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'Frost/Nixon' premiere opens London Film Festival
2008-10-16
The London Film Festival opens Wednesday with the world premiere of "Frost/Nixon", chronicling the dramatic 1977 interviews between disgraced former US president Richard Nixon and journalist David Frost. The interviews were crucial for both men -- Nixon was hoping to salvage his reputation for history, while Frost wanted to add another feather to his cap of interviews of world leaders and celebrities. In the end, Frost wrung a mea culpa from Nixon over Watergate, the dirty tricks scandal which prompted his resignation in 1974 and left a lasting scar on the American political landscape. Frost, who now works for Al-Jazeera television following a lengthy career in Britain, admitted he is uncomfortable with parts of the film but describes it as "brilliant" overall. "It's an interesting situation to be in," the 69-year-old told The Times newspaper. "It's not my film. It's just... my life! There's 10 or 12 percent of fiction in there, one or two bits of which I could do without." "Frost/Nixon" stars Michael Sheen and Frank Langella, is directed by Ron Howard and is based on the hit play by Peter Morgan. Morgan is the writer behind "The Queen", for which Helen Mirren won an Oscar. The Guardian newspaper gave it a mixed review, saying the drama was "inert" on the big screen and adding: "A lot of hot air -- but not much real heat". Other film festival highlights include "Synecdoche New York", the directorial debut of "Being John Malkovich" writer Charlie Kaufman, which stars Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, and "Che", directed by Steven Soderbergh. The festival runs to October 30.
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