Gael Garcia Bernal to Play Boxer Roberto Duran in HANDS OF STONE; Al Pacino in Talks to Play Trainer
by Brendan Bettinger Posted:November 22nd, 2010
Gael Garcia Bernal (Letters to Juliet) will headline the Roberto Duran biopic Hands of Stone. Al Pacino is said to be circling the role of Ray Arcel, Duran’s trainer.
Duran boxed from age 16 (1968) to 50 (2002) under the nickname “Manos de piedra” (“Hands of Stone”), and won world titles at four different weights. He is perhaps best known for the “No Más Fight,” the November 1980 rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard for the welterweight championship. As the eighth round closed, Duran forfeited, telling the referee “No más” (“No more”). Said writer/director Jonathan Jakubowicz, “The infamous ‘No Más’ fight is the biggest enigma in the history of boxing. This movie will answer that enigma.” More after the jump.
Here’s how Wikipedia describes the controversy surrounding the fight:
“Duran claimed that he quit because of stomach cramps, which started to bother him in the fifth round. Duran said the cramps occurred because he took off weight too quickly and then ate too much after the morning weigh-in, but his manager, Carlos Eleta, said Duran always ate that way before a fight. ‘Duran didn’t quit because of stomach cramps,’ Eleta said. ‘He quit because he was embarrassed.’Duran’s stature in his home country, Panama, took a dramatic dive after the second Leonard fight. The first reaction was shock, followed by anger. Within hours after the fight, Duran’s commercials (in both Panama and the United States) were ordered off the air.”
Here’s a clip of the fight (Duran quits shortly after the 1:30 mark):
Fascinating. The man boxed professionally for five decades, which as far as I know is about the manliest thing ever accomplished. And yet his reputation was nearly undone by a momentary sign of weakness. I’ve checked in even before you factor in my Bernal love. I’m curious to see what Jakubowicz has to back up his claim of definitive closure, or if it’s mere grandstanding befitting of the sport of subject.
According to Variety, the production will shoot mostly in English in Panama and New York next spring.
Music Video for Darren Aronofsky’s BLACK SWAN
by Jason Barr Posted: November 22nd, 2010
A music video for Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming drama/thriller Black Swan is now available online. Beginning with the film’s fantastic trailer, followed-up by some very cool international posters, and now with this borderline insane, quick-hitting video, everything I’ve seen from the film thus far has successfully upped my anticipation for its release. Maybe it’s just me, but the club sequences in this most recent video are bringing to mind visuals from 1990’s Jacob’s Ladder. In my opinion, this is definitely a good thing.
Briefly, Black Swan stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis as dancers vying for the lead in a production of Swan Lake. In addition to Portman and Kunis, Black Swan also stars Winona Ryder, Vincent Cassel, and Barbara Hershey. The film hits U.S. theaters on December 3rd. Hit the jump to check out the music video as well as a synopsis for the film.
Here’s the video [click over to Apple for HD]:
Here’s the official synopsis:
Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her retired ballerina mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) who zealously supports her daughter’s professional ambition.When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Winona Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side with a recklessness that threatens to destroy her.
