Abbreviations

May 30, 2001

- Joe as Lord Byron on the radio!

Every day next week Joseph is going to be on the Radio in a Woman's Hour dramatisation on Radio 4 called "Byron's Women"
10.45pm(FM) and 7.45pm R4
Lord Byron was either the most attractive man in British literature, or the most notorious womaniser: the wording depends on your point of view. The fascination of this new Woman's Hour drama by Robin Brooks, starring Joseph Fiennes and Jane Lapotaire, is that it describes Byron's romantic life using the words of the women he loved, culled from the pages of letters, diaries and journals and Byron's poetry. Byron could not be accused of chasing one type of woman, for the recollections here come from sources as varied as Lady Caroline Lamb, who dressed as a boy to please the poet, and Margarita Cogni, the illiterate Italian peasant who guarded her relationship with the poet with a ferocious jealousy.

Monday June 4 - Friday June 8
In a ten part series, using diaries, journals letters and poetry, Robin Brooks captures a gripping snapshot of the turbulent and passionate relationships in which Lord Byron was embroiled.

Byron - Joseph Fiennes
Lady Melbourne - Jane Lapotaire
Annabella - Emma Fielding
Lady Caroline Lamb - Ruth Platt
Lady Harriet - Eleanor Tremain
Rodgers - Nicholas Murchie
Hobhouse - Stephen Mangen
William - Micheal Sheldon
Frances - Justine Waddell
Webster - Nicholas Murchie
Sitwell - Eleanor Tremain
Augusta - Emma Gregory

Directed By Clive Brill

Each episode last 15 minutes and presumably continues the following week.

The schedules for June 4 - 8 are online available already:
BBC Schedules
(then click on "next day" for each following day)

June 4: Fame
By Robin Brooks. The young Lord Byron bursts upon London society at the start of the 19th century, setting many hearts aflutter.

June 5: Annabella
Byron's sudden literary fame has made him a darling of the social scene, and he has begun an affair with Lady Caroline Lamb.

June 6: Caro
In order to escape from a disastrous affair with Lady Caroline Lamb, Byron has proposed to Annabella Milbanke.

June 7: Frances
Byron is staying with his friend Webster - and can't help attempting to seduce Lady Frances, his host's wife.

June 8: Augusta
After a hectic series of love affairs, Byron is visited in London by his sister Augusta, to whom he is particularly close.

I guess that means two weeks with 15 mins of Joe almost daily and a total of 2 hours so UK listers - tape away!!!

If I am not mistaken, we should be able to listen to it on the web: BBC Radio 4

May 29, 2001

- Joe at Charity event:

Celebrity Bulletin/London Events:

House of Belgravia - Chameleon
Charity Event in Aid of Sane Charity
Contact Organisers EMM
or Claire Brook at Sane Charity 020 7375 1002
www.sane.co.uk for more information on SANE
Saturday, 9th June

New Venue - Belgrave Square, SW1,
1st Forty Tickets get Free Pick Up by Absinthe Cocktails & Cigars Double Decker Bus Bar
Ultimate Masquerade Party
Dress Code Extravagant
Celebrities Attending: Cat Deeley, Boy George, Joseph Fiennes, Chris Eubanks, Victoria Hervey & Scott Maslen

Tickets available from Events Office: 020 8962 0601. They are £50 per person.

Sane is a UK mental illness charity

BILL CLINTON the peacemaker breezed into the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye last night with tales of tough talking over the negotiating table, writes Richard Brooks.

Clinton's fellow guests last night included the actor Joseph Fiennes, who was due to say grace at a dinner party after the speech; the French actress Sophie Marceau, who was presenting a travel award prize; and the actor Alan Rickman, who was handing over another literary honour, the PG Wodehouse award.

Clinton was entertained at dinner with a performamce by Cerys Matthews of the Welsh rock band Catatonia and a fashion show by a dozen models. He joked that he thought had been invited to Hay, which he described as the Woodstock of the mind, only because he was going to be the warm-up act for two of his heroes, Van Morrison and Paul McCartney, who both perform in Hay this week.

For the full article go here

May 28, 2001

- TV alert for the UK:

Blood Ties is being shown again, this time the long version:
The Artsworld Channel
10.15 pm Monday 28 May
5.15 pm Tuesday 29 May
You must be a costumer of Sky Digital to get that channel

May 27, 2001

-Excerpt from BBC News, May 26:

Former US President Bill Clinton arrived at the Hay-on-Wye Festival on Saturday to a chorus of boos from the crowd outside. A 1,300 strong audience had gathered to hear Mr Clinton speak on conflict resolution, among them a host of celebrity guests. But once he began to speak the crowd was won over by his talk, which frankly explored his eight years in office. Actors Joseph Fiennes, Alan Rickman and writer and comedian David Baddiel were among the famous figures in the audience for Mr Clinton's lecture, which was delayed.

For the full article go here

- Glamourscope (U.S. Glamour Magazine, June 2001):

Gemini Man His witty but mysterious M.O. is more addictive than potato chips. Twinsters typically have two sides -- they're ultra-attentive one day, sooo self-centered the next. Only secure, independent women need apply.
If you are interested, DO live your life to the fullest. If he calls on Wednesday to make dinner plans for Friday night, he'll be infinitely intrigued if you're already booked.
Best Matches Sagittarius and Aries
Worst Matches Pisces and Cancer
Celebrity Geminis Joseph Fiennes, Johnny Depp, Prince William, Mike Myers

The accompanying pic is the same as this here

May 21, 2001

- TV alert for the UK:

Source: Radio Times
Friday May 25 at 7pm
BBC Knowledge
Blood Ties (25 mins)
Joseph, Ralph and their siblings talk about their mother, Jennifer Lash.

May 17, 2001

- From the Just-for-fun department:

Do the Who's your Mr. Right? quiz on www.ivillage.com! The last question reads:

10. If your life were being made into a made-for-TV movie, you would want your leading man to be a:

Jim Carrey-type
George Stephanopolous-type
Michael Jordan-type
Joseph Fiennes-type

Not really difficult to answer, right? :)

May 16, 2001

- Yet another possible new role for Joe?

Joseph Fiennes is being tipped to play a father in search of his young son in the new period thriller Edgardo Mortara. Set in the 19th century, the drama focuses on a young Jewish boy who is kidnapped by the Catholic church. The film follows his father's desperate attempts to snatch him back from the Vatican. Writer Jeremy Brock, who originally created the TV series Casualty, has written the screenplay. Fiennes was top of our shopping list, a source close to the production told Ananova.

See this story at Ananova.com

May 12, 2001

- Vote for Joe at GQ Magazine for their Men of the Year 2001 Award.

Go to GQ Men of the Year and click on "click here to vote". They offer 15 categories on 3 pages, just click on "next". Joe is not in their list of 12 nominees, so write his name in the "nominate another" field for "Most Alluring Man" (5), "Most Stylish Man" (7) and "Actor" (11) :) The winners will be announced in the October issue of GQ Magazine.

May 9, 2001

From an interview with John Madden about Captain Corelli's Mandolin,Yahoo Film News, May 8, 2001

DM: The reality is that you have to sell in the American market? I'm not criticising?

JM: I don't take it as a criticism. You're stating a fact. I think that is probably true in terms of the first equation that has to be made. Take, for example, Enemy at the Gate, which is entirely European financed and does not have an American headlining star. It has two or three big English names and was made through a consortium and cost considerably more than this?

DM: The most expensive European film ever, I believe.

JM: Indeed. This is a great development in the British movie industry that Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Jo Fiennes are considered to be of a magnitude in the world market that justifies that kind of investment. Whether or not a relatively unknown Italian actor and Greek actress, who again we certainly would have cast -Viki Maragaki who plays Eleni was an actress who Roger Michell was looking at and certainly I was too - even with a European consortium could have sold the film, I very much doubt.

May 8, 2001

From Ananova.com: A chance to catch a glimpse of Joe!

Stars to come out for new Brit flick

Goodbye Charlie Bright, a new British film starring Paul Nicholls, will have its world premiere in London tonight.

The film is the first for director Nick Love and includes a number of up-and-coming British actors including the former EastEnders star.

Among those expected at the premiere in Greenwich are most of the film's cast, including Nicholls, David Thewliss and Danny Dyer.

They will be joined by the likes of Joseph Fiennes, Dermot O'Leary, Steve McFadden and Les Ferdinand.

Goodbye Charlie Bright will be released in the UK on May 11.

May 7, 2001

- Branagh to return as Richard III, The Independent - United Kingdom; May 5, 2001

KENNETH BRANAGH is to return to the stage for the first time since his Hamlet for the RSC nearly 10 years ago. He agreed to take the title role in Richard III next spring after seeing Joseph Fiennes star in Marlowe's Edward II.

- Civilian Content PLC - AGM Statement, RNS; May 4, 2001

"DUST" SELECTED FOR VENICE FILM FESTIVAL

Today, at the Annual General Meeting for Civilian Content plc, for the year ended 31 December 2000, the Chairman, Richard Thompson will make the following statement:

"We have had a very strong start to the year and are particularly encouraged bythe international sales that we have secured for several of our film productions. Dust, a period action and love story, directed by Oscar nominated Milcho Manchevski (Before the Rain) and starring Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth) and David Wenham (The Boys), in particular has caught the eyeof distributors, and today we can confirm that it has been selected for screening at the opening gala night of the Venice Film Festival at the end of the summer. This is a firm endorsement of its appeal and quality, and a great achievement for all concerned. It is due for release here in the UK later in the year.

- Expert from an article about Heather Graham in the Independent on Sunday - United Kingdom; Apr 29, 2001, BY SHARI ROMAN

Tomorrow, she is shooting Killing Me Softly, her new project with Joseph Fiennes and director Chen Kaige (Farewell My Concubine). Graham is impressed by her co-star. "Joseph has long, beautiful lashes and looks really Mediterranean. In fact, when we went to lunch at an Italian restaurant a few days ago, he ordered everything in Italian.'' Showing off perhaps? Graham's eyebrow arches, suggesting a maybe. "In the film, we have this really strong sexual connection when we first meet. Then I get paranoid that he's not the guy I think he is. It's very dark. It's about falling in love and wondering who you really fell in love with. Sort of an extreme version of real life, don't you think?" Heath Ledger had better look to his laurels.

Dust, a period action and love story starring Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth), and David Wenham (The Boys) is now in the final stage of post-production. Written and directed by Oscar nominated Milcho Manchevski (Before the Rain), it has caught the eye of a number of distributors and following a very successful presentation at The American Film Market in February, it secured very strong sales. These are highlighted by a single sale to Japan for in excess of $1 million.

May 6, 2001

- From The Observer, May 6, 2001, experts from an article titled "Sex without subtitles", by Mark Morris:

Take a few seconds to think about this: is uncensored sex more or less acceptable with an English accent?

Given that a wave of sexually explicit films in English is coming our way - The Center of the World , Killing Me Softly, Better Than Sex and Intimacy, which is based on Hanif Kureishi's writings - the question is now relevant in a way it hasn't been since the Seventies. Could it be true that people were happier with mysterious foreigners having real sex on film?

This much is clear: we are in an age when the boundaries of sex in the cinema are being pushed with an enthusiasm not seen since the mid-Seventies. Although the trend started in Europe, it has arrived in the traditionally more censorious English-speaking world, albeit with the help of foreigners such as Intimacy director Patrice Chereau. The Center of the World, directed by Wayne Wang and co-written by Paul Auster, will be showing at Cannes. Chinese director Chen Kaige has recently completed shooting the S&M-tinged Killing Me Softly in London with the starry pairing of Joseph Fiennes and Heather Graham.

This is Heather Graham talking about Killing Me Softly: 'Some people were telling me that perhaps I should not do such a darkly erotic film, but I have to accept that this stuff just interests me. I like to think I am comfortable with my own sexuality. It is a risk, but I have become braver with each film so far.'

For the full article go here

May 4, 2001

- Dust news from Ananova.com:

Civilian Content says 'Dust' to be shown at Venice Film Festival opening gala

LONDON (AFX) - Civilian Content PLC said in a statement for release at today's AGM that its feature production "Dust" is to be shown at the opening gala of the Venice Film Festival at the end of the summer.

It described "Dust" as a period action and love story, directed by Oscar-nominated Milcho Manchevski (Before the Rain), and starring Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth) and David Wenham (The Boys). It is due for release in the UK later in the year.

Civilian Content was "encouraged" by TV programme Little Big Mouth's 26% market share and cumulative reach of 86% in March, which increased daily over the seven-day period it was broadcast on Carlton.

It will continue to make steps towards achieving its goal of building a commercial enterprise this year, and will keep focusing on developing high-quality UK genre-led content.

- A KMS bit:

Nightmare on movie street
Islington Gazette
By JOANNE COCHRANE

RESIDENTS were furious this week that their quiet road had been transformed from Holloway to Hollywood... as film crews moved in to start shooting a £38million movie starring Joseph Fiennes.

They say they were not given enough prior notice that articulated lorries would be clogging up their road for three days.

Montecito Picture Company chose a house in Freegrove Road to shoot interior scenes for Killing Me Softly - which also stars American actress Heather Graham.

They are believed to be paying the owner £11,500 to film inside her property.

She is registered with a location agency and has rented her home out to film companies before.

But neighbours say some of the money should be put towards community causes - because the whole street is inconvenienced when the film crews move in.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "They gave us a letter three hours after they started. They have covered the pavements with cables. The trailer is on the pavement and lorries have been blocking the roads. Everyone is double and triple parking. There is major congestion.

"You can't get an ambulance down here. All we are asking is that some of the money goes to the Whittington baby unit.

"Our neighbour has had Trial and Retribution Five there and, two months before that, something else. It's happening regularly. She has never knocked on the door or discussed anything. There is no thought for the rest of the road.

"We just want our lives back to normal. This road is not big enough."

Her next door neighbour added: "I'm afraid to go out as I don't want to lose my parking space. We don't want this to happen every two or three weeks.

"It's also noisy. The people with scaffolding came earlier than they were supposed to. It wouldn't be so bad if the owner came round to explain things."

David Seaton, assistant location manager for Montecito Picture Company, said: "We try and keep everybody happy. We haven't got too many vehicles. The letter to residents did not go out seven days before, but it did go out before filming."

Emma Plimmer, film officer for Islington Council, added: "It's a private residence and it's up to the owner. I've spoken to her before about making some community donation and she said she would plant some trees.

"I've approached the location agency and told them I don't want any more filming. We don't want this happening. If we could control the road a bit more, we would.

"The only thing we can do is suggest the amount of vehicles is lessened. They have done everything we asked to lessen the impact.

"All I can do is beg the agency not to put anything down here but they are not doing anything illegal and we are not inclined to throw people off sets."

The owner of the house was unavailable for comment.

May 3, 2001

- The Mirror, May 2, 2001

7-DAY KINKY SEX SO FIENNES FOR HEATHER
Ian Brandes

STUNNING Heather Graham spent a week in bed with heart-throb Joseph Fiennes so they could practise kinky sex scenes.

It took "seven solid days" between the sheets to make sure all the sizzling scenes in sex thriller Killing Me Softly were realistic.

A film insider said: "All kinds of sex is on the agenda. Scenes feature rough sex, sado-masochism, bondage and sex in public places."

Shakespeare in Love star Joseph said: "The sex becomes darker and very adventurous."

Pals warned Heather against the film. But the Boogie Nights star said: "I have to accept that this stuff interests me."

May 2, 2001

- Pic alert!

There seem to be a lovely picture of Joe in the Italian Marie Claire, May issue.

May 1, 2001

- Another possible role for Joe?

Ananova, May 1, 2001:

Bertolucci targets British stars for biopic

Bernardo Bertolucci's new movie epic is to be filled with glamorous British stars.

The Italian master director hopes to film Heaven And Hell later this year.

The film is based on the life of 16th-century artist Gesualdo da Venosa.

And he wants Joseph Fiennes to play the lead role of da Venosa.

Emily Watson and Joely Richardson are hoped to play the rivals for the charismatic artist's love.

Jim Broadbent and Ian Richardson are also being pencilled in for support parts in the biopic.

Production of the £20 million feature is being plotted for the autumn.

The director's regular collaborator Mark Peploe is putting the finishing touches to the script from a biography by Giovanni Iudica.

A senior source told Ananova: "Bernardo sees Emily and Joely as classic beauties and has always been an admirer of their work.

"Only Antonio Banderas came into the running with Fiennes for the lead role."