FRANCE: RESPECTED DIRECTOR JOHN WATERS IS HONOURED WITH A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE DEAUVILLE FILM FESTIVAL

Record ID: 387163

  • Title: FRANCE: RESPECTED DIRECTOR JOHN WATERS IS HONOURED WITH A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE DEAUVILLE FILM FESTIVAL
  • Date: 6th September 1997
  • Summary: DEAUVILLE, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 8, 1997) (REUTERS ) ( ** BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) EXTERIOR OF "CASINO DE DEAUVILLE" - WITH POSTER ADVERTISING US FILM FESTIVAL ACTOR JOHN HURT ARRIVING AT FESTIVAL. ROBERT RODRIGUEZ, DIRECTOR ARRIVING. ERICA JONG ARRIVING. (BLONDE HAIR AND PEARLS) MEMBERS OF THE JURY (FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT) ELODIE BOUCHEZ INES SASTRE, SOPHIE MARC
  • Embargoed: 21st September 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: DEAUVILLE, NORMANDY, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA5R2NKHPXVB2TTIAN3CUHHLAYI
  • Story Text: Deauville has undergone its annual transformation from sleepy coastal resort to 'Hollywood-on-Sea' for the 23rd American Film Festival.

    Huge crowds turned out to catch a glimpse of the stars arriving for the festival's opening night - and they were not disappointed.

    Harrison Ford, one of Hollywood's hottest properties, attended the screening of his latest movie "Air Force One." The film also stars the British actor Gary Oldman ("Nil By Mouth") and American actress Glenn Close, best known for her roles in "Fatal Attraction" and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses".

    "Air Force One" takes its name from the U.S. President's plane. The film tells the story of a terrorist group which hijacks the Presidential plane and then demands the release of their leader, Korshunov, played by Oldman.

    Unless Korshunov is released the terrorists threaten to start killing the passengers. The problem is that even if their demands are met and their leader is freed, it is feared many more will die at the hands of the terrorists.

    The U.S. President must weigh the fate of his family on board the plane against the fate of the world.

    Ford said he still enjoys action movies and physical acting involving "rolling around on the floor and being a kid".

    "I do think the President is an intriguing character, he represents great responsibility and great opportunity and people are intrigued by what goes on behind closed doors with the President so he's perhaps the ultimate celebrity", Ford said.

    Director Wolfgang Petersen (who received an Oscar nomination for his film "Das Boot") said the idea was very American.

    "Its such an unusual idea especially for a European. It's unbelievable thinking that Helmut Kohl would be an action-hero, so if you do it in America and it's Harrison Ford playing a Clinton-like President and an action-hero, it's great." The festival also featured a tribute to renowned American 'trash' film director, John Waters (best known for "Hairspray" and "Pink Flamingos"). The late transvestite actor Divine starred in "Pink Flamingos", which was considered by critics to be one of the worst films ever made when it was released in 1972.

    The film's cast was composed of the director's closest friends and shooting could only take place on weekends because Waters had to spend weekdays raising money.

    "Pink Flamingos" is the story of two families, both competing for the title "the filthiest people alive". In the film's legendary epilogue Divine demonstrates that "her" family is worthy of the title - with a little help from a Hungarian sheep dog.

    In spite of the film's reputation, "Pink Flamingos" has achieved cult status and was recently reissued. Waters remembers that one critic compared the film to a septic tank explosion.

    Waters told Reuters that he was proud that the film's reputation had not changed since it was re-released.

    "It did not get nicer, it didn't mellow...it didn't turn into a period piece".
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