Rapunzel's Tower Is Under Construction

Set of the film, Into the Woods (2014) under construction at Waverley Abbey, Farnham, Surrey. The artificial tower between the abbey's dorter on the left and the refectory on the right is Rapunzel's Tower. (September 18, 2013)

So if this is what the construction of such a structure looks like in 2013, what would it have looked like in the 1600's? (ie. when Giambattista Basile was writing his version, which is the earliest version of this tale found to date?) What materials would they have used? How many people would it have taken to build? How long would it have taken to construct - had to be less than 12-16 years, right?

Oh wait. Mother Gothel was a witch so she probably magicked it into being...

"The way is clear, the light is good...." #IntoTheWoods
~ Anna Kendrick on Twitter
Image from Into the Woods filming location

But if she could do that, between that and her luscious garden, what kind of witch was she?

And no matter whether the tower sprang up overnight or over twelve years, what would the townspeople's reaction have been if they'd seen it in the wood?

(In the Basile version, Rapunzel/Petrosinella is much older when her mother hands her over to the sorceress/ogress and has already been to school [and it's in an even more heartless manner that the exchange happens, in my opinion] and at least one member of the town community interacts/gossips with the ogress, so someone else - other than Petrosinella's birth family - was very aware of her living situation.)

I love the questions that spring to mind when the practical matters of a fairy tale have to be managed in real life, such as how to construct an actual tower for set use in a film. In this case, the construction is for the current film-in-production Into the Woods, for which principle photography started this last week (the building will be half-historical and half new).

Check the interior stairs - would the original tower have had stairs inside with no door or window to make use of the space, do you think? And with woods like those shown above, don't you think the tower would have been more than a little visible to the surrounding towns? Or was it also camouflaged with vines and greenery? So many questions...

Lily Cole Dances The Red Shoes at 2013 London Fashion Week

"She danced, and she was forced to dance through the gloomy night. The shoes the the carried her over stack and stone; she was torn till she bled; she danced over the heath till she came to a little house. Here, she knew, dwelt the executioner, and she tapped with her fingers at the window, and said "Come out! Come out! I can not come in, for I am forced to dance! "

I know!

How unexpected but oh-so-appropriate too.

From London Fashion Week via XPOSEentertainment:

(Super model) Lily Cole opened Vivienne Westwood's latest show with an interpretive dance yesterday.
The fashion designer showed off her Spring/Summer 14 Red Label line at London Fashion Week and as has become the norm for her, it had a strong environmental message.
Lily's movements were inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Red Shoes and she wore a dramatic Grecian gown as she moved her body in a pool of red light.

From the Daily Mail:

Dame Westwood has always used her runway to promote her social and political ideals, and having worked with the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Sunday was another opportunity to provoke change through fashion.And with Lily Cole, the designer has a good ally, who this year directed her first short film with Sky Rainforest rescue to inspire people to protect the environment and tackle climate change.Together at London Fashion Week, the two brought their message to light, with Lily proving again that she is more than just a model.

Although the connection of supporting "climate refugees" and the message of stopping the amount of waste of resources might be a little difficult for some people to see, there's no doubt it got people thinking.

Lily Cole was a natural ally for Ms. Westwood's "Climate Change" agenda, having been outspokenly eco-conscious for some time.

From Ecouterre back in 2011:

British model-actress Lily Cole thinks that the term “sustainable fashion” is oxymoronic, but only in the sense of “fashion” meaning trends. And it’s not a problem that’s unique to the clothing industry, either, she explains to The Guardian on Monday. “I mean, the fact that there’s already a second iPad out now is ‘fashion’, in a similar way,” she says. “I don’t think this is fashion’s fault. It’s a broader issue to do with the capitalism, and an economy which needs us to keep buying, and creating this superfluous kind of waste.”

I would have to say I had never connected Andersen's Red shoes directly with wasting eco-resources but it makes sense. Having had this brought to my attention, I now feel as if my brain was missing the obvious "next step" of HCA's warnings against materialism. The greed - and consequences - of wanting a thing at the cost of everything (and everyone) else, is pretty clear in his story. Your actions, while immediately hurting some and eventually hurting others, do, ultimately come back to you as well. The proverb, "you reap what you sow" (a concept Andersen would have known well, being Christian-minded) holds true.

Lily takes a bow in red shoes

It's interesting to see one of the world's leading designers have such "eco-consciousness". Fashion is said to be frivolous but really clothing (and how we choose to wear what we do) is much more than that. It's image, armor and expression and, being aware of what we consume (which applies directly to clothes and fashion) says a lot about how we consider our place in the world.

Nicely done Ms. Westwood and Ms. Cole. I have a feeling that although Andersen would have been surprised at the interpretation/use of his story, he would have been humbled as well - and possibly have applauded quite loudly too. :)

Note: I have seen small excerpts of Ms. Cole's interpretive dance on YouTube but nothing very substantial. There are video links (supposedly) embedded in the Daily Mail article (excerpt above) but I couldn't get them to play.

On a related note (with regard to working against the destructive tendencies of materialism, as illustrated in HCA's Red Shoes and helping each other be better) Lily Cole is one of those unique celebrities who's very interested and active in promoting the best of the world and of humanity, both in looking after the planet and in looking after each other. Her new altruistic social network IMPOSSIBLE (a play on I'm Possible) is an intriguing new program and attempt at encouraging a "gift culture", leaving money out of it altogether (even her developers and company people are working on this as their "gift" to the world, without monetary compensation). If you're interested in finding out more about her initiative you can see a video explaining it HERE (it's long but very interesting) and the newly launched app is HERE.

"If the Slipper Fits" (aka Occupy the Palace) At Philly Fringe Fest

While this new, and relatively small, production of Cinderella is only running for one more night (tonight, September 21st) as part of Philadelphia Fringe Festival, I feel it's noteworthy for the interpretation and modern parallel it makes with the very current issues of today.

Whoever would have thought the Occupy Wall Street issue was playing out a version of a fairy tale? (Note: By fairy tale I mean variation of the old tale, not "fairytale" aka happily-ever-after definition that the media and general public tend to use.)

Here's an excerpt from an article in Newsworks, explaining a little of the production and how the characters are represented:

"The class thing is in the original story," he said, explaining that his inspiration to revamp the story in favor of the "99 percent" was due in part to his own daughter's involvement with the original Occupy movement in New York City, adding that she was in Zucotti Park the first night of the movement.  

"If the Slipper Fits," performed in the church hall, opens in a rather timeless setting: The kingdom is getting ready for its Jubilee, a three-day celebration that happens once every 40 years. Once upon a time, the Jubilee was a time for the crown to release prisoners, forgive debts and party with the villagers. But now it's a ritzy gala exclusively for the very rich, who have been raising taxes on the uninvited commoners so the palace can afford the festivities. 

"This system is really starting to stink," the Occupy chorus sings. "We gotta do...something." 

A local singer named Lisa DeChristofaro lends a beautiful voice to the principal maiden, known to her friends as Cindy. The home she shares with her stepmother and stepsisters (Susan Blair, Adrianna Marino and Kiera Mersky) isn't an acrimonious one. The stepsisters are just a little distracted by their tap-dancing career. 

When they leave Cindy to wash the windows during the Jubilee Ball, an impatient yet theatrical Fairy Godmother (Trudy Graboyes) pays a visit. "You've gotta understand, I've got other clients," she sings. But the plot really thickens when a Fairy Godfather and his lackey, Rob, show up in dark suits and posh vests with a little proposition for Cinderella. They have their own reasons for crashing the ball. 

Posing as the Countess Von Wiggandbottom, Cinderella charms her way through the palace, but instead of losing her shoe, she hurls it at Rob's angry pursuers (good thing it's not actually made of glass). When it's time for the besotted Prince Charles (Nick Picknally) to put her shoe back on, it's more of a fairy-tale fingerprinting than a moment of true love.Cindy finds herself in an unfortunate love triangle that never made the original story, caught between an amorous prince and a would-be gangster with a Robin Hood complex. The musical (almost) ends in a marriage proposal. 

"Share the riches equally...Heal the kingdom for you and me," the Prince sings, once Cindy and her Occupier pals help him see the light.

There's more about the show HERE, along with links to where it's playing and how to get tickets. The official website is HERE (and follow the links for more).

A "Little Snow White" Wins At Copenhagen Filmfest

"Once upon a time," opens the film's trailer, "there was a girl in the Philippines named Snow White. But one day, her mother and stepfather made her eat a poisoned apple." 

"Lilet Never Happened," a riveting narrative on the Philippines' underground sex trade, won Best Youth Film at the 2013 Copenhagen International Film Festival held September 5 to 15.

Although not quite the place you'd expect to see Little Snow White, this Dutch-Filipino film, aimed at raising awareness of child prostitution both in the Philippines and elsewhere around the world, really hits the mark in paralleling the true-to-life inspiration with the fairy tale.

The child, Lilet, is introduced to potential "clients" as Snow White, and this is how she becomes known everywhere,  eventually becoming Manila's most famous child prostitute (! OMG - just awful). Although offered help multiple times by a Dutch social worker, Lilet chooses the hard road (and the apple) again and again...

The film was made with a younger (teen) audience in mind - offering both awareness and a hand of hope to the all-too-many under aged girls and boys being exploited and abused these days. It's supported by the Dutch organization Terre de Hommes and their International Campaign Against Child Prostitution.

Despite the film's earnest and complex themes, (the film's director) Groen said the movie is not meant to be depressing. 

"This story (Edit FTNH: from interviews conducted in a hospital with a child prostitute) never left my mind," he said. "It's not a depressing type of film because the girl I met is a tough kind of girl." 

Groen said a psychologist was on the set for consultation. 

(He also) said the film is meant to reach out to the youth (Edit FTNH: The film is rated MA 15+)

“'Lilet Never Happened' is made for the younger audience, you need to reach the new generation who will say enough is enough, we cannot accept this anymore in a society that we call civilized.” 

“With this movie, we really hope to raise awareness about the sad reality of child prostitutes not only in the Philippines, but all over the world." (Source)

The trailer is compelling and the fairy tale theme throughout remains clear. It's not a Snow White we want to see in real life (although she is, sadly, far too real), but hopefully telling the tale this way will help prevent this story from being repeated with such frequency on streets around the world.

If you are interested in joining the fight to end child trafficking, prostitution and pornography everywhere, you can get more information through EPCAT HERE or support those involved with the film who continue to fight child prostitution, Terre des Hommes (under the donate tab).

"The Selfish Giant" - A Wonderfully Wilde Film to Watch For

An different and modern retelling of Oscar Wilde's fairy tale The Selfish Giant (which you can read HERE) has been turning heads and catching British film critics acclaim at BAFTA and Cannes. Since then, it's also starting to make waves across the water (so to speak).

From The List:Based on a tale by Oscar Wilde, Barnard has described it as ‘a story about the dangers of excluding children‘. It’s set on an estate in the North of England and follows two marginalised teenage boys. That might sound an awful lot like numerous other gritty, British films but Barnard’s bold vision and sensitivity to her subject matter make this a far more intriguing prospect. For those who like their films to leave a mark, The Selfish Giant is undeniably one of this autumn's most exciting releases.’

From London Evening Standard: 

...The Selfish Giant is Barnard’s first feature film. It takes its title and inspiration from the fairytale of the same name by Oscar Wilde, and is definitely not happily-ever-after territory. 

Arbor is a 13-year-old boy who hangs out with his friend Swifty (played by talented newcomers Conner Chapman and Shaun Thomas). Arbor is repeatedly excluded from school and finds consolation among the horses kept in the fields behind their housing estate. The two earn money by selling scrap to an unprincipled dealer called Kitten (the Giant in this version of the story).
Arbor is a natural entrepreneur; Swifty a natural with horses. They make the perfect team — for a while. 

In keeping with the fairytale tone of the story, Barnard and her cinematographer, Mike Eley, find a haunting beauty in the post-industrial landscape of Yorkshire, where the ghosts of departed industries lurk.

While the film doesn't have a "fairy tale feel" necessarily, it is reported to have something magical about it, despite the lack of a clear happily-ever-after.

Director, Clio Barnard, said of the film: 

“I think I’m a bit suspicious of naturalism and realism,” she says. “Life is complicated and doesn’t really have neat storylines. There are always several different versions of a story you could tell at any one time, so it’s more fractured and complicated than that. I think that’s why I want to put the two together somehow: the artifice and the real.”

I'm not sure when we'll get to see this (it's to be released in the UK during October this year) but it looks like it might be worth keeping an eye out for, especially if you like oscar Wilde's fairy tale themes.

Additional sources: HERE & HERE

"Maleficent" Release Date Moved Up

Angelina Jolie filming Maleficent

From Deadline today:

Maleficent will now be out on May 30, 2014 as opposed to July 2.

No word on the reasoning behind this but apparently Disney have other plans for their Summer blockbuster for 2014. All reports remain super positive on how this film is coming together though. Everyone given a sneak peek to date appears suitably impressed. (Yay.)

Ask Baba Yaga: Sometimes I Think I'm No Good At All

Hunchback Fairy by Endling

Ah yes - this one is for every other writer out there...

This week's question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

So many relating writers on this one but I'll just highlight a couple...

• fear is a pushcart and i'm gonna ride it all night long Thank you for this. Seriously, I adore that song wholeheartedly and unironically. (stonefruit)
• So, I know we're traditionally supposed to have a vague fear of Baba Yaga and her chicken-legged hut, but I would like to drink cocktails with her. (I'm Right On Top Of That, Rose)

"Chewing words until the flavor is gone." Yes. I really like the wasp analogy, being that they make paper nests and all... I must remind myself to jolly-roll down the hill so the wounds in my in heart flush with blood-fueling wind... and to live in deathly glory! O.o

PS to "I'm Right on Top Of That, Rose": Agreed!

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

A New Surrealist Cinderella by Ratmansky

The Australian Ballet Company has staged a new production of Cinderella that though described as "surrealist" is still very recognizably the Cinderella many know and love.

It's still, primarily, a fantasy and love story and they're still using the Prokofiev score (which I adore). This retelling, however, is set in an abandoned theater in 1940's post-war Russia. Prokofiev's dark tones match the setting premise well, making it all the more magical when multiple theatrical devices are used to transform Cinderella and the surroundings for the lavish surreal-meets-art-deco-decadent ball. The costumes and sets were created by well known Parisian designer Jerome Kaplan.

Rather than become weighty within the setting, the ballet remains surprisingly whimsical and magical.

From the Sydney Opera House press release:

Cinders is getting a brand-new dress! Alexei Ratmansky, formerly artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet and now resident choreographer of American Ballet Theatre, is creating a new version of Cinderella on The Australian Ballet. Set to Prokofiev’s beguiling score and featuring Surrealism-inspired sets and costumes, this new Cinderella will be eagerly awaited both here and abroad. Ratmansky has been hailed as the saviour of traditional ballet, injecting fresh life into classical technique. His take on the original girl-made-good story promises true enchantment.

 

Here's a preview, including some behind the scenes:

And here's the trailer for the currently running, Melbourne season:

The Australian Ballet will be running their new Cinderella in Melbourne (VIC) until the end of September, after which they will take it to the Sydney Opera House in NSW.

Sources: HERE, HERE, HERE

"Into the Woods" Movie: Disney's Official Character/Cast List & Descriptions (Released today)

Into The Woods by PhLightAttendant

Thought you might like to read the official list, also released today, along with the descriptions. If you're familiar with the musical you'll spot some "official differences" right away.

PS You'll note in the "additional cast" summary, that Cinderella's stepsisters have their names finalized  (finally!) and that "Drusilla" still isn't one of them (thank goodness).

PPS And Granny is being played by one of our favorite fairy godmothers! Nice to see her back in a fairy tale. (Annette Crosbie - The Slipper and the Rose)

The all-star ensemble cast includes: 

· Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “August: Osage County”) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored. 

· Emily Blunt (“Looper,” “The Young Victoria,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother. 

· James Corden (Broadway’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Gavin & Stacey”) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family. 

· Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Up in the Air”) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery. 

· Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Jack Ryan”) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride. 

· Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “The Lone Ranger,” “Sweeney Todd”) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood. 

· Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way. 

· Daniel Huttlestone (“Les Misérables”) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans. 

· Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son. 

· Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago” “The Good Wife”) takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she’ll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince.· MacKenzie Mauzy (“Brother’s Keeper,” Broadway’s “Next to Normal”) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time. 

· Billy Magnussen (Broadway’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The East”) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel. 

Celebrated actors from the stage and screen fill the supporting roles, including Tammy Blanchard (“Blue Jasmine,” “The Good Shepherd”) and Lucy Punch (“Bad Teacher,” “Dinner for Schmucks”) as Cinderella’s spoiled stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda. Richard Glover (“Sightseers,” “St. Trinian’s”) is the Princes’ royal steward, Frances de la Tour (“Hugo,” “Alice In Wonderland”) portrays the giant, and Simon Russell Beale (“The Deep Blue Sea”) is the Baker’s father. Actress Joanna Riding (“My Fair Lady,” “Carousel”) portrays Cinderella’s late mother, and Little Red Riding Hood’s beloved granny is played by Annette Crosbie (“Calendar Girls,” “The Slipper and the Rose”).

Into The Woods is set to open in theaters December 25, 2014.

The statement also officially summarized the Disney version of the story:

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them. 

You can read the full press release HERE.

Note: In addition to the fun illustration at the head, you can see PhLightAttendant's lovely character sketches for Into the Woods in his deviantArt gallery HERE as well (under Fan Art) or you can see them laid out in the "almost final" cast graphic I made a while back HERE.

Sources: HERE & HERE

Breaking Casting News: "Into the Woods" Swaps Reds

Little Red Riding Hood by George Sheridan Knowles (1863 – 1931, English)

So... although it had been confirmed by her agent that "YouTube sensation", and Ellen-darling Sophia Grace Brownlee would be starring in her first feature film role as Little Red Riding Hood for Disney's movie Into the Woods, now that filming has started on the movie, things have changed.

Just today (Monday September 16), it was confirmed that Sophia Grace will no longer be playing the controversial role and that Red's shoes would instead be filled by the (slightly older) Broadway actress, Lilla Crawford.

From Entertainment Weekly:

Much of the concern from fans about the ten-year-old Brownlee revolved around her age, as well as the fairly blatant subtext of the material she would have to perform, which included her seduction of sorts by Depp’s Wolf. Crawford, for her part, is just 12, so it’ll be interesting to see what changes, if any, are made from the Broadway version of the material.

Although there is only a two year difference between the girls, I would have to agree that the difference between age ten and age twelve is pretty huge, with regard to many different areas of maturity. I would NOT say, however, that it's enough to offset the ick-factor*, unless Miss Crawford's Red is a very savvy twelve-ish year old and the script has changed enough to reflect that in a way we can get behind (and I don't mean in a Lolita way).

Either way, we should be feeling rather more confident of an excellent and nuanced performance from the Broadway star. Despite her youth, she has already wowed audiences and critics with her role as "Annie" in the new, Tony-award winning revival of the show.

While we, as fairy tale folk, have read so many variations on Red Riding Hood we've probably lost count - including those of savvy little girls and the less-than-savvy - the implications are no longer lyrical, metaphoric or hypothetical when you have a young actress required to live the lines of a preyed upon child. With Disney proudly hanging their brand name right on the front of this movie (instead of intentionally staying behind the scenes by using eg the Touchstone brand name or similar) I'm curious as to whether this aspect of Into the Woods will be addressed at all or if the story line will be rewritten to take all the teeth out of it so it can't sully the Disney name in terms of subject matter association.

My cynical side is wondering if all this isn't just a, rather staged, publicity stunt... If it is, it's working. People are talking, and they're watching for what the results will be.

*Columbian artist Rossina Bossio painted THIS rather disturbing painting of a young Red, which, despite being considered "Art" I would say is NOT SAFE FOR WORK AND IS RATHER DISTURBING - probably as it was meant to be.