ITALY: Antonio Banderas and his wife actress Melanie Griffith arrive at the Venice film festival to promote his directorial debut

Record ID: 565547

  • Title: ITALY: Antonio Banderas and his wife actress Melanie Griffith arrive at the Venice film festival to promote his directorial debut
  • Date: 10th September 1999
  • Summary: REUTERS (SOUNDBITE)(English) ANTONIO BANDERAS SAYS "I thought a guy in a leather motorcycle jacket and long hair was going to come and visit me. And when I opened the door of the testing room where I was testing my actors this very polite, polished, well mannered, well dressed guy came completely different from the video clips that I have seen with him and he was very professional." (SOUNDBITE)(English) MELANIE GRIFFITH SAYS, "It was Antonio's vision - the movie is his vision. If you read the book it's much longer - for a movie we couldn't take up everybody's time so Antonio put it together through his eyes. I tried to do my best. But I did what he told me to do." (SOUNDBITE)(English) ANTONIO BANDERAS SAYS, "I don't worry about box-office I'm not searching for that, I know there are some members of the studio who may kill me, but I would like to continue directing movies if it' s possible if the world doesn't finish today, nine-nine-ninety-nine but I 'm going to continue acting."
  • Embargoed: 25th September 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: VENICE, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Reuters ID: LVADAVGVH3FEM58PB5O5KCJDOFI8
  • Story Text: Latin heart-throb actor Antonio 'Zorro' Banderas arrived at the Venice film estival today with his wife, actress Melanie Griffith, to promote his DIRECTORIAL debut 'Crazy in Alabama' which stars his sex-symbol wife - and took a serious side-sweep at feminists.And the was a surprise appearance on the Lido this evening from Brad Pitt - in Venice to attend the premier of his new movie 'Fight Club.' If you're going to direct your first movie you want to make sure you're on good terms with your leading actress.
    Better still - direct your wife.That was Antonio Banderas' solution for his directorial debut 'Crazy in Alabama', featuring his actress wife Melanie Griffith.
    The couple were in Venice promoting their movie's appearance at the film festival and Banderas was his usual eloquent self when hosting a press conference with his leading lady to discuss their project - which also features Rod Steiger and Meatloaf.
    So was it easy directing his wife? Or did the Spanish superstar fear it might lead to problems? "I thought in some in some way it could affect our personal relationship,"Banderas said.
    "The thing is that this project was born from both of us.We set up two or three years ago a company called 'Green Moon' for the purpose of doing alternative movies that we were offered and 'Crazy in Alabama' was the first movie offered in that relationship so she (Melanie) was involved from the beginning in the process of the movie.I had more time to talk with her than anybody else - to reflect on the character and all the little problems that we may find."
    The movie tells the story of one women's journey through the sexism and racism of America's Deep South in the early sixties - difficult issues that Banderas chose to tackle head-on for his debut behind the camera.
    "I always thought the first movie I would direct - and I always wanted to direct a movie - would be in Spain, a Spanish story with Spanish actors - because that is where my heart is.
    "But this was such a good story when it came to us - it captured my imagination and my heart.I loved this story," Banderas said, "And the issues it raises about prejudice and the treatment of women."I very much support feminist issues.But I don't like something about feminist groups which is - it's an imitation of a maN, and if that is the purpose I think they are wrong.
    "I think what we are looking for if we are looking for a more feminine world is just an alternative.
    "Not a copy of every stupidity that man has done in the world for such a long time."
    Melanie certainly enjoyed working with her husband, coo-ing, with a twinkle in her eye, "It was great - just like everything feels with Antonio."No - it really was - I know it sounds like I'm supposed to say this because he's my husband he's the best director I've ever worked with - but he is - he's right up there with Jonathon Demme and Robert Redford and every other good director that I've worked for."
    Banderas brought some interesting actors to his movie - Rod Steiger, Elizabeth Perkins - and 'Meatloaf'! Banderas says , "When I was selecting the cast we wanted to speak to him.I' d seen his pop videos and I thought a guy in a leather motorcycle jacket and long hair was going to come and visit me.And when I opened the door of the testing room where I was testing my actors this very polite, polished, well mannered, well dressed guy came in completely different from the video clips that I have seen with him and he was very professional."
    Meatloaf plays a vicious, racist cop chasing Melanie Griffith.
    Steiger a judge at her trial.
    The quirky little yarn looks set to be a commercial success - but fans of Banderas, best known for his roles in "Evita" "Desperado"
    and "The Mask of Zorro" isn't worried about commercial success - and still intends to continue his career IN FRONT of the camera."
    Speaking on the ninth-day of the ninth month of the last year of the millenium - a day long-tipped by soothsayers to be potentially apocalyptic, Banderas said, "I don't worry about box-office I'm not searching for that.I know there are some members of the studio who may kill me, but I would like to continue directing movies if it's possible if the world doesn't finish today - nine-nine-ninety-nine - but I'm going to continue acting!"
    Later this evening Banderas and Griffith attended their movie's premier on the Lido, arriving by water-taxi.Waiting photographers were rewarded with a little cha-cha shuffle between Banderas and his wife and Meatloaf.The waiting media were treated to a surprise appearance from Brad Pitt and Edward Norton - both stars arriving on the Lido a day earlier than expected for the premier on Friday of their movie 'Fight Club.
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