Celebrity Scene News Blog

If you haven’t traveled to Bangkok and explored their cuisine, now is the time. However, if you’re unable to do this, the next best thing is to visit SOI 56 Bangkok. Located between Selma and Sunset, this quaint and contemporary eatery is an experience you’ll be pleased with. Amanda Kutee and Kary Noochia-or, are the owners who are exceptional hosts and very attractive. It’s always nice to have guests when you’re dining out. Joseph Collins, the CEO of Punch Television and his guest, along with my guest, Valorie Mc Connell had some great conversations while indulging in some of the finest Thai cuisine I’ve had in a long time.
One of the reasons is the family legacy. Amanda and Kary’s parents opened their first restaurant in Hollywood 35 years ago. So, what’s not to like about SOI 56 Bangkok. Here’s what we shared- family style. Starting with the appetizers, Chile Garden Shrimp, Tangy Sticky Ribs, Spicy Roasted Green Peas, and Wanton Rapped Shrimp served with a Mango Coconut dip. That in-it is a meal- and all for $5.00 to $10.00 an appetizer. At times my eyes are bigger than my stomach. We’ll I couldn’t resist the Piquanrimpt, pronounced ”Tan yo um koong”.This soup consists of prawns, lemongrass and Thai vegetables. We also shared the Coconut soup with glaze and squash. The soups can be ordered mild or hot. With all these delectable dishes, there were two main dishes which included Pad Thai fried noodles, Green curry salmon with wild rice and barbecue pork and beef ribs.

These dishes are priced from $9.00 to $15.00 each. They’re all delicious and also served mild or hot. Finally, there’s just enough room in our tummies for the traditional deserts of Thailand- Sticky chocolate rice pudding. Wow. This is a great way to enjoy eating out and at a moderate price for $90.00. Also, on the weekends there’s live Thai music. C.S.N. rates SOI 56 Bangkok a 9.

Jason Alexander aka George Costanza performs a one man comedy act at Planet Hollywood through March 14. The audience is part of the Donny Clay Experience motivational seminar. Donny Clay has The Way. He just wants you to know you, to let the you inside of you out of you. You’re perfect just the way you are, no matter how lousy that is, and since you’ve obviously hit bottom by paying good money to get into his show in a desperate, last ditch effort to improve your life, he’ll help you.
Ever since Donny was a little boy, he’s been gifted with The Answer. To almost every question. Can’t stand your kids, other relatives, job, boss, neighbor? Get a gun. Hate your wife? Get a divorce. Here are four words to guide you in making more money. Get-a-second-job.
Worried about your health? Diet and exercise. For diet, Donny employs a string diet. This involves tying a string to everything you eat, then pulling it our of your mouth before you can eat it. Exercise? Try, um, exercising with yourself, if you know what I mean, to a healthier, happier you.
Commitment? You don’t even want to know.
Discomfort is good. Especially when Donny is wearing a flesh colored body suit with a codpiece. And extolling the virtues of remaining together using an old married couple from the audience.
With answers like these, who needs Dr. Phil, Tony Robbins, Oprah or Richard Simmons? Obviously not the celebrities like Ray Romano and Kirk Douglas, whose negative endorsements described how knowing Donny showed them what not to do and motivated them to do anything to get rid of him.
The concept for the show originated from a short lived sitcom that Alexander had called Bob Patterson about the life of a motivational speaker. He just took the show and incorporated an actual training session into the script.
The audience laughed through the entire show. And learned something about themselves.

Although Terry Fator captured the hearts (and funny bones) of America when he was selected as the top act on season two of America’s Got Talent, he’s remained humble and kind to everyone he meets.

His sold out shows at The Mirage, which have brought the gift of laughter to thousands, have set a new trend in entertainment for Las Vegas - a city that has long been considered the live entertainment capital of the world. Fator performs new impressions, new celebrity voices and has a wonderful array of puppets each night in the Terry Fator Theatre.

Fator was bitten by the entertainment bug when he was no bigger than his puppets, right around the age of 10.

Terry refers to those early years: “When I was little I would go to church with my parents and see a ventriloquist perform. I found it so fascinating that I went to the library to pick up a book and learn about it. From that moment I was hooked and always visualized myself as a ventriloquist.”

Fator says he found he had the ability to impersonate singers by practicing ventriloquism while driving his car.
“One of the reasons I learned how to sing as a ventriloquist was because I like singing in the car,” Fator says. “I’d see other people singing in the car, and they looked goofy, so I’d do it without moving my lips.”

Fator worked on his craft to perfect his delivery and also added a little touch of comedy to his routine, making him one of the most dynamic entertainers in his field. An expert in mimicking celebrity voices, he brings to life his puppet co-stars, including the adorable Emma Taylor and the newest member of his puppet family, Vikki the Cougar. His show also includes performances by musical stars Cher, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Elvis Presley and The Pussycat Dolls.

So, how does Terry Fator keep his life on an even keel with being the hottest show on the Las Vegas Strip?

“It goes back to my parents,” he says, “and the values they instilled in me. They taught me that hard work pays off and that belief in yourself and dedication to what you envision are necessary to achieve your goals.”

Recently, Terry attended the Iraq Star Fundraiser at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, California. Fator paid tribute to American troops and co-hosted with Dr. Phil McGraw, who led the night away with a silent auction for all those in attendance.
Terry is the kind of individual who exemplifies character. He displays that during each one of his shows, being sure to give a special shout out to all US service men and women stationed at home or overseas.

What’s more heartwarming is Terry’s profound respect for the handicapped and the elderly. After every show, he invites them to the front of the meet-and-greet line and signs their autographs first and doesn’t quit until he’s shaken hands with everyone. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see him sign autographs for nearly an hour.

Terry Fator performs center stage with a live seventeen-piece band nightly at 7:30pm in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage (dark Sunday and Monday). There’s nothing quite like Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands. It’s the next generation of entertainment.

Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com

It looks as though the Tarantino’s are keeping Hollywood busy. Quentin Tarantino with his latest hit Inglourious Basterds and Tony Tarantino with ‘ Tra Gli Ulivi’ [Between the Olive Trees’] to be filmed in Italy in February 2010.Quentin Tarantino in November received The Kirk Douglas Lifetime Achievement
Award from Kirk Douglas at the Santa Barbara Film Festival dinner. Tony Tarantino received the ”Comune Di Napoli” [Commune of Naples] and named Italy’s Ambassador of Naples to the United States. Tony who was conducting workshops at Rome’s Cinecitta [Italy’s largest film studio] is working with Ennio Pontes on Between the Olive Trees. But Tony Tarantino is quick to admit that directing and producing is no gravy train.” You’ve got to be quick witted in this business and never underestimate anything”.

Tony is one busy man, but he is also no stranger to Las Vegas! While visiting Vegas he was at the grand opening of The Golden Nugget Rush Tower. He and the CEO of The Golden Nugget (Tilman Fertitta) had discussed the possibilities of filming at the hotel and its surrounding areas. Tarantino has also shook hands with Mayor Oscar Goodman. And speaking of Oscar Goodman…Tarantino would love for him to be in his next film,” New Horizons”, which he hopes to film in Las Vegas! Hopefully, Vegas will be fortunate enough to have Mr. Tarantino grace her sparkling city of lights with his presence.

Tony Tarantino and Miss Nevada USA 2010 Julianna Erdesz at the Golden Nugget Rush Tower Grand Opening on Nov. 23, 2009.

Tarantino was born in Queens, New York on July 4th to Dominic Tarantino, a successful film actor in the silent film era. Tony grew up in Queens, New York in a tough neigborhood. Nothing was handed to him. He had to work for what he wanted. Later on, when his family moved to California he attended the Pasadena Playhouse and honored his craft as an actor, later becoming a director and producer.

Tarantino’s credits include: Blood Money, Holy Hollywood, All the Rage, and Family Tree, among a host of others. His true love however is directing and producing films. ”Prism”- Tarantino’s newest film project- is a blending of fact and fiction into a journey of intrigue, love, betrayal and tragedy. It
is a present day police thriller set on the Arizona- Mexican border. “Death Keeps Coming”, another film set in the 1880’s, is a western with a super
natural twist .It will star Martin Kove [formerly of Karate Kid]. Tarantino’s next film, “The Keeper”, is a true story of Richard Trudge, born into slavery in 1842, who rises to national heroism during a time of racial prejudice and discrimination in America. These are the films set to go into production late 2010.
Each Tarantino is of his own mindset. In a time where movies are in more demand, Quentin Tarantino and Tony Tarantino will continue to be part of that history.

Sons of World Champions Hearns, Jackson, Pryor and McCall
Plus Undefeated Las Vegan Bogere Featured

Part of ‘The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ Three-Day Gala
Dec. 11-13 at the Paris Las Vegas

A unique internationally televised, seven-bout, professional boxing card matching a United States team against an international squad—“The U.S. vs. The World”—and featuring team scoring plus sons of four former world champions will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Paris Las Vegas hotel and casino as part of the gala “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” promotion that weekend at the Paris.

The “World’s Greatest Ever Boxing Show” features the International Boxing Federation’s No. 6-rated junior middleweight, Sechew Powell, against hard-hitting Antonio Mesquita in the 10-round main event.

Sons of former world champions who will be boxing Dec. 12 include super welterweights Ronald Hearns and John Jackson, super middleweight Aaron Pryor Jr., heavyweight Elijah McCall.

In addition to McCall, a second undefeated Las Vegan also will be on the card, lightweight Sharif Bogere.
Tickets for the U.S. vs. The World fight card Dec. 12 start at $40.
Other prices include $65 for Gold, $80 for VIP, $100 for Platinum and $150 for Super VIP.

Tickets for the fight card plus the hospitality package, including an after-card party, are available at $150 for Gold, $250 for VIP, $400 for Platinum and $500 for Super VIP.

Tickets for “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment Sunday, Dec. 13, are available at $250 for Gold, $450 for VIP, $800 for Platinum and $1000 for Super VIP.

Tickets for the fight card Dec. 12 and the dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment Dec. 13 are available through the Paris box office at 702-946-4567 and 888-727-4758, MMG Marketing & Consulting in Las Vegas at 702-617-9730 and online at wgeb@marketingbymmg.com The Paris box office is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to midnight and the Paris box office telephone line is available daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Doors to the Ballroom area open at 7 p.m. with the first fight at 8.

“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxing Card,” presented by Greatest Ever Enterprises and promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing, is part of a three-day boxing spectacular Dec. 11-13 at The Paris, climaxing with “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” awards dinner and entertainment Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Paris.

“We’re excited to present a show featuring not only sons of four former world champions, but past Olympians and other stars who all seem destined for greatness in pro boxing,” said Chris Heverin, president of Greatest Ever Enterprises. “The debate on ‘The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer’ has been fierce to date, and we fully expect the competition in the ring to be equally exciting.

“We currently have a 10-part TV series in production that will air worldwide,” said Heverin. “This show will play a significant part in it, and many of the legends being honored will be in attendance.”

Ronald Hearns is the son of Thomas Hearns, a welterweight, super welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s; John Jackson is the son of Julian Jackson, a super welterweight and middleweight world champion during the 1980s and 1990s; Aaron Pryor Jr. is the son of Aaron Pryor Sr., a super lightweight world champion during the 1980s; and Elijah McCall is the son of Oliver McCall, a heavyweight world champion during the 1990s.

Pryor Sr. and Jeff Fenech of Australia are captains for the U.S. and World teams, respectively. Both have been nominated for “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” in their weight division, Pryor as a welterweight and Fenech as a featherweight.

Powell, a 30-year-old southpaw from Brooklyn, N.Y., has a record of 25-2 with 15 knockouts while the 37-year-old Mesquita, from Brazil, has a mark of 35-1 with 27 knockouts.

Ronald Hearns, a 30-year-old from Southfield, Mich., has a record of 22-1 with 17 knockouts and, like his father, is tall for his weight division at 6-foot-3-inches.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Victor Hugo Correa of Mexico, who has a record of 11-4 with six knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

The 20-year-old John Jackson of the Virgin Islands has a record of 4-0 with four knockouts and is considered one of the brightest 154-pound prospects in the world.

He’s fighting 26-year-old Jesus Vallejo of Spokane, Wash., who has a record of 3-1 with three knockouts, in a six-round bout.

Aaron Pryor Jr., a 31-year-old from Cincinnati, has a record of 12-2 with nine knockouts and, unlike his father, is tall for his weight division at 6-foot-4-inches.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Jason Douglas of Canada, who has a record of 7-1 with three knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

The 21-year-old Elijah McCall has a record 4-0-1 with four knockouts.

He’s fighting 29-year-old Ruben Rivera of Puerto Rico, who has a record of 2-2 with one knockout, in a six-round bout.

The 21-year-old Bogere, originally from Uganda, has a record of 12-0 with seven knockouts and is regarded as one of the best 135-pound prospects in the sport.

He’s fighting 30-year-old Adam Hernandez of El Paso, Texas, who has a record of 14-7 with five knockouts, in an eight-round bout.

In a rare match-up of undefeated prospects Luis Franco, a member of the Cuban 2004 Athens Olympic team and now 2-0 with two knockouts as a professional, meets Efrain Esquivias, the 2006 National Golden Gloves champion from Carson, Calif., and now 6-0 with four knockouts as a pro, in a six-round featherweight bout.

On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes as well as the all-time pound-for-pound “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer.”

The complete list of events Dec. 11-13 at the Paris include:

Friday, Dec. 11–Welcome reception and official weigh-in for a boxing card the next day.

Saturday, Dec. 12–A professional boxing card featuring the U.S. vs. The World. An exclusive after-card party follows the bouts.

Sunday, Dec. 13—“The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” black-tie awards dinner, in which the “Greatest Ever” boxers in the eight weight divisions as well as the one selected “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” will be revealed. Internationally renown entertainment will be featured at the dinner. A second exclusive party follows the awards dinner and show.

Complete packages for all events Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 also are available at: Super VIP, Platinum, VIP and Gold. The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number of premiums in addition to those in the Gold, which includes welcome function, weigh-in, “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer” poker tournament, exclusive memorabilia, access to “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer”-dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, legends signings, general seating for the fight card as well as for the awards dinner and show. Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages. Information on these packages is available at greatestever.com

One of the romantic settings for dining in Summerlin is Garfield’s Restaurant. It’s similar to The Hampton on Long Island, only it’s overlooking the Lake Jacqueline. .Named in honor of Sir Garfield Sobers, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975; He was considered the greatest all around Cricket player of all time. Garfield’s emulates that spirit with Lakeside dining which is tantalizing and healthy.

It is the creativity of Chef Jean-David Groff-Daudet which is attracting locals as well as tourists, to enjoy an evening of dining and conversation. While dining with my guest Beryl Warren, we enjoyed listening to a waterfall nearby and the relaxing patio dining. It certainly set the stage for our dining journey. We enjoyed Lobster Bisque, served without sherry. The waiter served this first with a small amount of lobster, than poured the bisque into the bowl. This created for a wonderful combination. Our next selection was a rack of New Zealand Lamb with mint jelly and a selection of garden fresh vegetables for Beryl and Alaskan Salmon atop fresh red mashed potatoes with a side order of Escargot for me. Everything was made to order. So there’s no fast dining at Garfield’s. After all, dining should not be rushed, but rather experienced. After a few sips of wine and a full stomach, it was time to please our palates with desert.

Chef Jean-David Groff-Daudet

Garfield’s has their own pastry chef who prepares many scrumptious deserts. For those who like a fruit taste, there’s a selection of fruit tarts, crème
brulet without the burnt crust and a selection of desert liqueurs .With so many restaurants to choose from, and Garfield’s certainly stands above the rest. I strongly recommend them for group functions, weddings or small family celebrations. We congratulate Matthew Sobers, the managing partner and the entire staff for having a professional attitude and knowledge of the menu.

CSN rates Garfield’s a 10.

For reservations call [702]925-8333
Lunch is also served, with a Sunday brunch. You may also want to inquire about their Royal Bank Club. It’s a must for those on the go.

Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao(R),General Santos,Philippines stops Miguel Cotto, Caguas, Puerto
Rico in the 12th round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Manny Pacquiao proved once again, that speed conquers in the ring, as
the young Filipino idol out boxed Miguel Cotto on Saturday at The MGM
Grand Garden Arena. Pacquiao- whose early-on basketball and martial arts skills helped him in his boxing career-
envisioned Cotto coming out strong in the early rounds. It didn’t take long though for Pacquiao to strategize
his combinations to execute those power punches, knocking Cotto down in the third and again in the fourth round. He repeatedly overwhelmed the powerful but slow Cotto, garnering him the World Boxing Title
Organization Belt.

Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao

In the twelfth round, referee Kenny Bayless stepped in between the two fighters and stopped the fight in fifty five
seconds of round twelve. Pacquiao, through his speed and power doubled the number of punches compared to Cotto’s. It was all Cotto could do stop Pacquiao’s ongoing barrage of punches. In fact, in the eleventh round Pacquiao
almost stopped Cotto, when Cotto’s trainer, Joe Santiago walked into the ring apron and waved his hand to Bayless to stop the fight. But Bayless and the ringside physician Jame Garne allowed the fight to continue. After the announcement of Pacquiao as the victor, the capacity filled arena of boxing fans started chanting ” We want Floyd”

That looks promising for next year when Floyd Mayweather Jr. said ” I want to take boxing to the next level.”

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach stated, “I want to see him fight Mayweather.”

The Pacquiao versus Cotto championship fight has added another
chapter in the history of boxing. Pacquiao thus far, is the only fighter to
have won seven titles in seven different weight categories.

Manny “Pacman”
Pacquiao(R),General Santos,Philippines celebrates with Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum(ctr) and trainer Freddie Roach(L)

Photo credits: Chris Farina 2009

CityCenter is an unprecedented urban metropolis opening in December 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a joint venture between MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) and Infinity World Development Corp, a subsidiary of Dubai World. CityCenter will feature ARIA, a 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort; luxury non-gaming hotels including Las Vegas’ first Mandarin Oriental and Vdara Hotel & Spa; Veer Towers, the development’s only strictly residential buildings; and Crystals, a 500,000-square-foot retail and entertainment district. Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Veer Towers will include approximately 2,400 residences total. Additionally, The Harmon, a 400-room luxury boutique hotel, is slated to open at CityCenter in late 2010. CityCenter also will feature a resident Cirque du Soleil production celebrating the timeless musical legacy of Elvis Presley; and an unparalleled Fine Art Collection with works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, among others. CityCenter is a design collaboration between MGM MIRAGE and eight internationally acclaimed architectural firms including Pelli Clarke Pelli, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Helmut Jahn, RV Architecture LLC led by Rafael Viñoly, Foster + Partners*, Studio Daniel Libeskind*, David Rockwell and Rockwell Group, and Gensler. At the forefront of sustainability, CityCenter will be one of the world’s largest green developments. ARIA and Vdara are the first Las Vegas hotels to achieve LEED^® Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Crystals also has received LEED^® Gold certification, making it the world’s largest retail district to receive this level of recognition. CityCenter’s remaining venues are poised to receive a combination of LEED Gold and Silver ratings. For more information about CityCenter, please visit www.citycenter.com.

From left to right: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Chairman Rajendra Pachauri, former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

On Friday Oct. 2, 2009 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the United Nations met with 30 global leaders in L. A. to sign a declaration, committing to work as a team in pursuance of a cleaner planet and improving the nation’s economy by reducing greenhouse emissions.
“Addressing the problems caused by climate change is the greatest environmental challenge of our time and at this summit we heard leaders and experts from around the globe discuss the innovative steps and strategies being championed in the fight against global warming,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “We have deepened our partnerships and renewed our commitment to work collaboratively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cleaner planet and stronger economy for the next generation. In signing this declaration we are sending a powerful message to the national leaders negotiating the next global climate agreement that we are ready for action. The time to act is now.”

Global warming has undoubtedly become one of our nations largest concerns.  Next month Governor Schwarzenegger will be traveling to Copenhagen to discuss “the summitt” with the U.N. He will be speaking to officials on behalf of all the regions that were present at the Global Climate Summitt.

Many nations have collaberated in making improvements regarding global warming. Governor Schwarzenegger met with several nations last year and made these comments regarding recent accomplishments:

“And I’m proud of what we have accomplished so far, so I say we need to celebrate here a little bit and pat ourselves on the back, because just think about it. We just met last year and since the last meeting:

•           Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico have created an action plan to protect our rainforests.

•           China has already announced that it will build the largest solar project in the world. Mexico has pledged that it will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50 million tons by the year 2012.

•           Countries such as Algeria and Senegal and Uruguay are taking action by reaching out and partnering with us.

•           And India is doing great things as well. For example, Dr. Pachauri, who is lighting a billion lives — a billion lives — by replacing kerosene and paraffin lanterns with  accomplishment.

•           And Europe, of course, is leading the way in creating carbon markets and we are all studying their successes.

•           And hundreds of U.S. cities have agreed to meet or to beat the Kyoto targets for greenhouse gas emissions. That’s why you have seen here Mayor Villaraigosa. Mayor Villaraigosa is here because he’s so excited, because this city of Los Angeles has done great work when it comes to reducing greenhouse gases and is one of those cities that has joined the Kyoto Treaty.”

The closing ceremony of the Governors’ Global Climate Summitt 2 ended in the signing of perhaps one of the most important documents in years. The Global Climate Summitt clearly showed what local and state governments can accomplish when collaborating as a team. Addressing climate change has been a concern for years.
The summit concluded that there definite solutions to the growing climate challenge. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working with national governments to implement a plan for low carbon and a stronger economy, eliminating poverty all together.

For more information, or to view web casting of all events, go to www.governorsglobalclimatesummit.org.

Some of the new films shown at The American Film Institutes Festival are very entertaining. Some are not that impressive. Certainly A F I’s Fest has some of the top young filmmakers making their debut at Mann’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

The Loved Ones {Australia} introduces Australian writer-director Sean Byrne; who brings to the screen, the willingness of a father to make his only daughter happy. A high school senior { Xavier Sameul} rebuffs the prom invite of a shrinking -violet classmate
{ Jessica McNamee}, then ends up the hog led prisoner of her claw-hammer-wedding father.

Byrne’s film pays its respect to Carrie, The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre and the late John Hughes while locating a disco hall accented kitchen with blood- stained linoleum floor. It’s Hell on Earth. Screening is at Mann Chinese 6, Saturday, October 31ST.

Modus Operandi {USA} was made in Milwaukee where the cost of life was indispensable. That is what filmmaker Frankie Latina shows in a somewhat avandguard way. It’s the look of the 70’s. Danny ”Machete” Trejo plays the bad guy (stunts and all), along with Mark Borchardt {American Movie}.

Latina truly presents a mixture of violence and a bit of surrealism in this film.
The plot introduces Randy Russel a CIA agent who takes on a mission that will eventually lead him to his wife’s killer. This flick has an interesting feel to it. It’s
a combination of a spoof, a hard click gangster and experimental.

.

No One Knows about Persian Cats {Iran} is a funny film about government censorship and immigration through a comedic filter, making its political points.
There’s various musical performances ranging from alternative rock to heavy metal, during which montages of everyday people unfold, showing glimpses of an Iran more complex than the news outlets in America report.

Screening-Mann Chinese6 Monday, November2ND, 10pm.

NEWS RELEASE

AFI PROJECT: 20/20 ANNOUNCES

LATEST FILMMAKER PARTICIPANTS AT AFI FEST PRESENTED BY AUDI

Filmmaker exchange and cultural diplomacy program marks fourth year

October 28, 2009 (Los Angeles)—AFI PROJECT 20/20 today announced the names of seven American and international filmmakers who will participate in the auspicious program for 2009–2010 following screenings of their films at or in conjunction with AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi.

The American Film Institute—in conjunction with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—have renewed their commitment to support this unprecedented international cultural exchange program that seeks to engage audiences here and abroad through filmmakers and their films.

The impressive lineup of 2010 participants (in alphabetical order) is:

BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOYKO, directed by Jessica Oreck (US)

FIRST OF ALL, FELICIA, co-directed by Melissa de Raaf and Razvan Radulescu (Romania)

GUY AND MADELINE ON A PARK BENCH, directed by Damien Chazelle (US)

ICONS AMONG US, co-directed by Lars Larson, Michael Rivoira and Peter Vogt (US)

LONDON RIVER, directed by Rachid Bouchareb (France)

ROOM AND A HALF, directed by Andry Khrzhanovsky (Russia)

SITA SINGS THE BLUES, directed by Nina Paley (US)

Joining these 10 filmmakers are two artists from the 2009 program – Kief Davidson (KASSIM THE DREAM) and Richie Mehta (AMAL)—for a total of 9 films and 12 filmmakers for 2010.

All films except SITA SINGS THE BLUES will screen at the Mann Chinese Theatres in the Hollywood and Highland Center. Paley’s SITA SINGS THE BLUES will screen at the Skirball Cultural Center on Tuesday, November 3. Reena Shah, the voice and dance behind SITA SINGS THE BLUES, will attend the screening and discuss the film as part of the Skirball Educational screening series at AFI FEST presented by Audi. Joining Shah on the panel is AFI’s Bob Jennings, who will focus on copyright issues of social networking and new media.

Over the program’s first three years, 35 filmmakers representing 17 countries have participated and visited 16 countries and 12 U.S. cities. They have taught master classes at universities; screened their films at festivals, museums and cinemas; and interacted with audiences about their films. This year, filmmakers will travel to St. Louis; Washington D.C.; Boise; Silver Spring, Maryland; Seattle and Waterville, Maine, as well as China, Russia, Peru, Great Britain, Tunisia, Morocco and Switzerland. AFI PROJECT: 20/20 has also been invited to create a unique program for the ambassadors to UNESCO in Paris.

“Wherever AFI PROJECT: 20/20 has traveled to date—China, Turkey, Indonesia, St. Louis or Waterville, ME—audiences and filmmakers have enthusiastically embraced a new way of seeing each other’s world,” says PCAH Executive Director, Rachel Goslins. “From the clash of tradition and modernity in Mali to the lives of American truckers, 20/20 films have told stories about places and cultures that are both wonderfully unique, and powerfully universal.”

Participants in AFI PROJECT: 20/20 are selected from among the filmmakers invited to AFI FEST presented by Audi. Participation in AFI PROJECT: 20/20 is by invitation based on an artist’s filmmaking excellence and their potential for positively interrelating with film professionals, filmmaking peers, and cultural officials and audiences.

AFI PROJECT: 20/20 is led by the American Film Institute and supported by the following federal agencies:

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) bridges the interests of federal agencies and the private sector, supports special projects that increase participation, and helps incorporate the humanities and the arts into White House objectives. Mrs. Michelle Obama is the honorary chairman of PCAH.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education.

The National Endowment for the Humanities serves and strengthens our republic by promoting excellence in the humanities and conveying the lessons of history to all Americans. The NEH is the nation’s leading supporter of research education, preservation and public programs in the humanities.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The IMLS works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

About AFI FEST

AFI is a national institute providing leadership in screen education and the recognition and celebration of excellence in the art of film, television and digital media. Celebrating its 23rd year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi will take place October 30-November 7. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world.

The American Film Market (AFM), November 4-11, 2009, is the market partner of AFI FEST. Together, AFI FEST and AFM provide the only concurrent festival/market event in North America. AFI FEST is the only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the United States. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.

AFI PROJECT: 20/20 is an American Film Institute international initiative designed to enhance cultural exchange, understanding and collaboration through filmmakers and their films from the US and abroad. It is an unprecedented cultural diplomacy effort that is the only international filmmaker exchange supported by all of America’s cultural agencies—National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)—and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi is sponsored in part by American Airlines; Absolut Vodka; Little Black Dress Wines; Stella Artois; Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; Mann Theatres; RR Donnelly; the Los Angeles Times; American Film Market (AFM); the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission; the Department of Cultural Affairs; and the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. AFI FEST is made possible in part by a grant from the Academy Foundation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is proud to continue its collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center. Entertainment Weekly is the Presenting Media Sponsor.

Additional information about AFI programs is available at AFI.com.

About the AFM
During AFM, the business of independent motion picture production and distribution—a truly collaborative process—reaches its peak every year, when more than 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal-making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world’s press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.

Founded in 1981, the AFM has become the premier global marketplace where Hollywood’s decision makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed — on both completed films and those that haven’t started shooting yet — making AFM the must-attend industry event.

The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world’s producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs. More information can be found at ifta-online.org/afm .
About Audi of America, Inc.

Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year AUDI AG recorded its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth. Visit audiusa.com or audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

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CONTACT:

John Wildman

Head of Press & Public Relations

American Film Institute

323.600.3165

jwildman@afi.com