Annual Reception to Honor German Nominees for the Oscar Awards is Almost Here!

Pacific Palisades, CA—At Pacific Coast Highway and Sunset Boulevard high on a hill with a stunning view overlooking the ocean is Villa Aurora.  This was once the playground of film icons such as Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin. 

Today Villa Aurora is an exciting artist’s residence, owned by the German government.  It’s contributions to art, music and film is immeasurable.  The same could be said here for the German government.  

The partnership between American and German filmmakers has brought thrilling film after film to both European and American audiences,

On Saturday February 21^st German Films, Villa Aurora (Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles) and the Consulate General of The Federal Republic of Germany will host its Pre-Oscar event.  In honor of the German Oscar® nominees:

This year they will be honoring the following:

Director Wim Wenders -  nominated for THE SALT OF THE EARTH as Best Documentary Feature

Team of CITIZENFOUR –  nominated as Best Documentary Feature:

Dirk Wilutzky ( Producer)

Mathilde Bonnefoy ( Producer)

Laura Poitras ( Director)

Patricia Schlesinger ( Commissioning Editor Norddeutscher Rundfunk)

Barbara Biermann ( Commissioning Editor Norddeutscher Rundfunk)

Bettina Reitz ( Director TV Bayerischer Rundfunk)

Hubert von Spreti (Commissioning Editor Bayerischer Rundfunk)

Sonja Scheider ( Commissioning Editor Bayerischer Rundfunk)

Carl Bergengruen ( Managing Director MFG Baden-Württemberg)

Team of THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL -  nominated for nine Oscars®  i .a. Best Motion Picture of the Year:

Charlie Woebcken ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)

Henning Molfenter ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)

Christoph Fisser ( Executive Producer Studio Babelsberg)

Jeremy Dawson ( Producer )

Miki Emmrich (   Line Producer)

Carl Bergengruen ( Managing Director MFG Baden-Württemberg)

Kirsten Niehuus ( Managing Director  Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg)

Generous Film Funding has made some great films possible over the years.  Renowned directors such as Paul Verhoeven, Quentin Taratino, Werner Herzog and so many other artists were able to thrill audiences because of this important support.

The German government understands that making films is important to a nations economy and quality of life.

I look forward to attending this gala and sharing with you interviews, video and some surprises from this exciting event. 

Here is my drone’s-eye view of the Villa on a somewhat dreary day last year.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, We Hardly Knew You!

New York, NY—Becoming a successful actor is incredibly difficult for most even if they have talent.

Just getting a decent manager and or agent is a major task.  An actor without an agent is unemployed.

Aside from my investigative and media work I'm an actor.  I did my best work in community theater. 

I’ve had a SAG-AFTRA membership card since 1997.  I did a few forgettableTV spots and  films before a serious hearing loss problem sidelined me.  I have great hearing aids now but my age is not helping me to get motivated again. 

46 year-old Phillip Seymour Hoffman made to the RED Oscar Carpet winning as Best Actor for his role in Capote.  His career was on fire!  

Hoffman was also successful producer and director.  He was currently filming for the Hunger Games franchise. 

Hoffman confessed addiction problems and did a stint in rehab.  His premature death seems to indicate this was an accidental overdose of drugs.   But that is only a guess by NYC police officials that revealed he was found with a needle in his arm.  It will take weeks for toxicologists to tell us what poisons he had in his blood.

Hoffman appeared to be at least 15 years older than he should.  Perhaps drugs played a role in that too.  

It’s heartbreaking to see a talented and successful actor destroy a great life.  I know so many terrific actors today that fight so hard for small paying roles.  Many of them will be shaking their heads in disbelief. 

Hoffman like most of us had demons and I’m sure depression played a part.  He sought help but apparently it was too little too late. 

This kind of thing should make all of us understand that we are our brother’s keeper.  We must help those around us understand they are needed. 

Hoffman’s manager and agent must be devastated by this loss.  Hoffman left behind a partner Mimi and three children. 

Hoffman had many more roles to play, parties to attend and friends to meet.  That’s all over now and may he rest in peace.