What a bunch of foreign residents of Madrid love and hate about living in the Spanish capital.

Ruthie Rambles… The Ritz, Madrid….

Press Conference with Danny Boyle.

by Ruth Kenny

“ Why so serious, you all look so serious?” (The Dark Knight) were the opening words from Danny Boyle whose Press Conference I attended a fortnight ago. Boyle was in Madrid for the premiere of Slumdog Millionaire which cleaned up at this years Academy Awards Ceremony. The film won 8 Oscars with Boyle deservedly winning Best Director. Slumdog showcases Boyles talent and captures the megalopolis of verve and sparkle that is Mumbai.
Its Oscar victory provided a fairytale ending for the production with a rags-to-riches story that mirrored its own chronicle of a Mumbai street boy heading for the jackpot on the Indian version of TV quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Last summer, Slumdog Millionaire was without a distributor in the US and seemed to lack the criteria that lead to Oscar success. Not only does it have no well-known actors, but most of the cast had never appeared in another film. Also, about a fifth of the dialogue is in Hindi and sub-titled in English. The savvy Danny Boyle exuded charisma and charm and provided a wealth of amusing anecdotes on the production.

Speaking about the film Boyle said: “The reception of the film has been extraordinary.”
The film is based on the vibrant Indian narrative ‘Q and A’ by novelist and diplomat Vikus Swarup. Swarup has also been forthcoming in his praise of the film , saying that it was, “Beautiful and the plot was riveting”. They took the central idea of a kid who wants to be a millionaire from the novel but all of the episodes are invented by screenwriter Simon Beaufoy.

The core of the film centres around the underdog and rooting for the underdog. Similar to the Rocky story it is a kid from nowhere with nothing but a dream. The gameshow is merely a pretext ; the spine of the story centres around Latika (Freida Pinto) and Jamal’s (Dev Patel) mission to be reunited against the odds.

The crew was mainly comprised of Bollywood actors and Boyle affirmed that the reservoir of talent in Bollywood was vast. The crew were surprised that the film was shot in a real slum. Normally for Bollywood they build a ‘clean slum’ on set but this would not suffice for Boyle who executed the production with panache.

Boyle explained that young male actors in Bollywood are normally very built-up, but he wanted someone who looked like a loser for the role of leading protagonist. Acting upon the advice of his daughter, Londoner, Dev Patel (stars in U.K series Skins) was cast!

The most interesting time for Boyle was editing the film, as he claimed the film seemed to edit itself. There is no device in the film for mixing time but rather time is mixed very freely as in the mind. The only live bit is at the end of the film, everything else is a memory. This type of construction is normally used by an old person looking back, however in this case Jamal is only 18 when the film ends, so his memories set him free, which makes the film uplifting.

Boyle referred to Suketu Mehta’s book “Maximum City” about Mumbai as being a great source of information on the city. Mehta’s book is a textured portrait of the city of contrast and culture that is modern-day Mumbai. It captures the underbelly of the city with the inquisitiveness of a voyeur and is well worth a read for those who want to learn more about this changing city.

Speaking about film-making in general, Boyle said that your first film is always your best because of its freshness. Before shooting, Boyle had never been to Mumbai or India. This facilitated his crisp perspective in capturing India and its irrepressable energy so compellingly.
He said that films have a tendency to pick you, “Like stray dogs they follow you home, you end up making the same film time and again.”

Also discussed was the British obsession with toilets! Two pivotal scenes of the film take place in the loo. The first when Jamal falls into the toilet before getting the autograph of Amitabh Bachchan and the second being when he is fed the wrong answer to the penultimate question by the gameshow host.

I adored the film’s soundtrack, which brings the rhythm of India to life. AR Rahmen, India’s answer to Timbaland, became the first Indian to win a Golden Globe for and an Oscar for best original song Jai Ho. Commenting upon the music scene in Mumbai, Boyle said that, “The fusion of music styles in Bollywood is never subtle..it is bang-bang music to be noticed,” and the musical score of the film encapsulates this with flourish.

The film ends with a vibrant dance scene at the train station,which for me captures the essence of the film. To truly enjoy this film one must be prepared to throw preconceptions aside and go with it. The rich and vibrant setting of Mumbai provides a fitting backdrop for this multifaceted love legend.

With the kaleidoscopic views of Bombastic Bombay and the energy injected into its production… you’re in for a treat… However, there is no room for scepticism in this is a coming-of-age fairytale so my advice to the cynics…stay at home!

Slumdog’s Oscar Success:
1. Best Director: Danny Boyle
2. Best Picture
3. Best Adapted Screenplay
4. Cinematography
5. Sound mixing
6. Film Editing
7. Best Original Score
8. Best Original Song : Jai Ho

Stereophonics’ released their best of album, A Decade In The Sun-Best Of Stereophonics, this week. The record includes two new songs amid some of the best tracks from their six studio albums, and a 40-track 2-disc set is also available for big fans. The last five albums have all hit number one in the UK charts since their debut album, Word Gets Around, reached number six in 1997.

Check out the November 2008 issue of European Vibe Magazine for our interview with the band’s drummer, Javier Weyler. During the interview Javier told us his favourite songs from Stereophonics’ first four albums made before he joined the band. Here are the videos of those songs for you:

Local Boy In The Photograph 1998

The Bartender And The Thief 1998

Mr. Writer 2001

by Matt Johnson

“What are you going to be this year for Halloween?” I recently asked a British friend of mine.

“Nothing,” he replied. “I’ve never celebrated Halloween before. I think it’s more of an American thing – I don’t really get it.”

“Joder.”

It was in that moment that I came to a shocking realization – there really are some poor unfortunate souls out there who don’t have the first clue about the finer points of this spooky celebration. Well, for those of you who remain uninformed and in the dark, let me shine some light on it for you.

Halloween is the best holiday – the BEST. For the youngsters, you get to dress up like your favorite super hero or movie character of the moment, knock on strangers’ doors (the only night of the year that parents encourage their children to go looking for strangers with candy), and receive endless amounts of tasty treats until your pillow case carrying sack is gushing gobstoppers. This phase in the Halloween Stages of Development Theory is known as the “back when everything used to be fun,” or simply, the “treat” stage.

From there, Halloween takes on a different role as we enter into those pimply-faced, squeaky-voiced, punk-rockin’ adolescent years. The candy was always great and everything, but now with your supermarket bag boy minimum wage pay checks, one can afford to gorge one’s self on candy whenever and wherever. The treats have now taken a step away from the focal point of Halloween motivations, and we therefore move into the “trick” phase. I’m talking of course about Halloween pranks. Have you ever done such a thorough toilet papering job that instead of high tailing it afterward, you just stood and marvelled at the majesty of your artistry? Have you ever done a midnight egg-launching air raid on the neighborhood miser’s house? Have you ever plastered a sleeping street with the hollowed out, decorated shells of toothless, grinning pumpkin carcasses? I’m not recommending that you consider wreaking this type of havoc in Madrid, but if you haven’t participated in these acts of typical teenage town tormenting, then I’m sorry but you’ve missed out. You didn’t even have to dress up for this, either.

We now come to the third phase in the Halloween Stages of Development Theory: the party phase. This is the one most of us are currently in at the moment. Who said dressing up was just for kids? There’s nothing like getting tipsy in your finest 80s rocker costume! For some reason people just seem to lose their inhibitions (for those of us who have inhibitions) when they’re dressed in disguise, perhaps because for one night out of the year, it’s like you can technically be another person. Hey, I wasn’t the one who came home last night and ate your chorizo, it was Spidey – I swear!

This then brings us, of course, to the final stage of the Halloween Development Theory: the “over the hill,” or “responsible adult,” phase. Typical symptoms include but are not limited to: staying at home to watch cheesy horror flick marathons, answering the doorbell for hours on end, passing out free candy to ungrateful neighborhood brats, and going to bed before 10. Please, when I reach this phase, shoot me.

Okay, now that we’ve got all phases covered, let’s move on to my list of Halloween Do’s and Don’ts. There are many ways to celebrate this holiday in style, but some are better than others. Take it from a seriously overenthusiastic costume buff like myself – making the wrong wardrobe or accessory selection can be the difference between a good night and an “oh-my-God-that-was-the-best-night-ever-if-only-I-could-remember-it” type of deal. So read ahead, friend, take my advice, and go boldly into the night.

Do’s

- Think outside the box. Creativity counts – if you have to be a superhero, ditch Superman for Mighty Mouse or Quailman. For guys, the possibilities of costumes can range from Cartman to Edward Scissor Hands, or from a dairy cow to a beer can (yes, I have seen both). Girls on the other hand, try to think of something more clever than a slutty (insert noun here). Don’t worry though – if nothing comes to mind, you won’t be hearing any complaints from our side anyway.

- Wear a moustache! Guys, girls, who cares? What’s more fun than shaking the beer foam off your whiskers? The moustache adds a creepy compliment to any of your retro outfits, and is also a perfect punctuation to any of your creatively-lacking costumes as well. If you’re going to be a fireman, why not cap it off with a solid ’stache? Pirate? No biggie. Throw on a moustache and you’ve got the best costume in the bar. Extra points for handlebars!

- Make your own costume. Think outside the readymade Robin Hood suit. The fun is in the hunt – think you can find a pair of green tights or a puffy-sleeved shirt in Madrid? The challenge is on!

- Get into character. If you’re going to look the part, act the part. Working on your accent and mannerisms are key. If you’re going to be a leprechaun for example, maybe consider watching Boondock Saints before heading to the bar. That way the Irish brogue will be fresh in your memory and ready for use.

- Find a sidekick. A good ol’ fashioned partner in crime is always a great way to celebrate the night, whether it’s your drinking buddy or the old ball & chain. Just please, spare us the Sony and Cher routine. It also goes without saying, but Raggedy Anne and Andy – don’t even…Also be sure to explore all available avenues. Video game characters come in great pairs, and are always under-represented. Mario and Luigi, Ken and Ryu, Scorpion and Sub Zero, etc.

Dont’s

- Come as yourself! Sadly, I’ve seen this done way too often. It’s more of a cop-out than a joke. Hey, if all your friends are dressed like fools, shouldn’t you be, too?

- Wear face paint. After a long night out on the town, the last thing you’ll want to do is come home and scrub your face for hours. This is for guys especially! That is, of course, unless you for some reason own a bottle of makeup remover…Another hazard of wearing war paint is that if you somehow forget to remove it before hittin’ the hay, you’ll be sure to wake up with a rainbow of colors smeared across your sheets. Saturday should never be laundry day. Ever.

- Wear a costume without easily accessible/functional pockets. Make sure that you are able to pull out cash, metro tickets, cameras, and flasks when necessary. Getting a drink takes long enough already without digging for five minutes! But most importantly, always make sure your valuables are secure. Poor pocket placement on your costume may make for a quick hit-n-run by the wallet hijackers of Sol. Also keep in mind the funky tunes: if you’re going to be breakin it down on the dance floor til the wee hours of the morning, avoid a costume with shallow pockets – otherwise you might as well just toss your wallet backwards into the crowd like the bouquet at a wedding.

- Rent a costume. I’m not sure if this is even possible in Madrid, but I’m guessing that it probably is. First of all, most rentals are very cheaply made. They usually don’t fit right and the material is often itchy, plus the fact that it’s like the bed spread at a cheap motel – you don’t know who’s been in it or the last time it had a good washing. Other than that, you run the risk of losing your deposit, which is never cheap. I personally don’t want to tip toe around all night trying to avoid mid-bar collisions and worrying over shirt-staining sangrias.

- Finally, and most importantly, don’t stay in one place all night. Madrileños are fun enough to watch on any given day. Imagine what kinds of craziness you’ll see while you’re out and about on Halloween! There will be Halloween parties all over town – it won’t be hard to find yourself a good starting/ending point. And if you can, make it over to the EV party, look for the lad in the lederhosen, buy him a shot, and tell him how much you enjoy reading his blogs!

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the final four:

Toots and The Maytals – 54-46 Was My Number

Energy 52 – Cafe Del Mar ‘98 (Three ‘N One Remix)

Dizzee Rascal feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome – Dance Wiv Me

Groove Armada – Edge Hill

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the second three:

Manu Chao – Me Gustas Tu

Planet Funk – Chase The Sun (Club Mix)

Skee-Lo – I Wish

Our summer Vibe Box is by European Vibe’s own Helen Macrae.

She brings us her top ten songs to listen to while enjoying the summer/lazing by the pool.

These are the first three:

 Terrorvision – Tequila

Cassius – The Sound of Violence (Club Mix)

The Beach Boys – I Get Around

European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs. To celebrate the end of the tournament and Spain’s victory, here are Phily’s top three football songs ever.

1 – Baddiel/Skinner/Lightning Seeds – Three Lions [England] – Euro 96

2 – New Order – World In Motion [England] – World Cup 90

3 – Horselips – Put ‘Em Under Pressure [Ireland] – World Cup 90

This month, European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs.

6 - Del Amitri – Don’t come home too soon – (Scotland World Cup) 1998

5 – Luciano Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma (Nobody Sleeps) – (BBC theme) World Cup 1990

4 – Andres Calamaro – Maradona – 1999

This month, European Vibe Magazine’s art director and biggest football fanatic Phily McIvor brings us his all-time top ten football-related songs.

10 – Glenn & Chris – Diamond Lights – 1987

9 – Tottenham Hotspur – Ossie’s Dream (Spurs Are On Their Way To Wembley) – FA Cup Final 81

8 – Liverpool FC – Anfield Rap – Cup Final 88

7 – Collapsed Lung – Eat My Goal [used in Coca Cola ad] – World Cup 98