Message
		October 19, 2005
		Photos from New Year's Eve
		October 10, 2005
		Coming Attraction: 'Lucky You'
		October 7, 2005
		Hollywood Visits Region
		October 2, 2005
		Lucas at 'Munich'

Luciano Sings for Cancer Kids' Supper

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October 27, 2005
Written By: Nui Te Koha
Source: Herald Sun.com

SUPERSTAR tenor Luciano Pavarotti finished the long goodbye to his beloved Melbourne last night.

Pavarotti, 70, picked thoughtfully from his songbook, pages from a 40-year career as one of the greatest voices ever, for a recital at the Victoria Racing Club chairman's dinner.

VRC chairman Rod Fitzroy hosted the $1320-a-ticket event for Challenge, a support group for kids with cancer.

Guests included actor Eric Bana, racing identity Gai Waterhouse, Bart Cummings, Damien Oliver, Governor John Landy and wife Lynne, Governor-General Michael Jeffery and wife Marlena, and an array of politicians.

"This is so special," Bana said. "We are very privileged to be here."

Waterhouse said it was a rare chance to see the Maestro up close.

"This is a man doing his last performance, so we are not seeing him in the prime of his life but he was very warm, he enjoyed the audience response and he gave his all," she said.

Cummings was less kind: "It was interesting. I fell asleep twice."

'Munich' Poster Online

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October 26, 2005
Source: Film Force.ign.com

The somber theatrical poster for what is likely to be a somber film, Steven Spielberg's 'Munich', has emerged online today (see right).

The one-sheet features actor Eric Bana, gun in hand, posed contemplatively in front of a window.

The film, which has been shrouded in secrecy, is a dramatization of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and the Mossad's subsequent mission to eliminate the Palestinian terrorists responsible for the attack.

Eric Bana stars as the lead Mossad agent. The cast also includes Daniel Craig, Geoffrey Rush, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler and Ciaran Hinds.

The script for Munich was penned by Pulitzer, Tony and Emmy winner Tony Kushner (Angels in America). The story is partially based on the controversial George Jonas book, 'Vengeance'. 'Munich' goes into limited theatrical release on December 23. It opens in theaters everywhere on January 6, 2006.

'Munich'

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October 26, 2005
Source: CanMag.com

Spielberg is currently working overtime to ensure that his upcoming film, Munich, is able to make the cut in 2005. Since a trailer would have been astonishing considering the amount of time worked on the film, this first poster for Munich is a start.

'Munich' is an historical thriller set in the aftermath of the 1972 massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics.

Universal Pictures will release the film in the United States and Canada on December 23, 2005; DreamWorks Pictures will handle international marketing and distribution. Munich recounts the dramatic story of the secret Israeli squad assigned to track down and assassinate 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich massacre -- and the personal toll this mission of revenge takes on the team and the man who led it. Eric Bana (Troy) stars as the Mossad agent charged with leading the band of specialists brought together for this operation.

Eric Supports the Cause

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October 21, 2005
Source: Daltech.com.au

September marks the 50th anniversary of the death of American icon, James Dean, who died tragically at the age of 24 in his beloved 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder.

Not much has changed over the past 50 years with regard to road trauma – today in Australia it is the greatest killer of people under the age of 40.

For every one person killed, 11 end up in critical care units.

In light of this, renowned Melbourne classic car restorer, Brian Tanti, has joined forces with the Alfred Hospital to raise funds for their Road Trauma Center by releasing a limited edition tee and cap.

All proceeds from sales will be donated to the Center. According to Tanti, “it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, no one is infallible when it comes to accidents on our roads, whether it be car, bike or walking.

“James Dean was one person most assumed to be invincible: it was always thought nothing could happen to the rebel without a cause, but as we know, that wasn’t so. Dean was killed in a car accident as a result of speeding and driver inexperience. Young man, fast car, speed, and youthful abandonment proves time and time again to be a lethal combination.

“It’s far from our intent to glorify Dean’s death in this campaign, rather, it is an ideal forum for demonstrating a pertinent case in point for the road trauma agenda, whilst also providing a platform for fundraising activities for the Center. A simple message tagged to a t-shirt graphic can be a topic of conversation, or at the very least make people reflect,” said Tanti.

The commemorative range consists of a quality tee and cap. The cap features ‘#130’ – the racing number assigned to Dean’s race car. The tee shirt design is based on the California Highway Patrol speeding ticket issued to James Dean 2 hours and 20 minutes before his death.

All proceeds from sale of the tees and caps go to the Road Trauma Center of The Alfred Hospital. The range can be purchased online until December at www.briantanti.com.au or through The Alfred Foundation.

For further media information, images or to arrange an interview with Brian Tanti, please contact:

Brian Tanti
Project founder
0437-756-821
btsales@connexus.net.au

Kirsty Rice
PR consultant
0417-143-356
klrice@bigpond.net.au

Cap and T-Shirt Packs

To order caps and T-Shrits see Daltech.com

Men's Long Sleeved T-Shirts		Women's Long Sleeved T-Shirts

Bana Backs Safety Message

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October 21, 2005
Written By: Kate Jones
Source: Herald Sun.com

The real Chopper Read was nowhere to be seen, but yesterday two of his look-a likes came face to face.

Actor Eric Bana met road accident victim Trent Ross at the Alfred hospital to support a fundraising campaign for the hospital's trauma unit.

Mr Ross, 24, earned the nickname "Chopper" because of his resemblance to notorious Melbourne criminal, Mark Brandon Read, who Bana played in the film 'Chopper'.

But yesterday Bana was lending his support to a campaign that has been organized by Melbourne man Brian Tanti.

Mr Tanti has designed a range of T-shirts bearing road safety slogans, which are being sold to raise money for road accident victims at the Alfred.

The hospital treats thousands of emergency patients each year, including dozens of road accident victims such as Mr Ross.
Mr Ross broke his back, sternum and shoulder when he lost control of his car and slammed into a tree at the weekend.

The young builder was not wearing a seatbelt and believes an airbag saved his life.

Bana, a car enthusiast who competes in rallies, told the Herald Sun road safety was a cause close to his heart.

"There are a lot of things that contribute to young men being a high risk and a lot of it has to do with attitude. When you are young you do feel indestructible."

When Bana was 15 he broke his jaw and elbow in a car accident with his brother.

The father of two said the accident had reinforced the importance of being cautious on the roads.

"It's a very vivid memory and the violence of it really struck me," Bana said. After visiting the Alfred yesterday, Bana bought 10 fundraising T-shirts designed by Mr Tanti.

The T-shirts bear a copy of the speeding ticket given to Hollywood legend James Dean just two hours before he died. Dean was only 24 when he smashed his Porsche Spyder on a Californian highway 50 years ago.

Mr Tanti said little had changed in the past 50 years and young men were still among the majority of road accident victims. "It's the same demographic as today, but the message, 50 years on, is still not getting through," he said.

Net link: Briantanti.com.au

Coming Attractions: 'Lucky You'

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October 10, 2005
Written By: Susan Wloszczyna
Source: USA Today.com

This week, director Curtis Hanson shuffles his deck yet again, moving from the five-hanky flick In Her Shoes to the poker comedy Lucky You.

Director Curtis Hanson likes to shuffle his movie cards. How many directors would follow the rap-propelled 8 Mile with In Her Shoes, the sniffle-inducing sister act with Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette that opens Friday?

Next he examines the trendy world of high-stakes poker competitions with the 2006 release 'Lucky You', which goes inside such Vegas casinos as the Bellagio and Aladdin. A who's who of real-life pros won't just put in cameos, but also will act alongside stars Eric Bana ('Troy') as a Texas Hold 'Em ace and Robert Duvall as his estranged father and rival at the table.

So what's the deal?

"I'm always drawn by the people but also the world," says Hanson. "It's a story (written by Eric Roth, Oscar winner for Forest Gump) about the way in which poker is a metaphor for relationships. The skills that make a good poker player are so opposite the qualities that make a good partner. Namely, poker is about deceit, lying and having no compassion at all."

Placing bets on love with Bana is Drew Barrymore as an aspiring singer from Bakersfield, Calif.

Hanson has been known to play now and then, as the name of his production company, Deuce Three, implies. "That's the worst hand you can get," he says. "The idea behind the name is it's not so much the cards you're dealt as what you do with them."

Hollywood Visits Region

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October 7, 2005
Written By: Melissa Iaria
Source: The Advertiser.com

FILM crews will roll into Mount Alexander Shire as a multi-million dollar production starring Hollywood heavyweight Eric Bana gets under way this summer.

The shire council this week revealed that the film adaptation of Raimond Gaita's memoir, Romulus, My Father, will be shot in parts of the municipality.

Filming for the drama will begin in February and continue for three to four months, in what is set to be a boost for the goldfields region. 'Romulus, My Father' will be the first film directed by actor Richard Roxburgh.

It will feature 37-year old Australian star Eric Bana, who has appeared in a string of successful films including Troy, Hulk and Chopper.

This latest film has been described as a story of heartbreak and despair that celebrates the bond between a father and son.

It is based on Professor Gaita's memoir, which describes the father's life, from migrant camps in post-war Victoria to the mother's struggle with mental illness.

Maldon Visitor Information Center coordinator Nancy Whittaker said it was exciting that film crews were coming to the shire.

"It'll mean that if they do stay in Maldon, accommodation providers will have nice long bookings of at least six weeks. Retailers were also set to benefit from the presence of film crews," she said.

"We'd assume they'll need a daily provision of food, which may be done from inside Maldon, and it should do the cafes a lot of good."

"I think it'll just be very good for the economy at a time when it's usually very quiet." Mt Alexander Shire mayor David Gittus said a film being shot in the area raised the profile of not just the town but the district.

"We've had a few movies shot on location in and around Castlemaine and Maldon," he said. "Movie crews tend to bring all their own stuff when on location, so it's not a huge immediate boost for the area."

"But in terms of raising the profile of the area, we really welcome that." Cr Gittus said the shire was keen to be seen as movie-friendly. "We've got a lot to offer film crews with our historic streetscapes."

"It's also good for our own community and gives us a pride in our town and our landscape to think we're good enough for a world movie." Ms Whittaker said at least two other big films had been shot in the shire in the past five years.

One was Till Human Voices Wake Us, TV series Blue Heelers was also shot recently in Castlemaine.

'Romulus, My Father', is one of 19 new projects approved by the Film Finance Corporation Australia, which recently injected $37 million into the movie and television industry.

Lucas at 'Munich'

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October 2, 2005
Written By: Lucas Taitt
Source: The Hollywood News.com

Well, yesterday, I decided to go back and watch the filming of Steven Spielberg's "Munich" since it's the last day they're filming at this particular location. The first scene they began filming had Eric Bana's character in the passenger seat of a car while a woman is driving him. There were two giant cameras on the hood of the car and plenty of extras standing around giving the film the authentic look it needs and is currently achieving.

Earlier that day, I was walking around the street surrounded by 70s extras and not blending in well at all when I realized Spielberg was standing right next to me while having a conversation with someone. I can't even begin to tell you how badly I wanted to just walk up to him and ask for an autograph but I didn't do it. Yes, slap me now, I chickened out and will regret for a long long time.

As they were setting up the camera for a next shot, I saw Spielberg using his directors viewfinder with 4 guys surrounding him waiting for him to make a decision. Most likely on the framing of the shot or which lense he would like to use. A few seconds later, I see his famous Oscar winning Director of Photography, Janusz Kaminski.

They did the same scene over and Spielberg began to play with someone's dog while they were shooting. Him and Kaminski began making jokes while puffing on a cigar. Eric Bana also played with the dog but he did something and the dog screamed, I guess the Hulk's hands have that affect on dogs. Seems like the cast and crew are happy to be here and they're very relaxed from what I can see.

Before lunch, they began filming another dialogue scene with Bana and an actress who I couldn't get a good view of in the car. I was standing next to One of Spielberg's bodyguards and he tells me that a lot of people do stupid things around Spielberg trying to get his attention. He said some people grab him and do various crazy stalker like things and a man like him obviously needs bodyguards. Well during the scene, I watched everything from a monitor and I saw Spielberg giving the actors direction but I couldn't hear what he was saying unfortunately. They filmed that scene about 5 times before they went to lunch. During lunch, I went and got a pizza and some garlic rolls. Damn that was good.

After lunch, all the giant lights were brought out and Spielberg and crew were shooting interiors for about 2hrs before he came back outside and began to set up the scene that involved cars driving by.

Spielberg set up the shot and was walking around with his directors viewfinder. Afterwards he went back inside to finish directing the interiors. I began to think Spielberg wasn't coming back out once the 2nd unit began setting up while he was gone. About 20 minutes later some guy is speeding through the street, passing through the set with EIGHT police cars behind him.

2 minutes later, FOUR more police cars turned on the same street and I began to hear a helicopter. This by far was the craziest day on the set! About 40 minutes later Spielberg came back out and took over from the 2nd unit and directed the scene. They shot it about 2 times and called cut, IT'S A WRAP!

Everyone gathered together and began to drink down some high class alcohol. I seen his famous Producer Ms. Kathleen Kennedy and another woman who worked on 'Saving Private Ryan', you'll see her giving an interview on the extras. Weird accent. Spielberg made a speech and thanked everyone for their time etc..

About 20 minutes later, he began to direct the same scene again, but he did it 15 times! They did the scene and the PA's directed the cars to reverse back to their starting positions again and again and again. I guess Spielberg and crew wrapped a little bit too early. Well an hour later they finished and wrapped for good. As far as I know, 'Munich' is complete. 68 days of shooting is over. More than likely, there will probably be some more pick up shots and some 2nd unit filming, but as far as I was told, filming is complete. Spielberg was quickly rushed into a Dark blue, tinted window GMC truck and sped off.

I know you guys are going to be mad, but I really couldn't get any pictures today because I was extremely close to the action and his bodyguards didn't want anyone taking pictures at all! I have one pic that I took pretty fast so I hope that'll do. Right now, I'm extremely tired. I'm in the pre-production process on my film 'Days In The Knight' so I'm going to be passed out in my bed till Friday. Hope you enjoyed my little set visit, until the next time, Lucas.