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Partners in the big time
As a team, actor Nicolas Cage and producer Charles Roven have achieved major success on the big screen.
- By Kelly Crane, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:17 December 14, 2008
- Nicolas Cage is flanked by his wife Alice and producer Charles Roven at Madinat Jumeirah. Cage presented Roven with the Outstanding Filmmaker of the Year award on behalf of DIFF on Saturday.
- Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
As a team, actor Nicolas Cage and producer Charles Roven have achieved major success on the big screen.
Sparkling, clean and progressive," is how Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage described Dubai at this year's Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF). Repeating the sentence a number of times to various camera crews and television presenters on the red carpet, Cage did his absolute best to accommodate everyone along the 60m stretch to the Madinat Arena theatre on Saturday.
"I am just so thrilled to be here. It's my first time in Dubai and I am so thankful to everyone for inviting me to your beautiful country. It is a special place."
Accompanied by his wife, Alice, and the world renowned producer Charles Roven, who Cage is currently filming Season of the Witch with, he stopped to take pictures with fans, sign autographs and chat at length with the media.
"I have wanted to come here for a while and am just so glad to be here to share the experience with you and Charles."
Roven has worked on many block buster movies including The Dark Knight, Get Smart, City of Angels, which Cage also starrred in, The Bank Job and International — due for release soon.
Looking surprisingly fresh-faced having flown from Hungary after a night of filming, Cage seemed genuine as he shook hands with all who reached out for him.
"I would love to make movies in this region. If you invite me, I will come."
Dressed in a grey suit, alongside his beautiful wife wearing a stunning yellow, floor-length gown complete with D&G clutch handbag, Cage was invited by DIFF to present Roven with an award for Outstanding Filmmaker of the Year.
Meeting Chuck
"Let me tell you a story," he started. "I met Charles, or Chuck as we call him in Hollywood, more than 20 years ago when I was barely an actor. I went for a meeting with him and, I'll be honest, was used to hearing 'next,' 'there's the door,' or 'don't call us, we'll call you.'
"But Chuck was different. He asked me what I would do with the script in front of me and why. OK, so I didn't get the part, but I left thinking such a lot about this man who had actually wanted to listen to my ideas and take them on board. That's the difference: he collaborates and that takes guts.
"But there's a much better story which proves the guts and courage of this man.
"When we were working on City of Angels I was asked to do a four-page scene 1,000 feet up on a piece of metal on top of a skyscraper. I said 'no,' and thought I couldn't lose when I added 'unless the producer does it first.'
"Little did I know, Chuck had a bit of a stunt background and still dabbles in Bronco riding. So he said 'OK,' climbs onto this piece of metal suspended in the sky and shouts, 'Hey Nic, let's make a movie.'"
Cage went on to pay tribute to a man he says has "great conviction, skills and passion for all the movies he makes."
"Yes, the films he makes are commercial but they stay true to the truth and artistry of storytelling. He's not afraid to explore spirituality and he makes movies which make millions of people around the world happy."
Roven collected his award before a surpirse screening of the new hit film Rachel Getting Married, starring Anne Hathaway.
"I've been blessed in my career working with such amazing people," he said, turning to Cage with a smile. "I am happy to accept this award and would like to thank all the people from this oasis in the desert for everything."
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