Riri Riza plans to return film award

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

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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

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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