This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/apr/30/the-bling-ring-trashy-inaccurate
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| The Bling Ring 'trashy and inaccurate', says real-life burglary gang member | The Bling Ring 'trashy and inaccurate', says real-life burglary gang member |
| (4 months later) | |
| A member of the burglary gang that inspired the forthcoming crime drama The Bling Ring has labelled Sofia Coppola's film inaccurate and dishonest. | A member of the burglary gang that inspired the forthcoming crime drama The Bling Ring has labelled Sofia Coppola's film inaccurate and dishonest. |
| Alexis Neiers, one of the ringleaders in a group of Hollywood teens who broke into the homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Orlando Bloom between October 2008 and August 2009 to steal designer clothes, jewellery and cash, has been tweeting her disgust over the film's direction. Neiers, who is believed to be the inspiration for the character played by Emma Watson, took to Twitter after seeing the new trailer for Coppola's project. | Alexis Neiers, one of the ringleaders in a group of Hollywood teens who broke into the homes of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Orlando Bloom between October 2008 and August 2009 to steal designer clothes, jewellery and cash, has been tweeting her disgust over the film's direction. Neiers, who is believed to be the inspiration for the character played by Emma Watson, took to Twitter after seeing the new trailer for Coppola's project. |
| "It's trashy and inaccurate..." she wrote on Twitter. "The truth will come out soon enough and I have no intention of seeing this film." | "It's trashy and inaccurate..." she wrote on Twitter. "The truth will come out soon enough and I have no intention of seeing this film." |
| Neiers wrote on her blog last month that she was "still hoping that this movie will accurately show [what happened] and I have faith in Sofia's ability". However, she expressed concern that the film might emerge as "just another party movie based on teens robbing celebrity homes". It now appears the trailer has confirmed her suspicions. | Neiers wrote on her blog last month that she was "still hoping that this movie will accurately show [what happened] and I have faith in Sofia's ability". However, she expressed concern that the film might emerge as "just another party movie based on teens robbing celebrity homes". It now appears the trailer has confirmed her suspicions. |
| Neier was sentenced to 180 days in prison for her part in the burglaries, which are reported to have resulted in the theft of about $3m in cash and belongings. She ultimately served just 30 days. Most of the stolen goods were taken from the home of Paris Hilton, whom the group burgled several times. Other victims included Rachel Bilson, Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan. The group targeted the homes of stars they considered to be fashion icons, using Google maps and a site called Celebrityaddressaerial.com. They used Facebook and Twitter to work out when their targets were likely to be out of the house attending events. | Neier was sentenced to 180 days in prison for her part in the burglaries, which are reported to have resulted in the theft of about $3m in cash and belongings. She ultimately served just 30 days. Most of the stolen goods were taken from the home of Paris Hilton, whom the group burgled several times. Other victims included Rachel Bilson, Megan Fox and Lindsay Lohan. The group targeted the homes of stars they considered to be fashion icons, using Google maps and a site called Celebrityaddressaerial.com. They used Facebook and Twitter to work out when their targets were likely to be out of the house attending events. |
| LAPD investigator Brett Goodkin, a veteran police officer who was involved in tracking down the various members of the Bling Ring, signed on as a technical advisor for Coppola's film and plays himself on screen. However, he has come in for criticism for taking Hollywood's money while some of the legal cases surrounding alleged Bling Ring members were ongoing, and for allegedly understating the extent of his financial renumeration. Intriguingly, the LA Times reported last year that Neiers herself had also been hired as a consultant by Coppola. The film is said to be loosely based on the work of Nancy Joe Sales, a Vanity Fair journalist who wrote about the Bling Ring, describing them as "a bunch of club-hopping Valley kids, motivated by vanity and celebrity-worship". | LAPD investigator Brett Goodkin, a veteran police officer who was involved in tracking down the various members of the Bling Ring, signed on as a technical advisor for Coppola's film and plays himself on screen. However, he has come in for criticism for taking Hollywood's money while some of the legal cases surrounding alleged Bling Ring members were ongoing, and for allegedly understating the extent of his financial renumeration. Intriguingly, the LA Times reported last year that Neiers herself had also been hired as a consultant by Coppola. The film is said to be loosely based on the work of Nancy Joe Sales, a Vanity Fair journalist who wrote about the Bling Ring, describing them as "a bunch of club-hopping Valley kids, motivated by vanity and celebrity-worship". |
| Watson, meanwhile, last month attempted to play down her role in the movie. "I don't really 'star' in the Bling Ring," she tweeted. "I am probably 3rd/4th of the lead characters. (In case media/marketing is a bit misleading.)" | Watson, meanwhile, last month attempted to play down her role in the movie. "I don't really 'star' in the Bling Ring," she tweeted. "I am probably 3rd/4th of the lead characters. (In case media/marketing is a bit misleading.)" |
| The Bling Ring will open the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes next month. The festival's 66th edition will run from 15 to 26 May, and feature a star-studded Palme d'Or jury overseen by president Steven Spielberg and including fellow Oscar winners Ang Lee, Christoph Waltz and Nicole Kidman. | The Bling Ring will open the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes next month. The festival's 66th edition will run from 15 to 26 May, and feature a star-studded Palme d'Or jury overseen by president Steven Spielberg and including fellow Oscar winners Ang Lee, Christoph Waltz and Nicole Kidman. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |