Hip Young Things

While most people think of Phuket as a decadent vacation destination filled with luxury Phuket hotels, gorgeous beaches, and incredible parties, the island also has a rich cultural life. The upcoming Phuket Film Festival is one example of the island’s growing reputation in the creative world.

This year’s festival, which is scheduled for June 4 – 11, 2009 at the Coliseum Theaters in Phuket Town, will feature a “Spotlight on Taiwanese Film.” In addition to screening numerous award winning and Oscar-nominated Taiwanese films, the event will draw Taiwanese producers, directors, and actors to the island to discuss their work.

Asian superstar Chie Tanaka is scheduled to receive the Asian Talent of the Year Award at the festival. Overall, the event will screen over forty individual films from 17 different countries.

This is the second annual Phuket Film Festival. Organizers hope that in addition to becoming an important Asian film festival, the event will showcase the island as a world-class film location.

Frieda Pinto, the attractive Indian starlet made famous by her role in the Oscar-nominated “Slumdog Millionare” is making headlines for a secret marriage. Pinto, 24, broke off her ongoing relationship to Rohan Antao last month. The two were believed to have been engaged, but new reports indicate they actually tied the knot in December 2007

Pinto and Antao met in college and were together for four years. The marriage is said to have been the result of an impulse when they were visiting Antao’s hometown in Goa, India. Goa is the smallest state in India and known for its fabulous beaches and vibrant nightlife. Many of the best hotels Goa are beach resorts to capitalize on the area’s best feature.

The press has been speculating since the breakup that it is a result of Pinto ‘s sudden international stardom. Even though Antao supposedly supported Pinto during the “Slumdog” production, she abruptly broke off contact with him once the film began picking up international acclaim such as the BAFTA and SAG awards and a number of Oscar nominations.

Pinto is expected to attend tonight’s Oscars wearing a dress specially designed for her by a Mumbai designer. But Antao will not be her escort.

Pinto’s representative refused to confirm the allegations, stating that they challenge whoever is making the claims to produce documentation that the wedding took place.

The stars were out in force last night at the British Academy of Film & Television Arts Awards in London. “Slumdog Millionaire” walked away with seven awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Danny Boyle.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were among the stunningly-clad nominees in attendance. Other popular celebrities in attendence included Kylie Minogue, Alesha Dixon, and Kate Winslet who won for best actress in “The Reader.”

One of the British awards handed out (many of the awards are international), was the BAFTA Rising Star Award. This went to Noel Clarke, a young actor known for his recurring roles on the latest “Doctor Who” series and on “Adulthood” a BBC urban drama.

Other winners included Best Actor Mickey Rourke for “The Wrestler,” Penelope Cruz for Best Supporting Actress in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” and a posthumous Best Supporting Actor award to Heath Ledger for “The Dark Knight.”

“Slumdog Millionare” was filmed in Mumbai and tells the story of a young contestant on a tv quiz show who is accused of cheating. The film is a favorite to win at this month’s Oscars, as it has now picked up both the BAFTA award and the Director’s Guild award, both of which are usually good indicators of Oscar winners.

The film is generating renewed interest in Mumbai’s film industry, though it was produced by a British company. No doubt there will be an influx of movie people and celebrities (filling up the 5 star Mumbai hotels) invading the city, should it complete the trifecta and win the Academy Award on February 22nd.

Alesha Dixon may be known as Europe’s Beyonce, but the young British singing sensation recently announced that she struggles with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Her days are planned out to the minute and everything in her home is clean and orderly. Her nickname is “Monica” after the character on “Friends.”

Her work schedule is as organized and exact as other parts of her life. Friday she was in Berlin to promote her alubm and tonight she will be covering celebrities arriving at the BAFTA Awards (the British Oscars) for E! Entertainment Television. The star recently returned from a visit to Thailand to see her father. No doubt she stayed in one of the luxurious 5 star Thailand hotels that celebrities favor.

Dixon won the British competitions show “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2007. Her short marriage to rapper MC Harvey ended two years ago when Alesha discovered his affair with one of her friends.