We all dream of packing it up and moving to a far-away exotic place where nature dominates and animals run free. Academy award winner Kim Basinger did more than just dream — she teamed up with Academy Award-nominated director, Hugh Hudson, in “I Dreamed of Africa”, Columbia Pictures’ new release. The big screen saga explores the life of Kuki Gallmann (played by Basinger), a brave and beautiful woman who left the comforts of home in her native Italy to discover a new world in the wilds of Africa.
With her son Emanuele (Liam Aiken, “Stepmom”) and her new husband Paolo (Vincent Perez), Kuki confronts the Kenyan countryside and braves the challenges of a life in rural Africa. Wild and wonderful animals abound in this larger than life film including lions, elephants and super-size snakes. Rest assured that all animals in the film were treated well – production was once delayed and actors were left waiting while a sick baby python recuperated before its next shot.
Animal Fair applauds the real-life star of the film for her animal rights activism. In 1987 Kuki started the Gallman Memorial Foundation, dedicated to the harmonious co-existence of humans and the wild. She is also part of the ongoing campaign to prevent the slaughter of elephants and rhinos.
Kim Basinger shares Kuki’s passion for animals. “Her concerns for the environment and for wildlife particularly attracted me,” Basinger says.
Check out the Party Page in the summer issue of Animal Fair magazine for photos of the May 2000 movie premiere in Manhattan