Kalistan

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Kalistani News in Brief:  Reconstruction in Kaliburg nearly completed
Emperor and Empress Consort pay respects in Egelion; New Movie about life of Eliyahu begins shooting in Majatra
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
October 17, 5618


Actors Frank Westley and Jamar Sylvester depict the Betrayal of Eliyahu by Onan

Reconstruction of Kaliburg nearly Completed
Chancellor of the Empire Sir David Levine was in Downtown Kaliburg today to dedicate the Kaliburg Peace Park.  This park, built over the site of the demolished 400 block of Orange Avenue west of the National Mall, is also the site of the Artanian War Memorial, where Kalistanis who died in the Artanian Sea and Likatonian Campaigns are remembered.  In Dedication of the Peace Park, Chancellor Levine said "We dedicate this park, not only as a memorial to our own brothers and sisters who died in the wars against Fascism five years ago, but also as a memorial to the 29,893 Kalistani victims of inexplicable violence on that night in August, 5612.  We will keep this park here as not only a tribute to those lives lost, but also as a reminder of the horrors of both war and fascism, so that we will never forget those we lost, and so we are less willing to jump into wars in the future."

The small ceremony marks the last phase of the rebuilding in Kalistan, which involves reconstructing dwellings in the largely demolished Imperial City Neighborhood, which was severely contaminated by phosphorous and chlorine gas, and has remained uninhabitable for more than six years now.  Other projects include the Peace Park, the sweeping and levelling of the homes in the Wilson Hill Neighborhood, which were themselves contaminated when the wind shifted during a storm after the attacks, and includes the old Wilson House that belonged to the Royal Family, and the rebuilding of the parts of Lolla which were destroyed in the attacks, to include KRTVN's Kaliburg studios.  The Imperial Park Neighborhood suffered the worst amount of contamination, and therefore took the longest to clear so that new homes can be rebuilt there.  Plans for the revitalized Imperial City include new dense residential and light commercial mixed zones along with new public amenities, at least two new schools, a new library, and a planned City Museum which will house exhibits about Kaliburg's long history.  Building should be completed by 5622.

Emperor and Empress Consort travel to Egelion to pay respects
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Fredrick III Ananto and Her Highness Empress Consort Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, as well as Princess of the Empire Lady Carolina Ananto flew to Altea, Kingdom of Egelion to attend the small memorial service for the late King Amadeo.  The affair was a very small affiar, but the Anantos thought it was important to be there to say goodbye to a person they considered to be a family friend.  "When Kalistan was looking around for friends, and most nations of the world were hostile or criminally ambivalent toward Kalistan, King Amadeo was one of the only of my peers, outside the Anantonese Empire, to welcome me and my husband," said Princess of the Empire, Lady Carolina Ananto.  He was a generous and a decent man, and he was a visionary for his people.  I will miss him greatly, and would like to have it know that His Imperial Majesty has said that the hand of friendship to Egelion and the Egelian people always remains extended from Kaliburg."

The Princess of the Empire also noted that His Imperial Majesty invited the new King, Romulo the First, to visit in Eveari.  "It would be my pleasure to host the new king in Eveari, and my son also wishes to get to know him better.  The Egelian Monarch is always welcomed to visit us in Eveari, and we will, of course treat him like family."  The former Empress stated that Kalistani affinity for Egelion is higher than it would be for even most Seleyan nations because the Egelians were so gracious to her.  "To me," said Lady Caroline, "welcoming me and William and of course, our two children is the mark of class and dignity, and earned both the Late King, as well as the New King and his whole nation a respect and appreciation which will carry on into the future."  This visit was a rare public appearance for Princess of the Empire Lady Carolina Ananto since her retirement eight years ago.

Republican Pictures begins principal photography in Pontesi and Beiteynu for story of Eliyahu's Life
Republican Pictures is on location this month in both Pontesi and the deserts of central Beiteynu for filming Eliyahu the King.  Its a movie that is roughly based on the last week of Eliyahu's life before he vanished several days before returning as a Ghost to continue teaching his followers.

"There's a lot of stuff in that story that doesn't make a lot of sense," said director Ron Westmoreland, for Republican Pictures.  "But this isn't a biopic.  It's more like a Rock Opera.  The lyrics are inspired by the teachings of Eliyahu, but a lot of the magical nonsense that Hosians seem to require to tell what is essentially a political and moral story is left out.  We don't see, for example, Eliyahu actually healing anyone, or doing miraculous things like walking on water or anything like that.  What we do here is present Eliyahu as fully a man, though, perhaps more in touch with God than your average illiterate desert dweller or fisherman.  He cares for people, he gives people hope, and he is, in a lot of ways, very much like a modern celebrity, that his followers ecstatically build up, and gleefully tear down, for no reason whatsoever.  Eliyahu in this film is that guy, and you can see all the stress and burdens of all those expectations on him while he is still very much alive, though, most Hosians seem to believe that salvation only comes from his ghost after he dies."

Eliyahu is played by veteran actor and singer Frank Westley, who has played the same role in the Theater rendition of the opera.  Onan, the betrayer of Eliyahu is played by very talented thespian and musician Jamar Sylvester.  "The tunes in the movie version of this show are far funkier than the ones in the theater," said Sylvester.  "I mean the whole thing is pretty campy, but the songs are mostly all funk or funk rock.  I mean, its not only a real treat to play this role in the film adaptatino, but these songs just slap.  I really love it."  The remainder of the cast is made up mostly of actors that were taken off the stage, and have the ability to sing and dance well.  "Yeah, acting kind of takes a back seat when the whole scene is just a choreographed song with like 25 hippies dancing to funk music," said Westley.  "Luckily, they got a real talented bunch, most of the principles came here right out of musical theater."

Shooting is expected to be completed in January, and then the movie will go into post-production.  "Luckily, we are singing to tape," said Sylvester.  "It's our voice you hear, but we recorded that music last summer in Sulari, and we're pretty much dancing and lipsyncing in the movie itself."  Eliyahu the King is expected to be released in Kalistan in May.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwgrHcmMrNw]
Early release of Simeon's (Reggie Duarte) song "The Zealot" from the forthcoming Eliyahu the King from Republican Pictures

@TheRepublic