- Title: ARGENTINA: 'EVITA' PREMIERES IN BUENOS AIRES
- Date: 17th February 1997
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA. (FEBRUARY 17, 1997) (REUTERS) ALAN PARKER AT NEWS CONFERENCE, COMMENTING ON RUCKAUF'S CALL TO BOYCOTT, SAYING PRESIDENT CARLOS MENEM HAD CONGRATULATED HIM (ENGLISH) "GRAN REX" THEATRE POLICE VIP'S ARRIVING AT EVITA GALA PROTESTERS AGAINST "EVITA" OUTSIDE GALA MADONNA SUPORTERS OUTSIDE GALA DEMONSTRATORS PEOPLE LEAVING THEATRE HECTOR CAVALLERO, ARGENTINE PRODUCER, SAYS "I DID NOT LIKE IT, BECAUSE IT HAS NO EMOTION, THE SINGERS ARE MEDIOCRE, SHE (MADONNA) DOES NOT ACT WELL, IT'S DIRECTED WRONG, AND ITS AMBIENCE IS WRONG. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE HISTORICAL ASPECT, I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY BAD AND BORING" (SPANISH) ANTONIO GASALLA, ARGENTINE ACTOR, SAYS "EVITA WILL ALSO SURVIVE THIS" (SPANISH) ALAN PARKER LEAVES THEATRE IN CAR
- Embargoed: 4th March 1997 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
- City:
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: General,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAA0SZJM3C3PK4VQKH9LVIA6WO9
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: The film "Evita" had its gala premiere in Buenos Aires on Monday (February 17) amid controversy surrounding its director Alan Parker and the Vice President of Argentina, who has described the movie as a "insult" to Eva Peron.
Vice-President Carlos Ruckauf for a boycott of the movie musical, which is due to go on general release in Argentina on Thursday (February 20).
"It must be shown in as many theatres possible, so they all will be empty, and they will lose money," Ruckauf said. He described the film as "clearly offensive" and an insult to the memory of the legendary Eva Peron, Argentina's best-loved political icon. But he acknowledged having seen only video clips of "Evita," which stars pop singer Madonna.
"It's very ignorant of (Ruckauf) to say anything before he sees it," Parker told a Buenos Aires news conference on Monday (February 17).
He said President Carlos Menem had commended him for the awards won by the film.
"I got a letter from Menem congratulating me for winning the Golden Globe awards and I spoke to (presidential chief of staff Alberto) Kohan on Friday, who wished me well." At the VIP preview of the movie Monday night, Evita Peron's supporters gathered outside the theatre carrying placards and chanting against Parker's film, while a group of Madonna supporters rallied in defence of the rock star.
"Evita" received lukewarm reviews after the press premiere, with critics questioning its historical accuracy. It also revived debate over the original Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber stage musical, which portrays the wife of former President Juan Domingo Peron as a woman who used her sex appeal to win power and manipulate the masses.
But Parker insisted the movie was unbiased, noting that Eva Peron was regarded among Argentines as either a saint or a sinner.
Parker defended his choice of Madonna for the title role and said that while he was disappointed the movie did not win major Oscar nominations, he was not too concerned. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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