Mexican auds not afraid of 'Fire'
Scott calls for public to see pic as solidarity against violence
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"Man on Fire," the $70 million revenge smorgasbord set in an apocalyptic, corrupt and extremely violent Mexico City, is set to bow today, and all signs point to success at the box office -- especially in light of the booming bow of "A Day Without a Mexican" here last week.
Tony Scott-helmed pic stars Denzel Washington as an ex-Marine-turned-bodyguard of a Mexico City girl who is kidnapped, leading to a vengeance-inspired killing spree. Littered with bribe-taking cops, reporters and public officials, bloodthirsty criminals and a victimized populace, "Man" seems like the kind of film Mexicans, eager to shed the city's bad image, would protest.
Instead, some 2,500 people showed up to Monday night's red-carpet premiere, which distrib 20th Century Fox Intl. promoted, intriguingly enough, as an anti-violence event.
Mexican media have been bubbling over the movie, which was filmed here, for weeks, and numerous local celebs, as well as helmer Scott, have called for the public to see "Man" as a gesture of solidarity against violence.
"I hope the film can call attention to kidnapping and puts the people on their feet rather than remaining quietly seated," Scott said. Fox says it has high hopes for "Man" and is bowing it with 250 copies across Mexico, which is considered a mid-sized release. Distrib's hopes are clearly bolstered by the fact that the only other major film bowing this week is "Catwoman," which is expected to be every bit the box office disaster it's proved to be in the U.S.
