News | August 7, 2005 - June 21, 2006

July 21, 2006 (from Daily Mail)

Oedipus? It's a complex role

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Ralph Fiennes is planning to play Oedipus for the National Theatre.

The award-winning actor will star in the Greek tragedy in a production to be directed by Jonathan Kent, his long-time artistic collaborator, for the National's autumn 2008 season.

When I approached them yesterday, the National confirmed to me that a plan is at a very early stage. There's no word yet on who will adapt Sophocles' work about a son who murders his father and sleeps with his mother.

The writer David Stuttard did a version three years ago in Durham, which modelled Oedipus on Tony Blair, but I think the National have it in mind to commission a new adaptation. One idea being explored is to take the play, either before or after its run at the National, on a tour of ancient amphitheatres.

One particular spot the artistic team is keen to visit is the Roman amphitheatre at Bosra, in Syria, although no one can predict what state that part of the world will be in two years from now.

Mr Kent has directed Mr Fiennes in several plays including Hamlet for the Almeida (which also featured Francesca Annis) a few years ago, and I always remember a Shakespeare double bill they did in Shoreditch, again for the Almeida.

The producer Sonia Friedman bought them together again for Faith Healer, presently on Broadway with Cherry Jones and Iain McDiarmid.

Mr Fiennes has other projects in the pipeline, including another stint as Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter and, probably before the National season, he will direct his first feature film.

April 24, 2006 (from mad.co.uk)

Sampling campaign for WSJ style mag

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Europe launches its new quarterly lifestyle and fashion magazine, Style Journal, backed with a targeted sampling campaign this week.

The glossy magazine, produced in partnership with UK publishing house Show Media and to be distributed with The WSJ Europe, launches on Friday (28 April).

The debut of the 64 page magazine will be supported with a sampling campaign targeting business commuters in London. WSJ branded travel card holders, featuring images of iconic commuter destinations in Paris, New York, London and Tokyo, will be given away at major stations and City locations in the capital. Style Journal flyers and half price vouchers and subscription offers for the main newspaper will also be handed out.

Style Journal will also publish in September and November this year and continue quarterly throughout next year. The publisher hopes to attract luxury goods advertisers and says that the initiative offers clients a “broader range of opportunities” to reach the high income core readership of The WSJ Europe.

The launch issue features actor Ralph Fiennes as its cover image with an accompanying interview. It also includes articles on Louis Vuitton and the America’s Cup; a review of boutique hotels and trends in functional, luxury watches.

Managing director Jon Housman said: “Style Journal is a logical brand extension for the Wall Street Journal Europe. It enables us to better service our existing readers and advertisers as well as attract new ones.”

The newspaper reformatted as a compact size edition last October.

March 6, 2006 (from Irish Independent)

On Oscar night, it's just Fiennes in the Gaeltacht

By Anita Guidera

ACCLAIMED British actor Ralph Fiennes turned his back on the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's Oscars last night in favour of the wilds of the west Donegal Gaeltacht.

The 42-year-old star of stage and screen, who is currently appearing in Brian Friel's 'Faith Healer' at the Gate Theatre, could have been present at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood for the film industry's biggest night of the year. But instead he opted for a very different kind of night at the local hotel, the Ostan Gweedore, in the company of Friel and director Michael Colgan.

His latest movie, 'The Constant Gardener', was up for four awards last night - though not including a best actor nomination for Fiennes, who has twice been nominated for an Oscar but has yet to receive one. His co-star, Rachel Weisz, received a best supporting actress nomination for her role in the movie.

When asked why he had chosen to spend the night in Donegal, Fiennes said: "Although the film has been nominated, I haven't and I'd prefer to come to Donegal instead."

The actor flew by helicopter into west Donegal in the company of Friel and Colgan in time for lunch at the hotel's renowned seafood restaurant.

They were treated to a traditional music session by internationally renowned group Altan.

'Faith Healer' runs at the Gate until the end of March.

March 6, 2006 (from Scotsman)

Weisz And Park Flying High

Nick Park and Rachel Weisz were the only winners out of a small British contingent at the 78th Academy Awards as they picked up Oscars for The Constant Gardener and Wallace & Gromit: Curse Of The Were-Rabbit respectively.

Park and his co-director Steve Box, picked up the Best Animated Film Award, the fourth Oscar Park has received for the Wallace & Gromit movies, although the previous three capers involving the madcap duo appeared in the Animated Short category.

The pair donned comedy bow ties that would ensure further British stereotyping in Hollywood for years to come, and even went so far as to bring miniature dicky bows for their statuettes.

"We've brought bow ties for Oscar - for co-ordination," they joked. "We just happened to bring them along." They also paid tribute to veteran actor Peter Sallis, who voices the cheese loving hero, Wallace.

"Peter is here tonight. He has been the voice of Wallace for the past 23 years and you have been an absolute gem, Peter. You have sparkled all the way," said Park.

Weisz Wins

Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz took to the stage after winning the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the poilitically charged thriller, The Constant Gardener.

She managed to hold back the tears – just – as she accepted the award.

"This is a tremendous, tremendous honour. I share it with others - Ralph Fiennes, my luminous acting partner, and Fernando Meirelles, a director brimming over with such humanity."

Rachel also made mention of author Le Carre, saying:

"He wrote this unflinching, angry story and he really paid tribute to the people who are willing to risk their own lives to fight for justice. They are greater men and women than I."

Weisz won a Golden Globe for the same role but missed out on a Bafta.

Of the few other Brit nominees, Dame Judi Dench and Keira Knightley both lost out to Reese Witherspoon for Best Actress, while Mrs Henderson Presents lost out to Memoirs Of A Geisha in the Costume Design category.

February 7, 2006 (from Scotsman)

Ralph Fiennes and Annis to separate

The actor Ralph Fiennes and his partner Francesca Annis are to separate after 11 years, lawyers for the actress have said.

The split comes after reports that The English Patient star Fiennes, 43, had an affair with a young singer.

"Ms Annis confirms that she and Ralph Fiennes are to separate," said a statement from her solicitors.

The 61-year-old actress also announced she has begun legal proceedings against the Daily Mail for defamation and invasion of privacy over a story which claimed she had forgiven him over the alleged affair.

The relationship between Fiennes and Annis was notable for its 18-year age gap. The couple met when Fiennes played Hamlet at the Hackney Empire in 1995 and Annis played his mother, Gertrude.

Fiennes left his wife, ER star Alex Kingston, and Annis left her partner, photographer Patrick Wiseman, with whom she had three children.

In an interview published last year, the actress was philosophical about the age gap between them. "Of course I don't spend days agonising over the age difference. How can I? There is nothing I can do about it.

"Ralph and I have been together 10 years now so, whatever happens, we have had a very good, different relationship and an interesting time," she said.

The separation announcement comes on the opening night of Fiennes' new play, Faith Healer, at the Gate Theatre in Dublin. The star is due to attend the Bafta ceremony in London on February 19, where he has a best actor nomination for his performance in The Constant Gardener.

Fiennes has been twice Oscar-nominated, for Schindler's List and The English Patient, and is known to younger audiences for his role as Lord Voldemort in the last Harry Potter film. Annis has earned several Bafta nominations for her TV work and is an acclaimed stage actress. She garnered rave reviews for her most recent West End role in Epitaph for George Dillon, which ended its run at the Comedy Theatre last month.

February 2, 2006 (from Irish Examiner)

Dublin Film Festival: Box office opens today

The box office for the fourth annual Dublin International Film Festival is due to open later today.

The event was officially opened last night by actor Cillian Murphy, the star of Breakfast on Pluto.

Organisers are expecting to sell around 30,000 tickets for the various films showing between February 17 and 26.

Actors such as Daniel Day-Lewis, Ralph Fiennes and John Hurt will all attend screenings during the week.

January 19, 2006 (from Contactmusic.com)

RALPH FIENNES SLATED TO PLAY RELATIVE

British actor RALPH FIENNES has been earmarked to play second cousin SIR RANULPH FIENNES in a future biopic.

The British explorer, 61, is keen for a member of the acting side of his successful family to portray him on screen - but he still has concerns over the CONSTANT GARDENER actor's facial features.

He says, "If there were ever a film made of my life, I suppose I would like to keep the lead role in the family, so I think it has to be Ralph.

"His nose is a worry. It might be a bit, ahem, Roman."

November 25, 2005 (from WENN via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)

Fiennes considers legal action after 'younger model' slur

British actor Ralph Fiennes is considering suing a US publication that falsely reported he'd ditched his 61-year-old lover Francesca Annis for a younger model.

The Maid In Manhattan star, 42, is furious at an article in the New York Post which alleged he was seen flirting and canoodling with 43-year-old actress Gina Gershon.

It read: "They made out in a booth and then cuddled the rest of the night."

After protesting his innocence, Fiennes refused to make any further comment on the press slur, but a close friend insists, "He'll fight this all the way."

The source adds, "There is no truth in any of these suggestions. It's pure personal conjecture."

October 6, 2005 (from Contactmusic.com)

FIENNES WANTS TO MAKE A 50S BOND

RALPH FIENNES would consider playing JAMES BOND, if producers hired QUENTIN TARANTINO to make a movie more faithful to 007 author IAN FLEMING's novels.

The English actor hates the way the superspy has evolved - and urges movie makers to strip the suave secret agent of his gadgets and women and take him back to his 1950s roots..

Fiennes says, "I wish that, just once, they'd go back to the books and revive Ian Fleming's original Bond.

"Take it back to the 50s, get rid of the busty girls and make it darker again. There are too many gadgets now, too many fast cars, The films are more like car commercials nowadays.

"I think that Quentin Tarantino could be a great person to do it, make it darker, how it was meant to be."

September 30, 2005 (from Daily Mail)

Fiennes opts for the director's cut

By BAZ BAMIGBOYE

Ralph Fiennes is to make his screen directorial debut. In a sense, he's following in the footsteps of his sisters, Martha and Sophie, both of whom are noted film-makers.

He intends to begin filming the movie Snow Country on locations in Canada in 2007.

The star was persuaded to work behind the camera by Simon Channing-Williams, the producer of Fiennes's forthcoming film The Constant Gardener, which is based on John le Carre's novel.

It will open the Times bfi London Film Festival on October 19.

Fiennes and leading lady Rachel Weisz are likely to garner Oscar nominations for their roles.

Snow Country will be based on an original script by Nicholas Rohl. It's about a 17-year-old Inuit girl in a convent in northern Canada.

However, Fiennes has much to do in other quarters before he can turn his attention full time to the film.

In the new year, he will lead Jonathan Kent's production of Brian Friel's play Faith Healer, which runs at Dublin's Gate Theatre and at the Booth in New York.

It's rumoured that Cherry Jones, a much-acclaimed American actress, will join Fiennes on Broadway.

Also, Ian McDiarmid is hoping to repeat the extraordinary performance he gave in the play when it ran at the Almeida threeanda-half years ago.

The play's producers, Sonia Friedman and Michael Colgan, are surely hoping Faith Healer will move to London but, sadly, there's no chance of that happening.

The rest of this year is already mapped out for Fiennes. He films Bernard And Doris with Susan Sarandon and then he'll be around for the openings of The Constant Gardener, Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire and the Merchant Ivory film The White Countess - another potential Oscar contender.

It was Ismail Merchant's last film.

He died in May and Fiennes will be among those paying tribute to him at a memorial service planned for November 18 at the Curzon cinema in Mayfair.

September 19, 2005 (from The National Enquirer)

ANGELINA'S SECRET DATE... WITH HANDSOME ACTOR RALPH FIENNES

By Claire Newbon

Brad Pitt rushed back to Angelina Jolie in New York after she had a secret dinner date with another movie heart-throb.

Angelina had her rendezvous with British actor Ralph Fiennes on August 22 at Manhattan's exclusive Girasole restaurant while Brad was busy filming The Assassination Of Jesse James in Canada.

Sources said Angelina ate alone with the English Patient star, 42, who dates actress Francesca Annis, 61. One diner said: "Angelina arrived around 9 pm and sat at the back table. She looked absolutely beautiful and seemed happy and relaxed.

"Ralph arrived 10 minutes later. They had a friendly hello, kiss, kiss. They didn't hold hands or do anything to suggest it was romantic."

Days later, Brad used his first break from shooting to join Angelina in the Big Apple, where she is filming Robert de Niro's The Good Shepherd. He reasserted himself, playing the role of father to Angelina's adopted kids, four-year-old Maddox and Zahara, seven months. The 31-year-old actor was even spotted with a baby bottle in his back pocket.

Later, the couple put on their most public display of affection at Paddy Maguire's Ale House in Manhattan. Customers said they could "hardly keep their hands off each other."

A waiter said: "Angelina was drinking wine and Brad had a few vodka tonics. They held hands, and then Angelina went over to play the deer shooting game we have in the corner of the bar."

September 7, 2005 (from Contactmusic.com)

FIENNES BROTHERS ADVISE EACH OTHER

British actor JOSEPH FIENNES has laughed off rumours of sibling rivalry with his older brother RALPH FIENNES.

Despite a seven year age gap between 35-year-old Joseph and THE ENGLISH PATIENT star Ralph, 42, the brothers have always encouraged each others acting careers.

Joseph says "I'm fortunate to have advice from someone of that calibre. He's years older than me, so there's no danger of us going for the same roles."

August 7, 2005 (from Contactmusic.com)

ANNIS TO KISS BROTHER-IN-LAW

British actress FRANCESCA ANNIS is set to play the love interest of her real-life partner RALPH FIENNES' younger brother JOSEPH on the London stage.

The MACBETH star, 61, and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE heart-throb Fiennes, 35, will star in EPITAPH FOR GEORGE DILLON in the British capital in September (05).

A theatre source says, "Francesca has just been cast opposite Joseph for Epitaph, which starts at the Comedy Theatre in the West End in September.

"Joseph plays George, a charismatic and bohemian aspiring actor, and Francesca will be one of four sisters, who is eventually seduced by George."