Supple Magazine

Christopher Nolan’s science fiction film Inception leads the U.S. box office since the release on July 16, 2010. The film has already grossed over $259, 678, 000 since the world premiere in London on July 13, 2010. The screenplay was developed from the 80 page treatment Nolan presented to Warner Bros in 2001, but Warner Bros purchased it in February 2009 and the filming that began in Tokyo in June of the same year was completed in Canada last November with a budget of $160 million. Leonardo DiCaprio played the lead role of Dominic Cobb.

Most reviewers rated it highly, but it is too early for Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times to call it “one of the best movies” of the 21st century when this century is only 10 years old and as far as I am concerned the best movies of the 21st century are yet to come.

~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

The Synopsis:

Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs an international cast in an original sci-fi actioner that travels around the globe and into the intimate and infinite world of dreams. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb’s rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible—inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. This summer, your mind is the scene of the crime.

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Produced by Christopher Nolan
Emma Thomas

Written by Christopher Nolan
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio
Ken Watanabe
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Marion Cotillard
Ellen Page
Tom Hardy
Cillian Murphy
Dileep Rao
Tom Berenger
Michael Caine

Music by Hans Zimmer

Cinematography Wally Pfister

Editing by Lee Smith

Studio Legendary Pictures
Syncopy Films

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date(s) London premiere:
July 13, 2010
United States:
July 16, 2010

Running time 148 minutes

Country United States
Language English
Budget $160,000,000

Gross revenue $259,678,000

16th July 2010

Kikulacho – the Bite Within

A Film Every Kenyan Must See

This week A24 Media and Camerapix, in collaboration with Transparency
International-Kenya, launched a deeply insightful and powerful
documentary titled Kikulacho – The Bite Within, at the Silverbird
Cinemas in Nairobi.

How devastating is poor organization and management to a country and
its people? How can we ensure better leadership and a better tomorrow
for our children?

These are some of the themes explored and laid bare in the film
Kikulacho – the Bite Within. Kikulacho is a moving Kenyan
documentary that examines how corrupt systems and policies have
impacted on the common people. But it is also a story of hope and
triumph that aims to look at how our institutions and leadership can
be shaped by the people themselves to realize their dreams.

The film will be broadcast on Nation Television on Saturday July 17th
at 9.45 pm and will then be followed by a global release.

The film has been launched at a critical time in our country’s
history. Kenya is just a few weeks away from voting in a referendum on
whether to adopt a new constitution. The last time a referendum took
place on the same issue it bitterly divided the country and sowed the
seeds for the discord and violence that rocked the country and shocked
the world in the December 2007 elections.

How have our elections been organized? Why does land remain such an
emotive issue – can any constitution be used as a tool of
oppression? Using powerful, historical archive, interviews with people
across the country and a haunting music score, the film seeks some
answers to these questions. Much of the material in the film was drawn
from Camerapix’s own rich and authoritative library and gives
perspective to the tale of corruption in Kenya.

Directed by Kenyan filmmaker Murad Rayani and produced by the same
team that created such award winning documentaries as Refusing to Die
and Mo & Me, Kikulacho, promises to be another hard-hitting globally
acclaimed story. Mo & Me in particular went on to win over a dozen
best documentary awards including the New York International Film
Festival, the Chairperson’s prize at the Zanzibar International Film
Festival and was screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

A24 Media is Africa’s first online delivery site for material from
journalists, African broadcasters and NGO’s from around the
continent and its production arm, Camerapix, founded by the legendary
photo-journalist Mohamed Amin, is one of the continent’s oldest
independent production houses.

Speaking during the launch of the film, A24 Media Chairman Salim Amin
said:

“This film is meant to serve as an eye opener. It basically is a
stop sign, for people to pause and think, before literally stampeding
into yet another crushing pitfall,” referring to the 2005 referendum
and the 2007 post-election violence. “It was so clear after the 2007
elections that the image we portrayed of Kenya as a land of peace was
a sham that brutally turned to a mess in the eyes of the whole
world,” he added.

The film covers such emotive topics as extra-judicial killings,
corruption scandals including Goldenberg and the issues of
landlessness and squatters rights. It also examines the key impact
played by such icons as Pio Gama Pinto and JM Kariuki as well as
exposing the dark underbelly of corruption. As the country stands at a
crossroads with the ghost of the last election still looming large and
the referendum approaching, the film is a must see for every Kenyan
and anyone concerned with issues of human rights, progress and how
people are governed.

“It is also a story of hope and triumph that aims to look at how
our institutions and leadership can be shaped by the people themselves
to realise their dreams,” said the TI-Kenya Executive Director,
Samuel Kimeu, in his address to the audience prior to the screening.

Premiering just three weeks before the constitutional referendum, the
film will be used for civic education with its call to action to
citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes
including the referendum and the 2012 elections. The film also aims to
provide an impetus for debate and dialogue on governance issues, and
act as a springboard for the Kenyan public to make a difference in
their communities, have a say in issues that affect their lives, and
take responsibility for the future of Kenya

“Transparency International-Kenya hopes that all Kenyans will view
this documentary and act to stamp out the attitude of helplessness and
apathy towards corruption. Accountability and transparency requires an
active role by the public. Kenyans’ power to take charge, change
their destiny and shape a better Kenya lies with their votes,” said
the TI-Kenya Board Chair, Dr Richard Leakey.

The film’s trailer and behind the scenes footage can be viewed
online under the link and the complete film will be posted soon:

http://www.a24media.com/kikulachothefilm

To comment and post your views, please use the link below

http://www.facebook.com/kikulacho

Have a look at one of our first reviews of the film:

http://bit.ly/9B8xGX

END

PRNewswire, London, July 9. LONDON – Sonu Niigaam. (PRNewsFoto/United Business Media & Asian Awards Ltd) LONDON ENGLAND

9 Jul 2010 08:00 Africa/Lagos

Sonu Niigaam to Make Rare Appearance in UK

LONDON, July 9, 2010/PRNewswire/ — Legendary playback singer and songwriter Sonu Niigaam has today confirmed that he will make a rare personal appearance in the UK when he tops the bill at The Asian Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London on October 26.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100708/398619 )

The variety, emotional range and sheer power of his internationally acclaimed voice have earned Niigaam a huge global following. A Bollywood icon, his many songs for movies, as well as his award-winning Indi-Pop albums and other varied musical collaborations, have put the 36-year-old firmly among India’s most successful and endearing stars.

The Asian Awards, in partnership with Lebara, is a prestigious new global event saluting achievement and excellence by individuals born in or with direct family origin from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Unusually, members of the public are able to share in the celebration and tickets are available to buy online at http://www.theasianwards.com.

“Guests at this prestigious gala ceremony, including international business and community leaders, Parliamentarians, movie, music and sport stars, will witness the honouring of outstanding individuals in eleven categories – including business, philanthropy, cinema, music and sport,” said Caroline Jackson Levy, managing director of UBM Awards. “We are so thrilled Sonu Niigaam will be leading our entertainment. His pre-eminence as a popular Indian entertainer demonstrates the high quality of this great and unforgettable evening.”

Winners of The Asian Awards will be selected by independent judges chaired by Baroness Verma of Leicester, a Government Spokesperson in the House of Lords. Born in Amritsar in Punjab, India, Lady Verma moved as a child with her parents to England in 1960. “I am delighted in giving The Asian Awards my wholehearted support. This remarkable event will recognise the incredible talent of incredible Asians and I am truly honoured to be associated with it,” said Lady Verma.

Yoganathan Ratheesan, founder and CEO of the headline sponsor Lebara, said, “We’re delighted to be the headline sponsor of The Asian Awards which recognise what can be achieved with hard work, commitment and determination. At Lebara we share and promote these important values.”

The Asian Awards, a partnership between United Business Media and Indian businessman Paul Sagoo, supports Save the Children as its official charity partner.

http://www.theasianwards.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100708/398619

Source: United Business Media & Asian Awards Ltd

For further information please contact Robert Janes (Stonebyte Consultants, London), Telephone: + 44(0)7974-173-403 Email: robert@stonebyte.co.uk