European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Brandon Lee on the set of the i wast year shortly before he was shot to death by a prop gun. He was 28. A the Crown takes off without Lee by Vernon Scott up Hollywood reporter Ophia Shinas the soft eyed Beauty who stars opposite Brandon Lee in the Crow says she almost refused to finish the film after Lee s tragic death. Shinas 26, was on the set playing a scene with Lee when a prop gun misfired a Metal fragment killing the rising Young Star. It was the actress first role in a major motion picture a Chance for International recognition and an Opportunity for a significant acting career. All the Good things in life she had dreamed of attaining As a girl in Toronto a those dreams suddenly did t matter a Shinas said the other Day a year after Leeds death. She plays Lee s fian Fie victim of a brutal murder in 77ie Crow the no 1 Box office hit in stateside Heaters. During the three month production of the Crow at Carol co studios in North Carolina she came to know and Admire the ruggedly handsome son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. A i can to talk about the Accident Quot Shinas said a i can Only say i went into a Complete state of Unkn Wingness and disbelief. I was in a deep state of Shock. A Al in v Quot a 1 tune a everyone on the soundstage was so stunned we talk about it. A i left that same Day for my Home Here in los Angeles. My agent and Brandon s agent were both at the William Morris Agency. My agent wanted me to come right Monte to avoid the Media. A i was an emotional mess. A wreck. I had a wonderful support group of friends Here who helped me Cope with the Shock est Peci Alty Marilyn Vance Mother of Sophia s a Boyfriend. She was like a second Mother to me. A she gave me the emotional stability i Shinas remained in los Angeles three months while the producers debated whether to finish the picture \ Quot i was not looking Forward to going Back to car Olina to face All the memories and sadness a a she said. A i looked for every possible reason not to return. A a a a i thought about creating circumstances that would enable me not to be stable enough to go Back. I had 101 Good reasons Why i . A the producers and some of the other actors talc phoned and we talked about 101 reasons Why we should go Back. The most important was Brandon. A we knew this film would be a catalyst for him. This picture was his child. He ran around the set saying a i am the Crow. I am the Crow. A it was wonderful to watch. He had such a zest for life. He was very charismatic. A Brandon and i had some very intimate scenes emotional stuff. He was wonderful kind very dedicated to his Craft. He used to speak of Eliza Hutton Leeds Fiance with such adoration and respect. A from what i was told Eliza was Here in la. Preparing for their wedding. I can to possibly imagine the grief this woman is cafes hos Yel to schedule Etta Crow on its circuit. A at Cannes by Karin Zintz Deutsche Presse agent or i he Cannes film festival Isnit just All about movies. Its also the glitzy show place of big Money deals with advertisers Media moguls arid businessmen exploiting the concentrated presence of film celebrities. A a. A. A. A a International film festivals such As Cannes afford the Ideal platform for representatives of All branches of Industry to promote their Trade even if they re not directly related to a film being shown at the festival. Influential studio owners Media moguls and Many luminaries on both sides of the Atlantic usually Check in at the Carlton Majestic Hilton or any of the other luxurious pleasure domes lining the Croisette Cannes promenade. Thousands of journalists converge on Cannes in the South of France but not everyone s Here in connection with an entry vying for the Golden Palm the festivals top Honor while everyone who a anyone at tracts crowds like flies Bruce Willis is in Cannes advertising his new movie North directed by Rob Reiner so is Meg Ryan Star of when a Man loves a woman Mickey Rourke a in town too As is Brigitte Nielsen former wife of Sylvester Stallone who seems to be around chiefly to strut her considerable stuff for the paparazzi. And All these stars Are making themselves available for interviews and to and photo sessions. Tireless fans keep a Day and night Vigil for celebrities hoping to catch a glimpse of their Fay orites. The occasional famous Star makes their Day by posing briefly for a snapshot with them. A my wife and i have been coming to Cannes for this annual Jamboree for 25 years a said a 64-Ycar-old movie Buff from Brittany while taking a breather on a Park Bench under plane Trees. A i must say its getting increasingly difficult to get tickets for All the film screenings but still i miss this atmosphere for anything in the world a he said. Quot a a. A a a a a this year there was a record number of participants even at the International Fihn fair that a held simultaneously to the film festival in Cannes. Production companies from All Over the world Are eagerly presenting More than 700 films to other representatives of the Industry a distributors theater owners to representatives and others. For Lack of space in the palais Des festivals fair stalls have spilled Over to a tent City erected near the neighbouring yacht Quay. American actress Cameron Diaz poses in Cannes while promoting her film the 22. 1994 sunday Page 11
