Harry Potter Fever. In Japan.
Tonight on the programme another Chris Hogg spectacular.
"The red carpet was rolled out, the champagne on ice and the smoke machines billowing at full blast tonight in Tokyo for the premiere of what is likely to be the summers big blockbuster. Japanese fans who'd won tickets were among the first to see the film anywhere in the world. For PM Chris Hogg attempted to get a closer look."
Chris has sent us these photos and words:
"A group of fans who dressed up last night twenty four hours before the premiere to queue up to make sure they got the best seats. They call each other by their character names. Saori 'Harry' Sato who is 27 dressed up as Harry Potter when she came to Britain last year on her honeymoon. She showed me a great photo of her trying to push a luggage trolley through the wall at St Pancras. (PS I noted the complaint last week about my standard issue blue shirt khaki trousers Foreign Correspondent combo and tried shocking pink instead).
Hmm Lion on her head. Luna Lovegood? Well she carries it off well ...
All smiles outside the coffee shop where they stocked up ready for their all-nighter .. sadly the next morning there were tears as all but Hermione (in the blond wig) secured tickets for the red carpet.
Two more super-fans I met Toshiko Matsumara who is 28 and Mayumi Narita who is 43. They collect Potter stuff. Loads of it.
Kumiko Terashima, author and web-mistress of the Pottermania website. Her claim to fame is that she writes the encyclopedia Japanese readers use to help them understand those difficult words or concepts which crop up in the books like Christmas pudding, muggles or gob-stoppers.
Sadly I'm banned from the red carpet itself tonight - not because of any previous misdemeanours I have to point out. Warner Brothers are trying to manage the media coverage - they are worried if we get to close to Daniel tonight there will be less interest when he pitches up in Leicester Square next week. But we will get as close as we can for you .. "
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And all co-ordinated by Eric - our very own Albus Dumbledore.
This may be contentious but I'm not sure I care - should I?
...if only all "news" were this good natured and "innocent" (oh dear, have I ruffled the sensitivities of various Church's and their supporters..?) Never mind.
Looks like a win-win situation for children and somewhat older children world-wide. A very rare event I think.
Now, I've heard, that in the latest 'Potter" book, there's a death. We've been warned!
Anyway, I justed wanted to say, if it's Hedwig (who snuffs-it), I lay first claim the body.
As it happens, I'm rather partial to owl-au-vin...
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan....thanks for the pics. The last instalment comes out just in time for my birthday, so my family have been telt!
PS Chris, the pink shirt was well-worth the effort ;o)
Witchi;
Have you read the books? It would be true to say that the first couple were books for older kids, but the last few have been a cracking read. I'm really looking forward to the release of the final on at the end of July.
Rowling really grew into a magnificent storyteller. I'm not a big fan of Sci-Fi or Fantasy, although I could re-read the Lord of the Rings every week. But these books are worth a read by anyone.
I'd also recommend the 'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman. The first film hits the screen just before Christmas this year. It's called either 'The Golden Compass' or 'Northern Lights'.
Si.
Chris,
I reckon you're banned from the red carpet because you'll be far too tall in that company! Still, you'll be able to see over most everyone's heads from the rear of the crowds.
I have to say that I tried to read the first HP book, but in my opinion it seemed to be the same kind of patronising rubbish that so very nearly put me off reading when I was small. I saw it as not much better than Enid Blyton or "The Hardy Boys" mysteries which I knew were awful, but they were about all that was left unread in the childrens' section of the library so I read them.
If children *have* to have their own books, they could do worse than read Terry Pratchett's childrens stuff, but really I think the whole "childrens' lit" industry is just that, an industry. I was in heaven when my mum started getting me adult library books on her card when I was nine or ten, I'm sure we'd have a more literate population if more adults encouraged their children to read "grown-up" books.
Having said all that, I do think the Harry Potter pictured above is *very* cute!
SiW -
I did try and read the first one but found it, well, dull. Now, Philip Pullman is a completely different matter - they are fabulous books! Truly original, moving, involving....and due for another read as soon I've finished with Mr Lawrence and his gamekeeper (as it were).
Charlie @ 3
Your owl-au-vin sounds a bit of a hoot to me!
I was about to say that if you got your hands on two owls, I'd like one. Purely, you understand, to try the recipe - which I hope you'll share.
BUT, that would mean you, Charlie, would have in your hands a pair (or would it be a brace?) of "hooters" which, I see from the Blog, is a no, no.
Ah well, must fly...
Charlie;
We're told that two major characters die in the final instalment. The obvious money goes on Lord Voldemort. Evil must be conquered and all that.
I'd be tempted to have a small flutter on Rubeus Hagrid as the other one.
I reckon the Rowling has incorporated elements of ancient Alchemy into the books. The three classic stages of Alchemical transformation are Black, White and Red, in that order.
Sirius Black died first, followed by Albus Dumbledore (Albus is derived from the Latin word for white). Rubeus, of course derives from the Latin for Red. So, for Harry to complete some alchemical transformation to the final product he has to pass through the Red stage of purification. Hagrid has to die.
O.K., I'll stop now, you can all wake up again.
Si.
Si/Daniel - Oooops!
Jack S;
I know, I know.
Mind you, I taught him everything he knows.
But I didn't teach him everything I know!
Si.
Daniel 10
I'm ever optimistic
If Harry passes through a stage of purification, maybe he won't need Hedwig. Maybe he won't be able to have Hedwig
So, I'll give Hedwig a home... sorry, a pot - of the casserole variety
Remember, I staked the claim first...
Si, have you tried George R R Martin's Song of Ice and Fire books? Grown up, briliant plotting, edge of the seat storytelling, more driven by the depths of human nature than the magical elements which are relatively few and certainly not ace[ted by whole swathes of the population of martin's imagined world. The opening few page of Book 1 - A Game of Thrones - is an absolute cracker.
I thought Chris's package was great fun, especially the woman who went to England for her honeymoon. And the encyclopottia.
Pullman - wouldn't read his books for a while because of 'Go4It' adaptation, which put me right off. Am now an out-and-out fan.
I do like having my silly prejudices shaken up from time to time.
Now, can anyone convince me that beetroot tastes nice?
O Frances - I'm addicted to beetroot, it really does taste nice!
I didn't mean to criticise your previous outfit, Chris, merely to point out that you and the japanese mathematician looked like you were in uniform:-) I thought maybe this was a new initiative for Foreign Correspondants to empathise with their interviewees.
So, fabulous as the pink shirt is, I'm disappointed not to see you in school uniform with an owl on your head!!
PS Frances - I lurrrve Beetroot! I have some most lunchtimes. And it's such a fantastic colour (especially when it drips down your front!!)
Hey! I've just spotted something! Si, you do a mean Daniel Craig/Jack Sparrow disguise! Should I be embarassed about what we got up to in the waves?...
Speaking of beets (which I hate), has anyone read Jitterbug Perfume?
xx
ed
Ah Appy;
I may have been Daniel Craig (yesterday only). But I am not Jack Sparrow, never was and never will be.
I think Craig is a gifted actor, having seen him in Archangel and others things. Can't stand Depp, not impressed with anything he's ever been in.
As for being embarrassed, nah!
Si.