Sweaty scenes

Venice, Italy Even for an experienced film director like Kathryn Bigelow of “K-19,” working with longtime heartthrobs Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson was enough to make her sweat.

Bigelow, who was promoting her submarine epic with both stars at the Venice Film Festival, said being around the two wasn’t always easy.

“I have to say that at first it was extremely intimidating,” she said Sunday. “From my perspective, you have to rise up to this.”

Ford arrived here with actress Calista Flockhart, sending photographers into a frenzy. He was willing to pose, but he sounded a little annoyed at the media.

“Their interest in my personal life is disquieting,” he said. “And all the more so for the failure to get it right in so many ways.”

Film debuts Eminem, hometown

Detroit Eminem’s cinematic debut will showcase not only the rapper but also his hometown.

“8 Mile,” filmed entirely in the Detroit area, will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival as a work in progress, with Eminem and director Curtis Hansen expected to attend.

Eminem plays a rapper caught between ambition and anger. The festival begins Thursday, and the film opens Nov. 8. Oscar-winning actress Kim Basinger also stars.

Bon Jovi weighs performance

New York The members of Bon Jovi say their upcoming performance in Times Square will not only kick off the football season but celebrate New Yorkers’ resilience after Sept. 11.

The NFL approached the group about headlining Thursday’s free concert, which is being promoted as a massive tailgate party. After the performance, the band will take a helicopter to Giants Stadium to perform at halftime during the game between the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.

The group’s latest album, “Bounce,” was inspired in part by the Sept. 11 attacks. Middletown, N.J., a community 45 miles south of Manhattan where singer Jon Bon Jovi lives, lost 32 people in the attacks.

The singer said he saw the smoke rising from the World Trade Center from a beach near his home.

No. 2 critiques Rob Lowe

New York Robert Wagner says it’s easy for Rob Lowe to play a younger version of his character in the “Austin Powers” movies.

“You know why he can do me so well? I have three daughters. He’s been cruising my house for years,” Wagner told Newsday. “But he’s a great boy. I love him.”

Wagner, who plays the older version of the evil henchman “Number Two,” said the movies have helped him reach a younger audience who may not have known him from television shows like “Hart to Hart.”

“It’s the best thing that ever happened,” he said. “It’s a terrific ride for me. … It’s great that people can go there and forget for a few hours what a mess this planet is in.”