A literary professor and decent family man, John Halder (Mortensen) explores his personal circumstances in a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia. When the book is unexpectedly enlisted by powerful political figures in support of government propaganda, Halder finds his career rising in an optimistic current of nationalism and prosperity. Seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to choices, which lead to more choices - with eventually devastating effect.

t's a good thing you're sitting down as you read this, because I have some news that might come as a bit of a shock. I know it surprises me.

This just in: some of the most brilliant and successful people in Hollywood are also the most gracious and accommodating. We've heard so many entertainment industry horror stories, but none of them came to mind last week at events involving two of the greatest directors of our time, Taiwan's Ang Lee and Canada's David Cronenberg.

...Down the street, Cronenberg was passing off a lot of the credit for Eastern Promises to star Viggo Mortensen, who I think definitely deserves an Oscar nod, if not the statue itself. "Native Russians have told me his accent is impeccable," Cronenberg confirms, before reminding me that he expected nothing less from an actor who is fluent in Spanish, Danish and French, and understands several other Latin-based and Scandinavian languages. Cronenberg also raved about Mortensen's other talents; he paints, writes poetry, is an accomplished photographer and has released three jazz CDs.

Of course, it takes a Renaissance man to know one. The man who once directed commercials and horror films is currently teaming with Placido Domingo and fellow Canadian Howard Shore, who composes the music for many of Cronenberg's films, on an opera version of The Fly. It opens in Paris June 1st before moving on to Los Angeles. It's reported that the production will feature a chorus, a 75-piece orchestra and three characters: a baritone, a tenor and a mezzo-soprano, though none will be embodied by Mortensen.

"That's a pretty courageous stretch," I suggest, to which Cronenberg responds that it's only slated to play two cities, so if it bombs, he won't have to endure it for long...