REG is among the 176 invited to become a member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 176 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitation will be the only additions in 2012 to the Academy’s roster of members.

Other well-known actors include Simon Baker (Margin Call, L.A. Confidential), Sean Bean (Flightplan, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), Tom Berenger (Inception, Platoon), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, The Back-Up Plan) and Matthew McConaughey (The Lincoln Lawyer, A Time to Kill).

According to Academy President Tom Sherak, “These film professionals represent some of the most talented, most passionate contributors to our industry. I’m glad to recognize that by calling each of them a fellow Academy member.”

Voting membership in the organization has now held steady at just under 6,000 members since 2003. New members will be welcomed into the Academy at an invitation-only reception in September.

To see the full list of 176, click this link.

BBC – 3rd June, 2012

Here are some images and video of Richard E. Grant from the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant. A very patriotic Richard was interviewed by John Sergeant on Westminster Bridge, where he briefly spoke about the Thames’s place in our culture and history. Richard then went on to read the famous Wordsworth poem “On Westminster Bridge” from his equally patriotic iPad.

Please excuse the video quality. If I find a better version I’ll update this post. In the meantime, though, please enjoy the recording below which was made by fellow REG fan “zero orchestra”, (via tumblr.)

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BBC Reveals Details Of Jubilee Coverage

The BBC has unveiled the line-up for its Jubilee programming in June, with details of its live coverage of the Thames Pageant, Royal Procession and Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, as well as specials including a personal tribute from Prince Charles and Rolf Harris painting the Jubilee.

George Entwistle, director BBC Vision says, “A series of epic events in 2012 will make this an unprecedented year for the country and for the BBC. Our coverage will aim to bring the whole nation together and deliver all the excitement of having a front row seat for every moment.”

John Sergeant will be at Westminster Bridge with John Major, with our very own Richard E Grant and others taking a political, literary and satirical look at the Thames’s place in our culture and history. Richard E Grant will read the famous Wordsworth poem On Westminster Bridge.

For U.S. fans, BBC America will be showing coverage and other related programmes. Check out the BBC America page for more details.

The Other Woman

Also on TV, Richard features in “The Other Woman” on Sky Arts 1 HD, Monday 4th June at 6.30PM, as part of the “Playhouse Presents” series. The drama also stars Trevor Eve, Geraldine James and Tom Ellis. Trevor Eve and Geraldine James are a couple who have a partnership both at work and home. An actress in a hugely successful TV series written by her husband Robert (Eve), Liz (James) finds herself depicting a relationship in crisis; that is, her own marriage.

Turning a blind eye to her husband’s affairs, it is only on screen with co-star Stephen (Grant) that Liz has the conversations she should be having in her personal life. Robert uses the show as a platform to explain where and why he thinks the marriage went awry, but Liz’s inability to act as he instructs displays how disparate their feelings about the situation are.

Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute

Finally, Richard also appears in “Victoria Wood: A BAFTA Tribute” on BBC2, Saturday 9th June at 7.55PM. Richard, Julie Walters, Lenny Henry, and Jim Broadbent pay tribute to Victoria Wood, with contributions from Peter Kay and French and Saunders. Featuring a look back over her career with clips of her work. Wood will then be given the prestigious BAFTA Special Award followed by a preview of Acorn Antiques – The Musical.

We have some pictures of REG’s appearance in “Hotel Stories” now in the gallery. All of the pictures were taken by Jaimie Gramson Film & Photography. Just click here to check them out.

REG’s Recording For Conn Iggulden’s novel Conquerer To Be Released Next Month

The REG-narrated e-book that we reported on last December will soon be available. The interactive e-book for Conn Iggulden’s novel Conquerer, released by HarperCollins on the 19th July, features maps, commentaries and a pronunciation guide for names and places in the book employing actor Richard E. Grant. Readers can also shift from their current page in the book to a map which shows the progress of the plot and characters up to that point. It is the final volume in the author’s Khan series.

The ePub format e-book is on sale through the Apple iBookstore priced £4.99.

Conqueror is the fifth in the historical author’s series about the Khans and their domination of central Asia in the 13th century.
Sam Hancock, digital project manager at HC, said: “Rest assured we are committed to using the innovative developments to the ePub format to give readers even more interactive experiences that compliment the authors’ narratives.”

Below is a “behind-the-scenes” video of REG recording the book.

NewsOnline.co.za – 31st May, 2012

by Gisele Turner

Richard E Grant – MTN Bushfire 2012
Pic by : Gisele Turner

Richard E. Grant returned to Swaziland, the place of his birth, to play out his role as the MTN Bushfire Festival’s Patron. He chatted with old friend Cas Mamba about his life and times, his creative works, past and present and seduced his audience with warmth, candour and laughter. Gisele Turner was there.

Richard E Grant and Cas Mamba @ MTN Bushfire Festival 2012
Pics by: Gisele Turner

Cas Mamba gave Richard E. Grant an affectionate and eloquent introduction, recalling a friendship with many of the Swaziland stalwarts that spanned the 25 years he had spent there. She asked him if his role as patron of the Bushfire Festival was as a figurehead or if he intended being ‘hands-on’, indicating that he could possibly offer workshops. Richard’s response was surprising; he said that people could not be taught to act; that if he did get involved it would be to make documentaries or involve people in performance projects.

When asked his opinion on the cultural boycott Richard responded that he has been out of the country for 30 years and that while Swaziland still held a very special place in his heart he was in no position to interfere with the status quo. “I don’t feel it my place to involve myself with political change,” he said. “Is the artist the mouthpiece of social protest, or is he simply there to express himself?” persisted Cas. Richard indicated that for him both are applicable. “But beware the disillusionment that you as an artist will change history!” he warned.

With the subject very much in the news Cas asked Richard his opinion of the furore around ‘The Spear’, the painting of Jacob Zuma with his genitals exposed. “I believe in freedom of expression as a basic human right,” said Richard, “and I defend the right for you to have your opinion.”

The conversation turned personal with Cas wanting to know what it was about Swaziland that Richard loved. “It’s a homing pigeon instinct,” he responded, “and being with people who have known you from the get-go. I feel most authentically myself when I am here.”

In 1987 Richard sprung into the limelight with the cult film Withnail and I. Cas was keen to know if this history was a burden. “On the contrary, it continues to be a source of conversation and discussion for like-minded people and I am very grateful for that,” he replied.

Richard then moved onto his more recent projects, including his role as Michael Heseltine in The Iron Lady with Meryl Streep as Maggie Thatcher. “She is the best of the best,” he enthused. “Her research is incredible and she can gossip a gig with the best of them. She would be walking down the corridors in full Iron Lady make up and costume and she would suddenly break into an ABBA medley that had us all in stitches.”

Less successful has been Richard’s lead role in First Knight, a romantic comedy with an operatic background that did not pan out the way it was supposed to. “What can you do?” said Richard with a disarming smile. “It ‘s like a relationship, you go into thinking that it has all the right ingredients and discover to your dismay, and too late, that it is not working. I am very embarrassed by my involvement with this film and will happily refund anyone who saw it – you can see me at the back of the barn after this session. It was a disaster, and thank you for mentioning it.”

Richard was happier to discuss his latest work as documenter. “I was asked to do an historical documentary on safaris in Key-na before it became Ken-ya. This has sparked off a slew of documentaries so my new job is asking people questions. So Cas, tell me, how did you come here?”

Questions from the floor included one regarding Wah-Wah, the movie which he scripted and directed which recalled his childhood in Swaziland and the shocking experience of waking up in the car as a nine-year-old to find his mother making love to another man. “Is your mother still alive and does she know what you have done?”

“I had a rapprochement with my mother and cleared the air, she read the script and had the grace to say that she thought it was pretty accurate of what had happened,” was Richard’s response.

Richard was asked if he had a ‘wish-list’ for Bushfire, an artist that he would love to see being part of the festival. “Absolutely,” he replied with enthusiasm. “I would love to see Annie Lennox come to Swaziland; she is an AIDS activist as well as an extraordinary performer.”

As the interview came to an end Richard thanked everyone for coming and for having him at the festival. Anyone who attended that entertaining and openhearted interview could only have two words to say: My pleasure!