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Former James Bond Roger Moore with Duncan Carter

Duncan Carter bids a fond farewell to Sir Roger Moore as he leaves Chateau Frontenac.

DUNCAN CARTER reports for 007 MAGAZINE on his visit to the ‘Vue Sur Bond 007’ event in Canada

Towards the end of the excellent Thunderball event at the Cinema Lumiere in London last November, I was introduced to Jean Goyette from Quebec. I had heard about the ‘Vue sur Bond 007’ event a few weeks earlier and had been mulling it over in my mind, giving some serious thought to attending. Those few minutes talking to Jean convinced me the time was right to take my first trip to Canada – and where best to start? Quebec, in the Chateau Frontenac, overlooking the ice-laden St Lawrence River.

Over the next couple of months I liaised with André Boulard – my contact with the organisers, Jean Goyette and Anders Frejdh from Sweden (www.jamesbond007.se) The scene was set for what would be one of the best events we have ever attended.

My son, Adam, and I left home at 04.30am Thursday 23rd and travelled via Heathrow, Montreal and finally, after a number of delays, arrived in Quebec around 7.30pm local time. Not bad timing, for no sooner had we entered the baggage reclamation area then Sir Roger and Lady Moore arrived from Toronto along with Guy Hamilton and Britt Ekland – and I thought all the waiting press were for us!

The Chateau Frontenac

The magnificent Chateau Frontenac, overlooking the…..

Ice on the St. Lawrence River
…..ice-laden St Lawrence River.
Cafe du Monde

The event ended on Sunday at the Café du Monde.

Duncan and Adam Carter with Hilary Saltzman

Duncan and Adam Carter pose with the delightful Hilary Saltzman.

Sir Roger Moore presents Dame Shirley Bassey with a bouquet

Sir Roger Moore presents Dame Shirley Bassey with a bouquet at the concert held at the Grand Theatre de Quebec.

Cool Dog!

“Listen – you can take the Mickey all you like, but you’ll be the one freezing your paws off later!” With the chill factor at night the temperature dropped to minus 32 degrees!

Sir Roger Moore signs The James Bond Girls

Sir Roger signs Duncan’s much-travelled copy of The James Bond Girls book.

Jean Goyette with Sir Roger Moore

Jean Goyette  with Sir Roger Moore.

We booked into the Château – which was completed by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1893 in an effort to encourage luxury tourism and bring well off travellers to its trains – it stands on the Plains of Abraham, where the battle for the Conquest of Quebec took place in 1759. It was named in honour of Louis Buade, Count of Frontenac who was twice governor of the colony of New France and built close to the historical Citadelle. It housed most of the staff involved in the momentous Quebec Conference of 1943, during which Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt discussed strategy for World War II

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On Friday morning the lovely Hilary Saltzman personally welcomed us in the hotel reception and then guided us to the 10am opening press conference for ‘Vue sur Bond 007’ at the Galeries de la Capitale with Sir Roger Moore, Guy Hamilton, Richard Kiel and Britt Ekland in attendance. The combined aim of the event was to raise funds for UNICEF, the ‘3 Americas Film Festival’ and recognition of Harry Saltzman’s legacy to the world of entertainment. We were given full access to the press area for what turned out to be a lively affair with local and national TV, Radio and newspapers in attendance. Nigel Fisher, chairman and CEO of UNICEF Canada, welcomed Sir Roger, there in his capacity at goodwill ambassador for UNICEF, and the other celebrities. Sir Roger pointed out that he wanted to raise awareness and financial assistance, for HIV Aids in Guatemala and hoped everyone would enjoy the event.

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Shortly afterwards there was a Prestige Lunch at the Resto-Club Largo for 50 guests with all the guest stars in attendance. We returned to the Chateau and prepared for the Meeting at the Summit which started at 6pm. Held in the Salon Rose we were welcomed by Hilary Saltzman, Nigel Fisher and Elizabeth Guindon (UNICEF) and introduced to Sir Roger and Lady Moore, Nic Raine, Guy Hamilton, Britt Ekland, Richard Kiel and Michel Bell. However, Dame Shirley Bassey failed to attend. With only 25 people in attendance including the celebrities it was, without doubt, a very intimate affair. Sir Roger, ever the gentleman and gentle man spent the hours saying yes. Yes to autographs, yes to photographs and yes to meeting and talking with everyone – he made us all feel more than welcome! The meal turned out to be a gastronomic feast, prepared by one of Canada’s top culinary wizards, Chef Soulard – it exceeded our expectations by far.

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During the dinner my attention was drawn when I heard a man say, “I cannot see any more pain in my lifetime.” I did not know him. I looked into his eyes and saw a screaming emptiness only found in someone who has suffered a life-changing traumatic experience. I later learnt that man was none other than Canadian General Roméo Dallaire, who took charge of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda in 1993. Dallaire’s mission was to help both sides implement the agreed-upon Arusha peace accords and transition to a new government. But on April 6, 1994, after the Rwandan president’s plane was shot down, extremists within the Hutu population began assassinating moderate government officials and set in motion the vicious genocide that would ultimately claim the lives of more than 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 100 days. Dallaire wrote in the introduction to his recent book Shake Hands With the Devil, “Almost fifty years to the day that my father and father-in-law helped to liberate Europe – when the extermination camps were uncovered and when, in one voice, humanity said, ‘Never again,’ – we once again sat back and permitted this unspeakable horror to occur.” On his return to Canada, and as a direct result of the horrors he witnessed, he suffered Post Traumatic Stress, almost drank himself to death and contemplated suicide on many occasions.

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Toward the end of the evening Hilary Saltzman offered her thanks and unveiled a painting, by Michel Bell, of Sir Roger Moore with Britt Ekland in one of the most iconic scenes from the The Man With The Golden Gun. It was the subject of a silent auction finishing at the ‘Vue Sur Bond 007’ concert on Saturday night and eventually raised $35,000. I vividly remember the smile on Britt Ekland’s face when it was unveiled – she was delighted! In fact, we all were – at the quality and likeness of the subjects! As the evening closed we retired to the bar and a very late night!

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On Saturday a ‘friendly’ ski chase event took place on the Mont Sainte-Anne in the style of the James Bond ski chase scenes. Friendly? Bond never had a friendly ski chase in his life! At 1pm a prestige lunch took place for 70 people at the Panache Restaurant of Auberge St-Antoine. A lavish setting befitting the event and leading up to the high point of ‘Vue Sur Bond 007’ – the exclusive multimedia concert held at the Grand Theatre de Quebec at 8pm on Saturday 25th February. The Quebec Symphony Orchestra, brilliantly conducted by Nic Raine, provided the background to a spectacular multimedia performance of Bond music. Audrey de Montigney (Canadian Pop Idol winner) sang ‘For Your Eyes Only’ and ‘All Time High’, Nanette Workman, the Canadian blues singer, sang ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ and ‘Nobody Does It Better’, while Dawn Tyler-Watson, the jazz and blues singer from Montreal, brilliantly sang ‘Licence To Kill’ and ‘GoldenEye’ – for both of which she received a standing ovation. Steve Barakatt, a wonderful pianist, gave an animated performance of ‘Live And Let Die’. After a nervous start Dame Shirley Bassey sang ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Diamonds Are Forever’.

Nigel Fisher, Chairman and CEO of UNICEF Canada
Nigel Fisher, chairman and CEO of UNICEF Canada.
General Roméo Dallaire.
General Roméo Dallaire.
Sir Roger Moore addresses the audience at 'Vue Sur Bond 007'
Sir Roger addresses the audience.
Sir Roger Moore signs a painting by Jeffrey Stamp

Sir Roger signs Duncan’s painting by Jeffrey  Stamp.

Michel Bell's painting of Roger Moore & Britt Ekland

Michel Bell’s painting was auctioned in aid of UNICEF, and raised an impressive $35,000 Canadian dollars.

Adam and Duncan pose with Sir Roger & Lady Moore

Adam and Duncan pose with Sir Roger and Lady Moore.

Britt Ekland, Michel Bell, Sir Roger & Lady Moore are joined by Guy Hamilton

Britt Ekland, artist Michel Bell, Sir Roger and Lady Moore are joined by Bond director Guy Hamilton.

Anders Fredjh, Jean & Susie Goyette join Duncan Carter for a 'friendly' 007 ski chase

Together with Anders Frejdh and Jean Goyette (and his partner Susie), Duncan took to the slopes for a ‘friendly’ 007 ski chase!

To close the evening Sir Roger Moore gave an impassioned appreciation of General Dallaire’s experience calling him the true hero and exemplified the help and assistance needed for the less well off. His words resonated throughout the building. The nauseating sickness of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man graphically instilled on our senses. The auditorium was silent – we stood – to a man.

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On Sunday the event was closed at a brunch held at Café du Monde. Nigel Fisher gave his profound thanks to all who had attended and announced there would be 10 signed lithographs of the Michel Bell painting of Sir Roger Moore and Britt Ekland available to purchase with the funds going to UNICEF.

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Being the first time we had met Sir Roger Moore I can only describe him as a lovely, lovely, man. We spoke with him on a number of occasions and witnessed countless people walk up to him and ask for his autograph, some wanted a photograph, some wanted both and not once did we see him complain or refuse. Of all the things we saw one overriding image will always stay with me – the genuine warmth and affection people hold for Sir Roger Moore.

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007 MAGAZINE #27

I have to say ‘Vue Sur Bond 007’ was the best organised, best presented and best situated event we have ever been to. I take my hat off to Hilary Saltzman, who was clearly the driving force behind the outstanding event – she most certainly did her father proud! Well done!

On a personal note I would like to thank Jean Goyette for his tireless and punctual chauffeuring, without which we would not have been able to attend some of the events, his partner Susie for being the perfect hostess and Anders Frejdh for being a wonderful companion.

All the guests attending the dinner received a deluxe copy of 007 MAGAZINE issue #27 as part of their goodie-bag.

UNICEF Logo

Sir Roger Moore with Richard Kiel

Sir Roger Moore with Richard Kiel.

Adam and Duncan Carter pose with Hilary Saltzman

Adam and Duncan Carter pose with Hilary Saltzman and the signed lithograph of Michel Bell’s painting they purchased in aid of UNICEF.


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