"Mama, Mia - Being a Mum Gives Kate a Buzz," by Eddie Fitzmaurice

Actress Kate Winslet flew into London's Heathrow Airport yesterday proudly displaying her most amazing production yet - four-month-old daughter Mia. The Titanic star, whose latest movie Quills with co-star Geoffrey Rush has just been released in Britain, was returning home from Scotland where she had been visiting friends. And with little Mia tucked up in a baby harness, 25-year-old Kate was a picture of maternal pride.

Winslet's sights were firmly set on her little girl. "Mia is absolutely gorgeous - she's transformed my world," she said. "She's just had her first flight and she has been so good. Isn't she lovely? We've been in this little baby cocoon since the day she was born. She is so precious that for the first few days we were worried about breaking her, and every nappy change would take 30 minutes. Now it takes 30 seconds. We're getting quicker at these things and realising babies are not as fragile as we think."

The happy scene was a world away from Winslet's steamy role in Quills, which tells the harrowing story of 18th century French aristocrat the Marquis de Sade. Winslet, twice nominated for an Oscar for her parts in Titanic and Sense And Sensibility, plays a laundry girl at the lunatic asylum where the marquis, played by Rush, is locked up.

The movie has been given an R rating in Britain. Winslet's next movie will be an adaptation of French writer Emile Zola's Therese Raquin, a grisly tale of crime and passion in 19th century Paris.

Remember reading that the folks at Fox Searchlight have closed the 'Vice' portion of the Quills site? An entertainment news site has published a link to the site for those who haven't gotten enough:

"For Twisted Adults Only"

So, What Is It? Your secret pass to the supersexy (and super off-limits) 'Vice' section of the official Quills movie site. You won't find this link anywhere but here. It's exclusive, it's hot - and it's strictly for the NC-17 set. Why's It Hot? Responding to pressure from the movie-ratings board, Fox Searchlight Films pulled 'Vice' from its studio site January 26. According to Variety, the movie board had received complaints from parents that the section - including the very clickable Marquis de Sade links page - was too racy. But never fear. Now you can see it again in all its glory. From the 'Frequently Asked Questions' page (betcha don't know what Milli Vanilli and sadism have in common!) to the vaunted links page (wanna read an X-rated bible?) to the 'History of Pleasure' timeline (did you know the G-spot was, um, spotted in 1950?). Who Made It So Hot? The tipster who fed us this 'hidden' link to the excised section. Where's It Showing? Check out this hidden link ... if you dare.

The link worked as of this morning. Please note that section of the site is intended for persons at least 18 years of age.  http://www.sitefoundation.com/quills/quills_origsite/index.htm#

February 2:

Another role rumor! Here's the latest scoop from Ananova Entertainment News:

"Winslet in Line to Play Florence Nightingale"

Kate Winslet is set to play Florence Nightingale in a £40 million Hollywood biopic. The romantic drama Florence is being developed by Columbia with a view to Kate starting filming in Autumn in the Mediterranean and London. The story will cover the reforming nurse's life when she volunteered for the Crimean War in 1854 and fell in love with a soldier she tended after the Battle of Inkerman. The officer, however, was already engaged and Florence's heart was broken by the affair which never was. Brooding American star Joaquin Phoenix is being tipped to play her lover in the movie with Oliver Parker, of An Ideal Husband, directing. An insider told Ananova: "Several big-name American actresses are interested in getting the part but Kate Winslet is in pole position unless she backs out."

Another UK publication has a similar story, claiming that Kate is 'set' for the role:

Kate Winslet is set to play Crimean War nurse Florence Nightingale in a new movie. Florence will tell the story of Nightingale's love affair with a soldier she tended after the Battle of Inkerman in the 1850s. Joaquin Phoenix is being wooed to play the nurse's lover. The £40m movie will be directed by Oliver 'An Ideal Husband' Parker.

Again, these are rumors - until an official announcement is made.

Thanks to Garth of Dark Horizons for publishing today the info I sent him about the 'Clarinda' project!

Here are stories from UK papers to go along with the pics of Kate and Mia posted below:

"It's Mama and Mia" - 'Titanic' star Kate Winslet looked radiant yesterday with daughter Mia as she returned from a holiday in Scotland. The actress carried her three-month-old tot through Heathrow in a leather sling after her low-key trip north of the border. It's no secret Kate, 25, loves Scotland, and she and husband Jim Threapleton spent their 1998 honeymoon in Dunoon. Kate recently hit the headlines after saying she needs to slim after Mia's birth. But the extra weight wasn't playing on her mind yesterday, and she looked like a young mum without a care in the world.

"Hold Me Tight-anic Mummy" - Titanic star Kate Winslet is in her best role yet - as a mum. Kate, 25, glowed with pride as she flew into London with baby Mia. The actress carried four-month-old Mia in a sling and stroked her fingers as she posed for photos. Kate had been in Glasgow and it was Mia's first flight. The tot seemed a bit bewildered by it all. Don't fret, Mia, you're quite safe with mum. But we wouldn't recommend getting on a boat with her!

Kate Winslet and baby daughter Mia returned to London's Heathrow Airport after visiting friends in Glasgow, Scotland.

Has Judi Dench turned down the role of Mme. Raquin in Therese Raquin? Kate had stated she wanted Judi for the part; however, this item in today's Lineone indicates she has accepted a role in a project that begins shooting in April (TR is scheduled to begin shooting mid-year):

Judi Dench is to return to work opposite Kevin Spacey in The Shipping News. She had been turning down film offers to care for her husband, Michael Williams, who died on January 11. Dench will play Spacey's aunt and Welsh actor Rhys Ifans will play his boss in the film, which is due to begin shooting in Newfoundland in April. The role will reunite her with her Chocolat director Lasse Hallstrom.

Perhaps Judi will be able to do both roles - we'll have to wait for an official TR casting announcement.

I have found the source item for the 'Clarinda' movie rumor. Note that the director simply comments that Kate 'could do her,' but is also considering others for the part:

"Emma Too Old For Robbie's Lassie," by Vivienne Aitken (Jan 26):

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has been dumped from a movie about Robbie Burns because she is too old. Emma, 41, was the hot favourite to play the lead female role in Clarinda. But the director has ruled her out and suggested Titanic actress Kate Winslet for the part instead.

Depp for lead? There has been mounting speculation about who will play Burns. American Johnny Depp was tipped as favourite and Jean said Robert Downey Jnr topped his wish-list. But he also revealed that shooting is due to begin in the summer - at the same time as a scheduled strike by American actors. And that looks set to pave the way for a Scot to play the Bard.

Jean also hopes to sign up a supporting cast of other Scots stars, including Brian Cox, Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane and possibly even Sean Connery. He said: "There are no bad parts in the script and I hope we can attract every possible Scottish actor. It is Scotland's biggest story and, if the script is good enough, every Scottish actor will want to be in it." Robert Carlyle has committed himself to the film. He's tipped to play Burns' best pal Gavin Hamilton.

According to the latest reports, Kate will begin shooting Therese Raquin around mid-year, and Clarinda will be shooting in the summer. Of course, schedules can change. Perhaps she may eventually be cast in Clarinda, but (according to the above item), wasn't as of Jan 26.

Here's another mention of the Berlin Film Festival and Kate's scheduled attendance:

"Siege Epic Opens Festival," by Stephen Finch:

A spectacular movie based on the siege of Stalingrad - Enemy at the Gates - will open this year's Berlin Film Festival on February 7. The epic film, which stars Jude Law, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins and Ed Harris, tells the story of a Russian sniper who fights for his life against a German sharpshooter. It is directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, whose previous hits included The Name of the Rose and The Bear. The film was shot mainly in Germany. Festival Director Mortiz de Hadeln said: "With this film, director Jean-Jacques Annaud has brilliantly shed light on a chapter of German history. From the massive crowd scenes to the tiniest details, he and his team of German technicians successfully demonstrate that Germany and Europe are in a position to effectively realise such major projects and thus challenge the idea that Americans have a monopoly on such works."

Galaxy of stars - A galaxy of stars are expected at the festival, which features many world premieres. Sean Connery will be plugging Finding Forrester, in which he plays a reclusive writer; Anthony Hopkins will be at the first showing of Hannibal; Kate Winslet will be promoting Quills; and Pierce Brosnan will publicise The Tailor of Panama, based on a John Le Carre novel.

The 51st Berlin festival features films from 32 countries around the world. Among them is Don's Plum, by RD Robb, in which Leonardo DiCaprio portrays a disturbed teenage macho guy alongside Tobey Maguire. The film was shot in 1996 but completed just recently. British films in competition are Chocolat, Michael Winterbottom's The Claim and The Tailor of Panama, directed by John Boorman. Kirk Douglas will be honoured with a Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement and there will be a retrospective of the work of director Fritz Lang, whose newly reconstructed classic Metropolis will be premiered.

January 31:

Film critic Jack Mathews of the New York Daily News feels Kate has a good chance for an Oscar nom:

Using the most reliable known indicators, here's how the top six categories are likely to shape up among Academy members:

Supporting Actress - Could be another SAG-Oscar match, with Judi Dench ('Chocolat'), Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand ('Almost Famous'), Julie Walters ('Billy Elliot') and Kate Winslet ('Quills'), though no one would be too surprised if Michelle Yeoh ('Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon') slipped into one of the spots.

Mathews does not see Geoffrey Rush getting one of the five Best Actor Oscar slots.

Thanks to my pal Sylvia of Dougray Scott in Focus for sending me this mention of Enigma in People Magazine:

Spotlight on...Sundance -- For 10 days every January, total strangers will turn to the person next to them on a bus in Park City, Utah, and ask, 'What have you seen that's good?' They're seeking help - anyone's help - in narrowing down some 100 movies unspooling at the Sundance Film Festival. This year, films worth catching included: Enigma, a sleek WWII thriller about British code-crackers (Dougray Scott and Kate Winslet). -- Leah Rozen

BBC News has an item about the Berlin Film Festival:

"Looming Strikes Drain Star Power From Berlin," by Liza Foreman

BERLIN (Variety) - A number of Hollywood stars won't be able to attend next month's Berlin Intl. Film Festival, because they're squeezing in film projects before possible writers' and actors' strike this summer. Outgoing festival director Moritz De Hadeln said Tuesday that he could present his list of stars only with "great caution'' thanks to the stoppages. "We have been experiencing massively contradicting messages about who is coming and who isn't,'' he said at a Berlin press conference. Sure bets include Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anthony Hopkins and Kirk Douglas, the subject of this year's homage. Author John Le Carre is also expected to attend, as are Kate Winslet, Rachel Weisz, Geoffrey Rush, Joaquin Phoenix, Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, Bob Hoskins, Pierce Brosnan, Alfred Molina and Sean Connery… The festival kicks off Feb. 7 with Annaud's "Enemy at the Gates'' and closes Feb. 18 with a re-release of Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey.''

Here is the screening schedule for Quills at the Berlin Film Festival:

Saturday, 10 February 2001 - 16:30 Uhr Cinemaxx 7

Saturday, 10 February 2001 - 22:00 Uhr Belinale-Palast

Sunday, 11 February 2001 - 15:00 Uhr Royal Palast

Sunday, 11 February 2001 - 18:30 Uhr Royal Palast

The BAFTA nominations were announced today, and Kate was passed over again. (She was not nominated for 'Titanic', either.) Quills received these nom's: Geoffrey Rush, Best Actor; Martin Childs, Production Design; Jacqueline West, Costume Design; Make-up/Hair Design. Read the full list of nom's here: BBC News

The Quills site has been altered. From Reuters/Variety:

"Fox Blots Out Vice On 'Quills' Web Site," by Janet Shprintz

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Fans of Fox Searchlight Pictures' Marquis de Sade movie "Quills'' may notice something missing the next time they log onto the film's official Web site. The infamous aristocrat still is shown balancing virtue and vice, but a note indicates the vices portion of the site is "Closed ... for now.''

Actually, it is closed forever. Marking a rare instance in which advertising was recalled after it was approved by the Motion Picture Assn. of America, Fox on Friday pulled the vices portion of the "Quills'' site. It had been up since mid-October. The MPAA had received complaints from parents about the risque nature of the site and alerted Fox. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the heat Hollywood has taken for its advertising practices, Fox removed the offending material. The benign virtues section of the Web site remains available. "Given the fact that you cannot prevent children under 18 from viewing adult materials on the Internet,'' a Fox spokesman said, "we made the decision to take the vices section of the 'Quills' site down.'' The MPAA, which got involved in the matter because it polices advertising as well as film content as part of the voluntary ratings system to which all the studios adhere, declined to comment as a matter of policy.

The R-rated "Quills,'' starring Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet, chronicles the famous libertine's efforts to publish his prose despite censorship and his incarceration in an asylum. The film has garnered generally favorable reviews and several awards.

So what's all the fuss about? The site featured excerpts from some of de Sade's more unpalatable writings, a history of pleasure and de Sade-related links to the XXX-rated Bible site and a site that explains why God wants us to have fantastic sex, among others. "The irony is that the movie is about how the Marquis de Sade was willing to die for his right to speak his mind without censorship,'' said Andrew Chapman, creative director at Arrowire.com, whose company created the "Quills'' site. "But the Web site for the movie was taken down without a fight.'

January 30:

New casting rumors! Sarah (aka 'the abbagirl') forwarded a message to the kwhotline today that mentions a January 27 news item on the German language Yahoo! site. I have read that article - it states that Emma Thompson was passed over in favor of Kate for the part of Clarinda in a film about the love between Agnes McLehose (aka Clarinda) and the Scottish poet Robert Burns. I did some research about this project, and found an official website for the movie - 'Clarinda - A Robert Burns Love Story'. It is under construction and has no info on casting. The owner of a Burns fan site states that Johnny Depp had been cast as Burns and that Kate was being considered for the Clarinda role, along with Thompson, Blanchett, Paltrow, and Zeta-Jones. The Yahoo! article states that the Scottish publication The Daily Record has reported that the film's director, Vadim Jean, felt Emma is too old for the role, and has selected Kate. I haven't found any news that Kate has actually accepted (or confirmation that she has been offered) this role. You can learn more about Clarinda at this site - 'Clarinda' (1759-1841).

The Screen Actors Guild has again honored Kate with a nomination! She has received a Best Supporting Actress nom for her work in Quills. Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand and Julie Walters were also honored in that category. Geoffrey Rush received a Best Actor nomination. From the SAG official press release:

Two randomly selected panels totaling 4200 SAG members from across the United States chose the nominees for the only industry acting honors voted on entirely by actors' peers… Ballots will be mailed on February 13, 2001 to the entire active membership of the Guild. Approximately 98,000 members in 26 branches throughout the country will vote on all acting categories… This year's Actors®, will be presented on Sunday, March 11, 2001 at the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center and televised nationally on TNT (Turner Network Television) at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), 7:00 PM Central, 6:00 PM MT.

What impact will this announcement have on the Academy Award nominations? While the actors' branch of the Academy nominates other actors, not all SAG members are AA members. Also, most AA members return their completed ballots within the first two weeks of receiving them (they're due in this Friday). Still, let's hope that the Academy members see things the same as the SAG - at least in this category!

Several news sites have reported on the nominations and have the list of nominees - Here's one: ''Nominees for the 7th annual Screen Actors Guild awards'' on FoxNews.com.

You can vote (as of today) for the 2001 BLOCKBUSTER Entertainment Awards (www.blockbusterawards.com). Kate is nominated for Favorite Actress in a drama.

You can vote in all of the categories or browse through the ballots, voting just for those you like. When you're finished with a ballot, scroll to the bottom of the page, type in your e-mail address and submit. Only one ballot per e-mail address per day will be counted, but you're welcome to submit more than one ballot. Check in often to look for site updates and award show previews. We promise not to call any races early, so be sure to tune into your local FOX affiliate April 11 to see all the results.

Here's another news item that indicates Kate is expected to attend the Berlin Film Festival:

Thanks to George for sending me these comments from critic David Cesna:

I believe "Quills" will do better than most people think [at the Academy Awards]. More than likely, it will be nominated for director, actor, supp. actress, adapt. screenplay, costume, art direction, and musical score. I seriously doubt "Billy Elliot" will do very well at all, except for perhaps Julie Walters. "Chocolat" is the kind of movie that if it were released six months ago, would not even stand a chance at the oscars. Miramax Films should be proud of themselves for producing a dumb little movie and tactfully releasing it around the Oscar "season." After all, why should intelligent films like "Quills", "Pollock", and "The House Of Mirth" get all the buzz? Oscars aren't about talented filmmakers, they're about campaigning, right?

Right!

January 29:

Barry Koltnow of the Orange County Register mentioned Kate in an amusing article about internet auctions:

The History Channel sold a piece of Hollywood cool on e-Bay last week. It was a pair of Frank Sinatra's cashmere slippers, a gift from Liza Minnelli… As I said, I will not enter a bid on those items, but I have faith in The History Channel. If they dig deep enough, I'm sure those good folks can come up with a few cool items from Hollywood's past that would be of interest to someone like me. Perhaps I could make a few suggestions, just to point The History Channel in the right direction. I would definitely enter a serious bid for: The wet socks worn by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in "Titanic." If they've been cleaned and folded, I'm not interested…

Read his other amusing choices in the article picked up by the Star-Telegram.

The UK Telegraph has a contest to win a signed Quills poster. (Just who signed it isn't mentioned.)

There are only five signed Quills movie posters in the world and the UK has been given one of them. Electronic Telegraph has obtained the UK poster and we are offering our users the chance to win it.

Go to the Promotions-Quills page at the Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) to enter the contest, which runs through February 5.

Thanks to Tamara of Dougray Net for a Jan 27 item from the Daily Telegraph (posted on the 'Enigma-Features' page). Excerpt:

Both Apted and Jagger decided to add one especially pertinent scene to Enigma. "We talk about the British seamen who died retrieving U-boat code books," said Apted. "We wanted to set the record straight." It may be only one scene, but it is a stinging rebuke to last year's Hollywood blockbuster U571, which had American servicemen finding the code book. The Enigma team was determined to be factually accurate wherever possible, and many former Bletchley Park staff were consulted. One appears in a cameo. "Their work remained secret until the late Seventies but they want their story told," said Apted.

Keep up to date with the latest on the film by visiting the 'Enigma-News' page.

A survey of 10,000 movie goers was taken by Orange Film to determine the 'favorite British actors and actresses'. Kate was not among the top ten favorite actresses: Julie Walters, Dame Judi Dench, Catherine Zeta Jones, Elizabeth Hurley, Emma Thompson, Liz Taylor, Barbara Windsor, Helen Mirren, Dame Margaret Rutherford, Dame Maggie Smith.

What do you feel are the reasons for Kate not being one of the 'favorites'? Lack of a 'big' film since 'Titanic', three years ago? Choice of roles?

Thanks to my pal Sylvia of Dougray Scott in Focus for sending me these items early this morning:

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Indie acquisitions executives boarded jets bound for Los Angeles and New York on Sunday roundly disappointed with the Sundance Film Festival's more hyped commercial titles but still cautiously making deals for smaller films that might be tough sells at the boxoffice. The 10-day Sundance fest wrapped in Park City on Sunday with no record-breaking deals in a slow-going festival that buyers said reflected the themes of many of the movies this year -- thoughtful, measured and auteur-driven... Deals for distribution are expected to close shortly on Stacy Peralta's documentary audience award co-winner 'Dogtown and Z-Boys,' Michael Apted's 'Enigma' and Timothy Linh Bui's 'Green Dragon'…

From The Diary With Billy Sloan, Sunday Mail:

Stones superstar Mick Jagger is set to conquer America... as a film producer. He bought the movie rights to the Robert Harris novel Enigma and made it into a film starring Dougray Scott and Kate Winslet. The thriller, about wartime codebreaking heroics, was first shown at a film festival last week. A friend said: 'Critics predict it's going to be a smash hit.'

'Joe Bradley' attended the Sundance Film Festival and reported for Ain't It Cool News that Enigma is on his top ten of Sundance list:

7. ENIGMA - So when did a $20 million internationally produced and financed costume drama become an independent film? Good question - but who cares, it's a good movie. Starring Kate Winslet and Jeremy Northam, the movie centers around British codebreakers during WWII. Impeccably cast and shot (coming from director Michael Apted, that's not a shocker), and lots of fun. The movie was produced by Mick Jagger, who showed up at the screening and generated more rubbernecking than any other celebrity at the festival.

Thanks to George for sending me the news that Quills has received a couple of nominations for the Brazil Movie Awards:

The nominees for the 76th BSB Movie Brazil Awards were announced! The movie award and festival that happens every February in Brazil! Last years some winners were the same of the Oscars.

The nominations for Quills includes: Geoffrey Rush, Best Actor; Doug Wright, Best Adapted Screenplay; Best Make-up; Best Kiss; Jury Grand Prize for the film. Thanks, George!

January 28:

Today's issue of the Salt Lake Tribune has a feature article on Enigma at Sundance and includes info on the effort to bring this project to the big screen. The article is posted on the 'Enigma-Features' page. Excerpt:

There's no question about the movie's quality. "Enigma" is a crackerjack thriller, a tale of the World War II codebreakers in Britain who broke the Nazis' secret-message system and, as a side benefit, developed the first supercomputers... [Director] Apted passed over more marketable stars for Dougray Scott -- but it didn't hurt that, during the production's down time, Scott completed "Mission: Impossible 2" and raised his profile. Snagging Winslet and Northam also upped the ante. But even after seeing the finished film, as of this writing no studio has picked up "Enigma."

The Tribune also has a brief item on the person who worked as the rep for Enigma at Sundance:

Saundra Saperstein, who has spent the last 20 years selling Hollywood on Utah, is retiring as the Utah Film Commission's marketing director. That didn't keep her from being much in evidence during this year's Sundance Film Festival. Saperstein worked as event coordinator and personal representative for the movie "Enigma," a thriller starring Dougray Scott ("Mission: Impossible 2"), Jeremy Northam ("The Net") and Kate Winslet ("Titanic"), which meant she shepherded rock star Mick Jagger and "Saturday Night Live" bigwig Lorne Michaels around, since they produced the film.

Saperstein worked tirelessly for the film commission and the festival, an event she once called "my best marketing tool." Before Sundance's reputation was established, she pestered the movie press to attend, earning the nickname "Miss Annual" from the editors of Variety. She is known for handling stressful situations -- such as the time in 1987 when she had to find slacks at the last second for Candice Bergen, who was attending husband Louis Malle's Sundance premiere of "Au Revoir, Les Enfants" and forgot her carry-on luggage.