Magic In The Moonlight - official trailer of Colin Firth/Woody Allen film

Hampshire's own Colin Firth could be crowned 'National Treasure'

SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO
May 19, 2014



HAMPSHIRE-BORN actor Colin Firth is in the running to be crowned England’s national treasure after a nationwide vote.

The National Lottery has launched the search as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations this year. The What’s Your National Treasure campaign asks people to choose the best from a range of iconic venues, landmarks, faces and facilities that are vying for the title of National Treasure.

 Vote on Facebook.com/ LotteryGood Causes from 9am today until midnight on May 27.



READ MORE HERE: http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11221375.Hampshire_s_own_Colin_Firth_could_be_crowned__National_Treasure_/

Colin Firth on the 'decency' of doubt in the West Memphis Three case

ARKANSAS TIMES
by Mara Leveritt
May 1, 2014

Knowing that he would not be able to attend this weekend's premiere of "Devil's Knot" in Little Rock, Colin Firth spoke about his role in the film by phone from his home in London. He said he felt a bit daunted after he'd accepted the offer of his friend, Canadian director Atom Egoyan, to play the part of Ron Lax.

Firth understood that he'd be portraying the Memphis private investigator who volunteered to help the defense teams representing the three accused teens. What he did not grasp at first was how contentious the story remains.

He said, "I suddenly realized I was walking into something with which people were not only acquainted, but had opinions about — and many of these opinions were passionately held. I think people would have been forgiven for looking at me and saying, 'Who are you and why the hell would you get involved?' "

On top of that, Firth said, "The whole case was very strange and very complex." And, like the film's title, "Devil's Knot," the story was "hard to untangle."

Firth also faced the challenge of portraying a man who sees a tragedy unfold without being able to avert it. In that sense, he saw Lax, the veteran investigator, as representing many others who, over the years, have come to see in the West Memphis case tragedy compounded — without knowing how to confront it.

"When a case is so traumatic and feelings are running so high, people are going to be very, very sensitive," he said. "I quickly realized that if I had anything going for me, it was that I could cast a dispassionate eye over everything, which it seemed very few people at the time were able to do."

He likened his situation as an actor to Lax's situation after the teenagers' arrests. "If anything, Ron Lax himself came to the case as an outsider, not with any prejudgment. He was not from West Memphis. He was urban. He was not connected with the police. He didn't know any of the bereaved."

He said, "As an actor — a storyteller — my way into the film was to shadow that. Ron came in as an outsider to investigate something. He got involved for legal reasons. My reasons were different — artistic, if you like.

"Nevertheless, he found himself more and more engaged the more he became acquainted with the story. And that's how it was for me."

But the concerns Lax embodied defy Hollywood conventions. As Firth put it, "He doesn't get his man. He doesn't argue his case before a judge. He doesn't have demonstrable victories. And that troubled me in terms of film craft and storytelling. But Atom was convinced that that was important, almost from a Kafkaesque point of view."

("Kafkaesque," Kafka biographer Frederick R. Karl once said, "is when you find yourself against a force that does not lend itself to the way you perceive the world. You don't give up. You don't lie down and die. What you do is struggle against this with all of your equipment, with whatever you have. But of course you don't stand a chance.")

Firth concluded that what Lax represented was doubt — shrewd and committed but powerless. It could be no other way. "When you play a real person and deal with a story that affects real people," he said, "you try to play that part as honestly as possible." Looking back, he said, "I think there's something very humane and critical in the voice of Ron, because he's trying to keep doubt alive. And personally, I believe that the more you do that —the more you recognize doubt — the better chance you have of showing some truth."

Firth seemed to speak about doubt as useful both in acting and in investigations — or maybe they're similar. "Doubt does not go well with rage and revulsion," he said, "and all the things we're likely to feel when crimes are committed against children. It's very hard to be that distressed and horrified and stay with something as impassive as uncertainty.

"And that applies, not just to West Memphis. It applies continually everywhere. Whereas, if you try to be truthful, that resonates. I would like to feel the film opens up questions that might have closed in people's minds."

READ MORE HERE: http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/colin-firth-on-the-decency-of-doubt-in-the-west-memphis-three-case/Content?oid=3279828

Colin Firth: Here's the Trailer for 'Devil's Knot,' the West Memphis Three Movie Starring Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth

CELEBUZZ
POSTED 17 HOURS AGO   •   BY ROBERT KESSLER

Devil's Knot stars Reese Witherspoon as the mother of one of the murdered boys and Colin Firth as an investigator. Stephen Moyer, Amy Ryan, Mireille Enos and Dane DeHaan also have supporting roles. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival this year (to not-so-great reviews) and is expected to be released sometime next year.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.celebuzz.com/2013-11-20/heres-the-trailer-for-devils-knot-the-west-memphis-three-movie-starring-reese-witherspoon-and-colin-firth/

Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen: Winterbottom wants Promised Land (BELFAST TELEGRAPH)

Michael Winterbottom has revealed that The Promised Land is still on hold.

Colin Firth, Jim Sturgess and Matthew Macfadyen were expected to star in the political thriller, based on two British police officers hunting Zionist militant Avraham Stern and set in 1930s Palestine.

Michael admitted: "Not much is happening unfortunately. It's been knocking around for a few years. I would love to make The Promised Land.

(MY HEAD WILL EXPLODE)

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/winterbottom-wants-promised-land-16184424.html

Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon: Pics and Movie Stars in Town Meet Fans Cartersville Patch writer Cady Schulman shares her experience meeting Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon on Wednesday. By Cady Schulman Email the autho (CARTERSVILLE PATCH)

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m obsessed with celebrities. And, in my career as a journalist, I’ve been lucky enough to meet a few famous people, such as Cal Ripken Jr., Al Gore and Bobby Cox. And, a few months ago, I got to meet Kim Fields, better known as Tootie from The Facts of Life, when she visited Tellus Science Museum.

So, when I heard that Devil’s Knot was filming in Cartersville, I was obviously obsessed with catching a glimpse of one of the many stars in town. My drive through town somehow always ended up driving by the old courthouse where the movie is being filmed. And yes, I was one of those people who slowed down, craning my neck to try to get a glimpse of someone. I saw Reese Witherspoon from a distance the first day of filming, and I thought that was pretty neat. I didn’t really expect much else since I haven’t had the time to go downtown to watch.

Until Wednesday night, that is. My husband, daughter and I were driving home after a late dinner in town following Lucy’s gymnastics class and a city council meeting I had covered in Marietta. We caravanned home, taking Church Street although I really wanted to drive down Cherokee Avenue again. And, when we drove by the courthouse parking lot, we saw a group of people gathered.

I immediately turned onto Elizabeth Street to pull over and tell Joe that we had to go over there to see what was going on. Joe thought I was being crazy. I insisted, and he went along with it, even though I knew he was ready to get home.

I’m a very shy person, so when we pulled into the courthouse parking lot, I asked Joe to go over and see what was going on while I waited with Lucy. He was sure it was just a group of extras waiting while a scene was being filmed. I was adamant that it was onlookers.

I’ll give you one guess as to who was right. Not Joe. He called me and told me to hurry with Lucy, and when we joined the group, we saw Colin Firth signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. I totally wanted to squeal and tell him how much I love him, but I was cool, calm and collected. I waited my turn, got my autograph but before I could get a picture, he turned away to other fans. I tried to ask for a picture as well but, as I said, I can get rather shy and quiet, so I went to the back of the line.

Then, he got ready to leave. I got disheartened. Until, one of the people in his group saw Lucy, who was patiently holding my hand, and told him to wait because he HAD to have his picture taken with this baby (who isn’t really a baby at 2 ½, but who am I to argue?). And, of course, the baby’s mommy. Duh. Lucy tried to fight it. I told her what was going on as calmly as I could. She didn’t care, but she went with it. Yes, I used my child to get my picture taken with a movie star, and I’m not ashamed of it!

Another group had gathered at the other end of the parking lot, so we hurried on over there to find Reese Witherspoon signing autographs. She wasn’t posing for pictures, but who were we to complain? Some people had the fabulous idea of having the stars sign their cell phone cases, but that didn’t register with me. It’s a good thing I had my trusty reporter’s notebook on hand.

READ MORE: http://cartersville.patch.com/articles/movie-stars-meet-fans#photo-10638394

Reese Witherspoon, Colin Firth Dine at Canoe The Academy Award winning actors dined with their cast mates and producers over the weekend. By Sydney Busby ( SMYRNA VININGS PATCH)

The stars shined bright in Vinings last weekend as Academy Award winning actors Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth took a break from filming Devil’s Knot to enjoy dinner at Canoe.

Co-star Stephen Moyer, known for his role as Bill Compton on HBO’s True Blood, also attended. Lori Vance, Canoe’s special event coordinator, said the actors were accompanied by a small party of about 15 of the film’s producers and investors.

 “It was a small, intimate dinner,” she said. “They really just wanted to be able to come to dinner and be able to relax. It was pretty low-key (…) They had a great time,” she said. “I heard from them the next day. They really enjoyed it. They started off outside and then they moved in to the private dining room for dinner.”

READ MORE: http://smyrna.patch.com/articles/reese-witherspoon-colin-firth-dine-at-canoe

Colin Firth pictures from The Devils Knot

Pictures all 'borrowed' from the wonderful  Colin Andrew Firth Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colin-Andrew-Firth/376092155749717

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colin-Andrew-Firth/376092155749717

Colin Firth: Stephen Moyer joins Devil's Knot Stephen Moyer has bagged a leading role in upcoming drama Devil's Knot. (MSN)

Stephen Moyer has bagged a leading role in upcoming drama Devil's Knot.

 The 42-year-old actor - whose wife and True Blood co-star Anna Paquin is currently expecting twins - joins Oscar-winners Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth in the film, Deadline reports.

 Essex-born Stephen, who plays vampire Bill Compton in the hit US TV show, will play prosecutor John Fogelman in the movie about the West Memphis 3 murder controversy.

 The film is based on Mara Leveritt's 2003 book and tells the story of teens Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, who were tried in 1993 for the killing of three eight-year-old boys.

They were sent to prison despite a lack of evidence and after years of appeals were finally released last year with ten-year suspended sentences.

 Colin is starring as a private investigator who became the trio's first champion when they were headed to trial, and offered them his services for free.

READ MORE: http://movies.uk.msn.com/news/stephen-moyer-joins-devils-knot

Colin Firth: Three More Tie the Devil's Knot By Uncle Creepy June 12th, 2012 (DREAD CENTRAL)

Colin Firth will play Ron Lax, a private investigator who was the first pro bono supporter of the defendants as they headed to trial in 1993. Lax built one of the most prominent private investigative firms in the Southeast and offered his services for free to the defendants, who at the time were reviled because of the heinous nature of the crime and the sensationalized reports about devil worship and ritualistic sacrifice. All of that was later proven to be unfounded, after the West Memphis 3 were convicted despite a total absence of physical evidence. Reese Witherspoon is playing Pam Hobbs, the mother of Steven Branch, one of the victims. She initially believed the trio murdered her son and the other two boys but became persuaded they were wrongly accused. An upcoming documentary casts suspicion on her ex-husband Terry Hobbs, who was Steven Branch’s stepfather and who has denied any wrongdoing.

In August 2011 the defendants were released due to lack of evidence after spending 18 years in prison. Actual defendants Jessie Misskelley, Jr., and Jason Baldwin are executive producing Devil's Knot with Worldview's Molly Conners, Sarah Johnson Redlich, Maria Cestone, and Hoyt David Morgan. Producers are Elizabeth Fowler, Clark Peterson, Richard Saperstein, and Worldview CEO Christopher Woodrow.

READ MORE:http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/56403/three-more-tie-devils-knot

Reese Witherspoon-Colin Firth movie about “West Memphis Three” to film in Georgia 12:30 pm June 5, 2012, by Jennifer Brett (ACCESS ATLANTA)

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Witherspoon and Colin Firth will star in “Devil’s Knot,” based on journalist Mara Leveritt’s bestseller about the “West Memphis Three.”  The horrifying murders of three 8-year-olds were  ascribed to a trio of teenagers, accused of participating in a Satanic ritual. The three were released from prison last year after two decades behind bars.

Read about the actual case in New York Times:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/us/20arkansas.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all


READ MORE on Acess Atlanta article:  http://blogs.ajc.com/the-buzz/2012/06/05/reese-witherspoon-colin-firth-movie-about-west-memphis-three-to-film-in-georgia/?cxntlid=thbz_hm

Colin Firth & Mireille Enos Board West Memphis Three Drama DEVIL’S KNOT movie news | 31 May 2012 (MOVIES)

Colin Firth (‘The King’s Speech’) and ‘The Killing’ star Mireille Enos are joining Reece Witherspoon on the cast of Atom Egoyan’s West Memphis Three drama ‘Devil’s Knot.’

The script is based on Mara Leveritt's 2003 book ‘Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three’ and will chronicle the prolonged murder trial of defendants Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley Jr. The trio were convicted of the murder of three eight-year-old boys in 1993; they were released from prison in August 2011 after nearly two decades.

READ MORE:  http://www.movies.ie/movie_news/1179602/Colin_Firth__Mireille_Enos_Board_West_Memphis_Three_Drama_DEVILS_KNOT