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MI6 reports on the New Zealand charity premiere
of Casino Royale, where director Martin Campbell and
wife Soley were the star attraction...
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Casino Royale New Zealand Premiere
1st December 2006
Even before the doors were due to be opened at
6.30pm for the New Zealand premiere of Casino Royale on 30th November 2006, Bond fans and charity supporters alike were queued down
a busy Auckland street. Some chatted about the evening to
come and others admiring the DBS located in front of the cinema.
The majority of attendees had brushed off their tuxedos and straightened
their bow ties in order to be a contender for a host of “best
Bond gal” and “Best Bond guy” prizes.
Above: The Aston Martin on display
outside the Cinema |
Preliminary Events
The doors were opened promptly at 6:30pm and the gathered crowd
ushered into the spacious cinema foyer. Waiters were on hand with
Bollinger and oysters, but many chose to “prop up the bar”
where they serving martinis on the house - shaken not stirred
of course!
Attendees mingled among local celebrities, including internationally
recognized Temuera Morrison ("Star Wars", "Once Were Warriors"),
eagerly awaiting the arrival of director Martin Campbell and the
show to commence.
At 7pm the show began, but without Campbell, who
was running late. However, the hosts assured an eager crowd
that he would be arriving shortly. Prizes were dished out
to the best-dressed Bond girls and guys.
One guest arrived
just in time to be considered, dressed in a full wetsuit - but needed a prompt from the audience when asked
“which film she was from”. Cries of “Thunderball”
rang throughout the room! |
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Above: This fan pulled out all the stops
with her dress up and was duly rewarded. |
Bondian Fashion & Bondian
Interviews
Up next was a Bond themed fashion show, with models showcasing the
most “Bondian” lingerie and swimwear New Zealand designers
had on offer, while the competition winners played
roulette with the celebrities and models… Finally a reluctant
Temuera Morrison was ushered onto the stage by a model to discuss
Bond.
“I asked Martin
if he would ever consider a Maori Bond. [Laughs] He said ‘No!’”
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Above: Models show off lingerie and swimwear and NZ star Temuera Morrison. |
Spot prizes were dished out to the first people
to call out the answers to James Bond trivia and then a Bond themed
charity auction commenced. James Bond Ultimate
Edition DVDs, a 007-themed
Omega and an Aston
Martin DBS weekend were all sold to the highest bidder.
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Finally, New Zealand born
director Martin Campbell made his entrance along the catwalk,
to immense applause. After being introduced, the host asked
him how it felt to be in back in New Zealand for the premiere
of his new film. Campbell told the crowd, “It’s
better than the Royal Premiere we had in London.”
And his lovely Soley mentioned to the host this was her
first visit to her husband’s homeland.
When asked
about his upcoming productions the director said he would
be taking a well-deserved break…
“I’ll be directing myself
with a book on the beach.”
And, for a final question, Campbell was asked if he had
a favorite Bond film… he replied that he did, and
it was Goldfinger!
"You’ll be directing the remake?” enquired
the interviewer, to which Campbell just laughed.
Left: Martin and Soley walk the catwalk.
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At 8pm the crowd’s martinis were topped
up and over 300 fans were ushered into 4 cinemas! The audience
laughed at Bond’s brilliant throwaway puns and winced at
the psychologically shattering torture sequence and most importantly,
applauded at Craig’s “Bond…
James Bond.”
Above: Director, Martin Campbell,
and wife, Soley, are interviewed. |
An entertaining night out for all! The film opens nationwide in New Zealand on Thursday 7th December
2006.
Next up... Daniel Craig and
Caterina Murino will be the stars of the show at the Australian
premiere in Sydney on Monday 4th December 2006, three days ahead of general release. Martin Campbell
and producer Barbara Broccoli will also attend.
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Royale Coverage
Casino
Royale World Premiere Report
