Scarlett Johansson

To commemorate the 15 years since the Rwanda genocide, which murdered 1 million people, actress Scarlett Johansson leads in remembering the unfortunate and truly sad event, and implores us to help make a difference in assuring that this does not happen again.

On the genocide experience of Rwanda: I think that when you’ve seen the darkest depths of humanity, you have an appreciation for life that is indescribable, and a life that is harmonious, and a life where people thrive and where people support one another.

On the efforts of the Rwandan government: I think that’s very evident in the Rwandan government, who has pledged to keep over 70% of the Parliament as female.

On the reaction of the world during the genocide: I think that a lot of people and certainly a lot of governments chose to ignore what was happening in Rwanda during the genocide. And now that it’s 15 years later, I think that most feel that perhaps the genocide is over, that it sort of came and went or something like that, and I don’t think that a lot of people understood the absolute, massive devastation that happens to a community when all of the sudden you can’t trust your neighbors, and there’s almost a witch hunt in a sense.

On how to help Rwanda: In order for us to see Rwanda develop as a nation that deserves a chance, it is so important for us to continue to support financially, through volunteer work, through healthcare, education, to support Rwanda and understand that it’s a community just like the communities that we live in.

Join in Scarlett Johansson’s plea: Remember the dead. Help the living. Light a candle of hope for Rwanda.

Check out the video here.

A few years back, actress Scarlett Johansson visited the country of Rwanda, after it experienced a genocide, which killed 1 million men, women, and children in a massive strike against it’s internal turmoil plaguing the small country.

In this part of the transcribed video, we get an insight on the actress’s thoughts on Kigali, the genocide memorial, the world’s help for Rwanda, and one brave man that inspired Scarlett to see more of the good of humanity in this world. Read on.

On Kigali: And it really was a bustling city, I mean Kigali is a very exciting city, full of life, youth, culture, and to my surprise, technology, [and] art and music, and it’s such a lively metropolis, really.

On visiting the genocide memorial: When I landed, one of the first things I did was visit the Kigali memorial center for the genocide that took place in 1994. And I was led through the memorial by a survivor of the genocide, who had lost his entire family. But I was amazed that this man who was leading us through this exhibit was so positive about the future of Rwanda, [even] after having experienced such devastation.

On global help for Rwanda: One of the most important things that the survivor of the genocide expressed to me was their need for a continued global support; the necessity of the global campaign to support Rwanda during this time of reconstruction. It really is a community that is thriving, yes, and it’s finding its own identity, but is a very fragile society that has known the most nightmarish hell and is committed to never ever falling back.

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson has belied wisdom behind her young age. She has been an ambassador to Rwanda for several years already. And on the 15th year anniversary of the massive genocide in Rwanda that shocked the Earth, Scarlett appears in a video that talks of her experience in Rwanda. For those of you who cannot view the video, I have transcribed the 5-minute video into three parts. I hope that you not only enjoy the read, but also appreciate the depths of the emotions and the sincerity of the young and vibrant Scarlett Johansson in trying to spread the message of humanity to the world:

On her experience in Rwanda: There is an overwhelming hopefulness that anyone traveling to Rwanda is hit by as soon as you exit the plane, that is a hopefulness that comes from a community of people who know what the darkest depths of hell can be, and are determined to come out of that stronger and more compassionate and more understanding and are determined to never, ever let that happen again.

On the Rwanda government: The government has provided all of these community services for people. And it really builds a sense of camaraderie in the community.

On Rwanda as a rebuilding country: And I think it’s right now as the country is rebuilding and really finding its identity after the genocide now is the time to really support Rwanda and to take what’s thriving there and nourish it.

On her arrival in Rwanda: When I arrived, I was really sort of shocked to discover how warm and open and willing to collaborate and willing to share the Rwandese were. I was really just greeted with open arms and of course, everyone I met was interested to know about where I came from and I was so interested to know about the culture.

Now that the shooting has begun we are slowly finding out who are the other actors involved in Woody Allen’s film project, working title “Midnight in Barcelona.”

How can I forget Patricia Clarkson, who has been seen with Scarlett on the shooting yesterday, a fine actress whose talents is so immense. Aside from Ms. Clarkson, Rebecca Hall, Kevin Dunn, Pablo Schreiber (Liev’s brother), Carrie Preston, Chris Messina and Abel Folk will keep Scarlett, Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem’s company.

Anyway, I found the timetable (complete with the fan’s comments) of the shooting, courtesy of a curious cineaste. (I assumed the film enthusiast is a he.) In his diary, he found himself entranced with Scarlett and quite understood why Woody is so fascinated with the actress.

Then I saw Scarlett Johansson for the third time in my life. In less than a week. Her hair is blonde and quite impressive. What a feeling to see her so close going inside a black van. She looks so wonderful. I understand Woody Allen wants her to be her muse.

He also mentioned that Woody Allen is without a star attitude. The director didn’t mind fetching his own food from the catering vehicle.

MONDAY JULY 9TH

– RESTAURANT BARCELONETA (the place where
I saw again Woody Allen and I took some
photos of him, the crew and the very
beautiful and lovely and magnificent and
like a dream, Scarlett Johansson)

– MUSEU PICASSO
– PASSEIG MARITIM
– SANT MIQUEL BEACH

TUESDAY JULY 10TH

– 7-12h:morning: RAMBLA DE LES FLORS
between
Carme and Hospitat street
–afternoon: PASSEIG COLOM AND COLOM AREA

WEDNESDAY JULY 11TH

– MOLL DE LA MARINA

THURSDAY JULY 12TH

–ending of shooting in MOLL DE LA MARINA

– 11-17h: RAMBLA CATALUNYA between Aragó
and Consell de Cent street.

– 17-19h: Argenteria street and Montcada
(this is El Born: very beautiful old
streets. I love the streets of El Born)

– 19h (afternoon-evening): big correfoc
(typical tradition with people running
with fire!: very very beautiful!)
around Santa Maria del Mar in El Born.
I think this may be one of the most
beautiful moments of the film …)

FRIDAY JULY 13TH

– 14-18h Passeig de Gràcia between Aragó
and València street
– at times Provença Street (the street of
La Pedrera, a masterpiece by Antoni
Gaudí i Cornet)

– afternoon: MASIA CAN TRAVI in HORTA
( gruptravi.com/catala/principal.asp?rest=travi )
This old house from the 17th century
is not in center of town and I did not
know about its existence. It looks
gorgoeous

No doubt the government of Barcelona is grateful of Woody Allen and Co.’s presence. How about the average citizens? Are they happy that Hollywood is raging their city, which now slowly loses its tradition of practicing siesta because of globalisation?

Hmmmm…

Check out a couple of videos where the people who got interviewed when the crew shot scenes on the beach and at the restaurant were simply amused judging from their faces. (All in Spanish.)

Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson, Midnight in Barcelona, Patricia Clarkson, Rebecca Hall, Kevin Dunn, Pablo Schreiber, Carrie Preston, Chris Messina, Abel Folk, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Barcelona

I am not really wishing that Josh Hartnett and Scarlett would get back together. The past is always the past. It is only up to the protagonists if they want to flip back again their lost chapter. Whatever floats their boat.

Indeed it was their career that brought them together and it was also their career that kept them apart.

Digging YouTube, I found this one-year-old clip interview wherein Scarlett talked about working with Josh. She said that she liked working with him as he is talented, intense and a powerful young actor. Scarlett played Kay who was stuck between the characters of Aaron Eckhart and Josh. Meanwhile, Josh admitted that it was fun working with her and that it was lighter when doing the scenes.

It was on the set of “Black Dahlia” where the two young actors fell in love. Lately, he’s been romantically linked to Spanish star Penelope Cruz, who will be Scarlett’s costar in Woody Allen’s Spanish Project.

Black Dahlia, Scarlett Johansson, Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Penelope Cruz, Woody Allen

It is somewhat dry in the Scarlett-land today. Aside from film assignments she is undertaking, there’s her venture/target to enter the music biz. Apart from her rendition of “Summertime” and her so-so Coachella performance, will she up for it?

One of my fave scenes from the movie “Lost in Translation,” Scarlett singing Pretenders’ “Brass in Pocket,” as Billy Murray’s character looked at her.

Do you still remember the Vanity Fair spread featuring Scarlett and Keira Knightley in February 2006? The folks at the magazine called it “Hollywood issue.” The two actresses were naked except for fashion designer/stylist Tom Ford. The sultry photo was taken by none other than Anne Leibovitz.

Scarlett’s curvaceous body against Keira’s thin frame. Take your pick.

Now this is the in-the-making video for that! Watch it!

Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley, Tom Ford, Vanity Fair, Anne Leibovitz, Hollywood issue

In 2004 Scarlett was offered to do the newly launched Calvin Klein perfume. In it she starred alongside Trent Ford, a British-American model and actor whose acting credits like “Slap Her She’s French,” among the many projects that he has done.

The young actress is known to have lucrative advertisement deals. Apart from CK, she is also one of the faces of Louis Vuitton. Recently she helped launched the luxury brand’s new collection “Love.” Her outfit was done by LV’s resident artist/fashion designer Marc Jacobs whose clientele Sofia Coppola and Winona Ryder.

Calvin Klein advert, Eternity perfume, Trent Ford

Digging the goodness of YouTube.com, I have found this early interview of a then 17-year-old Scarlett when she was promoting “Eight-Legged Freaks.” One of the films that I am pretty sure Scarlett would not remember once she gets much older and aims for more serious directors and projects. Dubbed as a B-movie, she discussed her encounter with a cockroach when asked by her host if she ever had an arachnophobia and her impression of Billy Bob Thornton.
Noticeably Scarlett was a redhead here. This was a year before her second breakthrough, “Lost in Translation.”

If anyone knows the name of the show and the host, I am inviting you to share the info with me.

Update: The guy who posted the interview video replied that it was culled from “The Late, Late Show” hosted by none other than the comedian Craig Kilborn.

Eight Legged Spiders, arachnophobia, Scarlett Johansson in 2002, Craig Kilborn, The Late Late Show

One of the things that separates the young actress from the rest of her contemporaries in Hollywood is her curves and her fascination to retain them. Just like the British actress Kate Winslet, she despises starving herself to achieve that “child look” in which the Olsen twins and Nicole Richie are famous/notorious for.
She has the body and she has the cellulite. No doubt about that. She might not be sporty, doesn’t go to the gyms and sweat herself till she drops. And she doesn’t have any regrets if she hasn’t the fitness club membership to tone her abs.
In her recent “Saturday Night Live” appearance where she was the host, a few of her shots took so many Scarlett haters of this website to slam her choice of not to hunger herself and gym absence.
As long as she is happy with her body, it doesn’t matter if she has gained weight.
This is a clip from her “SNL” intro appearance goofing around and singing with “Sanjaya,” the booted out “American Idol” finalist.

If you have missed the show or you want to see it again, You Tube has a great collection for mass consumption.

Scarlett Johansson on SNL, celebrity weight

Surfing the fascinating YouTube, I came across Scarlett’s 2005 film “Match Point” in seven minutes! Aside from Scarlett, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer and Brian Cox were also there. Directed by Woody Allen.
Get to hear Scarlett’s throaty voice, “So who’s my next victim, you?”

Match Point, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox

Scarlett Johansson had a Brazilian wax. Intrigued by the trend, she decided to do it all the way, that is the retotal removal of all the hair from one’s private parts.
She confessed to a British rag that she got nervous on doing it. It was carried out at New York’s Oasis Day Spa. By the time she stripped off her clothes the waxing crew were said to have been in awe of her naked body.
While the staff admired her curves. Exactly a year ago a reporter couldn’t stop himself from touching her left breast.

Only gay men can grope female body parts?
E! reporter Isaac Mizrahi cupped Scarlett’s “huge she bags” during last year’s Golden Globes Awards, according to colleague Ryan Seacrest.

Scarlett Johansson, Isaac Mizrahi, Ryan Seacrest

This is the ten minute Director’s Cut version that’s exclusive on iTunes. It stars Scarlett Johansson alongside a smitten Justin Timberlake. Warning, there is swearing.

Nick Cassavetes, who wrote and directed Alpha Dogs which stars JT, wrote the dialog for What Goes Around, which also stars Alpha Dogs co-star, Shawn Hatosy.

Watching the clip does beg the question, Who would take Shawn Hatosy over Timberlake?