TAF ATTENDS GERMANY'S CD PREMIERE!
After many, many years...my dream comes true!
Reported By:
René de Jong
Friday, February 16, 2002
Ever since I first saw Commando on television I became a huge fan of Arnold
Schwarzenegger. At that time I was only 11 years old and I could only dream
of a personal meeting with Arnold himself , but on Thursday, February 14th,
my dream came true!
Last year and earlier this month The ARNOLD FANS has had many exclusive
meetings and interviews with Arnold, but for me, the chance of meeting
Arnold wasn't so likely since I live in the Netherlands, far away from the
U.S. (the country where your dreams come true).
However, as my close friend and business partner, Randy Jennings, always
told me "my time would come soon". Randy met Arnold several times, but he
assured me my own Oak encounter would come... sooner than I expected.
On Wednesday, February 13th, I received a phone call from Armin who is
working directly with Arnold on the press tour in Europe. I was invited to
the premiere of Arnold's latest action-hit "Collateral Damage" in Berlin,
Germany. This was arranged thanks to Warner Bros, Arnold's publicist and
Tobis Studio Canal (the story and exclusive pictures that follow are all
thanks to their great work)!
Earlier, the same Wednesday I packed my stuff, bought my train tickets,
arranged my hotel stay and got all set to leave the next morning. My
girlfriend would travel with me to take the pictures and help me getting
through the long journey.
On February 14th I got up at 5:45 a.m. and after I made sure I had
everything packed I caught the train at 6:55 a.m. The day would be long,
because after my 7 hour journey in a small train compartment, I still had to
be fit to meet my "hero"!
After finishing my questions to ask Arnold in the train I arrived in Berlin
at 2:15 p.m. At 6:30 p.m. the event would take place, so after a quick visit
to the hotel and after eating, I left to the Cubix cinema where I would
receive all the tickets I needed.
The cinema was decorated with posters, movie stills and other promo's. On
the glass, big letters were placed reading:
SPECIAL GUEST: ARNOLD
SCHWARZENEGGER.
The red carpet was already laid out, some journalists were set and at least
a dozen security guards kept watch to make the evening a big success.
Since I would get my tickets at a special press counter, I went inside after
taking some of the pictures you can see below.
After identifying myself, Hulya Akin - who handles the marketing/ events for
Tobis Studio Canal, came towards me.
"So you're the one who's been invited
by Arnold, you're the one?" Of course I confirmed that and she gave me my
premiere tickets and access pass to the event. But after waiting a bit
longer she also told me I would stand next to the red carpet,
"because
Arnold wanted to meet me."
Security was explained that I was a special guest, a photographer received
some details and I was waiting right in the doorway where Arnold would come
in, where no other press was allowed and where I would get my greeting.
At 7:30 p.m. the first guests arrived. Most guests were German
"celebrities", so for me the party didn't start... yet! Hundreds of fans were
cheering outside while getting some free promo's.
At 8:15 pm. the party really started. Black Mercedes came driving down the
red carpet, 5 minutes after one another. The first big celebrity came out of
the car was
Ralf Moeller, Arnold's long-time friend. Ralf Moeller, who is
well known for his role in the
"Conan the Adventurer" TV series and
"Gladiator" waved towards the crowd and spoke to the press. After a while he
reached the door and of course The ARNOLD FANs was there to take a picture
too. Many press confused Ralf Moeller with Arnold.
Then, minutes after Ralf arrived director Andrew Davis stepped out of a
black Mercedes, and while walking down the red carpet, he took some time for
the press. While asking him a question the picture below was taken. I asked
him if there was any scenes in Collateral Damage which didn't make it
through the editing room and with a big smile on his face, he told me he was very
happy no big scenes were deleted and that the movie has been kept in tact
for the most part.
Another Mercedes arrives and the fans were on their tippy-toes. Arnold would
arrive soon... but this time is was
Steven Reuther, the producer of
Collateral Damage, who put his feet on the red carpet. As the other stars,
he took some time for the press and made his entrance to the cinema.
Who could possibly be next? At 8:35 p.m. another Mercedes stopped. The door
swung open while a black leather boot set foot on the red carpet. The crowd
went nuts, screaming Arnold's name while the other boot also hit the ground.
Arnold's mug lifted out of the car, camera's flashed and fans were eager to
get their signature and photo taken. Arnold looked great, showing his
incredible boots to the press and giving everybody his thumb up! He walked
to the fans, gave autographs, shook as many hands as he could and he went
back every time he had answered a couple of the press' questions. Arnold
came closer to me step-by-step.
Finally, after he gave all the fans an unforgettable night he entered the
cinema, where I was standing. Everybody I had spoken to from Tobis Studio
Canal and Warner Bros. created a wall in front of Arnold pointing their
fingers towards me! With a big smile Arnold gave me a powerful handshake.
Camera lights were flashing and Arnold said "Wie Geht's?" (How are you?).
Stunned by the moment I responded to The Oak's question and I told him that
I had a terrific time and I thanked him.
While being in some sort of a surreal trance, more pictures were taken and
with another handshake I thanked him and he said
"KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK".
Then he walked through saying hi to his friend Ralf Moeller, the Andrew
Davis and Steven Reuther.
While Arnold was going upstairs with his friends, someone called his name. I
was trying to keep up, but then a mentally challenged person was standing
there with his friend who just called Arnold's name. In less than a
second, Arnold saw the guy and walked straight to him. He gave him a hand,
said a few kind words and gave the boy some deserved time. Once again Arnold
showed how big his heart is. He had a huge smile on his face and you could
see that the mentally challenged person was having the time of his life!
Just like me!
Now it was really time for Arnold to move on, so he went upstairs and went
inside a room other then the actual cinema hall entrance. But of course
Arnold had to make a speech, so I rushed inside and sat down.
A couple of seconds later Arnold walked onto the stage, set up in front of
the big screen, and he got introduced by one of Tobis Studio Canal's people.
"Good evening," Arnold said in the German language which is very familiar
with his mother language.
"I must confess, Andrew's German is better than
mine," Arnold said with a big smile,
"so I'll let him do the first words."
Arnold handed the microphone over to Andrew who smiled since he couldn't
speak German at all.
"It's an honor to be here," Davis said,
"and I must say, Berlin is a
beautiful city. I love Germany and I hope you'll all enjoy the movie as much
as I do." With that being said he gave the microphone to the producer
Steven
Reuther who referred to some of his past successes such as
"Dirty Dancing"
and
"Pretty Woman" but then mentioned that he's very happy with his new
Schwarzenegger vehicle Collateral Damage of which he's very proud to add to
his list.
Then it was Arnold's turn to speak up again.
"I always say 'I'LL BE BACK',
but now I can say 'I AM BACK'! I want to thank Andrew Davis for his hard
work by pushing the maximum out of me and my character for which I am very
thankful, and of course, I want to thank the producer and I want to thank
all of you who came here. Have fun and...I'LL BE BACK!"
While giving his thumb up again Arnold left the stage, waving towards the
audience, who kept cheering. Then he disappeared as the movie started.
My first Arnold encounter was a huge success. Not only did we manage to get
many exclusive pictures, but I even got the change to meet Arnold at last!
It was an experience I'll never forget and for which I am very thankful. Not
only towards Arnold but especially to the people who helped me realize my
dream. You all made this an unforgettable event!
----------
René de Jong
