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Post by anyother on Jan 8, 2011 10:11:48 GMT
with a voice like burnt butter Mmm, I like that.  |
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Post by nell on Jan 8, 2011 11:00:53 GMT
[Three of the stories have been filmed for the current series and the rest are likely to be made over the next two years. ] Does anyone know any more about this ? Frannie, Frannie, Frannie, you know the news will be posted here as soon as there's any info! ;D I've seen or heard it stated before that they hope to do another 5 stories. Then of course Roof said they might create some stories of their own too. Maybe we'll get a 5 episode series to follow this one and then if it's popular when they've done all of the books start creating them and we'll get some more ;D I can't hurt that Michael Dibdin's daughter is a journalist either can it ? I wonder if she was at the pre-view at the BAFTA theatre. |
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Post by kissmekate on Jan 8, 2011 11:10:59 GMT
with a voice like burnt butter Mmm, I like that. Me too! (That remark will make me think of him now even when I make cookies  ) His time is now - I like that and I hope very much that it is. (I also liked when the ministry guy in "Vendetta" said something like "We will see you again, I'm sure" ) |
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Post by GreenEyesToo on Jan 8, 2011 13:27:01 GMT
Another nice review that appeared yesterday - again from The Telegraph, which has a bit of a love-fest going on with Rufus (they did the 3-page article last Sunday, with the gorgeous cover pic): One of the many strengths of the TV adaptation of Zen (Sunday, BBC One) is that it caught the gloom of Italy as well as the glamour. While it’s been shot on the streets of Florence, they have been bathed in a faintly sinister lemonish light – the visual equivalent of acid reflux. At the same time everything has been pleasingly layered with conflicting forces – especially Rufus Sewell’s Zen.
Sewell may not look like the sort of man who’s greatly troubled by insecurities, particularly where women are concerned, but he was excellent at conveying someone whose outward flashiness – sharp suits and sunglasses – is balanced by a far-from-flashy private life. Not only does he live with his mum, but he agonises about asking Tania (Caterina Murino), the office beauty, on a date. Nor does Zen take any pride in his reputation for ‘scrupulous integrity’. Rather, it’s like an unfortunate birthmark that prompts sniggers of derision from his unapologetically venal colleagues.
Although there’s nothing new about having British actors playing non-British people, but chattering happily away in English – see K Branagh/Wallander – I’ve never seen it done this well before – largely, I think, because Zen had carved out such a distinctive visual identity. It even had Sewell watching Italian TV without it seeming unduly odd.
Scriptwriter Simon Burke had managed to keep the complexity of Dibdin’s plotlines without sacrificing comprehensibility, while director John Alexander’s direction wasn’t just bold visually; it also took some big structural liberties. There’s an unwritten rule in British TV drama that no action sequence should last longer than five minutes – presumably in case anyone nods off, gets peckish or needs a wee. But here Zen had a terrific scene in which the detective was trapped in a flooded cave which went on for ages, but never flagged for a moment.
At the end, Zen finally got to snog Tania in a lift. It says a good deal for his allure that, while choking with envy, I in no way begrudged him his moment of triumph. www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8246838/Arctic-with-Bruce-Parry-Zen-The-Sinking-of-the-Laconia-review.html |
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Post by rueful on Jan 8, 2011 13:43:10 GMT
Very, very nice review. I LOVE The Telegraph! They have impeccable taste. Thanks very much for posting this and the blog, GE2! |
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Post by GreenEyesToo on Jan 8, 2011 14:04:26 GMT
You're welcome! Sorry, should have put the review on the other thread. We have so many Zen ones now!! LOL!
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Post by rueful on Jan 8, 2011 14:07:22 GMT
I just put a review up on the webpage thread Numbat created! I'm easily confused, I guess. I'll copy it in the spoiler/review thread.
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Post by GreenEyesToo on Jan 8, 2011 14:09:06 GMT
Sorry, that wasn't a nudge to you, Rueful - I was hitting myself over the head!
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Post by rueful on Jan 8, 2011 14:14:05 GMT
Don't worry, I didn't think it was! Or if it was, I'm too dense to understand nudges--I usually need a very large shove. ;D
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Post by GreenEyesToo on Jan 8, 2011 14:21:46 GMT
Phew! I'll just go and put the link to the Telegraph review over there, too!
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Post by kissmekate on Jan 8, 2011 14:37:06 GMT
Loved that review!
Will Zen be live on iPlayer again tomorrow? I couldn't find any hint at it on the website, but wasn't it last time?
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Post by dreamer on Jan 10, 2011 20:07:30 GMT
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Post by dreamer on Jan 18, 2011 11:04:10 GMT
Thanks to Michel I found this 'not-as-gracious' article on Zen... Zen-ophobia - a drama too far for the BBC?
Jan 14, 2011 Hannah Brownlow www.suite101.com/content/zen-ophobia---a-drama-too-far-for-the-bbc-a332590I have to say I agree for some points. As I told you after the first episode, it looked much english for me, but... I'm not English, so I should wait to see the italian version. I'd like to know the opinion of who knows Italians personally. |
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Post by kygal on Jan 23, 2011 14:42:42 GMT
Something is not right with today. No new Zen episode. Will be forced to watch football play-offs the family will have on all the tvs in the house. Hurry up dvd!
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Post by kissmekate on Jan 23, 2011 16:52:57 GMT
Poor kygal. Can't you make up for the withdrawal a bit with a Rufus re-watch? Mr. Kate has promised me to watch "Victory" with me tonight |
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