Written by 10:02 am Cunard, Entertainment

Cruise Guide: Cunard’s QM2 to host filmmakers

The Queen Mary 2, as part of its onboard enrichment programming, will host acclaimed filmmakers Griffin Dunne and Gary Winick on an upcoming voyage.  Image courtesy Cunard

The Queen Mary 2, as part of its onboard enrichment programming, will host acclaimed filmmakers Griffin Dunne and Gary Winick on an upcoming voyage. Image courtesy Cunard

By Michael Coleman

Acclaimed filmmakers Griffin Dunne and Gary Winick will be featured speakers on Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York, Nov. 11.

The duo will participate in Cunard Insights, the line’s award-wining onboard enrichment program, and will screen one of each of their films: Dunne will discuss “Practical Magic,” starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock; Winick will screen his feature film, “13 Going on 30,” starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.

In addition, they will engage in a panel conversation with the ship’s entertainment director where they will share stories about their multi-faceted careers and the many roles they play in the entertainment industry — from director and producer to writer and actor. All programs will be held in Queen Mary 2’s 450-seat, stadium-style theatre, Illuminations, which is also the only planetarium at sea.
 
Dunne has been involved in the film business for almost 30 years. Beginning as an actor, Dunne starred in John Landis’ cult favorite, “An American Werewolf in London” (1981). A few years later, he had the leading role in Martin Scorsese’s “After Hours” (1985), which is among the many movies that Dunne has produced with partner Amy Robinson through their company, Double Play Productions.

Dunne has continued to appear on both sides of the camera, taking supporting roles as an actor in films such as “My Girl” (1991) and “I Like It Like That” (1994). He made his directorial debut with a short film, “Duke of Groove” (1996) (TV), which was nominated for an Academy Award. Dunne then made the leap to feature films with “Addicted to Love” (1997), “Practical Magic” (1998), “Famous” (2000) and “Fierce People” (2005). Dunne is the son of the late notable writer and investigative journalist, Dominick Dunne, and Ellen Griffin Dunne.
 
Film director and producer Gary Winick has directed films such as “Tadpole” (2002), for which he won the Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival; “13 Going on 30” (2004); and the live-action remake of “Charlotte’s Web” (2006). His most recent film, “Bride Wars,” was released in January 2009. Through InDigEnt, which he founded in 1999, he has produced such films as “Pieces of April” (2003), for which Patricia Clarkson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress; “Land of Plenty” (2004); and “Starting Out in the Evening” (2007). He won the 2003 Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award for producing “Personal Velocity.”
 
Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics, Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and accomplished visionaries who reflect the line’s heritage of adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A’s, social gatherings and workshops, guests connect with authors and intellectuals who have achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and literature
 
The crossing is just one of more than 20 six-day voyages between Southampton and New York offered by Cunard this year. In 2010, Cunard will offer more, sailing six and seven-day Transatlantic voyages between April and November.
 
On the Web: www.cunard.com

(Visited 5 times, 1 visits today)
Close