Sofia Coppola...nabs Golden Lion Award! Getting "Somewhere" with directing!

Sophia & Giancarlo Gianini

About a week ago, I penned a post on Sofia Coppola's latest celluloid offering, in which the talented auteur takes an insightful - at times humorous - foray into the personal and professional life of an A-list actor residing at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood, California.

Post:  09/04/10

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/09/sophia-coppolasomewhere-within-striking.html

Over the weekend, it was no surprise to hear that Ms. Coppola snatched up the coveted Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, from her peers.

Quentin Tarantino - who headed-up the Jury panel - offered up nothing but kudos for the daughter of legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola.

In fact, the Judges unanimously agreed that "Somewhere" was the best film to screen at the 10-day Festival this year.

"This film enchanted us from its first screening," gushed Tarantino to an enthusiastic press hanging on every word.

"It had the artistry we were looking for in a Golden Lion winner," he concluded with smug satisfaction.

In her mind's eye - "Somewhere" - was (and is):

"A portrait of today's L.A."

Stephen Dorff starred as the A-list actor running on empty until a turn-of-events opens his eyes to the possibilities.

Not surprisingly, when Ms. Coppola accepted the award (all-dolled up in a strapless elegant designer gown), she graciously gave a nod to the celebrated filmmaker who went before her.

"Thanks to my Dad for teaching me."

According to sources at a screening Mr. Coppola attended, he was ecstatic about his daughter's  finished product.

A chip off the old block, eh?

Congrats Sofia!

Infamous Chateau Marmont Hotel

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San Francisco...tourists flocking everywhere! Joyous sight-seeing!

On Sunday afternoon, I ventured out of my Hotel room for a bit of fresh air, when I suddenly spied throngs of pedestrians cruising along ahead of me at a leisurely pace.

For a moment, I surmised there was a concert or fireworks display slated to start up in one of the venues in nearby China Beach or on the grounds at Coit Tower.

When I ended up in the midst of the effervescent throng at a red light - which was holding up the flow momentarily - I caught sight of a foreign tour guide pointing out attractions of note to the European tour group (mostly German) who hung on every word.

Though I don’t speak German, it was evident from snatches of the dialogue, that he was excitedly noting that the turn-of-the-century architectural beauty on the corner (one of my favorite landmarks) was owned by Francis Ford Coppola - and subsequently - was  the West Coast facility used for his film studio.

At this juncture, he slightly turned and pointed to the tall skinny “pyramid” a hop-and-a-skip away, otherwise known as the Transamerica building.

The rapt tourists followed like obedient sheep as he maneuvered his way up a quaint sidestreet towards the heart of Chinatown.

Meanwhile - down Kearny Street - a busload of excited Asian youths tumbled out of a big old charter bus as they proceeded to embark on a tour of a neighborhood rich in their cultural heritage.

In fact, everywhere I turned that day, the streets were teaming with adventurous tourists - in sensible walking shoes with backpacks over their shoulders - out to explore every inch of the captivating romantic city.

Even Union Square appeared to be savoring a resurgence in popularity!

A dozen or so whimsical sculptures sprinkled around the park not only brought a smile to the face, but often triggered  a chord or two of a popular song long-associated with the city.

“I left my heart in San Francisco.”

And, the intriguing notion, that big American metropolitan cities need not always be so cold, uniform, and devoid of humanity.

Ashley Brilliant said it best:

"There may not be a heaven, but there is a San Francisco."

 

http://www.thetattler.biz

Sofia Coppola..."Somewhere" within striking distance! Stephen Dorff stars...

Once again, Sofia  Coppola intrigues film buffs with her choice of film projects - and likewise - her tendency to be fascinated by the pitfalls of excess.

The shy daughter of a giant in the film industry (director Francis Ford Coppola) - who conjured up a broad masterful portait of historical Diva Marie Antoinette - recently set her sights on a captivating subject much closer to home.

In "Somewhere", Ms. Coppola focuses her insightful lens on a charismatic actor at the height of his powers of seduction, and in the process takes a behind-the-scenes foray into an old Hollywood cliche.

Will success spoil Rock Hunter?

Although the young director's insightful lens focuses on life in the fast lane and its temptations - obsessions with romantic trysts, luxury Hotels and high-end sports cars - "Somewhere" is also a tale about a man in crisis.

Stephen Dorff was cast to play the A-list actor - which was ironic - when you consider that in real life he never made that grade.

Ms.Coppola is best-known for her screenplay - "Lost in Translation" - which nabbed her an Academy Award a scant few years back.

Hotel scenes for the flick - which premiered in Italy this past week - were shot at the chic Chateau Marmont, a popular hang-out for actors in town.

"I like hotels for settings, they are an impermanent place. A lot of the characters I am interested in are in a moment of transition and it seems fitting that they would be in an impermanent setting," Sofia gushed to one reporter in recent days.

Dorff conjectured that "Somewhere" was all about becoming a man.

In the instance of his character, the transformation comes about when his young daughter turns up on his doorstep, after endless dark nights of the soul have taken their toll.

Coppola piped up at one point that to tell the story from a guy's point of view was a challenge because the emotional life of men was different than hers.

Was the mission accomplished?

You be the Judge.

The feature is slated for release in December.

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Columbus Tower...Francis Ford Coppola's Architectural gem! San Francisco...

Whenever I visit San Francisco, a day doesn't go by that I'm not  within shouting distance of one of my favorite landmarks, the "Columbus Tower".

On a starry night, with all the lights ablaze, the stunning architectural beauty shines brightest.

The turn-of-the century structure is at the mouth of Columbus Street & Kearny Streets (wedged slightly between Chinatown and Northbeach).

Occasionally, I muse about what it would feel like to be firmly ensconced in one of the top-level suites, with what I expect must be a breathtaking view of Coit Tower and the picturesque San Francisco Bay beyond.

In spite of the fact I have often caught sight of a plague affixed to the front outer wall, for some inexplicable reason, I never bothered to stroll up and take a gander at the inscription etched in an ornate scroll on its face.

Breaking habit, I ventured up close last evening, with the intent of casting some light on the building's history.

OMG!

The Columbus Tower has quite a pedigree!

A short blurb on the plague notes that the tower is the home of  Francis Ford Coppola's highly-respected Zoetrope Studios.

Imagine that!

Oscar winner - Coppola - actually edited footage for "The Godfather" at this very site!

Being an avid film buff, I nearly fell to the pavement and kissed the corner stone.

In the lobby, Coppola has operated a popular Italian café featuring Rubicon Estate wine and memorabilia from his films.

Coppola wrote much of the screenplay for the Godfather in the nearby Caffe Trieste.

Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "City Lights Books" is located across the street from the Columbus Tower  Building.

The neighborhood is also well-known for its cafes and its writers.

Columbus Tower is now owned and operated entirely by Coppola's son and daughter.

Roman Coppola and Sofia Coppola are lauded directors in their own right.

Columbus Tower, also known as the Sentinel Building, was completed in 1907.

Its distinctive copper-green edifice shows one of the few examples of buildings remaining in San Francisco that pertained to the Flatiron style (it is known to locals as the Flat Iron building) of early 1900s American architecture.

It is designated landmark number 155 in the city.

The top floor initially housed the headquarters of the infamous Abe Ruef (a local political figure at the time).

Caesar's' restaurant, once a tenant, was widely credited for creating the popular "Caesar Salad".

The "watering hole" was closed during prohibition under the Eighteenth Amendment.

The Kingston Trio owned the building and used it as their corporate headquarters during the 1960s.

The successful band built a recording studio in the basement, which was not only used for their own musical purposes, but for other leading artists of the day ("We Five").

By the early 1970s the building was falling into a state of disrepair.

Francis Ford Coppola purchased the building and transformed it into the architectural gem that graces the neighborhood today.

http://www.thetattler.biz