American investors have bought a Russian porcelain factory, but encountered resistance when they went to take control of it. “The struggle for control of the Lomonosov porcelain factory has all the elements of Russia’s own national struggle. It is a tale of Russians against foreigners, socialism against capitalism, the Kremlin against private investors, alleged Russian crooks against brazen interlopers – with a priceless imperial treasure as the prize.” – The Globe and Mail (Canada)
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SEOUL SEARCHING
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will appoint Mark Ermler, conductor of the Bolshoi Opera, as its chief conductor for the 2000-2001 season. – Korea Times
CLASSICAL MUSIC HALL OF FAME
Szell, Ormandy, Sills, to be inducted. – Cleveland Plain Dealer
MASTER FORGER
“Nine years ago, Antonio J. Mendez, the son of a Nevada copper miner, retired from the CIA after a quarter-century. He had worked his way up from the lowly forgery unit – bogus signatures, altered documents, counterfeit currency and the like – to become head of the espionage agency’s division of disguise, with a rank equal to that of a two-star general. He created some of the CIA’s most elaborate, if little-known, productions – the ploys, skits, scams, masquerades and sleights of hand designed to dupe foreign agents and enemy surveillance teams.” – Washington Post
LOOKING AT YESTERDAY’S FILMS THROUGH TODAY’S EYES
“Films, even good ones, can suffer from age more than other arts because film is more immediate, more swiftly enveloping, than any other art except music (which itself often aids films); and that immediacy is frequently based on contemporary bonds with the audience, bonds both explicit and buried.” – New Republic 02/15/00
BASQUIAT.NET
The estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat threaten legal action against a Basquiat fan website and shut it down. – The Art Newspaper 02/15/00
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
“American Beauty” leads with most nominations – eight. “Cider House Rules” and “The Insider” get seven each. – Philadelphia Inquirer 02/15/00
- Full list of nominees. – Oscar.com 02/15/00
FILM ROT
Almost 50 percent of films ever made have been destroyed due to the ravages of time. “Many Hollywood classics of the 1950s and ’60s, such as “Around the World in 80 Days” may look OK on home video versions. But the original negatives are so far gone that they can never again be used to strike theatrical prints.” – National Post (Canada) 02/15/00
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
Documentary cameras linger over everything these days. Have the little spy lenses made voyeurs of us all? Here’s a history of “fly-on-the-wall” programming, from revolutionary Russia to “The Real World.” – Feed 02/15/00
THE “YEAR OF THE WOMAN”
Not long ago, women were only a token presence in power positions in the movie business. At this year’s Sundance Festival, though, one-quarter of the films were directed by women. “There’s no questioning about it. It’s a completely different world for women directors,” says Diane Keaton. – Boston Herald 02/15/00