Recommendations of the Editorial team
It should be a public reunion of two film stars. Despite his battered health, Val Kilmer had announced himself to the influential Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF).
There was the west coast screening of “American Badass”, a retrospective about the wild work of his buddy Michael Madsen. The two appreciate each other, they turned together. For example in “Heat” by Michael Mann, or in the thriller “Kill Me Again” from 1989. A hello after all the years in the heights and depths of the US film industry.
But that didn’t happen. Kilmer died this Tuesday (April 1) in Los Angeles. Just a few hours before the premiere, as those responsible for the festival said. “It was a shock for us when we found this temporal parallel,” said Nino Simone, the founder and president of the BHFF.
“Incredible, and so heartbreaking”
His team was just wanted to finally confirm that Kilmer would appear. “He was really enthusiastic to get his friend’s support”; so Simone. “I noticed that our PR department on the phone was feverishly tried to reach the driver who was supposed to bring Val at half past eight during his arrival time. This story of his appearance and the news of his death were literally published at the same time. Incredible, and so heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with his family.”
Michael Madsen (“Reservoire Dogs”, “Kill Bill”) was also one of those who immediately paid tribute.
Compared to the US industry newspaper “The Hollywood Reporter”, he said: “During working with Val on ‘Heat’, I was always amazed at the bandwidth and its brilliant changeability. It was an unconditional force in Vals. After so many years in which Val fought against the disease and was able to maintain his mind, this is an incredible sad news.”
The Beverly Hills Film Festival has been considered the insider meeting of the Hollywood scene since 2000, founded “In the backyard of the Entertainment capital of the world”, entrepreneur Nino Simone has broken together established stars and newcomers in exclusive circles.
For the 25th anniversary, Beau Bridges and his son Ezekiel Bridges came, both of whom can be seen in “Welcome to Klyde’s Kitchen” directed by Sonia Bajaj. Film legends and ex- “Sexbomb” Ann-Margret, who already played in the sixties in films “Bye bye Birdie”, also stopped by “Wander Woman” as a co-producer. The West Coast Festival runs until April 6th.