During CSD Berlin I could not help but notice this guy completely energized resembling the sexy Cowboy from the Village People complete with upturned hazel mustache. He was giving crowd body movement like a male pole dancer in leather gear. People were screaming “sexy” at him. What a PRO! Sadly, I did not get his name but there is always CSD Berlin 2019.
Music from Benosound Moose
“HOT” is the only word to use for CSD Berlin 2018. Summers in the city are not normally sweaty but this year was an exception, under the hot German Sun the temperature hit 35 Celsius but that did not stop the high level of enthusiasm in late July. This year’s theme: My Life, My Identity, My Body. I felt the day’s celebration was bigger than usual, 600,000 attendees lined the parade route according to news outlets.
There were a higher number of corporate sponsored trucks, 60 in total, this year including Paypal, Deutsch Bank, Bay, Ikea, Siemens, Vodafone, etc. While many in this politically charged city think this is a negative, I take a positive view, inclusive means all. As reported in a recent article of the magazine Advocate “corporations are picking up the slack of LGBT Rights, going beyond corporate responsibility.” Besides, someone has to pick up the tab.
Berlin lived up to the fun of CSD, a capital of tolerance. A Day to Let it All Go! Make a Statement! Have Fun for all!
See you next year!
I am a fan of Press Days because there is the opportunity to see many things up and personal then ask questions. It is a fashion meet and greet between agencies and editors. What is new? Trends? During these two days it is a chance to meet designers or discover new labels and brands.P
Images by Canon Camera
A throwback video from the Ivanman Fashion Show at Berlin Fashion Week. Black and Paper was backstage, models getting ready, crew members preparing for the runway show. We turned our camera on a make up artist waiting to finish for a male model to ask him a question about his work.
Powered by Canon Cameras.
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 68th Berlinale in the Panorama Section.
This interview is part of the Black and Paper #thisberlinale18 project, sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.
Black and Paper is preparing for the Berlinale 2019.
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.
Images by Vladimir Smichov for Black and Paper
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.
