USA: Supported by musicians and actors like Patti Labelle and Liza Minelli, Outkast and the cast of "Idlewild" turn out for the musical's New York premiere

Grammy-winning Outkast members André Benjamin and Antwan Patton hit the red carpet in New York City on Monday (August 21) to promote their musical film, "Idlewild." Hundreds of fans cheered as the twosome, joined by songstress Patti Labelle, actor Terrance Howard and other celebs, made their way down the red carpet. The carpet was as colorful as André's clothing choice, dotted with women dressed in 1930s evening gowns, one beauty making her way down on stilts. The multi-platinum and multi-Grammy winning band's latest endeavor is a musical set in the 1930s prohibition-era in the southern United States. The group puts a modern twist on the format, adding their funky rap and hip hop tunes. On taking their talent to the big screen, Benjamin, better known as André 3000, says it was only a matter of time. "It was just a natural step you know we've been doing videos. And we tried to make our videos as large as possible so I think working with Bryan Barber you know we've e always had a creative team throwing ideas back and forth. We've been trying to do film since our third album, and it just so happen that after Speakerboxx of Love we got the opportunity to do it." Patton, aka Big Boi, explains that making the film wasn't all that easy. Outkast wrote and performed all the music in the film, which wasn't all ready at the time of filming. "It was challenging you know, to kind of shoot scenes and have to go into the studio later on that day and do it. But we got a chance afterward to go back into the studio and record music after the movie wrapped and shoot more scenes man." The plot takes viewers on a journey through time with a tale about gangsters, love, booze and hip-hop. A speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster, played by Outkast's Antwan Patton or Big Boi, navigates confrontations with gangsters who have their sights set on his club. Meanwhile, Rooster's partner Percival, played by eclectic bandmate André Benjamin, aka André 3000, is a shy musician struggling between his day job at his father's funeral parlor and his alternate life, singing and writing songs. Songstress Patti Labelle has a small role in the film, which she is proud of. She believes the film portrays the positive image of African American life, that she wishes were shown more often. "I know the trailers that I've seen they're beautiful, they're classy. They're showing black people the way they should be shown, beautiful, classy, elegant, intelligent and all of that good stuff and great music.' Writer and director Bryan Barber who has worked with Outkast on previous videos, says he wanted to create a film that viewers could relate to and that he himself would want to see. "I set it in the 1930s because I love that era. I love the music of that era, the wardrobe, the decor, you know art deco. And a lot of aspects of the 1930s really influenced what's happening in America today." Barber isn't the only one who liked the wardrobe. "The cuts. The best era for men's clothing, I tell you," André 3000 says. "Had a lot, a lot, a lot of good shapes." Actress Paula Patton, wearing a stunning silhouette emphasizing dress by Isaac Mizrahi, plays André's love interest Angel in "Idlewild." Patton describes working with André as "incredible." "André's truly a gentleman and he's just so kind. He's a really great actor and I learned a lot working with him." Making her way down the carpet, singer Macy Gray summed up working with André in one word, "dope." Both André and Big Boi acknowledge that acting is quite different from making videos, but the twosome say that the caliber of the cast helped bring them their game up. And one veteran actress and singer, is truly impressed with their performance. Liza Minelli made her way down the carpet with old friend Ben Vereen, who is also in the film. "I spent a week down there watching filming and it was one of the most exciting projects I've ever been around." Coinciding with the musical's release is the film's soundtrack, written and performed by Outkast. "Idlewild" opens in theaters in North America on Friday August 25th.

ITN Source | August 24, 2006

Tags:. .twist. .sights. .truly. .plot. .proud