Tag Archives: dame helen mirren

Top Schools ‘Too Dominant’ In Acting

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Sir Peter Bazalgette, the chairman of Arts Council England, has said that the British film and TV industries are ‘too dominated’ by actors who have gone to private schools and that state school pupils have too few opportunities to have a career in the arts.

He told the Sheffield Doc/Fest: “I personally don’t see why all the male actors getting Baftas should come from Eton, Good for them, and great actors, but why should they all come from Eton?”

HOMELAND_series 2

Damien Lewis went to Eton.

 

Actors who went to Eton include Damian Lewis, Dominic West, Tom Hiddleston and Eddie Redmayne. Actors who went to other private schools include Rory Kinnear, who went to St Paul’s, Benedict Cumberbatch, who went to Harrow and Hugh Bonneville, who attended Sherborne.

 

12 Years A Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor went to Dulwich College – where Sir Peter went to school.

 

“Seven per cent of the population go to private schools, and in those private schools they get an absolutely, crackingly good education in the performing and visual arts. Ninety-three per cent don’t go to those private schools and, in some state schools, people get a wonderful education in visual and performing arts as well. But in quite a lot of them they don’t.

 

Visual performing arts have been marginalised in some areas in the curriculum as the curriculum becomes more instrumentalist and focused on what’s known as the Stem agenda – science, technology, engineering and maths. If there is one message, we say Steam, not Stem – put the ‘a’ for arts in.”

 

Dame Helen Mirren also recently warned that acting was becoming the “prerogative only of kids who have money”.

 

Check out Frost editor, Catherine Balavage’s, new book, How To Be a Successful Actor: Becoming An Actorprenur, which tells you how to become an actor, no matter what your background.

 

What do you think?

 

Is It Wrong When Women Swear?

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Credit: Nemo

Credit: Nemo

There was a huge uproar when Dame Helen Mirren swore at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Dinosaur Daily Mail journalist Quentin Letts wrote a piece criticising her, calling her an ‘”uneducated trollop”. Here is what Mirren said: “40 is good, 50 is great, 60 is fab and 70 is fucking awesome.” In an ageist, sexist society you have a sexy, beautiful, successful woman saying the word ‘fuck’ and a grown man just can’t handle it. Mirren is an advocate that getting older is great, that life just gets better, much better than the usual youth-obsession and droning on that getting older is awful. Dawn O’Porter also wrote an amazing piece for Glamour on Letts and swearing.

 

But let’s get down to what this is really about: sexist double standards. No one writes scathing articles when men swear but women are supposed to be ‘ladylike’. And when people say ‘ladylike’ what they really mean is quiet, well behaved and knowing your place. We have to wear the right things, have the correct manners, don’t be loud, don’t be opinionated, don’t draw attention to yourself. It is all COMPLETE BULLSHIT. I mean, are men like Quentin Letts gentlemen? No, there are barely any left, but women are still supposed to follow an ancient Victorian code that oppresses them under the guise of being a lady. I am a woman, not a lady and I am proud of that. Being a woman is far better. I have no interest in being a lady.

 

I am not saying I like ladette culture, in fact, I hated it. I am not saying all women should be loud mouthed and swear all of the time but a well placed fuck in the right moment makes all the difference. Never mind the fact that there is nothing sexier than someone who can swear properly. When you tell someone to fuck off it’s a command, not a suggestion. Punch it. True, not everyone likes swearing generally, but then again, not everyone likes chocolate or steak or yellow, that doesn’t mean other people aren’t allowed to like it. Everyone is allowed their own opinion on general swearing. For and against.

 

The real fact is, this is the only area where I blame my parents (blaming your parents for problems in your adulthood is juvenile to say the least). When I was growing up swearing was something that we were punished hard for but my parents were particularly hard on me, not my two brothers, always saying that it is ‘worse’ when women swear and not ‘ladylike’. This is, very probably, why my favourite word is ‘fuck’.

 

So the next time you have a point that would be greatly emphasised with a well-timed swearword, fucking go for it.

 

What do you think? What is your opinion on swearing?

 

 

 

Gravity Picks Up 6 Honours At The EE British Academy Film Awards 2014

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British Film Gravity picked up six awards at the EE British Academy Film Awards and it also picked up four other awards for Best Visual Effects, Cinematography, Sound and Original Film Music while Gravity Director, Alfonso Cuarón, won the Director Award. 12 Years a Slave received the award for Film while Chiwetel Ejiofor won Leading Actor for his role in the film.  Other winners included Cate Blanchett who won Leading Actress for her role in Blue Jasmine, Jennifer Lawrence who was named Supporting Actress for her role in American Hustle, Captain Phillips star Barkhad Abdi won Supporting Actor and Philomena won Adapted Screenplay. Dame Helen Mirren was awarded the Academy Fellowship, BAFTA’s highest accolade, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to film.

BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014 BAFTAs 2014

Champagne Taittinger, official Champagne Partner to the British Academy for the 12th year running, once again added extra sparkle to the proceedings.   Special BAFTA labelled Magnums and 75cl bottles of Champagne Taittinger Brut Réserve were produced for the Awards. A bottle was also included in the gift bags, given to all nominees and presenters.  Taittinger is one of the few premium Champagne houses to remain owned and actively managed by the named family.  It is proud to support the work of BAFTA to acknowledge and encourage the highest achievements in film and television.

 

As New Zealand’s most awarded winery for more than 30 years, Villa Maria makes a very fitting Wine Partner to the Academy.  Guests at the glamorous Awards dinner enjoyed the delicious Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2013 which perfectly complimented the Smoked Loch Fyne Salmon and Dorset Crab starter and the Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 which made a mouth-watering match with the main course of Fillet of Aberdeen Angus and Braised Short Ribs.

 

other winners included:

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY                                              ANIMATED FILM

American Hustle                                                         Frozen

 

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE                      PRODUCTION DESIGN                        

The Great Beauty                                                        The Great Gatsby

 

MAKE-UP AND HAIR                                                   EE RISING STAR

American Hustle                                                         Will Poulter

For the full list of winners visit: www.bafta.org

 

WRAP UP AGAINST POVERTY 2012

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EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY AND DESIGNER CLOTHING AUCTIONED TO RAISE VITAL FUNDS

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012

With London Fashion Week falling at the end of February, showcasing trends for autumn and winter 2012, charity Elizabeth Finn Care is celebrating all things fashion by auctioning a selection of unique items, donated by top celebrities and designers.

At Elizabeth Finn Care, a national charity whose grants team offers financial support to those in need, we know people can struggle to afford the items of winter clothing they need to stay warm and healthy during the colder months. There are 13.5 million people living below the poverty line in the UK, among them 3.8 million children[i]. Through Wrap Up Against Poverty, money to help buy more people in financial need buy essential clothes.

The inaugural Wrap Up Against Poverty campaign was launched in 2011. Over half the people the charity helps had to go without new clothes before they made the approach. By bidding for the fabulous pieces available, the public can not only boost their style credentials but also enable people in financial need survive the winter months.

Each item available reflects both the style and personality of the individual or designer who has donated it. Bidders can go for the classic look of Sienna Miller’s Doma fleece coat, or follow in Dame Helen Mirren’s footsteps by opting for her beautiful Alberta Ferretti coat. Glamour puss Kimberley Walsh’s plush Louis Vuitton scarf will be up for grabs too, as will a beautiful Alexander McQueen suit from Fern Britton, and stylish winter coats from comedy heroes Mathew Horne and Ruth Jones. To add to a spectacular celebrity list, exclusive designer items including a golden Martina Spetlova shift dress have been donated alongside beautiful items from high street stores such as Ted Baker and Topshop.

Wrap Up Against Poverty was a huge hit in 2011, raising both funds and awareness of the fact that millions of people in the UK are living in financial need and many can’t afford to clothe themselves through winter. Wrap Up Against Poverty 2012 will be even greater and grander.

Malcolm Tyndall, Director at Elizabeth Finn Care, said: “We hope that, with the generous support of top celebrities and the fashion industry, not to mention an incredibly enthusiastic public, Wrap Up Against Poverty 2012 will enable us to help even more people find and access the help they desperately need.”

Following the move to the digital catwalk, Elizabeth Finn Care’s auction will be hosted on eBay from Thursday 26th January, and will close on Sunday 26th February. The list of donations is growing longer by the day. For more information please visit www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk/WrapUp

 

 

Dame Helen Mirren "believes in fairies".

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The 65-year-old actress describes herself as a “spiritual” person but admits she is not religious and doesn’t believe in God.

She said: “I am quite spiritual. I believed in the fairies when I was a child. I still do sort of believe in the fairies. And the leprechauns. But I don’t believe in God.”

The ‘Queen’ star also admitted she always carries her own tea bags whenever she has to travel anywhere in order to brew her favourite beverage.

She told America’s Esquire magazine: “I drink just as much tea when I’m in Los Angeles as I do when I’m in London. I take my tea bags with me wherever I go. PG Tips.”

Tea is not the only drink Helen enjoys – the actress thinks a good party required “lots and lots” of alcohol, though she doesn’t like throwing bashes herself.

She said: “I don’t throw a lot of parties. I find throwing parties a bit intimidating. What makes a good one? Loads and loads of drink, I suppose. But that can be a disaster as well.”

The actress – who is married to director Taylor Hackford – also admitted she was an “idiot” when she was younger, but thinks that is normal, and lamented the fact people are always filled with “self-doubt” in their twenties as it is the best time of life.

She added: “We’re all idiots when we’re young. We don’t think we are, but we are. So we should be.

“The hardest period in life is one’s twenties. It’s a shame because you’re your most gorgeous and you’re physically in peak condition. But it’s actually when you’re most insecure and full of self-doubt. When you don’t know what’s going to happen, it’s frightening.”