092501 Empire Enigma Premiere

September 25, 2001
Empire
Enigma Royal Premiere Report
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	As star after star strolled down the red carpet in London’s Leicester Square last night, one person in particular was conspicuous by her absence. Leading lady Kate Winslet dropped out of the event at the last minute, apparently unwilling to face awkward questions from the press.
“I am very sorry not to be there to celebrate the premiere of Enigma, of which I’m very proud,” said an official statement from the actress. “In light of recent personal events I feel that for the sake of myself and my family, a short time out of the spotlight would be beneficial.”

Her co-stars in the film were, however, highly supportive of Winslet’s decision not to attend. “I think she just has some problems, at the moment, with being in the limelight,” said the film’s executive producer, Mick Jagger. “I’m not at all surprised,” added Jeremy Northam. “But then you’re asking somebody who’s dragged kicking and screaming to these things.”

Saffron Burrows was particularly outspoken in Winslet’s defence, saying of reporters who had condemned the actress’s decision: “I think they should just give her some respect. I think it’s disgusting. At a time like this one would think they’d have some relativity.”

The film’s remaining stars were nevertheless enthusiastic to be out promoting the film, even in light of the recent tragic events in the US. “It’s a very strange time doing something like this. It’s very odd trying to get a handle on what one feels about anything at the moment,” said Northam. “But there is a very good reason for doing this tonight which is the Prince’s Trust and I hope we raise a lot of money for that.”

Dougray Scott was positively gushing with praise for the film and most of all for director Michael Apted. “It’s quite daunting coming out here in front of everybody. I do love the film and I’m very proud of it. Mike’s an extraordinary director and I’m more inclined to go out and promote a film like this because I had a real experience working with Michael Apted and I’ll cherish that the rest of my life.”

“I’d always wanted to do a film about the second world war because it was a turning point in English history,” Apted explained. “And I found in the script, and in Robert Harris’ book, something that had never been done about it. It wasn’t the same old stuff with trenches and air battles and all that.”

The evening’s royal guest appeared last of all, sweeping into the cinema to talk with the stars before being seated for the screening. After the performance, Prince Charles and the other guests where whisked off for a formal sit-down dinner at ultra-swanky venue, The Banqueting Halls in Whitehall