UNITED KINGDOM: BRITISH FILM PREMIERE OF BESTSELLING BOOK "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN"

Record ID: 391254

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: BRITISH FILM PREMIERE OF BESTSELLING BOOK "CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN"
  • Date: 19th April 2001
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (APRIL 19, 2001(REUTERS) SCU (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN HURT : "I'm very excited. These are events in my life making a film and this is a big film with an amazing director and a fantastic cast and I'm delighted to be here and I hope it's the kick off for something very exciting... that people are going to be able to go and see - "
  • Embargoed: 4th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, UK
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5KHKH0B2GHMX269GKJAFYSIK6
  • Story Text: Hollywood's A-list turned out for the world premiere in London of "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", the film version of the runaway best-selling novel of that name. Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz, from Spain, star in the tragic love story.
    The world premiere took place in London's Leicester Square of "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", with Nicholas Cage who stars as Captain Antonio Corelli and Penelope Cruz - who plays the love interest, Pelagia - attending.
    Seasoned British actor John Hurt, who plays Dr Iannis, also greeted the crowds in the star-studded event.
    The premiere raised money for the British Red Cross, and in particular the Indian Earthquake Appeal, and David Ginola, the Aston Villa footballer, said he hoped his presence would help publicize the worthwhile cause.
    The film tells the story of the invasion of the Greek island of Cephallonia by Italian forces during the Second World War, and the subsequent German invasion. The action centres on Pelagia, the daughter of Dr Iannis (Hurt), whose life is shattered by the war. She gets formally engaged to Mandras (Christian Bale) but the war puts their love under strain, and gradually the charms of Captain Antonio Corelli, an Italian officer billeted with the doctor's household, break through.
    The film, produced by Working Title, is set to do superb box office business with massive pre-publicity, not least due to the success of the eponymous novel upon which it was based.
    The book itself has already led to an upsurge in tourism to Cephallonia, but Greek singing star Nana Mouskouri is certain that extra tourists will do more good than harm.
    The film opens in the UK on May 4th.
    ENDS
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