12/09/2003

Vanessa Redgrave has confirmed that she will be taking part in the next edition of the Gand Film Festival, which is taking place from October 7 to 18.
The British actress, who is also an ambassador for UNICEF, will be present at the screening of Julia, the film made by Fred Zinneman in 1977, which will be shown as part of a charity gala at the Kinepolis in Gand on October 18. All proceeds will be given to the Belgium branch of UNICEF.
Julia is the touching story of a firm friendship between the writer Lillian Hellman and her childhood friend Julia, and their anti-Fascist activities during the Second World War. Redgrave plays the starring role, alongside Jane Fonda and Jason Robards, and the film won 3 Oscars, for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor and with Redgrave herself coming away with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
The next film we’ll see the British actress in is The Assumption, by the British director Richard Eyre, which is still in pre-production. The cast also includes Juliette Binoche, Javier Bardem and Chloe Sevigny. It’s the story of a Florentine artist who is passionately in love with a nun, and it is set in 15th century Florence. It has been written by Leigh Jackson and Anthony Minghella.

Apart form being famous for her talent as an actress, Vanessa Redgrave is also well known for her work supporting children. She starting working for UNICEF during the First Gulf War in Iraq, raising money for Iraqi children in London during April 1991. In addition she organised a 72 hours trek in Iraq to make a fundraising film. She fights for children’s rights through her TV programme, Wake Up World, and since June 1995 she has been an official UNICEF ambassador.

(Translated from French)