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May 21, 2007

U2 goes 3D, rocks Cannes Film Festival

By Mike Collett-White

CANNES, France (Reuters) - Irish band U2 rocked the Cannes Film Festival early on Sunday with a short live set on the famous red carpet on their way into the main cinema for the premiere of a new film "U2 3D".

One of the world's biggest rock acts, U2's gig attracted hundreds of fans who crammed around the VIP entrance to the Grand Theatre Lumiere to hear Bono belt out "Vertigo" and "Where the Streets Have No Name".

Several actors from another film showing in Cannes, among them Spain's Javier Bardem, waited patiently with the crowds to dance to the music.

The performance helped set this year's festival alight after a subdued start, and underlined the importance music has played in Cannes this year.

Minutes before, just along the palm-lined Croisette waterfront, Finland's monster rock act Lordi performed "Who's Your Daddy?" and "They Only Come Out at Night" at a special party.

The makers of "U2 3D" say it is a pioneering recreation of a live concert.

Shot in South America during the band's "Vertigo" tour, it seeks to recreate the atmosphere of a gig and take fans on a thrilling visual ride.

The film combines camera angles that soar over the audience of up to 80,000, zoom in to within inches of the performers, join them on stage and look back into the stadium.

At one point, U2's lead singer Bono reaches out towards the 3D camera and looks as if he is about to step into the cinema.

Journalists at a preview screening of a 55-minute version of what will eventually be an 80-90 minute picture, were given glasses through which to view the film and were impressed with the authenticity of the images and sound.

The film's backers say "U2 3D" is part of a revolution in the industry leading to more 3D productions and ever more elaborate techniques.

"Not every film will benefit, in my opinion, from 3D technology," said executive producer Sandy Climan.

"I think when you have the choice of 3D and 2D, you will choose 3D overwhelmingly," he told a news conference. "You ain't seen nothing yet."

The band had been due to appear before the press on Saturday, but their plane was delayed.

Producer John Modell described the technology used in "U2 3D" as a sea change from what came before.

"We are replicating the physiology of sight, and that's a very tricky thing to do," Modell said. "If you get it off by just a hair it creates actual physical problems -- eye strain, nausea. We don't have that at all."

One possible limit on the film's box office prospects is the limited number of appropriate 3D cinemas around the world, although Climan said he expected the number to grow rapidly in the United States and elsewhere.

The digital 3D film is expected to be released internationally in around 1,000 theatres equipped with digital projection systems. It will be shown only in 3D.

"U2 3D" is one of several rock-related pictures at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

"Control", a biopic about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, has been widely praised by critics.

Copyright © 2007 Reuters. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Jonathan at 01:47 AM | Comments (1)

May 14, 2007

It's Dr. Edge - Berklee honors rocker, Estefans

By Jed Gottleib

Boston has long been U2's American home but it may be a while before the band's next Hub homecoming, The Edge told the Herald yesterday before accepting an honorary doctorate from Berklee at Agganis Arena.

When asked if 2008 would be the year the Irish megastars play Fenway, the iconic U2 guitarist smiled impishly and said that, while that would be great, the band hasn't planned that far down the road.

"We're still working on material for the new album so it's impossible to say what will happen when," he said, dressed in his usual uniform of black beanie cap, jacket and T-shirt. "I think it will be another while still before we think about touring."

Since the band's American beginnings at the Paradise rock club to its recent sold-out Garden shows, the city has always been a major U2 stronghold, so receiving the honor from a local college made it doubly special, he said.

"I was just blown when I looked at the list of previous honorees," he said. "I saw friends like B.B. King and Quincy Jones and legends like Duke Ellington. It's an incredible list to be part of."

Standing alongside Berklee College of Music's other honoraries - Gloria and Emilio Estefan and the widow of legendary jazzman Andrew Hill - after donning traditional academic robes and cap, The Edge was cited as one of the world's most recognizable players, a guitarist who spent the 1980s and '90s forging a layered, echo-filled tone that stood in stark contrast to the flashy, metal and blues playing of his peers.

After telling the 850 graduates to spurn imitation and "leave the official map," he left the crowd not with his or songwriting partner Bono's lyrics.

"In the immortal words of AC/DC," he said, concluding his acceptance speech. "For those about to rock, we salute you."

Copyright © 2007 Boston Herald. All rights reserved.

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