Category: Cinema

  • Directors Notes on “SAMP”

    An interview with film directors Flavia Mastrella and Antonio Rezza from the Venice Film Festival.   1.This is your sixth feature film in a 30-year career that has encompassed Television, shorts and medium-length films. How difficult is it nowadays to get a film financed?  Flavia: “Escoriandoli” (our first movie) was the only film we shot […]

  • Cinema Culture War, Again

    20th Century Culture War  My first job, working a multiplex movie theater with 8 cinemas. I got to see movies for free. Invite friends and have popcorn. The Culture Wars of the Reagan Years were happening. Of course it  reached my city and the theater I worked that summer.  Martin Scorsese made “The Last Temptation of Christ”. […]

  • Why the Fuss?

    Senegalese-French filmmaker Maimouna Doucoure unwittingly stepped in the middle of the American Culture Wars.  Her small film has gotten a lot of attention.  “Cuties” is the story of a girl from a poor Paris neighbourhood trying to find her way in life.   Ignore the Outrage!  According to some, it promotes Child Sexuality. On social […]

  • Venice Film Festival-Length

    Lengths  One intriguing entry into the Venice competition program this year is Lahi, Hayop (Genus, Pan) by Lavrente Indico Diaz (better known as Lav Diaz). Those already familiar with the work of the Filipino director will know he is synonymous with slow contemplative cinema. His earlier films Evolution of a Filipino Family (2004) is ten hours […]

  • Venice Film Fest 2020

    The Shorts  Along with the more high-profile feature films, we should not overlook the short film entries in Venice.  I commend those that have been selected.  The short film competition in Venice has programmed a total of twelve entries this year.  The selection represents all regions of the world except South America.  Si  Two further […]

  • SAMP-A Film Review

    SAMP-A Film Review

    Imagine Frank Zappa (who was no stranger to acting, or the absurd) in his prime starring in a debut film like Peter Jackson’s Braindead(1992) combined with Robert Rodriguez’s El Mariachi(1992).  Chuck in  elements from the anarchy of El Topo(1970) by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Alex Cox’s Repo Man(1984), but with an original take on everything.  This pretty much sums up […]

  • Borsalino City

    Borsalino City

    Borsalino headwear and film history go hand in hand.  The 2015 documentary BORSALINO CITY is being released in an English version. Director Enrica Viola’s work weaves the story of  how 163 years ago Giuseppe Borsalino founded a hat atelier in Alessandria, Italy to becoming iconic parts of film history.  His style legacy has been worn […]

  • ON PAUL

     Director Paul Verhoeven made a certain film that has outlived the most savage reviews. Why? A bad film we love.   Stay Tuned for the next Chat Cinema Podcast. 

  • Stardust

    The first film based on the life of famed music artist David Bowie.  Stardust tells the story of the 24 year old musician before his debut in the United States.   Directed by Gabriel Range starring Johnny Flynn. 

  • Chat Cinema on Keanu

    We decided to profile Mr. Reeves for the first performer profile. Why? We like his movies. After 35 years in the business, he continues to be relevant.