Russell Crowe - Venice Film Festival 2005

From Simona: Venice – September 5, 2005. -- I was lucky enough to go to the Venice Film Festival and get a ticket for the “Cinderella Man” premiere. I had lost any hope about it, since a huge delay in my train schedule caused me to finally get to the Lido only in the afternoon. I could not attend the red carpet, but was puzzled in finding that my seat was a few positions beside the ones of Russell, Danielle Spencer, Reneé Zellwegger and Ron Howard! The audience was waiting for their entrance in a surreal silence. Strong emotions and expectations were holding breaths. They entered the huge theatre welcome by an enthusiastic applause, took their seats and stayed during the initial and final parts of the screening. The movie had a very strong impact on the spectators: I have seen many people watching it with true tension - especially the last fight scenes – in a “crescendo” of emotions that finally led to a true standing ovation for the director and the actors. I was myself really impressed and shaken by Russell’s interpretation, he is one of the few actors, maybe the only one nowadays, who can really lead me into the stories (when acting he truly becomes the character).

After the long applauses, which I hope Russell and Ron have appreciated (Venice is not an easy audience), Russell briefly stayed among the people.

Some slightly too intrusive fans got a little bit beyond the limits, but I think Russell is used to it and can pardon the excesses. I stood on top of the stairs, then, and waited for him and Danielle to come up. When passing in front of me, I grabbed the occasion to ask Russell if there were news about the European TOFOG concert; he was so kind to reply something that unfortunately I was not able to hear (thanks to a man who was speaking loud just next to my ears). What an experience to be at the Venice premiere together with so many talented professionals! Loving the movies and being a devoted Russell Crowe fan, this was something to remember.

Let me just add a maybe trivial and off-topic consideration: I had met Russell in Rome in 2001 (what a day! He gave me a BLOC copy when it hadn’t been released, yet) and I was stunned by his magnetism, but now it was even more impressive to look at him together with his beautiful wife, hands in hands. Of course their private life is none of my business, but in this frequently disappointing world we live in, I find it always pleasant to see strong and loving families. All the best,

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From Mirella -- Hi Murph! I've just received a phone call from Daniela from the Venice Festival. CM is just finished. The audience reaction? 15 minutes OF STANDING OVATION!!! The theatre was going to collapse, with people screaming: BRAVO, BRAVO!!! Russell and Ron thanking the audience with their hands on their hearts, Renèe moved almost to tears

Venice 2005
Above image thanks to Crowetopia Getty Images - At the After Party Wireimages - Inside
From Simona: Venice – September 5, 2005. -- I was lucky enough to go to the Venice Film Festival and get a ticket for the “Cinderella Man” premiere. I had lost any hope about it, since a huge delay in my train schedule caused me to finally get to the Lido only in the afternoon. I could not attend the red carpet, but was puzzled in finding that my seat was a few positions beside the ones of Russell, Danielle Spencer, Reneé Zellwegger and Ron Howard! The audience was waiting for their entrance in a surreal silence. Strong emotions and expectations were holding breaths. They entered the huge theatre welcome by an enthusiastic applause, took their seats and stayed during the initial and final parts of the screening. The movie had a very strong impact on the spectators: I have seen many people watching it with true tension - especially the last fight scenes – in a “crescendo” of emotions that finally led to a true standing ovation for the director and the actors. I was myself really impressed and shaken by Russell’s interpretation, he is one of the few actors, maybe the only one nowadays, who can really lead me into the stories (when acting he truly becomes the character). After the long applauses, which I hope Russell and Ron have appreciated (Venice is not an easy audience), Russell briefly stayed among the people. Some slightly too intrusive fans got a little bit beyond the limits, but I think Russell is used to it and can pardon the excesses. I stood on top of the stairs, then, and waited for him and Danielle to come up. When passing in front of me, I grabbed the occasion to ask Russell if there were news about the European TOFOG concert; he was so kind to reply something that unfortunately I was not able to hear (thanks to a man who was speaking loud just next to my ears). What an experience to be at the Venice premiere together with so many talented professionals! Loving the movies and being a devoted Russell Crowe fan, this was something to remember. Let me just add a maybe trivial and off-topic consideration: I had met Russell in Rome in 2001 (what a day! He gave me a BLOC copy when it hadn’t been released, yet) and I was stunned by his magnetism, but now it was even more impressive to look at him together with his beautiful wife, hands in hands. Of course their private life is none of my business, but in this frequently disappointing world we live in, I find it always pleasant to see strong and loving families. All the best, ******************************************************************** From Mirella -- Hi Murph! I've just received a phone call from Daniela from the Venice Festival. CM is just finished. The audience reaction? 15 minutes OF STANDING OVATION!!! The theatre was going to collapse, with people screaming: BRAVO, BRAVO!!! Russell and Ron thanking the audience with their hands on their hearts, Renèe moved almost to tears
Thanks Nadja
The UK Sun
The Express UK Newspaper scans thanks to Bejay and Joyo
Images from Yahoo

Hi Murph, here are a brief report from Venice. Great day in Venice today! Every network showing and interviewing Russell. During the press conference (shortage of smiles, he looked a little bored or annoyed), basically the usual things we've been hearing since June: the character's honesty, how and if the character affects Russell's private life (usual answer: "I work between Action! and Cut!"), did his fatherhood influenced his performance? But the red carpet has been great, he seemed to be in a real good mood, all smiles and jokes. People waiting for him since 11 a.m. (the movie opened at 7 p.m.). According to the interviewer's words, a fan delirium greater than the one showed for Tom Cruise on other occasions. The critics and the press love the movie (they watched it yersterday), everyone is saying that this is the best Ron's movie and the greatest performance for Russell, a sure Oscar winner. They also say that it's a pity CM is out of contest, it would be a great contender to win the Golden Lion. I hope that the audience will love the movie, too. A last thing: He was wearing a pinstripe suit (don't know if it's the same suit or a new one) and a blue shirt. No tie. Dani was very elegant, too and Renèe was in Prada. -- Kind regards - Mirella
More pictures HERE
From Steph -- ITN News: Crowe warns US to share its wealth 5.23PM, Mon Sep 5 2005 Hard man actor Russell Crowe has warned the US not to take its wealth for granted. Speaking at the launch of his Depression-era film Cinderella Man at the Venice Film Festival, Crowe said: "A really important part of making this film in the first place is to remind America that the current abundance that they are experiencing is not an absolute right. "A very short time ago in America people were suffering greatly," he said, adding that wealth was there to be shared. He said Cinderella Man, which has had good reviews in the US, captured a "basic human decency" in the central character which had been lost. Crowe plays boxer Jim Braddock who made a sensational comeback after hitting rock bottom poverty, and raising the hopes of a nation with him. Cinderella Man opens in the UK on Friday.

Venice 2005