Irish actor Brendan Gleeson has committed to star as Ireland’s winningest trainer, Dermot Weld, in The Cup, which goes into production later this month in Australia with Simon Wincer to direct. Weld enjoys the unique distinction of being the only international trainer to have twice won the Melbourne Cup: in 1993 with Vintage Crop and in 2002 with Media Puzzle. It is the latter victory that plays an integral part in the development of the film.
This is a preview of BREAKING NEWS: Brendan Gleeson to Top-Line The Cup. Read the full post »
Some of the most important casting decisions for The Cup have already been made and the papers signed. Director Simon Wincer has personally overseen the acquisition of more than two dozen Thoroughbreds, each of whom is now being schooled in the intricacies of the moviemaking art.
From The Man From Snowy River to The Lighthorsemen and The Young Black Stallion, Wincer’s ability as a filmmaker to capture the passion and allure of horses is unmatched in Hollywood, but he does admit there are one or two obstacles to recreating the dramatic running of the 2002 Melbourne Cup.
Emmy Award-winning director Simon Wincer confirms that principal photography for The Cup will commence in Australia on May 31. The veteran filmmaker who has crafted classics such as The Man From Snowy River, Lonesome Dove, and Free Willy has already completed second unit photography for The Cup at two key venues: The Curragh in County Kildare, Ireland, site of Dermot Weld’s training center; and Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, home of the Melbourne Cup, the world’s most prestigious two-mile handicap.
My livelihood is based on a simple concept: I ask questions, listen to answers, and then piece together my thoughts in a compelling manner. Which is why I am absolutely intrigued by the one question that I am continually asked about writing The Cup.
Let’s hope this video clip, which ran at the launch of The Cup at Flemington, answers this question once and for all.
Richard Stubbs gets Damien Oliver to open up about a wide range of topics in this excellent half hour interview. Many go right to the heart of The Cup – hurrying home to Perth from Melbourne after learning of his brother’s fall, deciding whether or not to return and ride in the Cup, and the unexpected bit of encouragement he received from his late brother that got him back in the saddle for the Cup Carnival.
ABC 774 Damien Oliver Discusses The Cup (28:19)
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Director Simon Wincer discusses his upcoming film The Cup about Damien Oliver's epic victory in the 2002 Melbourne Cup at the launch of the book of the same name at Flemington Racecourse on August 6.
BY STEVE BUTLER / THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
AUGUST 7, 2009
This is a preview of PRINT: “Cup Tribute in Oliver’s Film Glory”. Read the full post »
Race caller Bryan Martin emcees the launch of The Cup in the Committee Room at Flemington Racecourse.
RACINGANDSPORT.COM
August 7, 2009
Damien Oliver has launched the new book The Cup, the remarkable story of the 2002 Melbourne Cup and his emotional win on Media Puzzle.
Struggling to hold back tears, Damien recapped the 2002 Cup and how he came to make one the toughest decisions he has faced – whether or not he would ride following the tragic death of his brother Jason in a track fall just days earlier.
This is a preview of ONLINE: “Emotional Book Launch by Damien Oliver”. Read the full post »
I’ve been called a lot of names in my time, but this one is music to my ears: ”an American bloke.” Like so many Aussies, Tim Watson and Andy Marr are passionate about the Cup. And it shows. I can’t wait to pop in to the studio and visit with them face to face during the Cup Carnival.
1116 SEN Morning Glory with Tim Watson and Andy Marr (5:50)
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Irish actor Brendan Gleeson has committed to star as Ireland’s winningest trainer, Dermot Weld, in The Cup, which goes into production later this month in Australia with Simon Wincer to direct. Weld enjoys the unique distinction of being the only international trainer to have twice won the Melbourne Cup: in 1993 with Vintage Crop and in 2002 with Media Puzzle. It is the latter victory that plays an integral part in the development of the film.
Some of the most important casting decisions for The Cup have already been made and the papers signed. Director Simon Wincer has personally overseen the acquisition of more than two dozen Thoroughbreds, each of whom is now being schooled in the intricacies of the moviemaking art.
Emmy Award-winning director Simon Wincer confirms that principal photography for The Cup will commence in Australia on May 31. The veteran filmmaker who has crafted classics such as The Man From Snowy River, Lonesome Dove, and Free Willy has already completed second unit photography for The Cup at two key venues: The Curragh in County Kildare, Ireland, site of Dermot Weld’s training center; and Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, home of the Melbourne Cup, the world’s most prestigious two-mile handicap.
