Lifestyle FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2017

ichard Donner may have created the modern superhero movie with 1978’s “Superman” and revitalized the buddy Rcomedy with “Lethal Weapon,” but his colleagues say his big-hearted kindness is what truly sets him apart. Actor Corey Feldman said Donner paid for his rehab years after they worked together on “The Goonies.” Another “Goonies” star revealed Danny Glover, from left, Richard Donner and Mel Gibson Donner covered his college tuition. Other entertainers, including arrive at the Richard Donner Tribute. — AP photos Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Rene Russo and Carol Kane, lauded the filmmaker’s magnanimity Wednesday at a film academy tribute to (Christopher Reeve) rescues Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) as she and the 87-year-old Donner. Kane, who starred with Bill Murray in a helicopter fall from a tall building. Feige called it “the best cine- 1988’s “Scrooged,” called Donner “a creative guidance counselor matic superhero save in the history of film.” in the most nourishing way.” “Wonder Woman” director Patty Jenkins, who has said she was “You were charming and funny and witty and all these inspired by Donner’s “Superman,” was among the guests at amazing (things), but the thing that killed me is you were kind,” Wednesday’s celebration. Video tributes came from Jodie Foster Russo told the director. “You were so kind, and that’s what and Martha Plimpton, who introduced herself as “Plimpy.” She makes you the sexiest man in the world.” The filmmaker’s wife was among many actors who said Donner had changed her life. and collaborator, Lauren Shuler Donner, also referred to him as Gibson and Glover said the same. Sitting between the two “Lethal “the sexiest man alive.” She said his personality shows in his Weapon” stars, Donner said of the speakers feting him, “They movies, describing her husband as “fun, larger than life, loud, Danny Glover, from left, Richard Donner, Mel Gibson and changed my life; I didn’t change theirs.” strong, with a big mushy heart.” She said they met while mak- Rene Russo arrive at the Richard Donner Tribute. Listening to the tributes, he said it was hard to believe he was ing 1985’s “Ladyhawke,” when she was an aspiring producer the one they were talking about. “I never thought I would say this, fresh off a divorce. Entertainment president Geoff Johns, the two men responsible but I want to thank the academy,” he said. “You guys are all my “I was 33. I was trying to get respect and didn’t want to be for the last decade of superhero blockbusters, both worked for Oscar.” Donner has never been nominated for an Academy sleeping with the director,” she said, adding that they’ve now Donner when they were starting out in Hollywood. Award, though “Superman” received bids for editing, music and been together for 34 years. Warm personal anecdotes dominated “‘Superman’ the movie is still, to this day, the archetype of the sound, along with a special prize for visual effects. “What I’ve got- the nearly 2 1/2-hour program at the film academy’s Samuel perfect superhero film origin story,” Feige said, adding that his ten out of this industry is extraordinary,” Donner said, visibly Goldwyn Theater, punctuated by clips from “The Goonies,” staff at Marvel watches it before embarking on most projects. “I moved. “But I just want to say the greatest thing I did get out of “Scrooged,” “The Omen,” “Radio Flyer” and, of course, hope you don’t bemoan the fact that that film has inspired all of this industry was Lauren Shuler Donner... I can’t say in words how “Superman.” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and DC these movies.” They showed the clip where Superman much you mean to me. Words weren’t written.” — AP Netflix may fix Japan movie-financing dilemma: Director Kawase

apan’s Cannes prodigy Naomi Kawase president Pedro Almodovar was scathing believes Netflix can help unleash the in his criticism but fellow juror Will Smith Jcreativity of her country’s film industry, defended Netflix at a heated press confer- despite the eruption of a row over the ence. “Netflix brings a great connectivity,” American streaming giant that marred the said the Hollywood A-lister. “In my house, French film festival. Kawase, a regular at Netflix has been nothing but an absolute the world’s most prestigious film festival benefit.” Kawase, known for meticulous since winning the Camera d’Or in 1997, attention to detail in her movie-making, said she “has not filmed a single movie said Japanese film-makers are hamstrung with 100-percent Japanese funding” for at by commercial constraints. least a decade. “Japan’s film industry is get- “It’s such a struggle to sell an original In this file photo, actor George Clooney, left, and Amal ting tougher and tougher for directors,” script,” said Kawase, who writes her own Clooney arrive at the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremo- the 48-year-old told AFP in an interview. screenplays, adding that sponsors prefer ny at Salle Pleyel in Paris. — AP “Sponsors are being so cast-centric,” novels or works that have already made a she added, accusing Japanese studios of splash in the market. Last year, 610 home- putting style before substance. “They want grown movies were screened in Japan, to use actors who can guarantee big and over 70 percent of the 40 top-selling enough audiences so that they can recov- ones were based on successful mangas, er money they have invested.” Her latest cartoons and novels. “Film-makers here work, “Hikari” (Radiance), a love story cen- Japanese director Naomi Kawase are not really able to create what they eorge Clooney’s father says he is looking forward to tered on a cameraman whose eyesight speaking during the Shortshorts Film want,” said Kawase. “The reality is that we meeting his new grandchildren in person but is begins to fail, which was nominated for Festival and Asia 2017 in Tokyo. — AFP have to work with foreign sponsors with a Gwaiting for the greenlight from his son and Amal this year’s Palme d’Or, was mainly funded he has a point for sure.” The Cannes screenplay that doesn’t require only Clooney before he packs his bags. Nick Clooney told The by French sponsors. Asked if she would Festival declared war on Netflix, accusing Japanese actors. But then they might not Associated Press Wednesday that he has seen the twins, want to work with Netflix, Kawase said: the $70 billion movie and television be commercially successful in Japan-it’s Ella and Alexander, who were born Tuesday morning in “That would be a place for me to express streaming service of ignoring the big tough.” Fellow Japanese director Hirokazu London. He and his wife Nina are at their home in Kentucky myself freely. I wouldn’t deny that at all.” screen and threatening to ban it from Koreeda also criticized Japanese cinema and got their first look their grandchildren via Skype. Kawase cited South Korean director entering films in the future. known to the world for film-making greats The longtime newsman admitted that all he could Bong Joon-Ho, whose Netflix-funded work such as Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa- muster were clichÈs to describe the newborns, who he “Okja” was booed at Cannes, as crediting Scathing criticism for pandering to profit. “There will be says are wonderful, shocking and beautiful. After all he’s the streaming giant for giving him total French exhibitors have slammed it for more directors who want to work with speaking as a grandfather, not a journalist. He said that creative freedom. “Netflix gives him as by-passing cinemas to show films direct to Netflix or Amazon, players outside of they are thrilled and will be there “with bells on” to con- much money as he needs and doesn’t television, but without Netflix investment, Japan’s film industry,” he told AFP recent- gratulate the new parents and hug their grandchildren - intervene,” she said. “He’s said it’s a great many obscure and art house films would ly. “The entire sector will only sink if it once they get permission. — AP environment for film-makers and I’d say be in danger of collapsing. Cannes jury stays like this.” — AFP