The Golden Compass!

When venturing back into a fantasy world, New Line followed
their instincts to replicate a precedent set by their successful
launch of the first THE LORD OF THE RINGS installment back in 2001.
The studio went "all out" with the intention of launching
their newest multi million-dollar epic production. Nothing was
spared at the Cannes Film Festival in the hopes of creating their
next great trilogy.

Journalists were invited for a special preview of
striking footage from New Line’s highly anticipated adaptation of
Phillip Pullman’s first book of his best-selling trilogy "His
Dark Materials". Our chosen destination was the quaint Cinema
Olympia where notable screenwriter-director Chris Weitz (AMERICAN
PIE and ABOUT A BOY) hopped on stage to give is a brief introduction
before unveiling a spectacular ten-minute montage of THE
GOLDEN COMPASS (opening wide on December 7th).

For those unacquainted with the story, THE GOLDEN COMPASS is
a sensational, psychological and philosophical adventure set in an
enigmatic parallel universe where people’s souls live outside of
their body in the form of a daemon or animal, talking polar bears
fight wars and children mysteriously disappear. Staying true to the
visionary world created by Pullman, Weitz’s script revolves around
a curious, young girl named Lyra who embarks on an adventurous
journey in pursuit of rescuing her missing friend Roger.
Her expedition originates in Oxford, London and takes her to
the arctic north during which she makes a frightening discovery.
Inadvertently, the revelation compels Lyra to ensue a fascinating
and complex quest to save her own world, as well as ours.

Handpicked by creative director Weitz during an open casting
call, talented newcomer Dakota Blue Richards was ideally chosen to
embody the capricious role of Lyra. The star powered epic production
also cast Nicole Kidman as the glamorous ice queen Mrs.
Coulter, 007 agent Daniel Craig as the ruthless and secretive
adventurer Lord Asriel, Bond alum Eva Green as a flying
witch, and Sam Elliot as the aeronaut cowboy Lee Scoresby.

I was one of the many lucky
reporters who viewed an earlier sneak peak back in January when
invited to visit the set of The
Golden Compass. Although the footage was raw and incomplete
with minimal effects at the time, it was evident even in its early
stages, that this creation was the making of something
extraordinary. Having previewed the newest, edited footage in
Cannes, I can attest that the breathtaking CG effects have surpassed
my expectations and left me in awe.

The footage consisted of several extended scenes combined in
an illustrious and vivid montage, which almost appeared to be a very
long, enticing trailer. The sneak peak also included finished and
digitally enhanced scenes previously shown at the set visit. It was
amazing to compare and witness the CG edited version, which took
imagination to a whole new level. Clearly,
the $180 million invested digital fantasy intends on proving and
exceeding its worth.

We were shown several scenes of Lyra being scolded by Lord
Asriel, reprimanded by Ms. Coulter, interacting with her daemon,
playing with Roger on the rooftop of Oxford’s Jordan College,
saving armored bear Iorek’s life, and venturing from one world to
another in search of a dear friend. In addition to her natural
interaction with prominent co-stars, every scene reflected that
Richards was the perfect embodiment of Lyra. It undoubtedly
confirmed her innate talent and competence to successfully carry the
film.

The daemons, bears and vast landscapes were stunning. 
It was overwhelming to see Lyra riding on Iorek’s back
through the vast, snow covered Swiss glaciers disguised as the
Arctic north.  Some other
brilliant CG enhanced scenes included the large sky ferry
(zeppelin), flying witches, Mrs. Coulter’s fabulous mansion, shots
of the Magistrate building and the ship brawl interjected with the
appearance of Lee (Sam Elliot) in an attempt to help Lyra rescue
Iorek.

If playing Bond wasn’t an affirmation of Craig’s talent
and versatility, then wait until you see his performance as a
callous scientist. Trading in his sleek Armani suits for a 1920’s
Edwardian look, he sports a rough facial beard and resonates a tough
charm that is intimidating and mesmerizing. He is the quintessential
bad guy.

Nicole Kidman was born to play the part of Mrs. Coulter,
which she was chosen for from the very beginning.
She epitomizes the role of an elegant, vindictive government
agent. Adorning a blonde bob, she looks unspeakably gorgeous and
sophisticated in every scene she graces. Her captivating and
commanding performance emanates a powerful combination of a
manipulative charmer and relentless seductress.

The jaw dropping teaser ended with an exciting, in your face
bear body slam which was an indication of what to expect from this
grand, spectacular production slated for release December 7, 2007. 
Fulfilling its intentions, the launch whet my appetite and
left me hungering for more visual stimulation.

I was delighted to be invited to a follow up, intimate
luncheon hosted at the Martinez Beach club overlooking the
Mediterranean Sea with producer Deborah Forte, director Chris Weitz,
Sam Elliot and Dakota Blue Richards. I chatted with the GC gang over
a delicious lunch while discovering the following tidbits:

• “Stunned
  by the imagination, daring and intelligence of the books”
  Weitz became dedicated in every aspect possible to pen and
  direct the film
  
  

• It
  took about three years to bring Weitz’s vision of the film to
  life
  
  

• Producer
  Deborah Forte embarked on THE GOLDEN COMPASS journey almost
  eleven years ago
  
  

• Elliot
  proclaimed that GC was by far the most exciting CGI film he has
  been involved in
  
  

• Elliot
  focused on strategically placed dots on the wall in order to
  shoot in front of the green screen
  
  

• Richards
  was in every scene of the film aside from two which required her
  to shoot for 98 out of the 100 days
  
  

• Richards
  most enjoyed the fighting scenes although she was disappointed
  when she didn’t shoot the scene where she falls out of the
  boat in order to avoid any potential accidents
  
  

• Craig
  did most of his own stunts especially in the Swiss glaciers
  
  

• Although
  beautiful, it was extremely dangerous on the snowy glaciers
  which reflected a blinding sunlight, prohibiting the cast from
  flying out of location
  
  

• One
  of the stuntmen had an bad accident while filming on the
  glaciers
  
  

• Weitz
  felt nervous about the reaction to the preview screening because
  it was proof of the film’s development and reassurance for the
  producers and studio
  
  

• There
  were great expectations of the film and the sneak peak allowed
  Weitz to exhale with a sigh of relief
  
  

• If
  the first installment is a success, Weitz will probably go on to
  direct the following sequels
  
  

Forte, Weitz and Elliot were equally personable, grounded and
sweet. I was especially drawn to Weitz’s genuine aura and
sensitivity. Expecting his first child within the week, he was
excited and nervous to make it back home in time for the delivery.
Not that I can blame Richards, the young and brave star of GC seemed
a little overwhelmed as she made a champion effort to keep up with
all the publicity. At her age, I’d rather be hanging on the beach
with friends than have to sit around with adults and engage in movie
talk. Overall, it was a very
gratifying afternoon spent with a couple of GC’s friendly cast
members, creators and New Line reps at a beach restaurant with an
illustrious, dreamy background.

An extremely pleasing preview and luncheon could only be
surpassed with a fierce party to celebrate and toast a successful
marketing campaign of a much-anticipated film. Once again, New Line
pulled out all the stops by orchestrating one of the most
extravagant parties I have ever attended. Celebrating the 40^th
anniversary of New Line and the launch of THE GOLDEN COMPASS, the
festivities were set in the magnificent garden of the Rothschild
mansion just outside of central Cannes. We were shuttled to and from
a surreal party to get a taste of what the finer lives of the rich
and famous had to offer. The garden was decorated with a red carpet
entrance, a gigantic dance floor, several bars and seafood stations,
bear ice sculptures, a digital photo station with CG effects and
oversized balloons displaying THE GOLDEN COMPASS in interchanging
colors and languages.

Aside from Nicole Kidman who was shooting a film down under,
the cast and crew of CG were present along with the cast of "Entourage",
Brett Ratner and many more. It
was a pure adrenaline rush to mingle with stars at a banging celeb
soiree in one of the most captivating cities in the world. I am
grateful to have had this experience and thank New Line for a truly
magical and memorable evening in Cannes.

Click
to check out the film’s official site