Entertainment wRap: Stone, Hemingway, Gandolfini

MANILA, Philippines – Too busy to read up on Entertainment last week? Here are some Entertainment stories you might have missed from the week of June 17 to 22.

Oliver Stone makes film on Hugo Chavez

American filmmaker Oliver Stone is working on a movie about the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, said President Nicolas Maduro.

“Oliver Stone is making a very beautiful film about our commander Hugo Chavez…that he will likely finish in the next months. We are eager for its debut on the big screen in Venezuela,” said the current president at an event in the state of Lara.

Maduro said that one of Stone’s producers informed him about the film while on an official trip in Paris.

Stone is known to be a fan of Chavez, whom he interviewed for his 2009 documentary, “South of the Border.” Other South American leftist leaders were also featured.

Hugo Chavez led Venezuela for 14 years until he passed away last March.

Grand Canyon daredevil eyes next stunt

Even before his next death-defying stunt over the Grand Canyon on Sunday, June 23 (Monday, June 24 Manila time) Nik Wallenda is already planning for his next feat.

Wallenda, who broke his 7th world record by walking across the Niagara Falls, says the pyramids in Egypt and the Eiffel Tower are on his bucket list.

“The pyramids in Egypt, the Eiffel Tower. And there’s just places all over the world that I wanna do walks. We’ll see where my life path takes me…but those are big goals and ambitions that I’m definitely reaching for,” he tells AFP.

Wallenda, who first walked the high wire at age two, says his passion and family heritage are what drive him to perform perilous feats. He shares that he would have liked to become a pediatrician had he not joined the 7-generation circus business.

On Sunday, June 23, Wallenda will tightrope across the Grand Canyon on nothing but a two-inch (5 cm) wire.

Mariel Hemingway: No glamor in addiction

Mariel Hemingway, a US actress turned wellness guru, appealed to the public on June 18 to stop glamorizing addiction.

The actress, whose prominent family has been scarred by several suicides from the members of the clan, put the responsibility on Hollywood.

“I think there is a responsiblity on Hollywood to not glamorize addiction,” she told the media in Washington.

The Hemingway family has had 7 members who took their own lives; most notably, novelist Ernest Hemingway and model Margaux Hemingway, Mariel Hemingway’s grandfather and sister respectively.

She refuted those who say mental illness is genetic and urged people to consider the facts.

“Everybody that commmitted suicide in my family, at least, were addicts. They were trying to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. All these things are very complicated. That’s why I chose to live a lifestyle that I know supports my balance and well-being,” she told AFP.

Sicily film festival pays tribute to Gandolfini

Following “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini’s sudden death in Italy on June 19, organizers of a Sicilian film festival revealed plans to honor him with a special tribute.

The award-winning actor was set to receive an award at the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily.

Italy hospital: Gandolfini died of heart attack

Organizers Mario Sesti and Tiziana Rocca revealed on their official website that the tribute would highlight the “talent and career” of the burly 51-year-old actor.

“He was the American actor that better than anyone else has been able to interpret the Italian-American (character) with his personality full of contrasts, ambition, pain, humor.

READ: ‘Sopranos’ actress remembers Gandolfini

“He was the representative face of the golden age of television but also a memorable (film actor),” they said.

James Gandolfini succumbed to a heart attack despite doctors’ persistent efforts to revive him.

US to lower flags for Gandolfini

Here is James Gandolfini in the final scene of ‘The Sopranos’ finale:

Flags in official buildings in New Jersey will fly at half staff on Monday, June 24 (Tuesday, June 25 Manila time) in reverence to the late “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, officials said.

In an executive order issued Friday, Governor Chris Christie said the move sought “to recognize the achievements and contributions of James Gandolfini” who died in Italy on Wednesday, June 19.

Christie praised Gandolfini, saying he “was an iconic actor and will be remembered for the timeless impact he left upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our nation.

“[He] enjoyed an extraordinarily successful acting career across television, film and Broadway, including his popularly acclaimed role as Tony Soprano in ‘The Sopranos.'”

The star was also an advocate for US military service members and veterans. He participated in the documentaries “Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq” in 2007 and “Wartorn: 1861-2010” in 2010. – With reports from AFP/Rappler.com

Oliver Stone, Mariel Hemingway and James Gandolfini photos by s_buckley from Shutterstock