Courtesy of U2’s Bono, Wim Wenders will make a rare appearance at the Foyle film festival this week, reports MICK HEANEY.

by Mick Heaney

It has taken more than a decade, but Wim Wenders, the German film director, has finally brought to the screen The Million Dollar Hotel, the pet project of Bono, the U2 singer. As an ardent traveller it is no surprise that Wenders – currently riding high with his documentary film The Buena Vista Social Club and appearing this week at the Foyle film festival in Londonderry – was drawn to the film’s transient setting. Throughout his career he has been obsessed with journeys and dislocation, and his key artistic influences are largely foreign – American, British and Irish rock’n'roll are as important to him as the culture of his homeland. So it was natural that he should be drawn to a story formulated by an Irish rock singer.

“Bono is the one who started the whole movie,” says Wenders in his laid-back but precise English. “He wrote the story to begin with, a long time ago, and suggested it to me. He then developed the script with Nicholas Klein.

“Now we’re finally finishing it. We’ve been working on this project for almost eight years. If it’s all worth it in the end it’s fine, and I think this is.” Read the rest of this entry »

The four members of Irish supergroup U2 are to be granted the Freedom of Dublin, the city council has decreed.

Bono, the Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton, as well as their manager Paul McGuinness – all from the Irish capital – will be conferred with the honour for their contribution to life in the city, said Lord Mayor Mary Freehill.

She added: “Despite their international success they continue to live, record and plan their world-class campaigns here.

“The band are always quick to support the city’s charities and cultural initiatives.”

Members of the council voted unanimously to honour the band, which found fame in the early 1980s and has maintained its status over the years as one of the most popular groups in the world.

Ms Freehill said: “U2 placed Dublin on the map as an attractive destination for many young music lovers who would never have visited Ireland otherwise.”

© 1999 Reuters. All rights reserved.