Author: Editor

What Comes Around

Post author By Editor
Post date 12/03/2018

A Black and Paper interview with director Reem Saleh. The filmmaker’s documentary “What Comes Around” is a glimpse into the lives of people residing in a poor area of Cairo, Egypt neighborhood.

What Comes Around avoided Western Stereotypes of People lives in the region. There were human factors, not the 2 dimension images shown on regular television.

I am happy you saw this human factor in my film, not stereotypes. The Middle East is huge. There is everything. Stereotypes do not reflect the society. The Egyptian neighborhood is Muslim, but religion does not play a role in the film. It is a film about the struggles of life.

Can I say the subjects of the film seemed to suffer from a “Poverty of Decisions Making”?

Actually No! They did what they felt. They were happy they managed to buy a motorcycle, (for the son) so they wanted to sacrifice a rabbit because this removes the “evil eye” and paying for the two weddings.

You may think it is poor decision making or a waste of money but personally I think there is nothing wrong with this. It made them feel good.

You did not judge the characters, it was presentational, true?

Yes, it is true. I followed them and their lives. There is no right or wrong. I wanted the audience to see it without being judgmental.

Are the subjects of the film trapped or doomed to their fates?

I wouldn’t say “trapped” but perhaps in a vicious circle. They are in their comfort zones, contentment. Few start climbing further. I hope this films opens the horizons for them to do things differently.

What is your background?

I am passionate about film. I studied cinema in Lebanon at the American University. I worked in TV and did some acting. I worked for the Doha Film Institute as a film programmer. I started working on this documentary in 2010. I shot over 200 hours of footage, post production took a year.

WHAT COMES AROUND was screened at the 68^th Berlinale in the Panorama Section.

This interview is part of the Black and Paper #thisberlinale18 project, sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.

Tags berlin, Berlinale, Canon, cinema, director, Film, film fest, film is not dead, filmmaker, pringle of scotland, thisberlinale18, women in cinema

Cinema

#THISBERLINALE19

Post author By Editor
Post date 11/03/2018

Black and Paper is preparing for the Berlinale 2019.

Tags berlin, Berlinale, cinema, Film, film fest, Film Festival, filmmaker, filmmakers, thisberlinale19

Travel

ITB Berlin 2018

Post author By Editor
Post date 09/03/2018

ITB (International Tourism Fair). Berlin, 08.03.2018.

Where to GO? How to GO? When to GO? The ITB is the world’s biggest travel fair, 26 halls dedicated to global tourism in Berlin.

Ethiad Airways, Abu Dhabi. ITB (International Tourism Fair). Berlin, 08.03.2018.

Images by Vladimir Smichov for Black and Paper

Tags adventure travel, berlin, destination, international travel, itbberlin, passport, tourism, tourist, travel, Vacation

Fashion

Avedon Baldwin-Republished

Post author By Editor
Post date 09/03/2018

A Black and Paper Christmas Recommendation

Legendary talents of the 20^th century, high school friends Photographer Richard Avedon and Activist writer James Baldwin works are the subject of a newly reprinted book, Avedon Baldwin NOTHING PERSONAL. Avedon was known for his glamorous images of models and superstars appearing in glossy magazines. Writer Baldwin’s pointed critiques of social injustices of American Society made him leading figure of the Civil Rights Movement.

Avedon Baldwin’s NOTHING PERSONAL was first printed in 1964, a collaboration between focusing on the raw, unfiltered side of American life. Pointing the camera lens at subjects including Neo Nazis, Ginsberg, and Malcolm X, Avedon captures gritty images of a civilization without top down censors. Baldwin narrates the book with personal essays on his experiences in a place where skin color defines every form of a person’s existence.

As an Avedon and Baldwin fan, I had no idea about this book. My image of Avedon has always been glamorous shots of Audrey Hepburn alongside his Vogue covers. I thought of Baldwin as the confrontational yet eloquent social commentator for the oppressed. Two great artists, one with images, the other with words, that are relevant today.

Out of print for many years; this controversial publication is inspiring as it is timely.

Richard Avedon, Alec Baldwin NOTHING PERSONAL is available in Bookstores.

Cinema

#thisberlinale18 Thanks

Post author By Editor
Post date 07/03/2018

Tags berlin, Berlinale, Canon, cinema, critics, Film, filmmakers, pringle of scotland, thisberlinale18

Cinema

#thisberlinale18 Opinions

Post author By Editor
Post date 07/03/2018

Sorry this is a bit late, but late than never!

A Fantastic Woman premiered at the 2017 Berlinale in the Competition section before going on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. That is one for the Berlinale Team.

Tags berlin, Berlinale, Canon, cinema, Film, filmmakers, filmmaking, pringle of scotland, thisberlinale18

Fashion

Borsalino

Post author By Editor
Post date 05/03/2018

Hats are debonair for men, the ultimate charm or dramatic accessory for women. Borsalino has been making hats since 1857. The brand’s most famous is the one worn by Humphrey Bogart in the final scene of the film classic “Casablanca”.

Black and Paper viewed the latest collection of head pieces in Milan during Fashion Week in Feburary 2018.

Image made with Canon G1X Camera

Tags Accessory, Canon, Dandy, Fashion, hats, Menswear, MFW, ootd, Style, Womenswear

Cinema

Academy Awards 2018

Post author By Editor
Post date 04/03/2018

Always a fun moment to make a video with these two. Kristin and David give their impressions and predictions for the Oscars 2018. There is no Weinstein picture in the race, the #metoo movement has shaken the film industry, and diversity is no longer a “cool buzzword” without meaning. How will the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences respond to the changing feelings of the cinema going public?

This year’s award show is a bit of a rollercoaster but we generally agree on all the categories, Del Toro, Oldman, and McDormand will walk home with gold. The Best Picture looks cloudy, Call Me By Your Name could upset The Shape of Water.