Michael Moore invites lobbyists to see 'Sicko'

Filmmaker Michael Moore is inviting lobbyists for the pharmaceutical and insurance industries that he attacks in his new movie about health care to a free showing of it next week.

Moore is running "Sicko" promotion ads in Washington newspapers listing more than 900 registered lobbyists and telling them they can attend an exclusive showing at no cost next Wednesday at a theater three blocks from the Capitol. His new documentary premieres Monday in New York and two nights later in Washington. The movie opens to the public June 29.

Irate Malaysian fans tear up cinemas

Ethnic Indian fans wrecked cinemas in several Malaysian cities after a nationwide premiere of a long-awaited Tamil film was delayed or canceled due to technical glitches, news reports and a theater employee said Saturday.

Screenings of "Sivaji: The Boss," were canceled or delayed by as much as six hours in four Malaysian states Thursday night, angering movie-goers who then rampaged in a rare display of public violence in this normally peaceful country, The Star and the New Straits Times newspapers reported.

They said police were called in to control hundreds of rioting fans, many of whom demanded refunds and compensation for money they spent on fuel and toll charges to come to the cinemas.

The Sri Intan theater in Klang district near Kuala Lumpur was temporarily closed for repairs after a mob damaged the lobby, shattered lighting and sound equipment and set fire to part of the cinema, said a theater receptionist, who was contacted by phone and spoke on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak to the media.

"Sivaji" has been billed as India's most expensive movie, starring popular southern Indian actor Rajinikanth. The plot revolves around a man who loses money because of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.

full report...

Bruce Willis and daughter starring in dark comedy

Mischa Barton and Rumer Willis have been cast opposite Bruce Willis, Rumer's father, in the dark comedy "The Sophomore."

In this teenage take on "Chinatown," Barton plays the most popular girl in her Catholic high school. She persuades a sophomore reporter to investigate the theft of SAT exams, but after he reveals that the school's president and top jock are responsible, a more sinister conspiracy emerges.

Rumer Willis plays the troublemaking sidekick of Barton's character. Bruce Willis plays the school's twisted principal, a Desert Storm veteran who can't let go of his glory days.

The film (previously titled "Assassination of a High School President") will be directed for Yari Film Group by music video veteran Brett Simon (Good Charlotte, the Killers). Principal photography is set to begin in August.

Barton, best known for her role on "The O.C.," recently starred in Luke Kasdan's indie drama "Don't Fade Away" and is filming Roland Joffe's drama "Finding t.A.T.u" in Russia.

Rumer Willis, 18, Bruce Willis eldest daughter with Demi Moore, made her screen debut at age 5 in "Now and Then," which starred her mother. She most recently appeared in the 2005 film "Hostage" with her father.

source: reuters

India film focuses on prostitution as family trade

A new film will examine a centuries-old tradition among some underprivileged Indian communities where girls in the family become prostitutes, with their brothers and fathers acting as pimps.

Mostly restricted to a few male-dominated ethnic groups in central and southern India, this custom means women sell themselves to support the family while the men drink and gamble in between soliciting clients for their daughters and sisters.

One such community is the Banjaras, living on the arid plains of central India, where the eldest daughter of the family is introduced into prostitution -- often when she turns 12 -- with bizarre fanfare.

The mother dresses up the daughter for her first client while the father negotiates the best price for her virginity.

"Rivaaz," or tradition, tells the story of a teenage girl who is to follow the age-old custom and become a prostitute. But her mother protests, triggering anger in a community living off their womenfolk.

"Family-based prostitution exists in more than 300 districts in India," Ashok Nanda, the director of the Hindi-language film, said.

"It is so incredible that I did not believe this is true. Then I saw a
UNICEF report and read up on this."

While certain communities like the Banjaras see family-based prostitution as "god's will," other groups coerce their women into the flesh trade as a form of bonded labor to pay off debts taken from moneylenders.

In this system, the prostitute generally works without pay for a year or longer in order to repay a debt.

full report...