A Belgian woman whose tale of survival with a pack of wolves in Nazi-occupied Europe became a hit film has revealed that she invented the story
February 29, 2008
A Belgian woman whose tale of survival with a pack of wolves in Nazi-occupied Europe became a hit film has revealed that she invented the story.
Monique De Wael, who adopted the pseudonym Misha Defonseca, also admitted that she was not Jewish.
Her revelations came in an interview with the Belgian daily Le Soir, which said more than six million people had already seen Surviving With Wolves.
"Its not actual reality, but it was my reality," she told Le Soir.
"It was my way of surviving… I seek forgiveness from those who feel betrayed, but I implore them to put themselves in the position of a little four-year-old girl who has lost everything, who has to survive."
Different life
The story, presented as autobiographical, tells of a little Jewish girl whose parents are arrested and deported by the Nazis in 1941.
She goes in search of them across Belgium, Germany and Poland, with only the wolves for company. The book was first published in 1997.
In reality, De Wael says her non-Jewish parents were in the resistance but were indeed deported by the Nazis.
She says she then stayed with her grandfather and was "treated badly".
"Its true that Ive always felt Jewish… its true that Ive always created a different life for myself, a life that cut me off from my family, a life far from the people I hated," she said.
Her true story came to light after suspicions were voiced in Belgium about her tale, prompting Le Soir to seek clarifications from her.
ritish actress Julie Walters has received her CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace
February 29, 2008
British actress Julie Walters has received her CBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.
The award-winning star, who was made an OBE in 1999, later revealed the prince was a fan of the Harry Potter films, in which she plays Ron Weasleys mother.
"The Prince said he loved the Potters and said what great films they were and what great fun they were," she said.
Walters, who is currently writing her memoirs, said it had been "a very good 10 years" in terms of accolades.
"I got [a Bafta] in 1983 then never got anything," she told reporters. "Then suddenly in the noughties I went and got five."
She discussed her upcoming memoirs with Prince Charles
Walters also earned an Oscar nomination for her role in 1983 film Educating Rita.
Bafta has since recognised her work in the film Billy Elliot and the TV programmes My Beautiful Son, Murder and The Canterbury Tales.
The 58-year-old, who was accompanied by husband Grant Roffey, also received an honorary Bafta in 2003.
She will soon be seen playing Mary Whitehouse in a BBC TV drama and in the film version of hit musical Mamma Mia.
Walters, who was awarded a CBE for services to drama, said she discussed her memoirs with the Prince.
"He said: Oh, you must have the editors constantly on. I said: Yes I know, constantly saying have you got it done, how much more have you written."
Vincent van Gogh work, painted weeks before he killed himself, is going on the market for the first time in more than 90 years, valued at $30m (£15m)
February 29, 2008
A Vincent van Gogh work, painted weeks before he killed himself, is going on the market for the first time in more than 90 years, valued at $30m (£15m).
LEnfant a lOrange - or The Child With An Orange - will go on sale next month at the European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
The painting was created in 1890, a month before Van Gogh shot himself at the age of 37.
The joyful portrait contrasts with his other angst-ridden paintings.
The Child With An Orange was one of several works Van Gogh painted after spending time with his baby nephew and godson, named Vincent after the artist.
Van Goghs happiness at seeing his young nephew sparked an explosion of artistic energy in the last few weeks of his life.
The subject of the portrait is of two-year-old Raoul Levert, the son of a carpenter in the French village of Auvers, 25 miles north of Paris, where the artist spent some time before he died.
New York and London-based dealers Dickinson are organising next months sale.
In November, Van Goghs last ever work failed to sell at a New York auction.
The Wheat Fields did not reach its undisclosed reserve or attract a bid over $25m (£11.9m) at the time of sale.
V network CBS has announced plans to broadcast cage fighting on a Saturday night in the US
February 29, 2008
TV network CBS has announced plans to broadcast cage fighting on a Saturday night in the US.
Cage fighting, or mixed martial arts (MMA), has been branded barbaric by some critics because it allows fighting without protective gear.
CBS told Reuters that the sport has violent elements but that "so does football, so does hockey".
CBS aims to show four two-hour live cage fighting events each year, starting in April or May.
A wide variety of fighting techniques are used in cage fighting, including striking and grappling.
Highly trained
"It is a sport that has a very strong fan base and attracts a terrific audience," CBS executive producer Kelly Kahl said.
"We
e putting it on Saturday nights, a night that has been underserved by all the networks for quite some time."
CBS says the level of violence in cage fighting will not be toned down for a television audience.
The refereed matches are conducted on circular mats enclosed in a mesh cage in a series of five-minute rounds.
Cage fighting promoter Douglas DeLuca said most critics had "never watched the sport and certainly don understand it".
He said some CBS fights would feature female as well as male fighters.
"This is a sport of highly trained, highly talented, world-class athletes," he added.
he TV debut of a drama that made its name on MySpace has failed to win over viewers in the US
February 29, 2008
The TV debut of a drama that made its name on MySpace has failed to win over viewers in the US.
The first episode of Quarterlife, created by the team behind 1990s hits Thirtysomething and My So-Called Life, attracted 3.1 million viewers.
That was NBCs lowest ratings in its Tuesday night slot for 17 years.
There are now reports that the show, which had a prime-time spot, will be shifted from NBC to its sister cable channel Bravo for the rest of its run.
Set in Chicago, it follows a group of recent graduates as they grapple with career and romantic worries.
Concerns
The show started life as a pilot for ABC in 2005, but the network decided not to turn into a full series.
It then moved to MySpace last November, and appeared in eight-minute "webisodes" that were combined to make an hour-long show.
It was created by Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick. Herskovitz thanked NBC for trying to make Quarterlife "a success on network television".
"However, Ive always had concerns about whether it was the kind of show that could pull in the big numbers necessary to succeed on a major broadcast network," he said.
upermans cape, Indiana Jones whip, John Lennons jacket and Elizabeth Taylors wig are among 850 "pop culture" items to be sold next month
February 29, 2008
Supermans cape, Indiana Jones whip, John Lennons jacket and Elizabeth Taylors wig are among 850 "pop culture" items to be sold next month.
The collection, owned by US property developer Anthony Pugliese, has been valued at more than $5m (£2.5m).
Other lots in the Las Vegas auction will include a wedding dress worn by Madonna in her Like a Virgin video.
The pointed hat worn by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz will also be sold.
"This collection is as good as it gets," said Arlan Ettinger, president of the Guernseys auction house.
Christopher Reeves costume from the first two Superman films has an estimated price tag of $60,000-$90,000 (£30,200-£45,300).
Harrison Fords bullwhip from the first three Indiana Jones films is expected to fetch $50,000-$75,000 (£25,200-£37,700).
Star attractions
The brown velvet jacket worn by John Lennon in the Imagine video has an estimated value of $50,000-$60,000.
The Egyptian wig worn by Elizabeth Taylor in her 1963 film Cleopatra, a resin statuette from The Maltese Falcon and a sword used in Braveheart are among the movie props in the collection.
Non-film related items include the gun Jack Ruby used to shoot President Kennedys assassin Lee Harvey Oswald and the toe tag used to identify his corpse.
"Most collections have one or two great things and then things trail off from there," Mr Ettinger said.
"This collection, there would have to be 100 items here, any one of which would be a star attraction anywhere else."
The items will go under the hammer at the Palms Resort and Casino on 15 and 16 March.
inger Michael Jackson has repeatedly failed to pay the mortgage of a Los Angeles house used by his family, public documents show
February 29, 2008
Singer Michael Jackson has repeatedly failed to pay the mortgage of a Los Angeles house used by his family, public documents show.
The news comes after it was revealed that he could lose his Neverland ranch because of arrears of $25m (£12.5m).
Documents filed with the Los Angeles country recorder relate to a property in Encino, California, that has been used by the singers family for years.
They show the singer has missed payments of $153,910 (£77,589).
The missed payments relate to a $4m (£2m) loan from mortgage lender Indymac Bancorp, based in Pasadena, California.
Documents show Jackson previously faced possible default over missed payments on the property due in April and August of last year.
According to reports, the 49-year-old is seeking a new loan that would save Neverland from being sold at auction next month.
If he does not pay the $25m arrears that he owes on the sprawling California property, it will go to auction on 19 March.
arry Potter author JK Rowling said she would feel "exploited" if an unofficial reference book about the boy wizard was published, according to court papers
February 29, 2008
Harry Potter author JK Rowling said she would feel "exploited" if an unofficial reference book about the boy wizard was published, according to court papers.
The writer is taking legal action in New York against Steve Vander Ark and publisher RDR Books over their plans to release a Harry Potter encyclopaedia.
"I am very frustrated that a former fan has tried to co-opt my work for financial gain," Ms Rowling said.
Lawyers for RDR Books said it was a "legitimate literary activity".
Rip-off
They added: "Like a reference book or a guide to literature, its a long-recognised genre.
"We are not replacing the novel or taking away the market."
Ms Rowling has said she will write her own definitive Harry Potter encyclopaedia, including material that did not make it into the novels.
I feel intensely protective, firstly of the literary world I spent so long creating, and secondly, of the fans who bought my books in such large numbers
JK Rowling
"I believe that RDRs book constitutes a Harry Potter rip-off of the type I have spent years trying to prevent," Ms Rowling said in a written declaration to the court.
"Both I, as the creator of this world, and fans of Harry Potter would be exploited by its publication.
"I feel intensely protective, firstly of the literary world I spent so long creating, and secondly, of the fans who bought my books in such large numbers."
The contested book, Harry Potter Lexicon, is based on material from an internet fan site of the same name.
On its website, RDR Books said it was "determined to publish this book for the benefit of Harry Potter fans everywhere" .
The publisher agreed to delay the release of the book after Ms Rowling sought an injunction against its release in October.
It had been scheduled for publication on 28 November 2007.
The case against the publisher and the writer is being brought by Ms Rowling and Harry Potter copyright-holders Warner Bros.
Ms Rowlings Harry Potter novels have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide.
Amy Winehouse faces no further action in connection with her husbands alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice, police have said
February 29, 2008
Amy Winehouse faces no further action in connection with her husbands alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice, police have said.
Blake Fielder-Civil, 25, from Camden, north London, is charged with trying to pervert the course of justice and inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The singer was interviewed by police in December but is no longer required.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday. He was remanded in custody until April.
The singer was questioned by police in December before being released on police bail to return for further questioning at a later date.
But on Friday Scotland Yard confirmed that she was no longer required to do so.
A spokesman for the singer said: "Amy is pleased to be discounted from the investigation and thanks the police for their professionalism in their dealings with her."
Singer absent
Mr Fielder-Civil is accused of attacking pub landlord James King at the Macbeth public house in Hoxton, east London, in June 2006.
He is also accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by offering Mr King money to withdraw his allegation and leave the country.
Mr King, 36, from Risley, Derbyshire, Anthony Kelly, 25, from Chalk Farm, north-west London and Michael Brown, 25, from Holloway, north London, also denied the conspiracy charge at an earlier hearing.
Grammy Award winner Winehouse, 24, did not attend the court hearing on Friday.
Her spokesman said the singer was absent because she was travelling to Paris to perform at a party for fashion designer Louis Vuitton.
Arctic Monkeys have won three prizes, including best British band at this years NME Awards in London
February 29, 2008
Arctic Monkeys have won three prizes, including best British band at this years NME Awards in London.
The bands single Fluorescent Adolescent won them best track and they scooped best video for Teddy Picker.
Best album went to Klaxons for Myths of the Near Future while Kate Nash beat Amy Winehouse to the music weeklys best solo artist title.
Muse were presented with the best live band award and US group The Killers took best international act.
The Enemy beat the Pigeon Detectives and The Wombats in the best band category at the awards, which took place at the O2 in Greenwich, south-east London.
Singer Kate Nash won solo artist of the year
Kate Nash at NME
The Manic Street Preachers, who performed at the ceremony, were awarded the NMEs Godlike Genius honour.
For the second year running the Reading and Leeds festivals won best live event and cult BBC Three comedy The Mighty Boosh took best TV show.
Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty was voted hero of the year by the magazines readers, while US President George W Bush was named villain of the year.
Britney Spearss Blackout got the thumbs down and was voted worst album and The Hoosiers were named worst band.
BBC Radio 1s Zane Lowe was honoured with best radio show.
Arctic Monkeys have notched up 15 NME award nominations since they burst onto the music scene in 2005, and have since walked away with eight of the awards.
This year they were nominated for a record seven prizes.
Kate Nash, The Cribs, ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Gallows, Lethal Bizzle and Klaxons all performed at the event.
Music Festivals
Latest Headlines
- Model Katie Price has given a dressage demonstration at the Horse of the Year Show, proving so popular that she has been drafted into Sundays finale
- A woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack has accepted a plea bargain that will allow her to avoid US state prison
- scar-winning actor Tim Robbins has been awarded with a star on Hollywoods Walk of Fame
- riters, critics, historians and actors are descending on the Cheltenham Literature Festival, which has been opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown
- inger Janet Jackson is to resume her North American tour after postponing a string of shows because of illness, according to reports in the US
- woman accused of stalking Hollywood actor John Cusack is to face trial after a last-minute plea bargain was rejected at the court in Los Angeles
- Factor winner Leona Lewis pulled out of opening the Harrods winter sale last year because of her vegetarian beliefs, it has emerged
- orest Whitaker is to star in, and direct, Louis Armstrong biopic What a Wonderful World, according to reports
- ilm and TV actor Simon Pegg has signed a publishing deal worth seven figures to write three non-fiction books
- uthor Sir Salman Rushdie has been honoured by an Irish university with an award in memory of his greatest inspiration - writer James Joyce