GREECE: "Asterix Olympic Games" premieres in Greece, the birthplace of the sporting event

Record ID: 220507

  • Title: GREECE: "Asterix Olympic Games" premieres in Greece, the birthplace of the sporting event
  • Date: 24th January 2008
  • Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (JANUARY 17, 2008) (REUTERS) ACTORS AND DIRECTOR ATTENDING PRESS CONFERENCE BEFORE PREMIERE (SOUNDBITE) (French) ACTOR GERARD DEPARDIEU SAYING: "I adore the role of Obelix very much, I enjoyed it very much. Of course, Obelix is funny without trying - he is a bit fat, he is a bit clumsy, just as I am in reality. We can laugh with Obelix. I prefer to laugh with Obelix than having my picture taken." PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) DIRECTOR FREDERIC FORESTIER SAYING: "We tried to do something different, show something different. Our first concern was to break the duo of Asterix and Obelix that is why we used a new actor to portray Asterix. Our second concern was to reach an international audience, so we chose actors from Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain. The effort was to make something different from the other films and closer to the comic book. And I am happy with the result because (Albert) Uderzo said this film stayed close to the comic book." PRESS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) MODEL/ ACTRESS VANESSA HESSLER SAYING: "There is a very big big difference. In modelling you wear clothes, you show in front of a lot of people, you do editorials, catalogues. In acting you have to use your brain. The word says it by itself. Its a whole other thing. Personally I am much more satisfied being an actress than a model and I hope it continues that way." PRESS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 8th February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Greece
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAU3HI6TPSCMNQ4QDKH314GWIT
  • Story Text: French production "Asterix aux Jeux Olympiques" or, "Asterix at the Olympic Games" premiered in Athens on Thursday (January 17), the birthplace of the Olympic games.
    Actors Gerard Depardieu, Adriana Karembeu and Vanessa Hessler, along with director Frederic Forestier attended the premier at the Athens Concert Hall.
    The third movie sequel about the famous Gauls returns Gerard Depardieu as Obelix and introduces Clovis Cornillac as Asterix for the first time.
    French actor Alain Delon takes on the part of Caesar as the Gauls compete in the biggest ancient athletic event against the Romans and the Greeks.
    Directed by Forestier and Thomas Langmann it is the third Asterix film following previous films in 1999 and 2002.
    This is the third time Depardieu has taken on the role of Obelix, which he said he can relate to.

    "I adore the role of Obelix very much, I enjoyed it very much. Of course, Obelix is funny without trying - he is a bit fat, he is a bit clumsy, just as I am in reality." he said.
    Forestier said it is the most expensive French language film made, at the hefty cost of 78 million euros (114 million USD).
    The film is based on the 12th in the series of popular comic books, created by Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, of the same name that came out in 1968. Forestier said he wanted to make a different film from its predecessors and remain close to the spirit of the comic book.

    "We tried to do something different, show something different. Our first concern was to break the duo of Asterix and Obelix, that is why we used a new actor to portray Asterix. Our second concern was to reach an international audience, so we chose actors from Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain. The effort was to make something different from the other films and closer to the comic book. And I am happy with the result because (Albert) Uderzo said this film stayed close to the comic book." he said.
    The Gauls head to ancient Olympia in Greece to participate in the games where their magic potion is banned and they must compete without it. The plot twists when Asterix and Obelix help the Gaul Alafolix (Stephane Rousseau) in vying for the affections of the Greek Princess Irina, played by actress/model Vanessa Hessler, against Casesar's son Brutus (Benoit Poelvoorde) and must compete to win her hand.
    Hessler, a model, said acting was a very different experience from modelling.

    "There is a very big big difference. In modelling you wear clothes, you show in front of alot of people, you do editorials, catalogues.
    In acting you have to use your brain. The word says it by itself. Its a whole other thing." she said.
    The film also includes guest appearances by athletes Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, French soccer player Zinedine Zidane, and NBA basketball champion Tony Parker.
    Organizers said the Olympic Stadium where the film is shot is one of the biggest sets that has ever been constructed for the French cinema. It was constructed at the La Ciudad de la Luz studios in Spain, where most of the production was filmed.
    The film first premiered in Paris on January 13.
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