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Entries tagged with 'Malawi'
Posted Apr. 29, 2008,
Tribeca Film Festival Directors Series: Nathan Rissman
By Rebecca Carroll
Everyone knows that Madonna has a vested interest in the African nation of Malawi -- she is quite publicly developing a foundation there (Raising Malawi Foundation), and even more publicly, is in the final stages of adopting a Malawian boy named David. I Am Because We Are is a documentary in which she seeks to explain, somewhat, Why Malawi? Madonna wrote and produced the film, and asked her friend Nathan Rissman, a first-time director, to helm the project.
Rebecca Carroll: How do you know Madonna?
Nathan Rissman: I was her gardener for a while. Both my wife and I have worked for her family. I’m just one of those guys, kind of a hustler. We have all become very good friends -- there’s a good dynamic between the Ritchies and the Rissmans. When Madonna said she wanted to raise awareness about Malawi, she asked me to help her.
Posted Apr. 25, 2008,
About Last Night... Madonna's I Am Because We Are Premiere
By Caroline Torem Craig
There are more photos in this gallery. View them all.
Every element was in place last night for the contrived chaos that heralded the arrival of a superstar whose popularity and longevity rivals the Pope, the President, Elvis, Marilyn and possibly your own mother: Yep, we’re talking about Madonna. There were pens locking in the rabid photogs, someone came crashing down off a ladder, mini-arguments were taking place left and right as everyone got ready to “lock and load,” as they say in the biz. I Am Because We Are, written and produced by Madonna and directed by Nathan Rissman, exposes the plight of Malawi children orphaned by AIDS.
Posted Feb. 7, 2008,
About Last Night... A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and UNICEF at the U.N.
By Caroline Torem Craig
The Gucci-sponsored, Madonna-conceived event, “A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and Unicef,” was held in a tent (close to the size of Bryant Park) on the lawn of the United Nations last night. It was covered by a very exclusive pack of photogs and reporters, so we were pleased that PAPER was given the OK!
Judging by the sheer magnitude and pulchritude of the celebrities that walked the “black carpet,” just about everyone of Madonna’s friends invited showed up! There were no tattered jeans here. Some of the guests stood out for obvious reasons. Like Jennifer Lopez, who is ridiculously beautiful but oh my GOD, it looks she is carrying a team of Budweiser horses! Like Madonna, who has an iron will to keep doing whatever necessary to be a star and not a fizzling comet! Like Katie Holmes, who is beautiful and incredibly well put-together, but has the most unnerving stare! Like Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, who no longer seem like an odd couple! And like Gwyneth Paltrow, who thought it was a junior prom event or a baby-doll pajama pary…
As Kimora Lee Simmons, who clung tightly to her boyfriend Djimon Honsou, would say: “Fabulosity!”