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Berlinale Winners
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Berlinale Winners
A lot of surprises this year from an unpredictable jury!
Golden Bear Award for On Body and Soul
Jury Prize Silver Bear for Felicite
Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize for Spoor
Silver Bear Best for Aki Kaurismaki
Silver Bear Actress for Kime Minhee
Silver Bear Best Actor for Georg Friedrich
Silver Bear for Best Screenplay for A Fantastic Woman
Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution for Ana, mon amour
Glashutte Original Documentary for Ghost Hunting
Panorama Audience Award for Insyriated
Panorama Best Audience Award Documentary for I Am Not Your Negro
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Berlinale-Alternative List
David Mouriquand’s alternative list for the festival.
http://www.exberliner.com/blogs/the-berlinale-blog/the-berlinale-blog_2/
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Berlinale-All the Reviews
Film Critic David Mouriquand attended the 67th Berlinale, as a trusted creative colleague of the Black and Paper we value his opinions on features that ran for the ten day festival.
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Berlinale 2017 Album
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Berlinale Day 9
Berlinale Day 9
The final day of screenings, the Romanian film Ana, Mon Amour from previous Golden Bear winner Calin Peter Netzer ran for the press in Competition. A complicated psychological love story involving, sex and religion. The narrative structure of the film is complex, flashbacks. It was noted the film was influenced by Bergman’s Scene from a Marriage.
Starring Diana Cavallioti and Mircea Postelnicu as a couple with challenges, the director focused on close ups of the actors to move the story along. There is a lot of nudity along with a strong sex scene, was the sex over the top? The opinions were mixed.
Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Director James Mangold arrived at the Berlinale with their new film Logan, another sequel to the Marvel Comics X-Men/Wolverine Series. The latest franchise installment screened out of competition. The applause level was 4/10. After a festival of so many heavy films, it was a relief to see a Hollywood Blockbuster film.
Logan marks the end of the series for star Jackman. He and his team took on a darker tone with the R rated saga with a marked increased level violence and the added ingredient of eleven year old killing machine Laura (Dafne Keen). This was a controversial topic during the press conference. Mangold defended the violence by saying his film was aimed at adults.
I did not see the film but the press room feedback was mostly positive.
Glashütte Original introduced a new timepiece collection at The 67th Berlinale, Sixities Iconic Square Collection. For the man looking for a cool statement piece, with a splash of color for distinction, this is the watch for him.
There are five models with stunning colored dials; blue, gold, gray, green, and red. Reaching back to its roots, 1964, Glashütte Original designed this collection, inspired by history the brand.
My favorite style, the Blue Dial/face, has an Automatic Movement, off center small second stop with the perfected Glashütte three-quarter plate, skeletonized motor, sapphire glass, and alligator strap, all in a stainless casing with blue and black lacquer degrade effect.
After trying on the different models in the Glashütte Original Golden Bear Lounge at the Berlinale, I liked the Ocean color the most because it is different enough to be noticed but still a classic style. I can wear it for day and night.
The watches are available worldwide in fine stores and Glashütte Original Boutiques.
Glashutte Original is an official sponsor of the 67th Berlinale.
For more information on the collection go to:www.glashutte-original.com
God’s Own Country
Critically acclaimed at Sundance, screening at the 67th Berlinale Panorama Section to great reviews, first time director Francis Lee delivers a poignant story of an emotionally struggling young man coming to grips with his sexuality in Northern England.
God’s Own Country is not about a gay relationship but about two people on journey of discovery. I decided not the label the film “Queer Cinema” because the feelings of the young protagonists are universal not bound by sexuality or physical attraction. The director drew out exceptional performances from newcomers Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu as two men struggling to make sense of their feelings for each other.
Actor, Director, and Writer, Francis Lee interview with Black and Paper at the Berlinale.
How do you feel about the Broke Back Mountain comparison?
I loved that film. It was well acted and directed. But the main difference with my film is the relationship could survive. God’s Own Country is a story of a personal journey not about sexuality.
As a first feature with main gay characters, were you nervous about being classified as an LGBT Director?
NO! I like raw emotional stories, interesting engaging characters. God’s Own Country was the first film I wrote.
Given the subject material, how did you communicate with actors Josh and Alec?
I did not know then before the casting which was a long process. We worked with great Casting agents in London and Bucharest.
When I saw Josh I knew there was something and he wanted to do the film. There were great actors in Bucharest but with Alec it felt right because we shared the same working style.
I had a very close relationship with them. Three months before production I worked with them on developing the characters. We started from scratch, adding all the details like where is the bed in the room, etc. They had to work on a farm weeks before the camera rolled because I did not want stand ins or hand shots, I wanted as authentic as possible. When production rolled they knew their characters.
After the shoot we became comrades. I took them on an emotional journey so I could not abandon them.
As a director I believe in protecting the actors.
Have you been surprised by the response to the film?
Overwhelmed! I had no expectations. At Sundance it was all positive. I think when people see the film it unlocks emotions.
Is this a romantic film?
It is a love story. I am a big fan of films about hope.
How did you work with the Cinematography?
The landscape as seen by Johnny is about hard work. That is how the terrain affects him. You see him humped over, closed. We contained the shots.
What were the shooting conditions in the Yorshire?
Tough! The weather, the animals were unpredictable. We had to carry equipment up the hills. The roads were not so good.
We had the sheep farmer call us when there was a lamb was born. Those scenes were real. We did not kill one for the film. The number one occupation of sheep and lamb is death.
The farm is owned by a friend of my dad.
How much of Johnny is in you?
He is not me. It is not autobiographical. The landscape is from my childhood. Johnny comes from a tight family unit. His family loves him but they know if he leaves the farm is finished. They see the change in him when Gheorghe arrives.
A Black and Paper film recommendation.
God’s Own Country was screened at the 67th Berlinale in Panorama.
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Berlinale Day 8
Berlinale Day 8
I am sorry to report I did not attend any press conferences today. I was a bit behind on work and writing. The films today were:
On The Beach at Night Alone in Competition from Korea, a story centering on woman in an dire emotional state of mind trying to recover.
Joaquim in Competition from Brazil and Portugal
I heard Joaquim was not a bad film.
The Scholondorff film The Return to Montauk has been panned. Some in the press pool said it was “AWFUL!”
Leading Golden Bear Contenders The Other Side of Hope and On Body and Soul from Hungary is a dark horse in the race.
Luxury watch maker Glashutte was this yeas sponsor for the Golden Bear Lounge. The brand unveiled a new collection of timepieces Sixties Iconic Square, colorful, retro, and stylish. I think the watches are about getting noticed but in an elegant fun way! I will have more later.
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Berlinale-God’s Own Country
Black and Paper interview with God’s Own Country stars Josh O’Connor and Alec Secareanu at the 67th Berlinale.
God’s Own Country has received acclaimed on many fronts. One of the main ingredients for the well-received film has been the chemistry of the lead actors, new comers who have given note-worthy performances.
What is your acting background?
Alec-Acting in Romania, theater, shorts. This is my first lead role in a film.
Josh-I have been acting for 6 years. I have been doing theater, parts in films and television. This is my second lead role.
Certain scenes of the film were a bit more “open” than others, how did you prepare for these scenes?
We knew about it when we read the script. Some scenes were “open” but after meeting Francis, he knew what he wanted. It was not gratuitous. We rehearsed, choreographed, like a dance routine. Those scenes were a part of the story.
The movie depended on your relationship with each other, were you comfortable working with each other at the beginning?
We shot the movie in chronological order. The production was a 6 week shoot. We rehearsed but stayed cleared each other. We trained on different farms, working 8 hours a day. We came together after the first week of production. During the filming we became friends.
The movie evolved from contempt to affection.
Yeah, Gheorghe changes Johnny. At the beginning of the film he is stooped over, closed off from everyone. His outlook changes during the relationship.
How have you handled the critical acclaim?
We are proud of our work with the reviews from Sundance and the Berlinale.
Josh-It is a film about optimism. What is happening in the UK now, Brexit, I think it is important message.
The other film with LGBT theme at Sundance was Call Me By Your Name but our film is not about sexuality.
What did your family think when they saw the film?
Alec- My family has been supportive, Romania does not have a tradition of rights for LGTB. I hope this film will help with a better understanding of LGBT people.
You had an incident not related to the film, but because of your background?
Alec-While I was in Yorkshire I went to buy a beer in a convenience store. The cashier asked to see my ID, when he I showed him it to him, Romania, he refused to sell me anything.
Josh-My family has not seen it.
What is next for you guys?
Alec- I want to work more in English Language films.
Josh-I am attached to a big indie film, a love story.
Black and Paper recommends God’s Own Country. A poignant film about life, love gained, and consequences when the unexpected occurs.
God’s Own Country was screened at the 67th Berlinale in Panorama Section.