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October 19:
Peter has sent along some photos! As reported last month, he's making a film in Canada
called Deepwater, a directorial debut for David Marfield. The
cast also includes Lucas Black, Lesley Ann Warren and Mia Maestro. Coyote, in the role of
this very strange motel owner/gambler, complete with glass eye and a gold tooth, says,
"It's a fun film, and I love playing this character."
Meet Herman Finch...
Taking a break to read a book - what scenery!
September 15 -
The 26th Mill Valley Film Festival (Oct 2-12) will pay tribute to three
honorees this year - Lili Taylor, Denys Arcand and Peter Coyote! His
tribute will take place on Thursday, October 9, at 6:45 PM. There will be a film clips
program of highlights from Peter's film career along with an onstage interview. A
reception in his honor at The Depot in Mill Valley will follow. Ticket information can be
found at the festival web site. Coyote made
the following comments in Friday's San Francisco Chronicle:
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"There's a status hierarchy to film festivals. You have
Cannes, Venice, and Toronto and then there is a host of smaller festivals that have undue
influence. I would put Telluride in that group, and the Mill Valley festival too. The Mill
Valley festival is best at finding films and putting them in context. It's a real film
lovers' festival."
"This is not a judgment, but the San
Francisco festival is bigger stars, a lot of anxiety and glitz. It is kind of like the
opening of the opera. The Mill Valley Film Festival is the nuts and bolts for real film
lovers. I think that is because Mark Fishkin is such a pure film lover."
"I'm not a major star. I am a working actor. But I think it is important to
say that acting is one of the few occupations that demands generosity. You can have the
toughest face in the world, but if I don't act afraid, you're a wuss. Nobody comes to see
Tom Cruise in a room by himself."
"I'm kind of shy, actually. Unlike the myth of actors, I don't like to be
the center of attention. I'm more of a writer who would like to lie in the cut and watch
the action. When they told me (about the honor) I was embarrassed. I mean, Sean Penn lives
in Marin. I said, 'get someone important.' Let's face it, there are not that many actors
in Marin. It is a little like Samuel Johnson's line about the talking dog: It is not so
much that he does it well, but that he does it at all." |
Peter will star alongside Lucas Black in the psychological thriller, Deepwater,
written and directed by David Marfield. The movie, produced by Halycon Entertainment, is
based on Matthew S. Jones' book of the same name. It will be shot in Clearwater, British
Columbia. The story concerns a drifter with a mysterious past who enters the strange town
of Deepwater, and is drawn into a deadly game. Peter says his character will be great fun
to play - "lots of gold and chains, a bad eye and a gold tooth."
Showtime has picked up the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to A Time for
Dancing, which will premiere sometime in 2004 on their channel. Filming was
completed in Los Angeles during the spring of 2000. It has been available on DVD in
Germany and Italy. Adapted from the Davida Wills Hurwin's novel, the movie, directed by
Peter Gilbert, is described as a Terms of Endearment for the teenage set. It's
the story of two high school girls whose love for dance is challenged, along with their
friendship, when Jules is diagnosed with cancer. Larisa Oleynik stars as Jules with Peter
in the role of her father, William. Also starring is Shiri Appleby, Scott Vickaryous and
Amy Madigan.
 Phenomenon II, a two-hour
made-for-television movie based on the hit motion picture, which starred John Travolta,
will air as a "Wonderful World of Disney" presentation on Saturday, November 1
(8-10 p.m. ET), on ABC. The movie's ensemble cast includes Christopher Shyer in the lead
as George Malley, Jill Clayburgh as Nora, George's mother, and Coyote as Dr. John Ringold,
the trusting scientist. With a new original screenplay by Gerald DiPego, writer of the
original film, Phenomenon II tells the story of an ordinary man, George Malley,
who sees a strange light bursting in the sky on his birthday and awakens the following day
to find his IQ climbing and his body empowered. George wants to put his newfound gifts to
good use for his mother, Nora, and his small town. As the word spreads, however, he is
treated instead as a freak and a rebel. When the government wants to use George's talents
for other purposes, he fears he'll become a scientific guinea pig. In the original feature
film, the story ended with George going off into the hills, presumably to die. In Phenomenon
II, his story continues. George escapes to San Francisco and begins a new life under
an assumed identity. As he adjusts to life in the big city, he senses other people may
share his new-found abilities.
Kudos to us! The Atlanta Journal and Constitution chose petercoyote.com
as one of their top sites for the week of August 24 - "Howlin' versatility: Get to
know actor, activist and writer Peter Coyote at his site, which includes a bio, photo
gallery, filmography and more."
 Peter's previous two
films this year include Main Line and Le Grand Role.
Main Line is directed by Rich Cowan (The Basket), for Millennium Films,
with a script by Matt Holloway and Art Marcum. Cast members include Matt Davis, Robin
Tunney, James Spader and Aidan Quinn. Main Line tells the story of a man (Davis)
who goes to a powerful attorney (Spader) seeking his help in covering up an accidental
death. What he gets is a blackmailer that uses the situation to his every advantage.
Le Grand Role is a comedy, filmed in France last April. Directed by Steve Suissa,
it's the story of five Jewish actors living in Paris, and the director (played by Peter)
who arrives ready to film The Merchant in Venice in Yiddish. |
