Fri 16 May 2014 (Cannes)
As explained in part (1), this ‘diary-blog’ is supposed to be (and will be), part ‘present day’ as well as ‘flashbacks’ – the flashback bits to explain how I’ve got where I am today with the film project, and where I’m now going with it. If you stick with me, I’ll take you all the way (eventually) up the red carpet. But whilst I’m here in Cannes, in between meetings, I only have time to write brief updates on some fun moments each day …
So … Friday 16 May 2014. Fred and Richard Fairbrass have arrived – better known as ‘Right Said Fred’. If needed, here is some information about them. These are some of my favourite ‘Fred Facts’:
With over 200 million CDs sold worldwide, Right Said Fred have achieved multi-platinum status and also won two Ivor Novello Awards, for ‘I’m Too Sexy’ and ‘Deeply Dippy’. Before forming the band, the Fairbrass brothers had played with Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Right Said Fred are the first UK band since The Beatles to reach the number one slot in the USA with a debut single. Their many hits also include the Comic Relief hit, ‘Stick it Out’, ‘Don’t Talk, Just Kiss’, and ‘Stand Up (For the Champions)’, which was a top 10 hit in Germany and even No.1 in Japan. ‘Stand Up’ became a hugely popular anthem for sports channels and sporting events, including at the Super Bowl and World Cup, where Right Said Fred performed live at the 2006 opening World Cup ceremony in front of 200,000 people at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin – can you imagine that? They were also special guests at the Bollywood Awards in Mumbai in front of a live TV audience of 200 million. Tom Hanks impersonated Right Said Fred on ‘Saturday Night Live’, singing “don’t cut off my testicles”. Oh … and Madonna once publicly expressed her desire to go to bed with Richard Fairbrass – in front of 60m viewers on the USA’s Arsenio Hall Show.
Fred and Richard, along with Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Sting (only ‘legends’) made a special appearance on Ricky Gervais’ hit TV series, ‘Life’s Too Short’ – and the brothers also appeared in cameo roles in the Universal Pictures UK movie, Gridiron.
Personally, I think Fred and Richard are two of the most interesting, funniest, kindest, ‘coolest’, dynamic, creative, generous, talented, ‘ageless’ and down-to-earth guys I’ve met for many, many years. I could spend hours listening to their stories and experiences (and there are many) – and I feel incredibly lucky to have been introduced to them in the first place and to now be sharing some time with them here in Cannes.
As soon as they arrived – yesterday afternoon – within an hour of just being here, they were invited to perform at a club on Monday night …
Why are they here? For several reasons. They’ve just filmed a British comedy-gangster-style movie called ‘Meet Pursuit Delange’, currently in post-production and already creating a terrific buzz here at Cannes. And they’re also ‘on board’ for my own project – not just with some very funny cameo roles (even though I say so myself), but also working on new song ideas for the ‘original sountrack’ … all to be announced in due course. So, Fred and Richard being the type of great guys they are, have come to Cannes to enjoy their very first film festival, and to also support me, and to accompany me to some meetings …
Strolling with them between a couple of meetings today, they are frequently stopped by people in the street, posing for selfies and more – and they’re happy to chat to anyone who wants to chat with them. Including Spandau Ballet …
The moment occurs as we arrive for a meeting at the ‘Plage Royale’ beach pavilion, opposite the Grand Hotel. We are to have coffee with an important film finance group, but as we arrive, Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley – in Cannes with Martin Kemp to promote ‘Soul Boys of the Western World’, a documentary about the band – catches sight of ‘The Freds’ and calls out. Suddenly there’s alot of loud laughter and bear-hugging going on between Tony, Martin, Fred and Richard – they’re clearly all delighted to see one another again.
And me? Well, I’m just standing there, looking a complete … prat, to be honest … in my jacket and stripey shirt, cufflinks, sweating rather profusely in the sun … wondering when they’re all going to stop hugging one another. Obviously I’m Not Sexy Enough to be strolling around Cannes with Right Said Fred, or to be hugged and kissed by Spandau Ballet. But then suddenly my moment comes.
‘Are you coming to our drinks party tonight?’ Tony Hadley asks Richard.
‘We can’t,’ says Richard. ‘We’ve got other plans … with Tim.’
So there you go.
It’s more important (and fun) to go out on a date with me rather than with Spandau Ballet …
Don’t ever forget that.
(To be continued …)
Paul king
May 17, 2014 at 8:17pmVery cool ,looking forward to more antics in Cannes 🙂
Rose (Rosangela Barbosa)
May 19, 2014 at 6:28amLovely text, I confess I felt jealous.
I’m from Brazil, a big fan of Right Said Fred since I was a child, when the band became successful in the mid 90s here. I had the privilege of knowing them only online, and I agree with all the qualities you mentioned, and a little more!
I was shivering in every written word! Very exciting!
I hope one day be able to (at least) a hug these 2 boys who both love and admire!
Thanks for sharing this moment!
xx, Rose.