October 30, 2007
International Round-Up
French magazine Cine Live features The Golden Compass this month and includes an interview with the film’s director, Chris Weitz. You can view scans of the cover and article over at Elbakin. Meanwhile, Italian fansite Torre Degli Angeli have uploaded scans from the Italian edition of The World of the Golden Compass – including some concept art for Citagazze.
Christian Groups Claim Pro-Atheist ‘Stealth Campaign’
Fox News today have a well balanced article by Catherine Donaldson-Evans discussing the religious aspects of the film and the potential fallout of the film, particularly in the USA. A number of different concerned parties are quoted and cited (including our good selves and our interview with director Chris Weitz some three years ago when he was just script writer) and despite there being in many areas simple rehashing of the old debate over the role of religion in His Dark Materials, it does well to sum up the current sentiments surrounding the movie. Read it in full here.
Phenomenal, says festival director
In preparation for the Chicago Humanities Festival, the Chicago Sun-Times‘ Kevin Nance speaks to festival director Lawrence Weschler and Philip Pullman himself. “He’s a huge phenomenon,” says Weschler, whose school-aged daughter first introduced him to the His Dark Materials trilogy. Pullman looks positively towards the premiere of the Golden Compass film describing wonderful performances from both star Nicole Kidman and newcomer Dakota Blue Richards as Lyra. Read more.
Philip Pullman will be in dialogue with Weschler and his daughter Sara Weschler (now 20) at 1230 pm this Saturday, 3rd November at the Harold Washington Library Center Auditorium. He will also deliver a lecture, “The Elementary Particles of Narrative,” at 200 pm Sunday, 4th November at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema. Both engagements are now sold out.
Philip Pullman will be in dialogue with Weschler and his daughter Sara Weschler (now 20) at 1230 pm this Saturday, 3rd November at the Harold Washington Library Center Auditorium. He will also deliver a lecture, “The Elementary Particles of Narrative,” at 200 pm Sunday, 4th November at Columbia College’s Film Row Cinema. Both engagements are now sold out.
October 29, 2007
Pegasus Theatre Fundraiser Update
Ticket prices for the Pegasus Theatre fundraiser in Oxford have been reduced from £100 per person to the original £35 per person. Those who had previously purchased tickets at the higher price are advised to contact the box office in person or by phone to claim a refund on their tickets. The event will still go ahead, as previously announced, on November 17th at St. John’s College in Oxford, starting at 7PM.
At the event, Philip Pullman “will talk about his interests in storytelling and performance, his passion for the arts and education and his supporting role to Pegasus Theatre”. The evening will also feature “a reading by Phillip Pullman from a, yet to be published new work, and an interview between the author and his publisher David Fickling”.
We would assume that this is quite possibly the first ever reading of Pullman’s new book scheduled for release next April, Once Upon A Time In The North. Tickets are still available and can be booked in person or by phone. The number for Pegasus Theatre box office is 01865 722851.
“The Movie that will Reinvent Fantasy”
Fox predicts a holiday smash
In his Fox News entertainment round-up, Roger Friedman predicts good things to come from the Golden Compass’ premier this season: “I’ve now seen about a half hour of it, and without a doubt, “The Golden Compass” will be the big holiday smash hit for which Hollywood is so desperate.” He gives Nicole Kidman’s performance a good review, taking back his criticism of her acting in The Invasion (with Daniel Craig). He also speculates about the commercial soundtrack, saying “I’m told that some popular music may make it into the final soundtrack, including Coldplay. After seeing the footage, I can tell you they’d fit right in.” Read more.
Update: New Line have clarified that Friedman did not see a solid half-hour of the film, but rather a compilation of previously previewed material.
Update: New Line have clarified that Friedman did not see a solid half-hour of the film, but rather a compilation of previously previewed material.
October 25, 2007
MSN Witches featurette
MSN video has uploaded a featurette called “Flying with Witches,” on the witches of the Golden Compass film. It includes interviews with Eva Green and Chris Weitz. As well as discussing the nature of witches in the L-world, Green reveals a personal fear of flight We also see her filming with an actor who appears to be Tom Courtenay who will portray Gyptian elder Farder Coram Watch it here (featurette follows MSN advertisements).
Win a copy of the video game
MoviesOnline is giving away five copies of the video game adaptation of the Golden Compass for XBOX360. The game is in stores 4th December. Click here for details.
October 24, 2007
Pullman speaks in Oxford – a summary
Our lovely Townie wandered along to Pullman’s recent talk at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford and was kind enough to provide us with a summary of the talk, which included some mentions of the film and an upcoming book featuring Lyra among many other interesting snippets of information about all sorts of things. So, here it is!
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October 22, 2007
More Merchandise: Movie Bag
Continuing the onslaught of merchandise for The Golden Compass, “leading novelty confectionery manufacturer” “Mr Lucky Bags” are set to launch a “Movie Bag” to coincides with the launch of the film in December. Not a carrying bag, the Movie Bag combines “an activity-based movie poster with confectionery and other novelties that are all themed and 100% branded to the movie.” Read more.