[barend]

Richard Gere becomes ill from the smell of cevapcici (Balkan Sausages)

September 17, 2006

(While filming "Bosnian Holiday",a film about the hunt for Karadzic), actor Richard Gere becomes ill from the smell of cevapi

Sarajevo - Actor Richard Gere, who is a Buddhist and a vegeterian, became ill from the smell of cevapi [trans. note: small grilled sausages, a traditional dish] in the Sarajevo quarter of Bascarsija.

The hospitable restaurant operators were forced to close their shops during filmining in Bascarsija because of Gere, even though they made an effort and brought him the very best cevapi to be had, writes the Sarajevo press.

The famous Hollywood star is in Sarajevo filming "Holiday in Bosnia". Gere's arrival in the Bosnia-Herzegovina capital has not been well-received for a number of reasons, including his muscular security guards who have been tough with photo journalists.


article (no pics)

thanks to Cheto

uh, yeah... i have mixed feelings on this one.

on one hand: damn vegetarian pussies...

on the other: "even though they made an effort and brought him the very best cevapi to be had, writes the Sarajevo press" ... that's like someone dying at a resteraunt because they're allurgic to peanuts, and having the thai waiter come out and say, "but that's the best satay in the state."

most importanly, Gere barfs at the sight of sausage which kind of kills the gay rumours a little.

[Grinov]

The thing that got me angry about this article is that is shows how pompous and arrogant Movie Stars can be. If Gere didn’t like the smell of sausage he didn’t have to make them close down the shops, people in Bosnia have livelihoods too, its not like they can close up stop whenever they want.

What business does Gere have going to 3rd world countries and pushing people about?

[Sailor Abbey]

That is pretty ignorant.

To hell with Richard Gere, says I.

[Deepsycher]

Now I ask is he going to compensate the shops for their lost business time?

[Grinov]

Now I ask is he going to compensate the shops for their lost business time?

The thing is the shop owners don’t want to make a fuss since they admire American Stars. Plus Gere probably thinks that since they talked to him for a short time (him telling them to close shop) they were compensated enough.

[civilian_number_two]

No way they closed down the shops without paying the businesses off, unless the government there is mightily corrupt. Given the exchange rate, they'd have no trouble shelling out some dough sufficient to make the folks happy without even making their Production Manager blink.

[Grinov]

No way they closed down the shops without paying the businesses off, unless the government there is mightily corrupt. Given the exchange rate, they'd have no trouble shelling out some dough sufficient to make the folks happy without even making their Production Manager blink.

Even so, people should be more thoughtful when going into other countries.

[civilian_number_two]

I'm not sure what you think the problem is. It may be the case that he literally felt ill smelling sausage all day (insert Richard-Gere-is-gay joke here). Like, literally ill and incapable of working. So he got the Location Manager to pay off some locals, and filming continued. The locals are confused, because like anyone they think their local cuisine is awesome, but they are happy with the money and no insult is intended or received. The restaurateurs enjoy the time off to hang out with their families, or to gawk like yokels at the curious lot of carny folk who have invaded their neighbourhood. Some jump on the internet to find out who Richard Gere is and if he's been in "anything good."

I think what's upsetting you may be that the restaurants were serving a local dish, not that businesses were closed for filming (which happens all the time, by the way, and businesses are paid off all the time). Let's say that a film company had closed down a McDonald's because the huge air vent spraying the greasy french fry smell onto the street was distracting one of the actors who hated the smell of McDonald's. Would you consider that an insult to the local community?

[Grinov]

I think what's upsetting you may be that the restaurants were serving a local dish, not that businesses were closed for filming (which happens all the time, by the way, and businesses are paid off all the time). Let's say that a film company had closed down a McDonald's because the huge air vent spraying the greasy french fry smell onto the street was distracting one of the actors who hated the smell of McDonald's. Would you consider that an insult to the local community?

There is one big difference, the Restaurants Gere closed down are family owned, McDonalds is a global corporate Restaurant chain. I guess I have a soft spot for families who own their own business, considering I grew up in one myself.

[Sailor Abbey]

Let's say that a film company had closed down a McDonald's because the huge air vent spraying the greasy french fry smell onto the street was distracting one of the actors who hated the smell of McDonald's.

That would be awesome. McDonalds is revolting.

[Jordan]

The family owned restaurants are still paid. They usually pay the place a hefy sum. Enough to cover all lost profits and then some more.

Right near where I live, there are films being shot every month. They close down restaurants, the front entrances to apartaments, streets, parks, and bars.

Nothing is spared!

[Grinov]

The family owned restaurants are still paid. They usually pay the place a hefy sum. Enough to cover all lost profits and then some more.

Right near where I live, there are films being shot every month. They close down restaurants, the front entrances to apartaments, streets, parks, and bars.

Nothing is spared!

Bloody Hollywood.

[civilian_number_two]

There is one big difference, the Restaurants Gere closed down are family owned, McDonalds is a global corporate Restaurant chain. I guess I have a soft spot for families who own their own business, considering I grew up in one myself.

And when your business was closed for filming, the production manager signed your parents a nice fat cheque. That's actually BETTER for the family-owned restaurants than say McDonald's where the cheque would go to the corporation and the employees would just have some unexpected unpaid time off.

[barend]

and being paid for a few days losses without actually loosing any of the ingerdients, electricity, water, washing liquid, oil, or dirtying and clothes or tea towels...

i think you'll find that, aside from the sausage prepared for gere himself (that was probably eaten by someone), that the family and their reseraunt actually came out on top. not to mention you can probably see them in the background.

[Grinov]

And when your business was closed for filming, the production manager signed your parents a nice fat cheque. That's actually BETTER for the family-owned restaurants than say McDonald's where the cheque would go to the corporation and the employees would just have some unexpected unpaid time off.

So celebrities are allowed to go into 3rd world countries and push people around as long as they give them money?