| HACHIKO FILM NEWS |
| January 16, 2008 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Actor Richard Gere made an appearance at Rhode Island's Statehouse. State officials say the star of such movies as "Pretty Woman" and "An Officer and a Gentleman" will soon be filming a new movie in the Ocean State called "Hachiko: A Dog Story." Gere showed up at a ceremony Wednesday publicizing the film, which is based on a true story about a professor who adopts a dog. The movie will also feature actress Joan Allen, who appeared in "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "The Bourne Supremacy." |
| Journal photo / Sandor Bodo Actor Richard Gere addresses the crowd at State House today as he takes part in the official welcome for Hachiko: A Dog Story, which will be filmed entirely in Rhode Island. Gere will star in the movie, which he's also producing. |
| Richard Gere at State House at 2pm 8:04 am on January 16th, 2008 To be welcomed for the inexplicable RI filming of the movie Hachiko: A Dog’s Story. It’ll star and be produced by Gere, and is based on the story of Hachiko, a renowned canine owned by a Japanese professor. Hachiko used to meet his owner at the train station every evening. When the owner died, the dog kept going to the station at the time his train used to arrive, every day, for more than ten years. |
| Video One 1/16/08 |
| If you would like to contribute stories, photos or other film information to be added here, please email me. All contributions will be acknowledged unless otherwise stated. Thank you! |
| Video Two 1/17/08 |
| Video Three 1/17/08 |
| Video Four 1/17/08 |
| Actor Richard Gere has his picture taken with Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis in the State House rotunda yesterday. Gere's latest film, Hachiko: A Dog Story, begins shooting in Woonsocket and Bristol next week. Journal photo / Sandor Bodo |
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| "Hachiko" the Movie Starring Richard Gere By Michael Janusonis Richard Gere is scheduled to begin shooting the film "Hachiko: A Dog’s Story" on locations in Bristol and Woonsocket beginning Jan. 21. Producer Bill Johnson said over the phone that the film, inspired by the true story of a faithful dog who became a national hero in Japan, will shoot here through February. The film crew will then return in the spring “because the story takes place over a number of years and we need to shoot the different seasons.” The real Hachiko was an Akita dog who was brought to Tokyo by his owner, a college professor, in 1924. The dog would see his master off from the front door and then greet him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya railway station. After the professor’s death in 1925, Hachiko returned every day to the station to wait for him, and did so for the next 10 years. Eventually, the new station master even set up a room for the dog to sleep in. Several articles were written about Hachiko’s faithfulness and in 1932 he gained national attention when his story was printed in Tokyo’s largest newspaper. In 1934 a bronze statue of his likeness was erected at the Shibuya station, with Hachiko himself present for the unveiling. Johnson, reached by phone, said that “our film is about loyalty and friendship and dogs show that.” The house Gere’s character lives in with his wife, played by Academy Award- nominated actress Joan Allen, will be in Bristol. But when he walks to the railroad station to catch his train, he will be in Woonsocket, some 30 miles away. Although passenger trains no longer stop in Woonsocket, Jeffrey Polucha, director of economic development for Woonsocket, said the film company has worked with the Providence & Worcester Railroad, which runs freight trains through Woonsocket, to provide old passenger cars. Polucha said he has been meeting with location scout Colin Walsh for about three months working out arrangements for filming. “They’ve rented warehouse space and are building sets,” Polucha said. “They have an office across from City Hall.” Bristol Police Chief Russell Serpa said he has met with Walsh and is going through the process of getting permission from the State Traffic Commission to close the main thoroughfare of Hope Street during filming. Serpa recalled that Bristol had its own version of Hachiko many years ago when a dog who accompanied his master to a bus stop every day and waited for him in the evening, continued to do so after the man’s death. Hachiko originally had been scheduled to begin shooting in Rhode Island last October, but shortly before filming was to begin, the director was replaced by Lasse Hallstrom who was nominated for best director Academy Awards in 1987 for "My Life as a Dog" and in 1999 for the New England-filmed "The Cider House Rules." Hallstrom’s other credits include "Chocolat" and the cult hit "What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?" Stephen Lindsey wrote the screenplay; this is his first-produced script. Three Akitas will play Hachiko in the film, said Johnson, adding that they have been in training for nine months. He expects them to arrive with their trainers from California next week. Johnson said Rhode Island was chosen as a location because of “a combination of the look and for the tax credits.” (Rhode Island allows movie and TV companies that spend at least $300,000 in the state a 25-percent tax credit for every dollar spent here on food, lodging, equipment, rentals and salaries. Those credits can then be sold by the producers to wealthy taxpayers looking to reduce their Rhode Island personal-income taxes.) “Actually,” Johnson added, “we’re looking to bring other films here in the future.” Hachiko is being financed by his independent Inferno production company. Johnson said a distribution deal is already in place with Sony Pictures. For Hachiko, the cast and crew will stay in Providence, the midway point between Bristol and Woonsocket. |
| By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN PROVIDENCE — What looked like every Pretty Woman and her sister — all with cameras — were crowded into the Statehouse rotunda Wednesday afternoon for a glimpse of one of Hollywood’s most enduring leading men. Richard Gere, the star of a new movie that will be filmed in Rhode Island, was given an official welcome by local politicians and dignitaries. Gere will be paired with Joan Allen in “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story,” a heart- touching, family-style tale that is being directed by his friend and collaborator, Academy Award nominee Lasse Hallstrom. The mostly female onlookers, many of whom were state employees, waved and snapped photos when the 58- year-old Gere, dressed in a black sport coat, black jeans, and grey shirt, and sporting a leonine mane of whitish gray hair, descended the marble stairs to the rotunda for the brief reception. Seated in close quarters across from a phalanx of local VIPs that included House Speaker William Murphy, Senate President Joseph A. Montalbano, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis, Attorney General Patrick Lynch, URI President Dr. Robert Carothers, and an assortment of legislators and local members of the news media, the 58-year-old Gere appeared modest while speakers touted his various film credits and humanitarian achievements. Joining him were Lasse, and co-producers Bill Johnson and Vicki Shigekuni Wong, who was inspired to make an American adaptation of the Japanese classic story based on her own dog-bonding experience. While a mention of Gere’s long list of movie credits, including “American Gigolo,” “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “The Runaway Bride” and his more recent, “Hoax,” drew applause, it was the mention of his 1990 classic, “Pretty Woman,” with Julia Roberts, that caused the most hooting and hollering from the onlookers. See GERE, Page A-2 Gere, turning somewhat red-faced, looked down and shook his head, grinning. One enterprising female made use of Lynch’s considerable height by handing him her camera to take a photo of the bespectacled star. Murphy, joking that it may be the only legislative bill that passes with unanimous consent, presented Gere with a resolution from the House of Representatives, while Montalbano, on behalf of the Senate, lauded him for not only his acting work “but for your humanitarian efforts across the globe.” He cited Gere’s efforts on behalf of the non-profit organization, Tibet House, and Survival International, which helps tribal cultures. Randy Rosenbaum, executive director of the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, and Steven Feinberg, executive director of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office, spoke of how happy they were to have another movie being shot in the Ocean State and of how it boosts the state’s economy. Feinberg said that the latest film, “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story,” is based on the true Japanese story of a professor and his adoption of an abandoned dog who becomes his best friend and the unbreakable, life- altering bond that develops. He said the movie will be shot on location in Bristol, Woonsocket, and South Kingstown, particularly in and around the University of Rhode Island campus. When he finally took the podium, Gere said he was “bowled over” by the reception. He said he had been in Washington, D.C., the previous day, working on behalf of one of his causes, funding for AIDS, and looked forward to just beginning work on the movie, and maybe a low-key meeting with the governor. Gere said he read the American adaptation of the Japanese story of Hachiko and found it “touching. He said that much of the tale centers around a train station, and that while New York City would have been ideal for both he and Lasse, who live there, the production costs were prohibitive. He said the producers looked further south, to Connecticut, but it was Rhode Island’s tax credit program for filmmakers that sealed the deal. “We were going to shut down the film. But, we found the perfect location and the perfect situation,” said Gere. “Even though we can’t live at home and we’ll have to see our kids on the weekend,” he added. Gere recalled that when he was 17, he took his father’s car and drove down from Syracuse, N.Y., to the Newport Folk Festival. “I got pulled over. And I just want to know if he is here today.” Turning and pointing to Capitol Police Chief William Habershaw, standing next to him, Gere joked, “You look very familiar!” |
| PROVIDENCE In what was the political equivalent of schoolroom show-and-tell, the Rhode Island Film and TV Office brought Richard Gere to the State House rotunda yesterday to meet legislators and the media and to talk about his film, Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, which begins shooting in Woonsocket and Bristol next week. Arriving to squeals of excitement from the largely female crowd of about 250 people that filled the staircases and balconies around the rotunda, Gere seemed flustered and a little embarrassed by all the attention, especially when Film and TV Office executive director Steven Feinberg gave a florid introductory speech, running through Gere’s film and humanitarian accomplishments. Gere, with shaggy white hair and rimless eyeglasses, humbly accepted the whoops and applause and said he was “bowled over” by the reception. He said he’d been in Washington, D.C., the day before, meeting with government officials about his humanitarian work on Tibet and AIDS. Faced with a battery of cameras there, he said he had expected to get to Rhode Island on a midnight flight and get down to work yesterday quietly. Instead, he said with a laugh, he was met by state officials, hundreds of well-wishers and a barrage of camera flashes. The event was an opportunity for legislators, many of whom were influential in passing the state’s film tax incentive law that has brought films such as Hachiko to the state, to rub shoulders with a bona fide movie star as well as to get local TV evening news coverage. Although billed as a news conference, no questions were taken from the media. Statements from the 58-year-old actor and producer Bill Johnson were given, as well as remarks from Senate President Joseph Montalbano, President Robert Carothers of the University of Rhode Island, where some of Hachiko will be filmed, and House Speaker William J. Murphy, who spearheaded the film tax incentive law which he said has brought $175 million in film and TV production spending to the Ocean State. The Rhode Island tax credit law, in place since 2005, allows TV and movie companies that spend at least $300,000 in the state a 25-percent tax credit for every dollar spent here on food, lodging, equipment, rentals and salaries. Those credits can be sold by the producers to wealthy taxpayers looking to reduce their Rhode Island personal income taxes. Murphy emphasized that he was determined to keep those controversial tax credits in place in the next fiscal year budget despite the state’s growing deficit and despite claims from some that the state actually loses money on the credits because wealthy taxpayers can cut their tax liabilities. Murphy said that the law creates jobs here and builds the state’s filmmaking infrastructure. Johnson said that if the film had been made a couple of years ago, it probably would have been shot in Canada, which also has tax incentives and, at the time, had a dollar that was considerably weaker than the U.S. dollar. Gere is known to fans around the world for such films as An Officer and a Gentleman, Pretty Woman and Chicago. He said that he and Academy Award-nominated director Lasse Hallstrom, whose most recent film was The Hoax starring Gere, live near each other in upstate New York and had hoped to make the film nearby so they could go home to their families every night. But they didn’t have enough tax credits to finance the budget in New York. Next they turned to Connecticut, but although they found some lovely railroad stations which could be an important location in the film, they faced the same budget problems there. Finally they found what they were looking for with Rhode Island’s tax credits and the Woonsocket train station. “Even though we can’t live at home and see our kids for weeks,” Gere said, it was otherwise a perfect fit. Much of the film will be shot in Bristol and Woonsocket, as well as at URI. Hachiko (pronounced HA-chi-ko) is based on a beloved true story that took place in 1920s Tokyo. An Akita dog named Hachiko would see his master, a college professor, off from the front door every day and then greet him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya railway station. After the professor’s death in 1925, Hachiko returned every day to the station to wait for him, and did so for the next 10 years. A bronze statue of Hachiko still sits outside the Shibuya station. A popular Japanese film was made about the dog a decade ago. In the American version, Gere will play the professor. He and Academy Award-nominated actress Joan Allen, who plays his wife, will live in a house in Bristol. At the end of the State House event, Gere was surrounded by fans and legislators, such as Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, who got a picture of himself with the movie star. Then Gere was whisked away. Hallstrom, however, stayed behind and said that Hachiko will begin production Monday, but he wasn’t sure yet where their first location would be. All the scenes will be shot on location, with no sets built in a studio. Hallstrom replaced an earlier director who had been attached to the project for six months, but said that when Gere sent him the script he was “moved by it. I’m so glad we’re working together again.” |
Video Five 1/17/08 |
| Rhode Island Statehouse |
| New Information Added Daily!! New photos added February 23, 2008 Scroll down for added information |
| Gere lands in Providence; set to film Monday in Bristol January 17, 2009 A crowd of hundreds draped the railings of the Rhode Island Statehouse rotunda in Providence Wednesday afternoon to greet Richard Gere, who will start filming his latest, "Hachiko: A Dog's Story," in Bristol on Monday morning. Giddy Gere fans raised a series of thunderous applauses throughout the conference, which welcomed the Golden Globe winner to the Ocean State. Many wooing expressions were thrown in Mr. Gere's direction, and at the podium, he said he was similarly impressed with the Ocean State. "We found the perfect situation and perfect locations," he said, referring to the film's three locations: Bristol, Woonsocket and the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Gere, who arrived on scene fashionably late of the 2 p.m. scheduled start time, said he was surprised about the warm reception he received. During his introduction, the star blushed at times, leaning forward to hide his face in his hands as fans cheered. He was undoubtedly appreciative of the response but said, "I was looking forward to a break from the photos and speeches. I thought I'd arrive, meet the governor and get back to work." Mr. Gere took the last of his few minutes to thank politicians, state officials and fans present. He said he was thankful for the outstanding tax benefits the state offers filmmakers. "We almost had to cut the film when we didn't get good enough deals in New York and Connecticut," he said. Mr. Gere said he knew it was not easy for the government to give such a break with the economy being what it is, and Rhode Island's benefits are now attracting many filmmakers. High Street home revealed There will soon be more opportunities to spot the actor here at home, now that Mr. Gere will be filming around Bristol, starting Monday Jan. 21. Hachiko location manager Colin Walsh said the full day of filming planned for Hope Street on Friday, Jan. 18 is rescheduled for early February. Mr. Gere and crew are expected to spend about 10 days filming on a set at 18 High St., at the intersection of High and Walley streets. The cast and crew will be staying in Providence for six weeks total. The home chosen for the film is an 11-room, white colonial house at 18 High St. It was built in 1885 and offers a seascape area view just outside Bristol Harbor. Owner Steven Serenska bought the house last March for $795,000, and he has apparently rented it to Hachiko Productions for the duration of filming. "We aren't supposed to say anything," one worker said sternly on Tuesday. "Let's just say we're doing some work in here," another said. One neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said she has been well aware of the strange and unique activities going on inside the house. "I am very excited the film will be there," she said. "But I won't be sneaking around or pushing to meet Mr. Gere. I think the cast and crew should have their space." Mr. Gere stars in the film alongside Joan Allen, known for her recent roles in the Bourne trilogy and The Contender." Anyone interested in being an extra can contact the local LDI Casting via its website, www.ldicasting.net. By Jeremy Rosen |
| Richard Gere getting to know his co-star, "Chico". Dogs were bred by Debra at Sunrock Akitas Taken the weekend of January 18-20, 2008 Photos By Robin Collins |
| Home Owner Steven Serenska |
| Cameras start rolling for Richard Gere film Tuesday, January 21, 2008 Crew in Bristol work at 18 High St., which will be a set for Richard Gere and his co- star, Joan Allen. The Providence Journal / Frieda Squires BRISTOL — Richard Gere was in town yesterday for the first day of shooting of the film Hachiko: A Dog’s Story. The film crew was at 18 High St., a private residence in the historic downtown that is to be the home of Gere and co-star Joan Allen in the movie. It was the start of what’s projected to be several weeks of shooting in Bristol, Woonsocket and other parts of Rhode Island for the film based on a true story about a loyal canine companion. For Gere fans in Bristol, the big day will come Feb. 25 when the production closes down a portion of Hope Street between Constitution and Bradford streets for a full day of filming. |
| Richard Gere filming fable in Bristol Tuesday, January 21, 2008 By Michael Janusonis Richard Gere began filming the movie Hachiko yesterday in Bristol at the house where his character lives in the film. “We’re trying to camouflage issues,” said a production coordinator on the film, who refused to give the house’s address for fear the public would descend on the Hope Street location in hopes of getting a glimpse of Gere. “We’ re trying to keep away from the public,” she said, even though the army of film trucks that surround a movie site are always a dead giveaway. Joan Allen, who plays the wife of Gere’s character in the film, was not expected on the set yesterday. However, the actress, who has three Academy Award nominations to her credit, was in the state, according to sources. Gere was working yesterday with the Akita dog that plays the title character in the movie. Hachiko is based on a true story that is beloved in Japan. The real Hachiko was an Akita dog who was brought to Tokyo by his owner, a college professor, in 1924. The dog would see his master off from the front door of his house and then greet him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya train station. After the professor’s death in 1925, Hachiko returned every day to the station to wait for him, and did so for the next 10 years. The new station master, who arrived in 1928, took a shine to the dog and even set up a room for the dog to sleep in. Several articles were written about Hachiko’s faithfulness and in 1932 he gained national attention when his story was printed in Tokyo’s largest newspaper. In 1934 a bronze statue of his likeness was erected at the Shibuya station, with Hachiko himself present for the unveiling. Although the statue was melted down for the war effort during World War II, it was replaced in the late 1940s and continues to be a popular meeting spot for people waiting between trains. A popular Japanese film was made of Hachiko’s story a decade ago. Hachiko will be filmed on locations across the state, from downtown Bristol to the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston to the Woonsocket railway station. The filmmakers are not expected to get to Woonsocket this week, concentrating instead on scenes in Bristol. It is expected to shoot in Rhode Island through February, according to producer Bill Johnson, and the film crew will return in the spring “because the story takes place over a number of years and we need to shoot the different seasons.” It is being directed by Lasse Hallstrom whose most recent film was The Hoax, also starring Gere. |
| On his first day filming in Bristol, Golden Globe winner Richard Gere exits a silver Jeep on Walley Street, to enter the Hachiko set at 18 High St. Monday morning |
| On his walk to the set, Forrest, one of three Akitas taking turns to star alongside Richard Gere in the film "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" poses for spectators Monday morning at the corner of Walley and High streets |
| Hollywood star shoots in Bristol January 21, 2008 On his first day filming in Bristol, Golden Globe winner Richard Gere exits a silver Jeep on Walley Street, to enter the Hachiko set at 18 High St. Monday morning With a "feels like" temperature of 2 degrees, and ear-numbing wind gusts blowing up High Street from Bristol Harbor, dedicated Richard Gere fans gathered at the corner of High and Walley in hopes of seeing their beloved actor on set at 18 High St. for the first time on Monday. "All we want is one glimpse," said Bristol resident Kristin Sousa who arrived around 9:30 a.m. with her daughter Katelyn, 8, and friend Marie Raso. Mrs. Sousa said watching Gere's "Runaway Bride" the night before on television wet her palate. "He is so handsome and such a great actor. Yeah, I would leave my husband for him," the Kickemuit Middle School teacher said between laughs. By 10 a.m., about 20 Gere groupies had gathered at the corner. Bystanders, and drivers who crept by the scene, came and went throughout the day, uncertain of exactly when Mr. Gere would show. The Gere group was monitored by members of Hachiko Productions LLC and five Bristol policemen, who blocked off part of Walley Street along the house's side and a section of High Street at the front of the house. Melissa Riccio, a private chef, was there bundled with her daughters Hannah, 10, and Emma, 8. Ms. Riccio said aside from inviting Mr. Gere to dinner at her house, she would ask the philanthropical actor about his spirituality. Her daughters, however, were less interested in getting to see Mr. Gere. "Um, we never really saw him [on screen] before," Hannah said. "We're puppy fans." On his walk to the set, Forrest, one of three Akitas taking turns to star alongside Richard Gere in the film "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" poses for spectators Monday morning at the corner of Walley and High streets As the morning went on, the Riccio girls proved more interested in catching glimpses of the three Akitas taking turns to star alongside Gere as his legendary, loyal dog. On the extreme end of the Gere fan spectrum were Bristol resident Toni Thomas and Carol Pincins of Providence. Ms. Thomas said she wouldn't hesitate to ask Mr. Gere a racy question. "My one question to ask would be, 'How comfortable are you being naked on film?'" Mrs. Pincins, who said she has enjoyed Mr. Gere for 30 years since his famous role in "Pretty Woman," had more long-term thoughts. "When I walked up the state house steps to welcome him on Wednesday, I thought to myself, 'If he asks me to run away with him, I'd say, 'Yes' and would call my husband and say, 'Bye honey, you can keep the kids,'" she said. Around 10:15 a.m., Mrs. Pincins and others witnessed the split second they had been waiting for since early that morning, when a silver Jeep sport utility discretely and efficiently dropped off Mr. Gere on Walley Street, and the star actor snuck in the side of the house through a gate leading to the back yard. Approximately 20 minutes later, Mr. Gere exited in that same Jeep with RI plates, perhaps to go to the cast and crew "base camp" set up in a lot on Thames Street between Constitution and Church. Mr. Gere later returned on set at 11:40 a.m. By Jeremy Rosen |
| Video Six 1/22/08 |
| Video Seven 1/22/08 |
| RICHARD GERE AT THE STATE HOUSE January 17, 2008 Photos by Richard Dionne Jr |
| Thursday, January 31, 2008 Gere filming continues Georgette Dudley, who has relatives on Walley Street opposite the film shoot location, snapped this photo of a smiling, waving Richard Gere last week. It is uncertain just how long Richard Gere, Joan Allen, the beautiful akitas and the rest of the Hachiko cast and crew will be in Bristol. Hachiko Productions location manager Colin Walsh said filming in Bristol may continue into next week depending on the weather. He said cast and crew need a few more days filming at 18 High St. if filming continues at the current pace. "We will start in Woonsocket sometime next week," he said. "We never know how much time we'll need on location. It depends on the weather, cast availability and other timing issues." The High Street filming is not Bristol's only shot. Mr. Walsh said filming is scheduled in other Bristol locations before the film's early March deadline. Other media reports said the film's outdoor Hope Street filming will take place Monday, Feb. 25. |
| Gere Begins Filming In Bristol 01-22-2008 10:28 AM (Bristol, RI) -- Amateur papparazzi are expected to descend on Bristol again today for a chance to snap a picture of Richard Gere. Fans of the actor showed up on High Street yesterday, where Gere started filming his new movie "Hachiki." A private residence in the historic district of town will serve as the movie home of Gere and co-star Joan Allen. In addition to Bristol, crews will be shooting scenes in Woonsocket and other parts of the Oceans State, but the big day, according to the "Providence Journal," will be February 25th when production will close down a portion of Hope Street for a full day of filming. |
| 08-R029 2008 -- H 7190 Enacted 01/22/08 H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N WELCOMING RICHARD GERE TO THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Introduced By: Representatives Murphy, Lima, E Coderre, Giannini, and Gallison Date Introduced: January 22, 2008 WHEREAS, Richard Gere is a man of extraordinary talents and abundant accomplishments. As an enormously gifted actor, a selfless humanitarian and environmentalist, and a true gentleman, Mr. Gere has given the world stage moments of joy and laughter, tears and enlightenment, and has compassionately endeavored to promote global peace, justice and understanding; and WHEREAS, Born in the City of “Brotherly Love”, as the second of five children, Mr. Gere was athletic, artistic and musically inclined from an early age; and WHEREAS, Mr. Gere’s first professional stage work was in “Rosencrantz and Guilderstern Are Dead” with the Provincetown Playhouse on Cape Cod in 1971. Two years later, he captured a role in the original London stage version of “Grease” and in 1977, co-starred in the thriller “Looking for Mr. Goodbar”; and WHEREAS, In the 1980’s, Mr. Gere became a household name with his unforgettable roles in “American Gigolo” and “An Officer and a Gentleman” for which he earned a Best Drama Actor nomination from the Golden Globes; and WHEREAS, In 1990, Mr. Gere made us all believe in living happily ever after with his endearing performance in the box office hit “Pretty Woman”, for which he was again nominated for a Best Actor Award by the Golden Globes; and WHEREAS, Throughout the 1990’s, Mr. Gere starred in hit after hit, playing the leading man in “Sommersby”, “Primal Fear” and the “Runaway Bride”. In 2000, he was awarded the Golden Globe Best Musical/Comedy Actor for his portrayal of Billy Flynn in the acclaimed movie “Chicago”; and WHEREAS, Proudly, Rhode Island was chosen as the site for Mr. Gere’s latest film, “Hachiko: A Dog Story”. This heart-warming family story is starring and being produced by Mr. Gere, and will be shot entirely in our beautiful Ocean State; and WHEREAS, Richard Gere has achieved artistic successes that very few people would have even dared to imagine, and perhaps of equal impress, is the fact that throughout his dazzling career, he has remained grounded in his life and his religion, and has never lost sight of the needs of his fellow man and the global community; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby warmly welcomes Mr. Richard Gere to the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and extends our heartfelt wishes for his good health, much happiness and continued success; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Richard Gere. ======= LC00829 ======= |
| 1/23/2008 Gere to begin filming Feb. 6 at Woonsocket depot WOONSOCKET - If you are anywhere near the old Woonsocket Railroad Depot in Woonsocket in the next few weeks, chances are you'll see actor Richard Gere waving goodbye to a dog named Hachiko while his wife, Joan Allen, stands by. The popular actor, of such films as "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Pretty Woman," "Cider House Rules," "Chocolat," "The Hoax" Golden Globe winning "Chicago," and currently the "Hunting Party," has hit Rhode Island for filming of "Hachiko: a Dog's Story," and will be filming at the depot starting Wednesday, Feb. 6, according to Jeffrey Polucha, head of economic development in the city. Gere visited Woonsocket last summer to scout out the historic depot, headquarters of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor built in 1882 by the Providence and Worcester Railroad. One third of scenes are planned to be shot at the depot. The film, scripted by Stephen P. Lindsay, is based on a true story inspired by the 1987 Japanese film "Hachiko Monogatari." The story is one of a college professor who adopts an abandoned dog, their lives changing forever after forming an unbreakable bond. In life, Hachiko went with his master to a Tokyo railway station every day. The professor would board the train to go to work and the dog would wait for him to return. One day in 1925, the professor unexpectedly died and didn't return. The dog still arrived at the station for years to come. In 1934, a bronze statue of the dog was erected at the Shibuya Train Station and still stands as a local landmark. |
| HACHIKO: A DOG'S STORY STATUS: January 21 - February. The film crew will then return in the spring. LOCATION: Bristol, Rhode Island PRODUCER: Bill Johnson - Vicky Shigekuni Wong - Jim Seibel - Paul Mason - Dean Schnider DIRECTOR: Lasse Hallstrom LP: Rob Ortiz PM: Steph Accetta CAST: Richard Gere - Joan Allen - Koji Yakusho WRITER: Stephen Lindsey Based on the true tale of a faithful Akita dog that kept vigil for nearly a decade, waiting for his master, who died and didn't return home. The dog is celebrated by the Japanese each year, and a statue was erected in his honor in Tokyo. Gere plays a college professor who takes in the dog. This is a remake of a Japanese movie, called, "Hachiko Monogatari" (1987), starring Tatsuya Nakadai, who became Koji's teacher at the Mumeijuku acting studio in the late 1970's . Another site,Hollywood.com had previously reported that Koji would appear in this movie as a Japanese named KEN. |
| Thursday, February 7, 2008 Gere goes shopping in Bristol Jim Dumas had closed his Jesse James Antiques on State Street early last Monday to run an errand. When he came back, he noticed two men peering through the windows of his antique shop — "that's not uncommon," he said. Pulling into the driveway, he decided to let them in. "When I came around I saw the gray hair and I thought, 'I bet that's who it is.' Richard Gere, it turned out, was eager to come in and look around, and the Hollywood actor and an associate spent the better part of 45 minutes going through the shop. It turns out Mr. Gere and his wife plan to open a restaurant in Westchester County, N.Y., and he was looking for rustic items for the place. "He totally went through everything. He was really interested and we had a good time. He put a few things on hold and said he might be in for more," said Mr. Dumas |
| February 7, 2008 Film's stop in Woonsocket changes RIPTA routes In other Hollywood-comes-to-Rhode Island news, some RIPTA bus riders should expect relocated routes beginning tomorrow for a movie shooting in the area. In Woonsocket, Route 54 -- Lincoln/Woonsocket -- and Route 87 -- Fairmount/Walunt Hill -- will be detoured because of filming. The bus stop has been moved from Main and High streets in Woonsocket to the top of Railroad Street near the parking lot. The stop relocation and detour will begin with the first trip tomorrow and remain that way for about two weeks. Richard Gere's movie, Hachiko: A Dog's Story, which has been filming at various locations in Rhode Island, is now apparently ready to shoot in Woonsocket. Get details on the RIPTA changes by clicking the link below. -- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney |
| Seeing stars in Woonsocklet on 02-08-2008 23:12 Actor Richard Gere, second from left, waits at the city’s train depot Friday for shooting to begin on a scene from ‘Hachiko — A Dog’s Story.’ Gere is slated to be in Woonsocket for three weeks of filming. Call photo/Ernest A. Brown |
| During a welcoming ceremony to kickoff the filming of the movie "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" in the Rotunda at the StateHouse in downtown Providence, RI on Wednesday afternoon, January 16, 2008, RI State Council onthe Arts Executive Director Randy Rosenbaum, at the podium, shares a light moment with the crowd, as Hachiko producer and lead actor Richard Gere, far right, smiles., Butch Adams/The Times. |
| During a welcoming ceremony to kickoff the filming of the movie "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" in the Rotunda at the StateHouse in downtown Providence, RI on Wednesday afternoon, January 16, 2008, producer and lead actor Richard Gere waves to the crowd of local officials, media statehouse employees and other fans which lined the Rotunda, stairs and balcony which greets him. with applause. Butch Adams/The Times. |
| During a welcoming ceremony to kickoff the filming of the movie "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" in the Rotunda at the StateHouse in downtown Providence, RI on Wednesday afternoon, January 16, 2008, producer and lead actor Richard Gere slooks up to the crowd and smiles, as he listens to the speakers. Butch Adams/The Times. |
| During a welcoming ceremony to kickoff the filming of the movie "Hachiko: A Dog's Story" in the Rotunda at the StateHouse in downtown Providence, RI on Wednesday afternoon, January 16, 2008, producer and lead actor Richard Gere waves, as he is introduced to the crowd. Butch Adams/The Times. |
| Video of Richard Gere Filming Hachiko February 8, 2008 |
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| Photo Credit: Debra Gagnon February 9, 2008 |
| More video taken by "Bobbo" and added to You Tube February 14, 2008. Thanks Bob in Rhode Island! |
| February 16, 2008 The city is the set for ‘Hachiko’ as local residents brave the cold to sneak a peek of star Richard Gere and witness the making of a movie By JOSEPH B. NADEAU WOONSOCKET -- The snow on High Street’s sidewalks was artificial Thursday night but not the 20 degree cold. And that meant you really had to want to get a glimpse of the making of “Hachiko” to spend any length of time on the corner of High and Main streets, where filming continued across the street at the former Providence & Worcester Railroad Depot. At 10:30 p.m. the hardy few hanging around for a late night round of takes included three city police detail officers controlling the nighttime Main Street traffic, movie company production assistants working “crowd” control, and yes, the hardy members of the local Richard Gere fan club. Several of the unofficial and just-formed group had spent most of the afternoon at the spot watching the popular star of “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “Pretty Woman” and “Internal Affairs,” walking in and out of the front door of the old depot and had stayed put in place when the cast and crew began to arrive back at the set following dinner. The second round of shooting scheduled to start at 10:42 at the fictional “Bedridge Station,” was expected to continue into the early morning hours. Cheri Cournoyer, 47, of Division Street, said she joined the group for the night shoot because it was the only time she could make it. “It’s cold yes, but I really wanted to come see Richard Gere,” she said. “It’s definitely worth being here just to see him. Gere himself arrived back at the shoot at about 10:50 p.m. and waved to the crowd as he stepped from a chauffeured SUV bringing him down High Street and walked over to the crew assembled in front of the Depot’s entrance. After talking with crew members for a minute or two, Gere, dressed in a brown tweed jacket and plaid scarf around the back of his neck, ducked into the warmth of the redecorated local headquarters of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The film crew placed orange traffic cones in place to keep the fans on the corner’s sidewalk and asked them not to use flash photography while the scene was shot. The only other request came as a production assistant called for silence as a take began. “We’re rolling,” he said after hearing the same announcement from a woman calling out the start of shooting on the set’s walkie-talkies. “Here we go,” he added as an informal crack of the slate board for the crowd. The scene director could then be heard calling for “snow” and getting crew members to throw the artificial white stuff into a fan blowing the flakes into a gentle drop over the depot entrance. Next a call came of “background,” the signal for the scene’s extras, train commuters arriving home at the station, to file out of the doorway in spurts going left and right. Finally, Gere walked out the station door and, looking straight ahead, stated an audible “hey, Hachiko,” before stepping forward and squatting out of view behind the filmmakers. The woman on the walkie-talkie could be heard calling “cut” and then “reset” as Gere and the extras went back inside the station for another take. Some of the scenes were done with an artificial stand-in for Hachiko, but eventually the Akita portraying the film’s title character was brought by his handler and joined the run throughs under the artificial snowflakes. The crew has rolled a Providence & Worcester passenger train up to the back platform of the station when that setting is needed under the shooting schedule, but did not use the train Thursday night to the benefit of the spectators. Standing among the fan club members, Diane Dubeau, 51, of Gaskill Street, couldn’t be happier over her view of Gere from the sidewalk. “I was doing errands today and saw this guy out on Main Street, and it’s Richard Gere,” she said. “I didn’t even know they were filming here,” Dubeau said. Luckily for her, Dubeau had the day off from her 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. job and could stay to watch the show into the night. “It’s pretty intense,” she said of the film company’s presence in the Main Street area. The crew has its own canteen operation set up at the top of High Street near a large trailer where Gere and other cast member have dressing rooms, but has also been hitting local restaurants to supply the big feeds needed during the operation’s lunch and dinner breaks. Domino’s next door has supplied pizzas to the crew and the Cakery on Main Street have provided crew meals as have other local businesses like the King Wok Restaurant on Clinton Street. As the crew set up for yet another take in the night, Guitar Shorty, a blues player scheduled to perform at Chan’s Fine Oriental Dining over the weekend, walked into Depot Square and chatted with the detail officers for a bit while handing out cards for his record company and inviting them down to hear his music. The filming also caught the attention of people driving past on Main Street and caused more than one car to slow with rubberneck curiosity. It was the story of Hachiko, the Akita given to a Tokyo professor in the 1920s that drew Jackie and Marc Archambault, and their Akita, Enoch, to the shoot location as filming continued past midnight. “We have a book about Akitas and it talks about Hachiko,” Jackie said as the couple watched a take. The dog breed also has local ties through Helen Keller, a one-time Wrentham resident, who had received two Akitas from Japan after visiting the country on a speaking tour in the 1930s, Marc Archambault said. “He’s a good dog,” Archambault said of his own Akita. “Very good with children and very good with the elderly,” he said while noting he sometimes takes Enoch to visit at St. Antoine’s residence where his wife works. Det. Sgt. John Scully, working the Main Street detail with Patrolmen James Cote and Jamie Martin, said the movie production did seem to be having a positive impact on the city’s old business district. “They’ve done a good job calling attention to the area and it’s about time something happened on Main Street,” Scully said. The Longley Building’s transformation into an assortment of cozy shops for the movie, a bookstore, a travel agency and Al Drew’s music shop is only temporary but does hint at what the right investor might be able to do with the long overlooked property. The crew is also using the historic facade of the Hope Building as a backdrop to its scenes and had a crane- mounted spotlight trained on the structure to add its architectural details to the night shooting. The crew is expected to return to the area on Tuesday and film for another week or so. They will then wait for spring and a final round of filming in May, according to talk on Main Street Thursday. That will be just fine with Annette Limoges, 59, who bundled up in a warm jacket and long underwear for her Valentine’s Day visit to the movie set with her stepdaughter, Sue Limoges, 34. The pair took along compact folding chairs to make their viewing spot on High Street a comfortable one despite the cold. Both were full-fledged members of the Richard Gere fan club. “He’s even hotter in person,” Sue Limoges, said after watching Gere at work. Annette Limoges agreed, and despite what her boyfriend might think had no qualms about describing her affection for the actor by saying “he can put his shoes under my bed anytime.” |
| February 17, 2008 Actor Richard Gere cooling his jets at the train depot in Woonsocket, R.I., waiting for shooting to begin on a scene from “Hachiko - A Dog’s Story” (the flick is filming in Woonsocket for three weeks) . . . |
| Received and posted from Bobbo February 18, 2008 Thanks Bobbo the You Tube Video Guy! |
| Hachiko Film News Page II HERE |
