By Adrienne Papp

The 25^th Independent Spirit Awards held in Los Angeles on March 5^th awarded the “Best Documentary” title to Anvil! The Story of Anvil, which features the very unique and unusual story of a band and their struggle to rock on in the world of rock and roll despite all odds. The tearjerker rockumentary, directed and executive produced by Sacha Gervasi whose latest screenplay, Henry’s Crime is now in post-production, starring Keanu Reeves, earned 16 wins and 4 nominations since it was first released in February, 2009. Two young musicians, Robb Reiner and Steve “Lips” Kudlow make a pact at the age of 14 to rock together forever and although the Canadian metal band influenced the music of such heavy hitters as Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax, Anvil itself never made it big, or even small, on screen or off.

Gervasi tells the story of endless struggle and dramatic events evoked by a never dying dream to becoming rock stars in a fun and entertaining way, saying everything as is, while keeping the harsh realities in the center with a dim chance of winning along the way. The film is inspiring and encouraging. Never say never because it is never too late!

The 25^th Spirit Awards brought out stars like Jodie Foster, Jeff Bridges, Woody Harrelson, Andy Garcia, and chairman Ben Stiller, who all walked casually through the Official Presenter’s Gift Lounge of the evening sponsored by companies such as LG Electronics, FAGE and Nautica.

Another heartfelt documentary by film-maker Steven C Barber and narrated by Oscar nominated, Emmy winning Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, is suspected to collect many more awards after winning its first, the Remi Award from the 43^rd Annual World Fest-Houston International Film Festival. Unbeaten features paraplegics who overcome the disabilities caused by their permanent paralysis, and accomplish more in the course of a six-day wheelchair race than most of us do in a lifetime. They cross 267 miles of rough terrain, one-third of which is uphill, in the Denali Mountain Pass between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska, participating in the longest wheelchair race in the world: The Alaskan Challenge. John Paul DeJoria, the business tycoon behind the very successful Paul Mitchell hair-care line was the title sponsor of the race and personally met most of the racers, congratulating them on their tremendous strength to overcome the most difficult of human conditions. John Paul himself had to beat hardcore beginnings, coming from poverty to become worth 4 billion dollars today.

“Success has an uncanny way of slipping in through the back door disguised as failure,” says director, Steven C Barber. The film demonstrates the most important message of our times: the strength of the human spirit. The athletes in this movie do not only “count on” the strength of their body, but they master the strength of their spirit showing us the impossible. The unbelievable, unbeatable human spirit is what Unbeaten is all about. In the midst of the most heart-breaking conditions these men set out to complete a task that most of us would not dare imagining, for just thinking it would cause pain.

While the film first started with a few footage shots in Alaska, and no bigger plans to go with it, the enthusiasm and determination triggered by the core subject took Barber all the way to integrating stories of the 2008 Beijing Paralympics into the film, which now is also scheduled to be screened in the White House.

With great acclaim at Sundance, Unbeaten is up for an Oscar consideration next year. To make all this possible, Barber attracted the support of such mega millionaires as Steve Forbes, Eli Broad, Pamela Anderson and Cher, along with The Polaris Media Group that financed the marketing and distribution of the film and brought producing partner, Greg Strom, and Tamara Henry on board.

About the Writer: Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles/New York-based publicity companies, Atlantic Publicity andAtlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities and world leaders. She also owns Spotlight News Magazine.

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Courtesy of Adrienne Papp

By Adrienne Papp

Since the Academy’s inception in 1987, BAFTA / LA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) has consistently presented a varied and innovative program that inspires and advances creative works, and embraces, supports and honors the wealth of creative talent in the US and California communities. The past twelve months has seen BAFTA / LA present another successful year of programming, all of which begins with the dedication and hard work of the BAFTA / LA Members serving on the Board and Committees.

The year started with the Annual Awards Season Tea Party held in the luxurious surroundings of the Beverly Hills Hotel. A staple fixture in the industry calendar, the party honors nominees from around the world, and provides a unique afternoon of British themed food and drink for those seeking a respite from the hectic Awards’ season. Once again the turnout was laden with filmmakers from all areas of the industry, and amongst those sipping tea and eating fish & chips were Clint Eastwood, Leonardo Di Caprio, Danny Boyle, Ron Howard, Stephen Daldry, Tom Wilkinson, Marisa Tomei, Alexandre Desplat, Viola Davis, Freida Pinto, Paul Bettany, Saffron Burrows, and Josh Brolin.

Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller and Teri Polo at BAFTA dinner

Later in the year, BAFTA / LA hosted a second Tea Party to celebrate the year’s achievements in television and to honor those Commonwealth and British-born individuals nominated in the Emmy Awards. Both Tea Parties shine a spotlight on the success and creative accomplishments of the peers, rewarding their film and television work while inspiring their colleagues and members to continually expand their own creative visions.

Emily Blunt at BAFTA dinner

Much of the proceeds raised from the events’ silent auctions are invested into BAFTA / LA’s Education and Outreach program, which continues to flourish. BAFTA / LA awarded British film students at UCLA, and in June they presented emerging filmmakers with the BAFTA / LA student awards.

To inspire and celebrate scholars and students, BAFTA / LA held a special screening of Anvil! The Story of Anvil, directed by the former UCLA scholar, Sacha Gervasi and all was thrilled to note that the evening energized and inspired many Members to offer their time and support to further expand the organization’s work.

In an exquisite dinner setting, on November 5, this year’s honorees were, Kirk Douglas for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment; Danny Boyle for Artistic Excellence in Directing; Emily Blunt for British Artist of the Year; Robert De Niro for Excellence in Film and Colin Firth received the BAFTA / LA Humanitarian Award.

Kirk Douglas receives BAFTA awards from the Governor

The Host for the evening was Stephen Fry and the events was sponsored by British Airways, Volvo, American Airlines, Asprey, Beefeater 24, and Stefan Johansson Vaxjo.

Among the presenters were Ben Stiller, Claire Danes, Amy Adams, Benicio Del Toro, Ewan McGregor and Tom Ford.

About the Writer: Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View, Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, among many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles/New York-based publicity companies, Atlantic Publicity andAtlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities and world leaders. She also owns Spotlight News Magazine.

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By Adrienne Papp

Drinking champagne in Air France’s business class en route to the Cannes Film Festival is how most days should be. Ah, but the French are notorious for all things “Franchie-fabulous,” just like their elegant welcome and superb service on their flights. A graciously tasteful presentation with a touch of perfection, unparalleled personal attention, and that special European etiquette is the sweet prelude of the next two weeks in France. The food alone is magnifique and makes the choice of flying the official airline of the festival more than worthwhile. Air France is really the best: their world of elegance and gracious hospitality goes really well with the exquisite yet flirtatious glamour of Cannes.

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By Adrienne Papp

Fulfilling the potential of his Matrix character title, Keanu Reeves proved that he is also The One when it comes to auto racing. He took the checkered flag in the competitive celebrity field at the 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race as part of the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, California.

The star of blockbuster films like The Matrix, The Day The Earth Stood Still, and Speed, Reeves finished first among celebrities in a mixed field that included racing pros Al Unser Jr. who won the Pro division with just five seconds ahead of Keanu. Other participating celebrities included Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, comedian Carlos Mencia, 24 star Mary Lynn Rajskub and From G’s To Gents host Fonzworth Bentley.

The event is a popular tradition during the festivities of the Grand Prix weekend, and had the crowd cheering on their favorite celebs throughout the entire race. Both celebrities and professional racers were very success driven as they attempted to win some funds for charities, driving Scion tCs that had been performance modified for the event especially. Not that it made car racing any safer.

With proper training and practice, competing celebrities learned the driving skills needed to navigate the 1.97-mile racetrack through the streets of downtown Long Beach. And although their competitive natures came out during practice, the drivers also enjoyed the camaraderie of experience, which is what the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race is really all about.

World champion pro skateboarder Danny Way led the celeb race for the most part, but got tangled up with Fonzworth Bentley on the ninth lap and ended up hitting the track wall in a head on collision. Reeves then gained the speed necessary and seized the opportunity to cross the finish line first, just seconds in front of E! Entertainment Television’s Executive News Editor, Ken Baker, and comedian Carlos Mencia. Carlos was a funnyman off track and on.

Keanu seemed almost surprised by his triumph even though his chance to win was obvious to me from the beginning. He was not only intensely focused, which is key factor according to Jeff Bodnar who trained Keanu, but also showed continuous commitment.  “It is such a great feeling,” Reeves said after the event. “Bentley and I had been going at it for most of the race, but when I got to the last lap and came around the fountain turn I almost couldn’t believe it. I figured, ‘I’m just gonna go get it.’”

Now the popular multitalented actor (also bassist for rock band Dogstar, and a fan of the heart warming documentary, Anvil! The Story of Anvil!) can add car racing to his resume. It’s probably too early to tell if he has the same bug that got into the blood of actors like Paul Newman, Steve McQueen and James Dean, but Reeves looked like a natural in his red and white Toyota racing suit, and took the checkered flag with great enthusiasm for a great cause. He is an active supporter of many charities, including Angelwear, City of Hope, Coach Art, PETA, Stand Up To Cancer and Wildlife Way Station.

Reeves’ acceptance of the trophy was followed by contributions to various charities, which made everyone’s participation all that more worthy. Toyota donated $5,000 to “Racing for Kids” in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winning racer’s charity of choice. Racing for Kids is a national non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County, California.

Another $15,000 donation was made in conjunction with the annual “PEOPLE Pole Award.” Sponsored by PEOPLE magazine, the award was given to Danny Way who was the pole-position winner of the qualifying session. Way selected the Action Sports Environmental Coalition (ASEC) as his charity.  Keanu Reeves’ big win will also benefit the charities of his choice, and adds to the list of his contributions on so many levels, not just to film, but also many other causes.

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