- Title: USA: Kidman and Cruz hit "Nine" premiere
- Date: 13th December 2009
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 9, 2009) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) WIDE SHOT OF MOVIE THEATRE MOVIE POSTER (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) WIDE SHOT OF RED CARPET ACTRESSES PENELOPE CRUZ AND FERGIE POSE WITH DIRECTOR ROB MARSHALL ACTRESS NICOLE KIDMAN ARRIVES AT PREMIERE VARIOUS OF SINGER/ACTRESS FERGIE POSING FOR PHOTOS ACTRESS PENELOPE CRUZ HUGS ACTRESS NICOLE KIDMAN CUTAWAY OF TELEVISION CAMERAMEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS PENELOPE CRUZ ON ACTING IN A MUSICAL, SAYING:"It was the first time that I get to do that professionally in a project. It was very scary but it was also a lot of fun because I'm a huge fan of musicals and I always wanted to find one." ACTRESS NICOLE KIDMAN AND DIRECTOR ROB MARSHALL TALKING TO THE PRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ACTRESS PENELOPE CRUZ ON WORKING WITH ACTOR DANIEL DAY-LEWIS, SAYING: "Amazing. I have so much respect for Daniel. And now that I know him, and I got to really work with him for a long time, even more. He's so kind, so generous. Such a great partner to work with." ACTOR JOSH DUHAMEL POSING FOR PHOTOS ACTORS HARRY HAMLIN AND LISA RINNA TALKING TO THE PRESS DIRECTOR ROB MARSHALL WALKING THE RED CARPET (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR ROB MARSHALL ON HIS DAYS ON THE SET, SAYING: "I mean I was shooting, for instance, a scene with Sophia Loren in the Piazza Del Popolo and Rome," recalled the 49-year-old director. "In a little tiny sports car with Daniel Day-Lewis and I couldn't quite believe it was happening. I felt like I had transported myself into my favourite era in my favourite place in time." ACTRESSES PENELOPE CRUZ, NICOLE KIDMAN AND FERGIE WALKING THE RED CARPET HOLDING HANDS
- Embargoed: 28th December 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVA61WY0YQ4CZKL65TDLI11WRC51
- Story Text: Art imitates art in the musical film "Nine" by paying homage to Italian director Federico Fellini and his 1963 masterpiece "8 1/2."
The movie premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday (December 9) night with actresses Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz taking centre stage on the red carpet.
The vibrant and provocative motion picture centres around the fictional character of world-famous film director Guido Contini, played by London-born Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis, 52.
Guido (Day-Lewis) is a burned-out and tired filmmaker who reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportions in attempting to balance all of the women in his life.
The Fellini film on which this musical is based takes the audience on a journey inside Guido's head that features his visually striking daydreams and recollections.
Set in 1965 Rome -- where black-and-white, Cinecitta Studios, Vespas, Ray-Bans and all things Italian reign -- the story unfolds with Guido preparing to begin the production of his next movie with no script in sight. In despair, Guido (Day-Lewis) flees to a seaside spa to escape the mounting stress. But soon mistress, demanding producer, production team and soon his wife (played by French actress Marion Cotillard) take up residence in the small beach town.
Cruz portrays Guido's mistress in the film.
The 35-year-old Spanish actress had high praise for her Academy Award-winning co-star.
"Amazing. I have so much respect for Daniel," smiled Cruz. "And now that I know him, and I got to really work with him for a long time, even more. He's so kind, so generous. Such a great partner to work with."
She also shared her thoughts about acting in a musical.
"It was the first time that I get to do that professionally in a project. It was very scary but it was also a lot of fun because I'm a huge fan of musicals and I always wanted to find one."
Meanwhile, Marshall reminisced about his heady days on the set of "Nine."
"I mean I was shooting, for instance, a scene with Sophia Loren in the Piazza Del Popolo and Rome," recalled the 49-year-old director. "In a little tiny sports car with Daniel Day-Lewis and I couldn't quite believe it was happening. I felt like I had transported myself into my favourite era in my favourite place in time."
Oscar-winning Australian actress Kidman, 42, who plays the part of Guido's muse, and American singer-turned-actress Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson, 34, who plays a prostitute friend of Guido's, also walked the red carpet. But the two only stopped to speak with a few members of the press before heading into the theatre.
The film also features 30-year-old actress Kate Hudson, as a flirtatious American journalist; British actress Dame Judi Dench, 75, as Guido's costume designer and therapist; and Italian screen legend, Sophia Loren, also 75, as Guido's mother.
But in spite of the on-screen presence of some of the most popular and powerful actresses in the industry, Day-Lewis still takes centre stage in the movie with his role.
Known for being one of the most selective actors in the motion picture industry, Day-Lewis has only starred in five films since 1997.
"Nine" was originally a 1982 Broadway musical. It was nominated for 12 Tony Awards and won five, including the coveted Best Musical.
The filmed version was helmed by director Rob Marshall, best known for directing another adaptation of a Broadway musical, the popular "Chicago," which netted an Oscar for Best Picture in 2002.
"Nine" will open in across North America in limited release on December 18 and expand into full release on Christmas Day (December 25.) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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