Arena Gazette Feed

ARENA NEWS WEEK: Tribute to Richard Attenborough, Match Of The Day at 50 and Why Lawyers?

2014-08-29T11:03:14+00:00

TRIBUTE TO RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH

The Today Programme reports on the death of Lord Richard Attenborough

British film director Richard Attenborough has died at the age of 90. His sixty year career, first as an actor, then as a director, has been one of the longest running in British cinema history. Over many years, he has also been the driving force behind numerous chartiable causes, institutions and campaigns, receiving a knighthood in 1967. He will be remembered as one of the great figures of his generation.

Perhaps his most famous film, winning eight Oscars, was the 1982 biopic 'Gandhi'. It took Attenborough many years to get this film made after being approached with the idea by an Indian civil servant working in London in 1962. From that moment, Attenborough became obsessed with Gandhi's story and continued to raise funds until the idea became a reality twenty years later. In 2003, to mark his 80th birthday, Arena was granted special access to film Attenborough's day to day life. During the course of this, he took us back to the East London lodgings where Gandhi stayed on a visit to London. Here, Attenborough reflects on the long lasting effect and inspiration that Gandhi had on his own life and work.

Attenborough on making oscar winning biopic 'Gandhi'

Arena: Tha Many Lives Of Richard Attenborough (2003). Directed by Adam Low. Series Editor - Anthony Wall

'MATCH OF THE DAY' HITS 50

Match Of The Day at 50

As the new football season kicks off, the television institution that is Match Of The Day celebrates 50 years since it was first aired. The iconic programme has long been an ingrained part of Saturday night television, bridging the gap between the fans and the action before the days of full live TV coverage. The show made a special anniversary edition where footballers, pundits and commentators sing their praise for the show that has inspired and entertained them since 1954.

Watch the full programme on iplayer here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04fd91h/match-of-the-day-at-50

Back in 2013, MOTD2 and Arena had an unlikely run in. To coincide with the broadcast of Arena: The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour, MOTD made a special feature of the weekends football highlights cut together with scenes from the Beatles' pioneering film from 1967. The fab four and the premier league's finest...we always knew it was a match made in heaven...

Special piece featuring Arena: The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour

From Arena: Magical Mystery Tour Revisited (2012). Directed by Francis Hanly, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

'LET'S KILL ALL THE LAWYERS'

Why do we all hate lawyers? The Today Programme investigates

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers!". This famous line from Shakespeare's Henry VI part two has been a much reused phrase and now the inspiration behind a new play from David Epstein. A retired lawyer himself, he became fascinated by the audiences reaction to this line, cheering at the idea of it. Lawyers are often thought of as the most hated profession, and in Epstein's new script 'Incitement', he examines the social acceptability of such sentiments.

In July 1987, Ken Russell was summoned to defend himself in New York Supreme Court. The accusation was breach of contract, the plaintiff, Bob Guccione, one of the richest men in the world and publisher of Penthouse magazine. Guccione had engaged Russell to script and direct an adaptation of Defoe's 18th century novel 'Moll Flanders'. However, an acrimonious breakdown of relations between the two of them resulted in the cancellation of the film. Guccione claimed losses of over one million dollars and began a case to sue Russell. Arena followed Russell to New York as he prepared for the trial, and he gives us an insight into the rather unorthodox deal he made with his lawyer to keep his legal costs down.

Arena follows the case of Ken Russell vs.Bob Guccione

From Arena: Your Honour, I Object (1987). Directed by Nigel Finch, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

ARENA NEWS WEEK: Stones manager dies, Sophia Loren at Cannes and Celia Cruz on fleeing Cuba

2014-05-27T13:56:29+00:00

ROLLING STONES MANAGER DIES

Radio 4's Today Programme reports on the death of Stones manager Rupert Loewenstein

Prince Rupert Loewenstein, credited with turning the Rolling Stones into the world's richest rock band, has died at the age of 80. He was the band's financial manager for nearly 40 years, becoming a close friend to Mick Jagger. Through his advice, the band became tax exiles, retreating to the South of France in the 1970s. Loewenstein famously commented that he was not a fan of the Stones' music "or indeed of rock and roll in general", but regarded the band with great affection.

From the South of France to the Caribbean, Arena caught up with the Stones in 1989 when they retreated to Monsterrat to record at the studio of legendary music producer George Martin. After years of well publicised acrimony amongst band members, they reunited for the 1989 'Steel Wheels' tour which proved an enormous financial success. Here, whilst rehearsing the track 'Mixed Emotions', Mick Jagger and Keith Richards speak about the band reuniting and making music.

Arena interviews the Rolling Stones at George Martin's recording studio in Monsterrat

Arena: 25 x 5: The Continuing Adventure of The Rolling Stones (1989)

Directed by Nigel Finch

SOPHIA LOREN AT CANNES

BBC 4's Today Programme reports on actress Sophia Loren at the Cannes Film Festival

Italian actress Sophia Loren wowed the red carpet at this year's Cannes Film Festival, bringing some Hollywood glamour to the event. The 79 year old is no stranger to Cannes, as she was a staple at the film festival during the 1950s. Loren attended the premiere of 'Two Days One Night' looking every inch the screen goddess in a bejeweled gold gown.

Her beauty and sophistication was rarely unnoticed, not least from British comedian Spike Milligan who encountered Loren on a trip to Rome with Peter Sellers. Arena interviewed Spike in 1995 where he recalls his first encounter with the Hollywood icon, after being invited round for dinner at Mussolini's villa.

Spike Milligan remembers his first encounter with Loren at Mussolini's Villa

Arena: The Peter Sellers Story (1995)

Directed by Paul Lydon, Series Editor: Anthony Wall

For more glitz and glamour visit our 'Screen Goddesses' collection: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006pn88/features/screengoddesses

CUBAN EMBARGO RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

BBC Radio 4's Today Programme visits Miami's Cuban population

There are growing calls to lift the Cuban economic embargo, put in place over 50 years ago by the American government as an attempt to restrict the communist regime. Much of this movement is being channeled from Miami, where many Cubans now live after being forced to flee from Fidel Castro's communist regime. Traditionally staunch supporters of the embargo, some new voices are emerging in what has long been one of American's most influential political lobbies.

Latin American superstar Celia Cruz was one of the many who fled Cuba in 1961 at the time of the revolution. Arena interviewed her and her husband in 1988, 27 years after they left the country and found a new home in New York. Like many Cuban exiles, they were unable to return, creating large Cuban populations in American cities - mainly New York and Miami. Despite living in exile, Celia Cruz became one of the most succesful Latin American singers in the world, reaching even greater fame after fleeing Cuba.

Latin American superstar Celia Cruz discusses fleeing Cuba during the revolution

Arena: My Name is Celia Cruz (1988)

Directed by Anthony Wall