Only in Hollywood
Paramount bash launches Oscar weekend parties
RP’s Queen Raquela set to reign in Paris
By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:26:00 02/24/2008
Filed Under: Awards and Prizes, Cinema, Entertainment (general)
LOS ANGELES—Vanity Fair and Elton John may have canceled their celebrated Oscar after-parties, but some bashes were quickly organized to avail of the suddenly, no-longer-as-hectic skeds of Academy nominees, presenters and stars. We attended the first of these affairs during this Oscar weekend—Paramount’s Thursday bash for its nominees at STK, the latest trendy New York restaurant to open a branch in El Lay.
The rain didn’t deter guests from packing the softly lit restaurant that had swings by the bar. In the crowded room, we asked John C. Reilly, aka Dewey Cox, how his Manila concert went. Sissy Spacek kept warm with a long scarf around her neck as she talked to guests.
John Lesher, Paramount Film Group’s new president (and the evening’s host) and Daniel Battsek, Miramax Films president, told us separately that they were glad the awards season was almost over. “I’m looking forward to going back to my normal life on Monday,” Daniel quipped. Well, maybe not so fast. Paramount and Miramax’s joint ventures, “No Country for Old Men” and “There Will Be Blood” are predicted to make news today so both studio heads might be busy fielding congratulatory calls tomorrow morning.
Having dinner calmly in the middle of this busy scene was Daniel Day-Lewis, who is expected to take home the Best Actor trophy for his oil baron pioneer character in “There Will Be Blood.” He was in his trademark 1950s-1960s look: Hat, jacket, printed shirt.
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Looks like “Queen Raquela” of Cebu may realize her dream of reigning in Paris. Olaf de Fleur, the Icelandic director of “The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela,” shared the latest news that his Berlinale-winning film has been bought for theatrical distribution in France.
“More countries are likely to follow,” wrote Olaf via e-mail. “It’s an amazing adventure for such a small film. It will also be interesting to see how it goes in the US—if we get theatrical distribution or not. I have high hopes in the film’s North America premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Texas next month.”
The 33-year-old director is still in Berlin and has been making waves with his first feature film inspired by the life of Raquela Rios, a lady-boy from the Philippines who goes to Iceland.
Below are excerpts of our e-mail interview with Olaf, who shares his victory with the film’s predominantly Filipino cast and crew.
When Raquela said in an article that she met you in a chat room for transsexuals, were you there researching on ideas for the film?
My first reason was that I wanted to travel to the Philippines ... I had heard about the transsexuals in Asia. I was curious to know more.
I always use the Internet to research ... I spoke to about 20 to 30 “Tgirls” (transgendered girls) online. Raquela stood out ...
Why did you find Raquela’s story the most interesting?
She was very intelligent. I found that interesting because she was young and did not have that much education ...
How much of “Queen Raquela” is based on Raquela’s life?
The story is inspired only partly by Raquela’s life. It’s a mixture of stories from many transsexuals. It’s a cautionary tale about the life of a transsexual in the Philippines.
Was this your debut as a feature director? What surprised you most about Raquela when you met her for the first time?
Yes ... this is my first feature film. People usually don’t surprise me. I just take them as they are.
While filming in the Philippines, what were your impressions?
I just sensed great warmth from everybody I met—great hospitality. I grew up in the countryside of Iceland, where people valued hospitality and politeness as well.
What’s next for you?
What’s next is to get “Queen Raquela” to cinemas in the Philippines. If you hear of someone who is interested to show it, please let me know.
(So, Manila distributors, anyone interested?)
E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.
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