Django Unchained UK Premiere

10th January 2013

So, 2013’s first premiere, and naturally I was there, although it did take me until the morning of the premiere to actually decide whether to go. Not sure what swung it for me, but I’m glad I went. This time it was the UK premiere of Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino’s new offering that has been subject to positive, but equally controversial reviews.  The film stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L Jackson and Kerry Washington. All bar Leo were due to attend the premiere, making it a rather special line up, not one I could bring myself to miss.

One thing’s for sure, it was a bitterly cold evening. Not even a coat, scarf and two pairs of gloves (yes, two!) could keep me warm. However the company made up for the cold, and the time passed fairly quickly. The arrivals were due to start at 5.45, but as usual were running late, with the first car turning up closer to 6.20.

In it was director Quentin Tarantino, who straight away got into signing. Academy Award winning for Pulp Fiction, he’s known for his films including Kill Bill, Reservoir Dogs, Inglorious Basterds, Death Proof and Jackie Brown. Not entirely sure why I’m introducing him, I’m pretty sure everyone that reads this will know who he is. I think out of everyone that attended, he signed the most, and I’m pretty sure he covered most parts of the carpet. He kindly signed and dedicated my autograph book.

The last picture there is the closest thing to a picture with I got, but look at the concentration in Quentin’s face, love it! Next to arrive, and sign for me, was Christoph Waltz, who plays Dr. King Schultz in the film, a role for which he is Oscar and BAFTA nominated, and for which he won the Supporting Actor Golden Globe last night (congratulations!). He’s best known for his role in Inglorious Basterds, for which he won an Oscar, BAFTA, Empire, Golden Globe, and Cannes Film Festival Award amongst many others. He signed my autograph book for me, and was very pleasant in doing so. Really hope he does well at the BAFTAs (and the Oscars too, but want Robert DeNiro to win there!)

Another picture of someone signing for me, this didn’t seem to be a premiere good for getting pictures (which I had totally expected). Next to arrive was Kerry Washington, known for her roles in films including Ray and The Last King of Scotland. However, she didn’t make it over to where I was sadly. In fairness though, of all the cast, she was the least, umm, recognisable, for want of a better word. She was closely followed by Jamie Foxx, star of films including Ray (an Oscar winning role!), Collateral (Oscar nominated), Miami Vice and Dreamgirls. He’s also a talented singer (with 2 Grammy Awards). He signed my autograph book, and this time, thanks to my friend Jan, managed to get a properly decent photo of him signing for me!

When I first started this hobby in 2005, for a reason I do not know or remember, I really wanted to meet Jamie. I think there used to be a poster with him on at Fulham Broadway station that I’d pass every day, and I would think “I want to meet him one day”. 8 years later, I finally did, so thanks Jamie. Ha!

The last cast member to arrive was the really rather awesome Samuel L Jackson. Not someone that springs to mind when you ask for the names of friendly actors, but to his credit he signed an awful lot here.  Do I really need to introduce him? Well, the highest grossing actor of all time, his films include (ready?) Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Shaft, the Incredibles, Snakes on a Plane, Kill Bill Vol. 2, Inglorious Basterds, alongside playing Nick Fury in Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Marvel’s The Avengers. He signed my autograph book, and in another case of “camera fail”, which only very happens with A Listers, well, you’ll see…

Noooooooo! Gutted. Always the A Listers! Ah well, I’m ever an optimist, and always believe that there will be a second chance with these things. I last met SLJ in 2011 at the BAFTAs, so maybe in 2015? Keep a pattern going.

So that was the talent from the film, now for the celebrity guests. Ones there that I either didn’t call for, didn’t come over, or I just didn’t see till I looked at press pictures when I got home, include Ron Howard, Terry Gilliam, Hugo Taylor, Laura Whitmore, Andrea Riseborough and Claudia Winkleman. However, I did meet Pussycat Doll and current Dancing on Ice judge, Ashley Roberts, as well as X Factor winner James Arthur. Both signed index cards for me, and posed for photos.

and there we are, don’t think that’s a premiere I can moan about (other than the cold!). Excellent names, excellent company, and an overall big success. Thanks to Val, Jan, Paty, Lizzie, Elizabeth, Jenny, Philip, Ian, Donna and Kristian for the company. Thanks to Paty, Kristian and Jan for letting me use their pictures where I got too excited to take any (cough Christoph and Jamie). Hopefully this year’s premieres will continue like this (well, minus the pretty woman of the film not coming over), and will continue on from 2012’s success. Guess we’ll find out before long!

PS/ how awesome is this photo?! Well done Jan for getting such an awesome shot (and for the permission to use it).