Though Bride of the Wind was released in 2001 in the USA, it didn't reach French theatres until today. Renamed Alma, la fiancee du vent, it doesn't appear to be doing any better at the box office than it did three years ago. However, Vincent's performance has been consistently praised while the script remains flawed. Film critic Brigitte Baudin of Figaracope gave it 3 stars and commented on the excellent casting. Back in the US, the LA Daily News had this to say - "Played by the striking French actor Vincent Perez, Kokoschka is far and away the film's liveliest, wittiest presence, especially when he takes to escorting a life-size Alma doll around town after the flesh-and-blood version has rejected him." For more reviews, info and photos, visit the Bride of the Wind film page. If you want to view the French trailer, click here. Apparently, the film was dubbed in French, but from the few lines from Vincent, I gather that's not his voice. Here are three brand new pics I just added:

Vincent and director Gerard Krawczyk journeyed to China to promote Fanfan la Tulipe's opening on February 28. For this occasion, a reception was held in Beijing with people representing the National Administration of Broadcasting, Television and Cinema, the film distributing firm, Huaxia, the Tang Media Group and many representing the Chinese cinematographic medium. Vincent was quoted as saying, "It is my dream to be able to come and work here. This is a country where there are many stories to tell that come from the people. There is a true need for telling stories. That is why I want to return here."

I came across this interesting Unifrance news item dated 3/25/04:

Here are some excerpts from the Shanghai Daily News:

Je Reste! was also screened earlier this month in Beijing. The film was one of the ten films shown at the "Panorama of French Films" festival. This was the first-ever French film festival in China, organized by the French Embassy and Unifrance. Though Sophie Marceau was invited but had to decline due to film commitments, Vincent and co-star Charles Berling were scheduled to appear at the April 8th opening ceremony.

Vincent to attend Cannes Film Festival next month!

According to the Cannes press conference held yesterday, Vincent will be attending the film festival, which will run from May 12-23. Announcement was made of all the films to be presented in the three categories - Competition, Out of Competition and Un Certain Regard. The film, Le Voyage en suisse, directed by Lea Fazer, and now renamed Bienvenue en suisse, has been selected for "Un Certain Regard", described as films that present a particular perspective, whether the work of a young filmmaker or a confirmed auteur. It will be the opening film in that category. Filmed last summer in Switzerland, Bienvenue en Suisse is a comedy starring Denis Podalydes, Emmanuelle Devos and Vincent. It continues to show an opening date of June 30.

Vincent recently volunteered his help at the First Festival of Magic Arts in Marrakech, which was held March 18-21. Last year a magic show was put on by eight performers to benefit a local orphanage. Since it was such a success, magician Baby Dahan came up with the idea to sponsor an annual festival. This year there were 40 professional artists including Vincent, French singers Renaud and David Halliday, and comic Frank Dubosc. Proceeds went to both the orphanage and the victims of February's earthquake in northern Morocco. Does anyone remember that scene in Shot Through the Heart when he does his magic tricks with the children?

Lions Gate will be taking promo reels of Nouvelle France to Cannes to begin worldwide sales of this recently completed $35 million feature. Gerard Depardieu heads the cast with Vincent in the role of  Intendant Francois Bigot. The film is a co-production between Quebec's Melenny Productions, Davis Films (France) and UKFS (UK). Amazingly, they filmed simultaneously in both English and French. Principal photography took place in the fall of 2003 in Quebec, two castles in France, and various locations around Greenwich, England. Described as a love story with an epic historical backdrop, Nouvelle France is a drama about the fall of Canada's New France, covering a period between 1758 to 1761. The idea is very loosely inspired by the true story of a woman who was hung for killing her husband.

Favorite pics - Vincent and Karine at the Montreal Film Festival in August 2002

Vincent will play a cop in his next role! He'll star in a film adaptation of the French TV police series called Les Brigades du tigre.  This famous series, which ran from 1974 to 1983, featured three police officers, who will be played on the big screen by Lorant Deutsch, Jacques Gamblin and Vincent. The setting is the beginning of the 20th century when brigades were created to fight against crime. These brigades were the first to be equipped with telegraph capabilities and automobiles. The action occurs during the period just before and after World War I. Production dates have not been given yet due to scheduling problems. This is the first bit of news I have been able to dig up in over a month!