Update: I now can access the interactive features thanks to Brendon of www.bleedingcool.com who found some bleeding cool software. If anyone else is having trouble, do get in touch!
The short post this evening is necessitated by several factors: the arrival of Prince Dastan through my letterbox this morning (he parkoured his way in there) and the fact that Blogger is so overwhelmed by the hotness and agility of Jake Gyllenhaal in his Dastan leathers that it's making posting almost impossible. Nevertheless, I will battle through the red error messages emblazoned across the screen regardless and try and get this out before Blogger notices and without me having to chuck burning oil all over it. Here is a glimpse of one of the bits and pieces from the Blu-ray edition courtesy of MovieWeb.
This little parkour clip includes a bunch of Prince Dastans but not necessarily the Jake Gyllenhaal one. Some of the other clips from the Blu-ray are also available:
Unfortunately, I can't bring you more details of the other interactive pieces from the Blu-Ray because my software will allow me to access the list without actually being able to play them. However, it is clear from their names and the Behind the scenes feature on the DVD that some of these are duplicates and others can be found in that DVD extra. And it is superb! There is LOTS of Jake. With and without the straw hat. In Morocco and at Pinewood. [Update: There are bits and pieces that are new in the Blu-ray interactive extras and hopefully these will be available shortly as well. Notably, the visualisations of the dagger turning back time and the stunts; other features that stand out but without Jake are the recreations of Alamut.)
Interestingly, this feature is not on the 3-disc Blu-Ray DVD set. I have to say - Penny Rose (the costume designer), what an amazing woman and Jake does a great impression (if he doesn't want to wear a costume then someone else jolly well would!) - and in the behind the scenes we actually see one of Jake's big jumps. Not a stunt Jake, but Jake himself. I know, I couldn't do it. However, the vivid desert and oasis and exotic city colours of the Blu-ray are something to behold. IHJ has some screencaps from the video features above.
Mike Newell tells us again that with Jake he was expecting the great acting, the good looks but he was not expecting the all-round action hero that he got.
I have been able to see the 'Heads' deleted scene and we haven't missed much. Jake is in it only briefly - when he appears in Tamina's bedchamber to escort her into the king's presence (see the picture below from the Visual Guide). The rest of the scene does what it says on the tin - Garsiv presents some heads to the king with his usual charm.
Enjoy the DVD when it reaches you - now we have the power to turn back, fast forward and freeze time. Again and again. And again.
Speaking of Gemma Arterton, I saw Tamara Drewe yesterday and I've pondered about it over at MovieBrit today.
Disney's promotion of the DVD and Bu-Ray release of Prince of Persia continues - making me wonder once more that the abundance of videos and behind the scenes snippets they've given us over the last year is the reason why there aren't many extras on the DVD. There can't be much left.... except for that gag reel? The video of Jake Gyllenhaal from the last post was just the latest in a series of featurettes released by Disney this month. Many thanks to Monica for the heads up!
In the videos you will not only enjoy Jake and Gemma Arterton, you will also find the gorgeous Toby Kebbell and Gisli Orn Gardarsson talking about their characters - in Toby's case: throwing Jake around the set.
Tamara Drew is about to hit the theatres and in this, of course, Gemma Arterton leads. Its release on 10 September in the UK coincides with the Prince of Persia DVD and so she has been speaking a little more about the film: '“The whole scale of Prince of Persia was out of this world. When we were in Marrakesh before we started filming they took me to visit the set for the kingdom where my character, Tamina, lives. It was unbelievable. There were streets you could walk around and palaces and fortresses and market squares. And I was thinking, ‘I’m playing the princess of this place, just little old me’. It’s humbling because after everybody’s done all this work, you think, well, now I really have to come up with the goods. The princess is a bit of a tomboy sometimes, and she even has to pretend to be a sort of fictional 6th century cocktail waitress at one point. I’ve also got some great costumes with henna tattoos and jewels in my hair and things like that. I’m the only girl in the film, so I have to try to look good.”'
'When told she had the part, she said: “It was surreal. I just sat there on my bed not quite taking it in. It’s weird to think you’re going to be a princess.” And she gets to kiss Gyllenhaal, saying: “My friends were always asking if I kiss him. And I say, ‘Yes, I do, so there!’ They’re all wildly jealous.”'
Back in the days of Rock'n'Rolla, Toby Kebbell talked to Little White Lies about his new project: 'I’m doing Prince of Persia, playing a Prince of Persia, head of the Persian army and I’ve got a brother who’s going to be the future king if our father dies. Then there’s Jake Gyllenhaal who’s the Prince of Persia (from the title). It’s great. We’re shooting in Morocco and it’s hot and continuous days. I’m in a full set of armour it’s tough, but it’s great too. I get to learn to ride a horse, it’s phenomenal. It’s the hardest work I’ve done – that’s like moaning about my diamond shoes being too tight – but it’s great fun to do. I do all the things you wanted to do as a kid – wear armour, scream around the place and so on. I’m loving it really.'
Richard Coyle, who, in the words of Jonathan Ross alone, played the other ugly brother (Tus), talked about how the pressure was all on Jake her: 'The pressure off aspect is clearly a part because I’m part of an ensemble behind Jake Gyllenhaal really. I just get behind his huge frame. No, it’s pressure off because it’s Jake’s thing but also to be honest the movie is the star of the movie. What I try to do, whatever I’m going into whether it’s a piece of TV or a film or a play, it’s very important to me to get the tone right, to know the tone that I’m going into. So I spent a lot of the time getting my head around that. Once I’d nailed the tone I knew that the movie was going to be the star of the movie, and Jake Gyllenhaal, obviously, and it did take the pressure of. But also it was a challenge – It’s an opportunity for me to make an impact so there’s a pressure that you put on yourself in a way, in that sense. But the whole question of pressure and who’s the star of the movie is a fallacy because these films are all about big business; it’s a big, huge business juggernaut and you’ve all got to come up with the goods – you’ve got to do the business. So there is a pressure regardless.'
To finish with the words of director Mike Newell about his star: 'I thought Jake was perfect for the main role from the very beginning because he is such a devastating emotional actor. He is so open and available, especially in movies like Brokeback Mountain. I’d actually known Jake since he was a little boy. I knew his parents very well and I had worked with his sister, so I kept my eye on him growing up. I knew he had a wonderful sense of humour and he’s got a zany laugh. I also thought he looked right for the role. He’s not a royal-looking guy, but a street kid in the wrong costume. I thought that would be a great thing to have in the film.'
This morning local time, the organisers of the Toronto International Film Festival announced a lineup of 51 galas, premieres and special screenings. Despite expectations, which were quite raised, there wasn't a sign of Love and Other Drugs in the lineup. While it is possible that additions may be made to the list through August, it's now not looking likely that we'll have a repeat of 2007. However, there are other film festivals to come, notably Venice and London. At the risk of sounding just like myself when we were waiting for Brothers, there is still a chance of some Festival Jake Gyllenhaal. A full list can be seen here.
On a brighter note, I had some fun today when I joined in a LoveFilm live chat with Alfred Molina and was able to tell him - laptop to laptop - that I enjoyed Prince of Persia and An Education. I asked him if he preferred to play fantasy or real life figures, to which he replied: 'Oooh... They're both interesting to do... Fantasy character are much freer'. I did make a brief mention of ostriches. It was a real thrill to be able to engage with a much-admired actor (I did the same with Maggie years ago) and it certainly added a touch of flavour to my porridge and water lunch. This is LoveFilm's picture of the occasion:
Therefore, it's only fitting that this post is a bit of a Fred Molina post, or a Fred Molina and Jake Gyllenhaal post, with some Peter Sarsgaard happily added to the mix. There's a bit of a PoP lovefest going on too...
Alfred on Jake: ''"Jake brings all the qualities the part needs: he’s goodlooking and talented, has a very attractive personality and is very bright," said Molina. "I’m also really impressed by his willingness to just jump in. It can be very easy for an actor in his position to sit back a little bit and play the star and let someone else carry the weight. He has never done that."'
'Molina’s own role is that of a vicious villain, who controls huge parts of the deadly desert. "(Sheik Amar), he's a lovable rogue I’d say! Or at least he’s a baddie who ends up as a reluctant ally of the hero," said Molina. "He starts off and he’s venal and self-centred and he describes himself as an entrepreneur and businessman, but he’s really a con-man and a small-time gangster with a capacity for violence. So he’s not sweet and cuddly, but he’s cheeky and a good talker and has a bit of an edge and some charm to him, and there’s also a part of him that deep down wants to do the right thing."'
Mike Newell: 'What I do think is, I think that most people don't know how to talk and certainly most people don't know how to talk to actors. There may be a slight difference. Above everything else, people don't listen. They don't listen to you. So you get a sense of an actor's potential, what he can do and what he can't do, and sometimes what you want to do is to nudge him into what he can do. Other times you want to say, "You know what? You do that really, really well. Let's do that again, but slightly differently." Fred Molina who played Sheik Amar whom I'd worked with before. He played a very straight-laced London lawyer for me, but very very funny. Now he's playing this loose disreputable stinky desert... We were talking about it and he said, "What do you think he's like?" I said, "Well, I think he's like Arthur Daley." Arthur Daley is a very famous character in this country. He comes from a TV series. He's a guy who sells dodgy cars, and I said, "I think Sheik Amar sells dodgy cars." So you start to have fun talking to them. I don't know why it is. I've always like them. I just like them. I wanted to be one. I was desperate to be one, but I was so bad. I was hopeless.'
'Just like I don't get the chance to make movies like this every day, because they just don't make 'em anymore, these guys don't get to act in them because they don't make them anymore. The opportunities in it are absolutely great. I mean, again, it's a story about Fred Molina, but when do you ever get the opportunity to raise your arms to the heavens and shout at the top of your voice, "Behold the mighty ostrich!" which is a God-given comedy line. It's wonderful. When do you get to actually kiss an ostrich?'
Jake in USA Today: '"The scariest scene in the movie is when Alfred Molina kisses an ostrich," he says. "They are terrifying animals. Anything with a brain the size of a pea and claws that can tear your face apart is really scary." The ostriches left a big impression on the animal-loving Gyllenhaal. "I've worked with wolves in movies (on The Day After Tomorrow), and on this set they treated ostriches like wolves," he says. "They literally told us they've been known to rip off people's faces. So when Fred kisses the ostrich, to me that performance is braver than Robert De Niro in Raging Bull."'
Jake spoke to Cineplex of his fear of speaking in an English accent to the English: 'When I finally got it, which was, uh a few months down the line, which I had done a lot of work to get to - it felt great. I mean, I remember sitting there with the actors for the first day I really felt like I nailed it, because at the beginning of the rehearsal period, Mike Newell, who was our director, would say to me: [adopts grandiose British accent] 'Don't worry my boy, just say the accent. Be confident!' So I'd walk in and be like you know, doing this horrible accent...I think the first time I did it, Ben Kingsley like puked into a trash can... Alfred Molina [who plays Sheik Amar in the film] was like calling his agent, 'Can, uh...is there any way you can get me out of this?' [laughs]'
In this interview with Aint it Cool, Jake and interviewer Quint admit to a shared appreciation of Alfred and regret that he doesn't feature in the footage showed at WonderCon.
Molina also, of course, played Jenny's increasingly sympathetic father Jack in An Education, giving him a chance to play opposite Peter Sarsgaard in some of the most satisfying and enjoyable scenes in the film. There's a report from the set here. 'I don’t think the Brits have got a monopoly on dysfunctionality', Alfred says - that's a relief.
To finish with Prince of Persia, Alfred Molina told the writers of the Destiny book: 'I think it's rather presumptuous of us to imagine that audiences are going to come out of watching Prince of Persua and be better people for it... If an audience walks out thinking that their ten bucks have been really well spent, then we've done our job. If they come out entertained and uplifted in some way... if it makes them curious about wanting to find out more about history... that's even better.'
Alfred: 'I don't think we've seen a member of the human species being quite so emotionally linked with an ostrich... I think we're breaking new ground here.' Alfred had thought that the ostrich he kissed was an Anita but it turned out to be an Alan. 'So I think we did the first sort of gay, interspecies kiss on film. Hopefully, they'll create an MTC Award for that category.'
Jake: 'There's not a single person on this movie who can find a bad thing to say about Fred Molina... He's just great, an actor's actor who adds light and life to the movie. Fred raised the bar, and he's just a lovely man.'
I know that a couple of these clips don't feature Alfred, but they're amongst my favourite PoP clips and I can't resist them! Pictures from Disney (via IHJ) and LoveFilm.
The Prince of Persia DVD is heading our way in September and we're starting to get the odd hint or two about what we might get on it. At this point, may we all give thanks to Jerry Bruckheimer because 'we always add things that are fun and interesting for you guys to look at'. I certainly wouldn't say no to a lot more fun and interesting Jake Gyllenhaal to look at.
Although Jerry tells us that not too much filming was left over, "There’s actually a scene that we didn’t use, as you’ll see,” says producer Jerry Bruckheimer. “[Director] Mike [Newell] was very economical in his shooting, so there weren’t that many [extra scenes]. But we always add things that are fun and interesting for you guys to look at [for home video].”
'“The chief thing about a Bruckheimer movie is it never stands still, and it’s got all this stuff in it,” Newell says. “It’s got romance, it’s got action, it’s got mystery, it’s got comedy, it’s got dancing, it’s got everything all whirled up into this wonderful kind of entertainment soup. That’s what I thought we should be making.” If anything, Newell was adding layer upon layer to scenes for the movie, not cutting them out. “I was looking at certain things, saying, ‘You know what? I know he’s doing that, but in a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, people never do only one thing at one time. There’s always kind of simultaneous action going on like that, so what else should he be doing?’” Newell says. “It was never a set of rules, and it was never, ‘What would Jerry want?’ It was like making a cowboy movie. This is what happens in cowboy movies.”' Source. (Maybe not all cowboy movies.)
If Avatar is to be re-released with an extra few minutes depicting Na'vi hanky-panky in the woods, then I think the least we deserve for Prince of Persia is a little bit more of the flirtation between Dastan and Tamina and maybe a few more moments of the two trapped in the sandstorm tent. Either that, or the obligatory shower scene that we expect and demand in all Jake's films these days, since having insisted it be written into his contract back in the days of the Brothers shoot. Failing all that, I'd settle for more ostriches. And a commentary. And behind the scenes features. And blooper reel. Not that I'm demanding at all... And the tale of the escaped scorpion at Pinewood - that must merit a feature.
Perplexing film with rabbits
Another of Jake's movies has been in the news today. Readers of LoveFilm have been voting in their thousands to reveal the top 10 most perpexing films ever. While, Vanilla Sky (reasonably perplexing) is at no. 1 and Mulholland Drive (utterly perplexing and completely unfathomable) is at no. 2, Donnie Darko is third. Obviously, after having seen both versions countless times, having read the book, and a large number of perplexing interviews with Jake and Richard Kelly on the movie, I can almost explain it to you - but don't ask me about the rabbit and its relationship to Maggie's boyfriend.
Here is the rest of the perplexing list: 1. Vanilla Sky (2001) 2. Mulholland Drive (2001) 3. Donnie Darko (2001) 4. The Matrix Revolutions (2003) 5. Memento (2000) 6. 12 Monkeys (1995) 7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) 8. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) 9. Revolver (2005) 10. A Clockwork Orange (1971) Some are indeed more perplexing than others, while others are about black obelisks in space.
As for Donnie Darko, Jake said (in his foreword to Richard Kelly's Donnie Darko book) 'What is Donnie Darko about? I have no idea, at least not a conscious one...no one - including the man from whose mind it emerged - ever had a simple answer to that question. And that, ironically, is the very thing the film is actually about. There is no single answer to any question.'
A hero's fabric
Clothes on Film published a fascinating interview with Penny Rose, the resourceful designer of the Prince of Persia costumes and it gives us some more insight into Jake's role in determining the shape and fit of his costumes. It's a matter of give and take between designer and actor.
'When it came to Jake’s costume, I found an original piece of Persian embroidery probably seven or eight hundred years old. We used it as inspiration to create his signature coat. It took a week for each one to have the material made. But with all the action, smoke and stunts, it has a great identity to it and you will know it is Dastan in that scene.'
A favourite costume? 'Yes, Dastan’s spiral coat. I was like a terrier, so determined it would have a very special identity. It is the plainest and least leathery but it is quite iconic and Jake loves it, so we are both happy. Before I met Jake, I wanted to use it and felt it was a good hero fabric, but if he hadn’t liked it, I’d have gotten rid of it. It is vital to me that the actor likes what they are wearing and feels comfortable in it.'
'Our clothing is a nod to the games. When I did Evita with Madonna, I made a great point of not seeing the stage play. I wanted to go off on our own little route with no influences. The game in this is obviously what the film is spun from but inspiration is not the word I’d use. But it is a guideline. When you’re working from a video game, the characters are one-dimensional. Although they move within the game, there isn’t any textile flow. So I felt it important to add that to it. With Jake’s leather vest, he wanted it shortened because he felt it would get in his way. I stood my ground on that. When you are moving you need the length and flapping, it looks dramatic. If I’d have shortened it, then he would have been just another guy with long legs on the move.' Much more here and it's well worth the read.
Comment update: Blogger has regurgitated the comments! Normal service resumed :D
As Jake Gyllenhaal, probably, continues to enjoy his holidays in the peace and quiet of latte-free Martha's Vineyard, my mind goes back to last summer when the tranquility of this sunkissed (and hurrican-swept) isle took a beating thanks to BatGate. But one thing was sure, whatever the whats and wherefores of bats, paddles, oars and canoes, Jake rose above the stormy waters of international dissent by virtue of being Jake 'shirt is optional' Gyllenhaal.
In 2007, one of Jake's few summer appearances was at the Chilmark Village Store on MV. Even holidaying movie stars have to leave the beach for supplies on occasion. Two years later, in August 2009, Chilmark Village Store had other visitors in the shape of myself, BBMISwear, President Obama and a Portuguese Water Hound (the third picture below is from just down the road on MV, West Tisbury).
Not too far away from the Chilmark store, is the community centre where Jake is known for playing 'Hoops' (translation: Basketball), no doubt working through his caffeine needs on this non-coffee-shop-chain island. BBMISwear here models the hoop, while I test the spectator's bench.
More MV memories to follow, no doubt, as the summer continues.
Meanwhile, Jake may be having a rest, but no rest for the rest of us as we cross oceans, mountains, lakes and cities back to Russia. I realised that I haven't posted the video of the press conference from Moscow from May. It's entertaining to watch, not least for the playful banter between Jake and Gemma Arterton and also because only Jake looks that good with an earpiece, but it's less easy to listen to unless you're Russian.
Therefore, it's great that we have an account of the press conference. Admittedly, it too is in Russian, but with the help of The Internet, here are some bits (without the bit where Jerry Bruckheimer is asked if he can make a movie about Tetris next): 'The huge influence on me for this have been Indiana Jones and Robin Hood. I've always admired these heroes, their sense of humor, which I don't have, because they always get into all sorts of adventures and scrapes. Yes, I was very inspired by movies with these characters.'
'M. Newell: Don't believe him, he has a wonderful sense of humor (laughs).'
On being told that he has a spiritual face and should perhaps consider playing a biblical character, Jake replies: 'Oh, thank you very much. So, it wasn't just my hair (laughs)? The fact is that after reading the first two pages of script, I immediately wanted to play Dastan. My character lives a good life, enjoying all its forms, that's what made me want to do it. All of my former heroes approached these issues too seriously.'
On how they picked such a beautiful actress for Tamina, Jake replied: 'We went out and chose the first available person (laughs). '
When asked if Jake still has any of the muscles left and if he can show them: 'Thank you! I don't know. I prefer that you see the movie and see me on screen, but not here. I'm not going to strip! Yes, you are right, everything has gone ... Oh, you look disappointed (laughs).'
Jake also says again how he admired Val Kilmer's character in Willow and that 'I hope to star someday in a movie in which I can fly.' More here.
While I'm at it, here is another bad translation from another interview:
'For me the main thing isn't even the role itself, but the fact that I get pleasure from the process and the outcome... I worked so hard that my heroes seemed a little far-fetched ... But now I realize: it's important that you yourself have fun with what you're doing. I'm very pleased with Prince of Persia, I still have only the most positive emotions from this role, I think what happened was wonderful!'
'I like adventure, but within reasonable limits. Of course, I look like this character, except for the long hair. We both love to enjoy life and all that we do.'
'Actually, after the shooting, I don't think that I will get a dagger, which changes the time. You know, I wouldn't change the past. I just look back and try to change the future, to correct some mistakes and not repeat them in the future.'
'Yes, I was very fond of this game as a child: I could spend hours jumping over obstacles, running away from enemies, fighting at loggerheads. Before the shoot we were asked to remember all this to get used to the idea, so I sat down and played, when I had free time. But Gemma was even worse at the game - she couldn't even climb the wall! (Laughs.)'
'Dastan really liked Tamina, but he had to behave like that, because the events of the film did allow tenderness. Well, I'm currently free.'
Is the acting a mission or a job: 'Before I would say: yes, I have some extraordinary specific goal, once I'm an actor. But now I realize that this is just a wonderful job. Thanks to it I can tell and show people different stories that will help someone become better.'
Jake's own heroes: 'Indiana Jones. I really like this character: he's smart, brave, strong and with a sense of humor. The family, of course, is also an example of heroism for me, because it always supports you always, even in the most difficult moments, no matter how you are ...' More here.
Many thanks to IHJ for the timely and lovely new old Russia pics!
Today I thought I'd take a break from all the sport by watching a different sport, in addition to a bunch of other sports that I've been hooked on for the last two weeks. That means cycling and the Tour de France which kicked off today but not in France. Someone said to me this week 'If you don't have a bicycle you may as well be dead' and, while I would argue with the validity of that assertion, it is indeed true that you cannot race the Tour de France without one. Lance Armstrong began his final Tour campaign today (although not for the first time) and one can't help but wonder that if indeed this is the last Tour then maybe at least the final scene can be added to the Lance Armstrong Biopic.
During the last four years we've heard no end of rumours connecting Jake Gyllenhaal to the Lance Armstrong biopic. And that isn't surprising because, in 2006, when Lance was following rather than competing, Jake not only accompanied (from a bit of a way back) Lance up the hilliest stage of the Tour, he also spent much of the summer with him. Along with another candidate for the Lance role, Matthew McConaughey.
The three amigos spent so much time together, a play was written about them. But the movie and cycling worlds are fickle and before too long Matt Damon was the name mentioned, even Rob 'The Pale One' Pattinson and Chris 'beam me up Scotty' Pine got a look in. One fact remains, however: Jake Gyllenhaal is indeed a cyclist and he has the spandex to back it up.
Back in 2006: 'Jake Gyllenhaal talked to the press about his new buddy Lance Armstrong while in the French Alps with the cyclist to watch the Tour de France. "We became friends just recently, a couple of months ago. He's a pretty straightforward guy. He called me the other day and said like, 'You want to go riding?'" Gyllenhaal recently started riding as training for a film, and of his ride with Armstrong through the Alps, the Proof actor said, "When we first started riding it was pure adrenaline that kept me going. Then, up the hill, across the way, you could see him like a plane in the sky, he was moving so fast... I just learn from Lance every day, the tips I get. I have never pushed myself so hard as I do with him." Gyllenhaal also joked about his other mutual pastime with Armstrong - beer drinking - saying, "That's been the primary training." Next on the agenda, Armstrong is taking the actor to his seaside villa in Nice.'
Obviously I'll make a good cyclist because that's the kind of training I'm an expert in. Jake has spoken of that year to New Weekly: 'Q: How did you get into it? JG: My best friend is a cyclist and he had a tandem bike. One day he was like, "Let's ride." I got on the back of the bike and we were riding and we just started pushing so hard, working together on this tandem bike. It was so much fun. I just remember that one ride — from then on I started riding. Then I guess Lance Armstrong heard that I biked and so he called me one day: "You want to go for a ride?" Q: There was this phase where there were always photos of you, Lance and Matthew McConaughey … JG: [Laughs.] Yeah. Well, then I had to go to work. We all hung out during summer, then we all had to go to work.'
'"The rumour started because Lance and I are friends". When asked about Lance, Jake praises his friend "But what has impressed me most about him is what he has done for people." "What is it that Lance Armstrong has done for people?" You can almost hear the pause and the sharp intake of breath: "He's motivated them! Thanks to him millions of people have started to think about themselves and tried to find out what's inside them."'
More recently, this year, Jake said: 'Lance Armstrong said to me, “Just break a sweat once a day.” Break a sweat once a day — and not out of stress — and you’ll stay healthy for the rest of your life. And I think that’s really true. Find something to get your heart-rate up, that’s what I did with this. But it’s good also to get paid to do it. That really helps.'
As a keen supporter and campaigner for LiveStrong, I wish Lance Armstrong all the best for the Tour, as tomorrow it leaves Rotterdam and heads on to Belgium.
Moscow!
Jake Gyllenhaal is enjoying the delights of Martha's Vineyard and I can't say I blame him - the island is gorgeous (even though the sea there frightens me as that's where Jaws was filmed...). But after posting the pictures yesterday from Moscow, I have to revisit that place because Jake and Gemma both shone there. I visited Russia several times in the mid-late 1980s, during the Gorbachev years and just before. There were adventures. There were long journeys by train through snow and ice with steaming tea, burning vodka and dashing guards. Not surprisingly, I love the place. I remember sitting to watch the Moscow State Circus while a child behind plaited by hair and watching the Bolshoi Ballet with an American marine who'd snuck out from the embassy.
Jake took part in a number of interviews in Moscow. I'm afraid that my Russian is extremely limited (although at one time I could work my way around a menu). But here are some of the things that Jake said in one interview:
'Well, I don't want to make everyone sad, but nobody knows how much time he has left on Earth. So you should get everything out of life. Therefore, wherever I go, I like to get into a little trouble. For instance, when I went to Moscow, I thought - we must see the sights, but there are places that tourists don't see. I'd like to see more than that. I also love to climb mountains, for example.'
'When we shot one of the swordfights, John Sio, our operator, said: "Jake, don't think about anything, it's just a fight, wave your sword", and he always followed me with the camera. In the middle of the battle I had... And John got a sword in the face. It was rubber of course, but I remember being terribly frightened when he fell on his back. We stopped shooting, I told him: "Oh, forgive me, forgive me!" And he said: 'Damn, that was fun! "This shot went into the film. Now that was unexpected.'
'And the worst day was when Alfred Molina kissed one of the ostriches on the neck!'
'Oh, I have, oddly enough, very much in common with the horse. Much more than with anyone else. We became close friends. Incidentally, afterwards, he went with me to Los Angeles, and is now living in West Hollywood. We ... I don't even have the words to express what I feel! He always supports me in everything. He is my best friend. If we say that there is someone special in every life, then that is my horse - he easily saved my life. He has carried me through everthing, and still supports me. I taked to him yesterday by phone, incidentally. I said: "I'm in Moscow!"... This is a special relationship, thanks for the question!'
Source Code: 'Well, there are lots of explosions in the film. We do a lot of fights. A very dangerous fistfight... Duncan Jones, the director of the film, is very good with psychology and amazing in science fiction. So the film has a strong dramatic feel, it's not just a thriller. Instead, it's clever fiction heated with napalm, which will satisfy any fan of action games.'
Who was the boss on PoP: 'Actually, I think Jerry... But in terms of interaction with the actors from scene to scene, the boss - Mike... They always worked together, I saw that. But it's still a Jerry Bruckheimer movie. He's a big producer, people go to watch his films... But in my opinion, I'm still the boss!'
Love and Other Drugs now has a release date for the UK - not surprisingly, it's later than the November release for the US but it does mean we get a Christmas Bonus. FilmDates has announced a date of 29 December, although I must say that Wednesday seems an unusual day of the week for a movie release.
A week ago, we enjoyed Jake Gyllenhaal answering some more questions from fans and one of the questions was from our very own Silver (Erin)! Silver was promised some goodies which have now arrived and I'm delighted that Silver sent me photos to share with everyone. I wonder if Mrs Wood has received her's...
Conratulations again, Silver! And here is a reminder of the video.
At long last I have finished reading We Make Our Own Destiny which, as you may recall, I took to pieces after having the front cover signed by Jake and the back by Gemma Arterton. As a result, it's now in bits. However, there are gems in those fragments. And here are just a few of them.
Mike Newell: 'I considered lots of actors for Dastan... but Jake has a man-of-the-people quality. He's curious, open, gentle, very tough, and has great comic abilities, and in Prince of Persia he uses all of that. I saw pretty much everything he had made, and thought him a marvellous actor, with terrific charisma. But, what I didn't know about Jake was that he would be an absolutely God-given action hero. He can fight, hold a sword, run, clamber, jump, and a ride a horse as if he were glued to the back of it. And that I didn't expect. I expected the acting and the good looks, but didn't know that he could hold a sword and look like he means it - and that's not a small thing.'
Jordan Mechner: 'Any time you have a character who an audience has connected to through another medium, whether it's a novel or a video game, people are going to have strong feelings about it. But I think that if you have a good actor and a good movie, then after the first minute it's no longer an issue. I think Jake is a fantastic choice for the the role. Once you see him in costume and in action, you have no doubt that he can be the prince in sixth-century Persia.'
Gemma Arterton: 'Jake is a naturally humorous person, so we had lots of banter anyway, which kind of fed into what we were doing in front of the camera... We'd muck about on set, and Jake is easy to bounce off in that respect, because he's a funny guy. But at the same time, because he's a good actor, we could get through to all of the undertones of Dastan and Tamina's relationship, so it was brilliant. I was really lucky to act opposite Jake.'
Jake Gyllenhaal on Sir Ben Kingsley: 'Sir Ben Kingsley's work speaks for itself... which of course is why he's here. He's just an extraordinary actor in all respects and all rights, and has earned all the accolades that any actor could or would ever hope to, and we're just lucky to have him in our film. That's how I feel every day I'm working with him. He's incredibly sensitive, and I liked seeing that in someone who's so experienced. He hasn't been hardened to a life of acting in movies and onstage, He's ever learning and ever curious to what's happening, and I really respect that he could be so open to a twenty-eight year old actor who's still at the beginning of his career, and just be kind and giving.'
Jake: 'Every time I walk onto one of the sets in this movie, I just think of all the children that I know and love, and how much fun they're going to have watching this movie... The fact is, I made it for them. And if I'm frustrated about something, I take a look at the sets of Alamut, or the Sandglass of the Gods, and I just think anout how much fun the kids are going to have watching Dastan fight off the Hassansins and doing his jumps and leaps. It brings me a lot of joy to think about that, because I remember how huge of an influence movie heroes had on my life when I was young. Kids today are brought up in a very different world. We're experiencing a lot of hard sruff. So it's really nice to have a movie that's going to be a real escape and a metaphor for them that represents good. It's a nice feeling to be a part of something like that.'
'Mike is just wonderful, so smart and robust... Mike is all about performance and story, and that's his strength. Also his sense of comedy is really wonderful, very dry and British. When he tells me something, particularly in a comedic moment, it's always based in a real place.'
'There's not a single person on this movie who can find a bad thing to say about Fred Molina... He's just great, an actor's actor who adds light and life to the movie. Fred raised the bar, and he's just a lovely man.'
Alfred Molina: 'I think it's rather presumptuous of us to imagine that audiences are going to come out of watching Prince of Persua and be better people for it... If an audience walks out thinking that their ten bucks have been really well spent, then we've done our job. If they come out entertained and uplifted in some way... if it makes them curious about wanting to find out more about history... that's even better.'
Alfred: 'I don't think we've seen a member of the human species being quite so emotionally linked with an ostrich... I think we're breaking new ground here.' Alfred had thought that the ostrich he kissed was an Anita but it turned out to be an Alan. 'So I think we did the first sort of gay, interspecies kiss on film. Hopefully, they'll create an MTC Award for that category.'
Gill Raddings, animal coordinator: 'The camels on set are wonderful. They don't kick, they don't spit, they don't bite, and they don't spook at anything. With a battle raging around them, the camels just stand their, chewing their cud and looking down their long noses at everyone and everything... They can get a little moody...'
Anthony Bloom, avian coordinator (about the birds in the palace scene between Dastan and Tamina): 'One bird has a vocabularly of colourful swearwords, and another, named Peppy, speaks soliloquies in a thick Scottish accent... I just hope they don't start talking during Jake Gyllenhaal and Gemma Arterton's dialogue.'
Chad Oman, executive producer (on Dastan and Tamina's leather water bottle): 'It took five weeks of constant work to make that one bag, with elaborate stitching and beadwork.'
Sir Ben Kingsley: 'Everywhere our eyes looked, we saw the most exquisitely carved walls, drapes, ramparts... And in Morocco, nature itself, the camels, thousands of horsemen, the dust. Our sets are so detailed that even if you're pausing, like I am, half-way in a line and just breathing in, the amount of energy and information you're breathing in is extraordinary. Hours and hours of work have gone into this environment for you to act it. It's really uplifting, and it honoured our craft to such a degree.'
Penny Rose, costume designer: 'As anyone can see, Jake Gyllenhaal has a superb body... And we felt it was relevant to show elements of it without a kind of full-on torso. So we start the movie in his battle armor, which was painstakingly made in real leather - with all the ingredients and accessories - by a wonderful Moroccan craftsman. It is a big wink at the video game, because we felt there had to be an identity from the first frame, so audiences will recognize aspects of the look from the games. For riding and stunts, we had a plastic replica, much lighter, but you can barely tell the difference.'
'For Jake's second costume, the inspiration for his coat came from an old piece of textile we picked up in an old antique fair... I particularly liked the work on it, thought it had a very good identity of its own. So we remade it by hand and turned it into a coat, bound by leather. Jake loves what we call the 'spiral coat' because it's really light, he can really move in it. He's got a white linen shirt with handstitching down the front and on the cuffs, plus a sash and a belt, and a nice necklace. Jake wears boots and knee protectors with this costume.'
'But I think Jake's favourite costume is when he's disguised as an Indian palanquin-bearer for a very large Mughal in King Sharaman's funeral procession. It's metallic-embroidered red silk from India, and I must say that Jake cuts rather a dash in it, especially with the matching headdress.'
Greg Powell, stunt coordinator: 'This movie has been an adventure... We've taken nearly every stage at the studio, plus half of the Moroccan desert. It's been great fun. Jake is capable of doing it all himself, and we only use his stunt doubles when it's absolutely impossible for safety reasons.'
Ben Cooke, fight coordinator: 'Jake has to fight convincingly with two swords and a dagger, in addition to the parkour and free-running elements, and that's a lot to learn. But Jake's done it... He's rocked the party. When he gets in there, he knocks it out. We'll have him fighting, jumping, falling, sometimes up on rigs that are forty or fifty feet up in the air. Jake's all for it.'
Jake: 'I learned at the foor of people who have designed some of the most insane movie fights you've ever seen... We did a ton of fight rehearsals. I remember the first one that we did, just learning how to do simple moves, starting with a strike and parry, and slowly moving on to much more difficult choreography. It's sort of funny, because by the time we were on day ninety-eight, I walked onto set, and Ben Cooke says, 'Okay, mates, you're gonna parry him off, turn around, then he's gonna come around here and swipe under your head,' and I was like, 'Okay, no problem'. It's amazing how you start to take it all for granted once you've gotten used to the process.'
David Belle: 'Jake certainly had me convinced... I've seen his work, his movements in various scenes, and I have no doubt.'
Jake: 'My DNA now has the Moroccan desert in it, because I've definitely breathed in my share of sand... I grew up in Southern California, and the weather and topography of Morocco are actually quite similar, so it wasn't too rough for me. I had shot here before, but I'd never actually gone as far into the desert and seen as much of Morocco as I did on Prince of Persia. It's a really beautiful country. There were times, on off days, when I'd just drive and drive, just amazed at the landscapes and the culture. Moroccan people are the sweetest, kindest people, and the hardest workers. I'm really going to miss them a lot. I just think Moroccans are wonderful people.'
Mike Newell: 'The English are supposed to have this special thing for the desert, because England is so small, green, and wet... and the English can breath free when they get into vast, dry spaces. And it's true. The desert is a very beautiful and mysterious place to be.'
Conclusion: 'That final night in Erfoud, with a charter jet due to arrive the next morning to ferry the company to London, vigorous drums and music permeated the air at the crew hotel as a Berber ensemble played. An adorable eleven-month-old camel named Mounis - that looked like a cartoon character, with his ever-smiling face and long eyelashes - made the rounds being petted and having photos taken with the crew.'
Pictures with thanks from Silver and Disney, via IHJ.
