The Star Online: Entertainment: Music
The Star Online: Entertainment: Music |
| Elton John in talks to make biopic ''Rocketman'' Posted: 23 Sep 2011 03:33 AM PDT LONDON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - British singer Elton John is in talks to make a film about his life, his spokesman said on Friday, in response to media reports about a planned biopic called ''Rocketman.'' Newspapers and websites said that Rocketman would be produced by John's partner David Furnish and Steve Hamilton Shaw and executive produced by the singer himself. Playwright Lee Hall will provide the script. Asked to comment on the reports, John's London spokesman replied only: ''Just discussions.'' He did not expand on whether anyone had been singled out to play the lead in the movie, although the Sun tabloid said Scottish actor James McAvoy had been tipped for the role. John and Hall have worked together before on the hit musical adaptation of the dance movie ''Billy Elliot.'' ''Rocketman will be a radically different kind of biopic,'' Shaw told Hollywood entertainment website Deadline, adding that it would be ''non-linear and hyper-visual.'' Initial reports of plans for a John biopic surfaced in early 2011. The 64-year-old behind hits including ''Candle in the Wind'' and ''Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'' was a child piano prodigy who rose from a part-time pub player to become one of the most successful recording artists of all time. The glam rocker has sold an estimated 250 million records and won an Oscar and several Grammys. John, Furnish and Shaw have worked together before on a movie through their Rocket Pictures venture. Their 3D animation ''Gnomeo and Juliet'' grossed $190 million at the global box office, according to website boxofficemojo.com. |
| Posted: 23 Sep 2011 01:37 AM PDT Despite the absence of financial assistance for its travels, Aseana Percussion Unit (APU) continues to share Malaysian music and culture around the world. SPREADING the gospel of music is a privilege, yet with band leader Edwin Nathaniel and his Aseana Percussion Unit (APU), it almost seems like a God-given right. The APU troupe leader is bristling with enthusiasm, especially with the ensemble's participation at the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival 2011, which runs from Sept 25-Oct 2. "We're very excited, and as always, we're looking forward to sharing Malaysian music with people from around the world," Nathaniel enthused during a recent interview. But his enthusiasm is dogged by a perennial snag. Despite APU travelling around the world to spread Malaysian music, it has received little support from the Malaysian government for its noble cause. "We are not going there to shop, or it's not a case of fun and games. We conduct workshops ... and of course, we perform. People are always so curious about our culture, and they are intrigued by our racial mix in the group, too. We do this because we love our country and love promoting it," stressed Nathaniel about APU's role as ambassadors. APU's needs are negligible. The troupe is not looking for rewards for its efforts or payment for its ambassadorial work. All it wants is sponsorship for air fare to the festivals it gets involved in. "We get invited to quite a few festivals, but because of our limited financial resources, at best, we are able to choose only two a year," he said, revealing that APU – which formed in 1998 and comprises the sounds of musical instruments like the Brazilian surdo, Indian tabla and taviel, Malay kompang and gendang, the Chinese drum, the Trinidadian steel pan, the African djembe/talking drum and common household appliances – has thus far financed itself. Letters requesting financial aid to certain private and governmental bodies have yielded little result. Needless to say, the going continues to be tough. When queried on why the troupe's plight has been incessantly ignored, Nathaniel speculates that it could be due to the size of its ensemble. "We have 10-12 people in the band at any given time. So I suppose that's too many for them to sponsor, but we're not even asking for sponsorship for everyone. Whatever contribution will be graciously accepted," he reasoned. To the uninitiated, music festivals rarely pay its participants. Usually, a token is handed out, and Nathaniel says that's enough of a reward for the musicians, but travel expenses is what the troupe is in dire need of. "So much is being done here to promote Malaysia, yet, we as the people at ground level, are physically going to countries near and far to spread our music and culture. "All we are asking is to put our hands together and do this collectively," opined Nathaniel. There is a sense of irony in APU's travails where abroad, the troupe is treated like the ambassador that it is. "At the festivals, we are treated very, very respectfully and caringly. Audience members have even offered us food," he said, recalling the group's humbling experience at the Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan in 2009. Global treks aside, APU – like its expectant audience – is waiting for the release of its much anticipated second album. "Truth be told, we have been dragging our feet, also because, our gigging engagements have kept us occupied. "Our singer, Mark David, has composed a song that we're looking forward to realising on the album. "We want to promote it as a song of peace and love from Malaysia when we perform it at music festivals. It's called Oh Malaysia and it's about our wonderful country," Nathaniel revealed of the upcoming 10-song album. In 2002, the group released its debut, Colours Of Rhythm, which nudged APU into the regional touring circuit. For the moment though, it's the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival 2011 that's knocking at APU's doors, and expect Oh Malaysia to get an airing there. > For more info on Aseana Percussion Unit, visit apu.com.my |
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