LOS ANGELES, California -- U2's Bono would like to visit the Philippines.
We found that out when we met the rock legend/activist in New York last weekend. At Miramax's late Saturday evening party for "No Country for Old Men," which had its US premiere at the NY Film Festival, U2's front man was the star.
At the party venue, Gabriel's Bar & Restaurant, not even the sight of Penelope Cruz and "No County…" star Javier Bardem (looking, um, very friendly with each other) could divert attention away from Bono. Even the Coen brothers, directors of "No Country…," one of this year's best films, made a beeline to talk to Time magazine's 2005 Person of the Year (an honor Bono shared with fellow philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates).
Nobel Prize bet
"That would be a highlight for me," Bono added after he told us he'd like to visit RP. The rock star is much-admired for being a very vocal spokesman for humanitarian causes, working to cancel Third World debt and raising AIDS awareness.
A three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, Bono was also in town for Miramax's other NY fest entry, the superb "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" by director Julian Schnabel. U2 music is featured in the drama which has been steadily gaining good buzz since it wowed critics in Cannes last May.
At one point in the party, Bono took off his ubiquitous sunglasses, treating guests to a rare sight.
Julian, whose "Lou Reed's Berlin" competed with Lav Diaz's "Kagadanan sa Banwaan ning mga Engkanto (Death in the Land of Encantos)" and other entries in the Horizons (Orizzonti) Documentary section of the recent Venice Film Festival, shared a table with wife Olatz Lopez Garmendia (part of the cast of "The Diving…"), Javier and Penelope, who was beautiful in a black gown.
Javier's co-star, Josh Brolin, who should also get nods for his breakthrough performance in "No Country…," was his usual affable self, mingling with guests which included actress Jennifer Jason Leigh and her director husband Noah Baumbach (the much-lauded "The Squid and the Whale"), who collaborated on "Margot at the Wedding."
Tommy Lee Jones, who is likewise in "No Country…," also graced the party.
No-shows
Earlier in the evening, on the other side of town, DreamWorks hosted a cocktail reception for the Halle Berry-Benicio Del Toro drama, "Things We Lost in the Fire."
Neither Halle nor Benicio showed up, but the panoramic view of New York from the SoHo Grand Penthouse made up for it.
The official explanation for the duo being no-shows at their own party was that they had commitments the following day. True—we had press cons with Halle, who is ecstatic that she is finally pregnant, and Benicio.
'Les Miz' matinee
Saturday afternoon, after interviewing Nicole Kidman, Jennifer and Noah for "Margot," we rushed to the matinee performance of "Les Miserables" at the Broadhurst Theatre. Seeing Lea Salonga and two fresh-faced Fil-Ams, Adam Jacobs and Ali Ewoldt, tackling major roles, made us proud.
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