Riri Riza plans to return film award
JAKARTA: In response to blasphemy allegations made by the World Hindu Youth Organization (WHYO) to Garin Nugroho's movie Opera Jawa (Requiem from Java), young film director Riri Riza said he wanted to return the award he received from Bali International Film Festival, organized by WYHO.
Garin's movie is an interpretation of the Ramayana epic.
"I'll make an official statement to the press as soon as possible," Riri said on the sidelines of the opening of Jakarta International Film Festival (Jiffest) on Dec. 9.
He said that his gesture aimed to discourage moves that stifled the freedom of expression.
Riri added that several filmmakers received an award from the festival. He was considering contacting filmmakers to discuss the possibility of their acting in unison.
Recently, a number of artists have indicated growing concern about fundamentalist actions that suppress cultural expression, like the recent demand from the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) that CP Biennale Arts Festival dismantle Agus Suwage's work, which displayed nude photographs taken by Davy Linggar.
Previously, WYHO protested Iwan Fals, accusing the singer of committing blasphemy against the Hindu religion due, it said, to Iwan's depiction of God on the sleeve of his record. --JP
;AP; ANPA ..r.. US-People-Baldwin-Basinger Alec Baldwin-Kim Basinger custody battle quiets down JP/20/GUESS
Alec Baldwin-Kim Basinger custody battle quiets down By SANDY COHEN= AP Entertainment Writer=
Baldwin-Basinger custody battle quietens
LOS ANGELES: Actress Kim Basinger was back in court on Tuesday, quibbling over custody matters in her ongoing battle with ex- husband Alec Baldwin.
The couple share joint custody of their 10-year-old daughter, Ireland.
Moments after Basinger entered the courtroom, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Maren Nelson barred the press and public. Baldwin, who lives in New York, did not attend the hearing.
Basinger emerged nearly two hours later, wearing the same dark glasses and emotionless expression she had on the way in. Her attorney, Neal Hersh, declined to discuss the case's particulars.
Nelson's decision and related case documents were sealed, attorneys said.
"Kim is respectful of what the judge did and she's pleased with today," Hersh said. "We're hopeful this will be the end of it."
Baldwin's attorney, Vicki Greene, said she was "very pleased with the judge's thoroughness."
No future hearings have been scheduled, she said.
Basinger and Baldwin have been fighting over custody issues since January 2004. On Nov. 1, they traded barbs through their lawyers, flinging accusations of emotional instability as they argued over their rights to telephone and e-mail time with their daughter.
Greene refused to characterize the couple's relationship as acrimonious, however, and Hersh said that Basinger's dealings with Baldwin have improved.
"(Baldwin) has a right to parent his daughter," Greene said, noting custody arrangements can be modified until a child becomes an adult.
"When he comes to court, it's because he feels it's an important issue that needs attention."
The couple married on Aug. 19, 1993. They separated in 2000 and divorced in 2002. -- AP
GetAP 1.00 -- DEC 14, 2005 06:21:23
;AP; ANPA ..r.. US-People-STING Sting to headline Tiger Woods benefit concert JP/20/GUESS
Sting to headline Tiger Woods benefit concert Eds: Retransmitting to ADD photo[ AP Photo NY018[
Sting to star in Woods benefit concert
LAS VEGAS: Sting will headline next year's Tiger Woods benefit concert.
The Grammy-winning singer will perform at Tiger Jam IX at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino April 29 in Las Vegas. Proceeds will go to local charities and the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a youth- education facility in Anaheim, California.
Tiger Jam, created in 1998 by the Tiger Woods Foundation, has raised more than US$8 million.
"Sting is a music icon," the 29-year-old pro golfer said in a recent statement. "I know his personal dedication to philanthropy combined with an amazing show will help us raise awareness and support for the students who attend the Tiger Woods Learning Center."
The center is scheduled to open in early 2006. On the Net: http://www.tigerjam.com/
GetAP 1.00 -- DEC 14, 2005 03:52:01