Mixing for a movie
| Actor Ben Chaplin and Jeannette Williams from Sasha Bruce Youthwork – Courtesy photo |
| Alan Greenspan, Andrea Mitchell and Mary Haft. – Courtesy photo |
Nearly 100 people made it to the British Embassy’s VIP dinner Sunday night honoring the upcoming movie “Water Horse.” But one person — or thing — simply couldn’t make it.
Recommended Stories
“Crusoe got held up by security at Dulles,” joked new British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald, referring to the movie’s huge dragon/dinosaur-like character (which — spoiler alert! — ends up being the legendary Loch Ness Monster).
Those who did make it in for the dinner, which also served as a benefit for the Sasha Bruce House, included “Water Horse” director Jay Russell (”Ladder 49” and “Tuck Everlasting”) and actors Ben Chaplin (“The Truth About Cats and Dogs” and “The Thin Red Line”) and Alex Etel (“Millions”).
(“Water Horse” is a project of Walden Media, in which The Examiner’s corporate parent holds a major interest.)
While the girls all ooh’d and ahhh’d over Chaplin (“That British accent just makes him so much hotter,” a few remarked), the 13-year-old Etel impressed the tough-to-impress embassy crowd by dropping some serious maturity and knowledge. He educated Yeas & Nays on how real estate prices in D.C. compare to those back in his hometown of Manchester, England; the complexities of England’s royal hierarchy; and why Manchester citizens are a grumpy lot.
Oh, and he also made sure to let us know that, despite America’s shaky image around the world, he’s a fan. “I love America,” Etel said. Really? But we thought that hardly anyone thought so highly of the United States nowadays. “Oh, the British hate everyone but themselves,” he quipped.
Also in the house: Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell, Reps. Doris Matsui and Bart Gordon, D.C. first lady Michelle Fenty, George Stevens Jr. and Buffy Cafritz.
