Tag: berlin

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Technology

The IFA 2023 Breakdown

IFA 2023

IFA Berlin 2023 closed on September 5th. The annual technology event is a go to not only for seeing the latest gadgets but also for tech trends. The 99th edition shook off the post Covid malaise from the previous year. 130,000 square meters were sold out with brands and companies from around the world. Since 1924 IFA has been about the latest consumer devices.

IFA 2023


This time around, the word “innovation” came across as diluted. Nothing on display in the 26 halls felt as a “must have” product or service. Instead, there were improvements and new features added to appliances, cameras inside of ovens, apps for operating washing machines, lights on vacuums,
while not Earth shattering, connivence comes to mind.

I missed the memo on these: Robot cleaners, solar panels and batteries were front and center. It’s startling the number of companies producing the same products. Some displayed side by side.
Many big consumer electronic names were missing this year the attention turned to lesser known if not obscure labels. A big takeaway from this IFA, Chinese OEM’s on a mission to becoming brands. In the past they were regulated to just making products, no longer, brand building is on the agenda at lower prices with products ranging from headphones to washing machines.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Many top brands at IFA had to have felt being the Belle of the Ball. It is one thing to copy but a level of disrespect to come to a hall with power point list and brazenly check over a product, even using a tape measure. Even placing a head and camera in an oven to make video of the interior. Maybe it is time for a professional code of conduct at trade fairs.Intellectual Property means nothing in some regions but for companies spending on research and development and IP is a valued asset.


I had the feeling “App overkill” is a reality for household appliances. Some features I found useless. Do consumers really need a control to operate an appliance while driving to work?

Brands have decided to champion sustainability by making some parts available to third parties for repair. Consumers grown used to a disposable technology may not be ready to wait for a repair man. Extending device life cycles was an interesting if not, contradictory topic. Technology sales are based on volume for profitability. How can companies marry less consumption with high sales?

IFA 2023 showed a consumer goods world in flux. Technology has winners and losers. Picking the winning side has gotten harder.





Categories
Before Tacky chat cinema. Cinema

Feeling #Vindicated

I have no pleasure in Carlo Chatrian’s abrupt departure. The Swiss native is a cinema enthusiasts. During my interview with the former Locarno Film Festival head, I found him to be engaging, positive and passionate about the cinematic art form. After taking the helm in Berlin in 2020 following the departure of Kosslick, Carlo seemed a right fit to elevate the event into the same leagues as the Cannes and Venice fests. Skeptical thoughts came to my mind cause of Chatrian’s intellectual demeanour. The German capital’s institutions are not known for easy change especially headed by outsiders. After having my accreditation rejected cause of the Chat Cinema Podcast critiquing the Berlinale, this is an organisation resistant to even listening. Now, I feel vindicated.

As I was attending an event on Saturday September 2nd, suddenly a push notification came on my phone, “Resignation” at the Berlinale. Another one! Following Mariette Rissenbeek’s earlier exit, the dual in charge of one of the world’s biggest film festival checked out. Statements have been flying from the Ministry of Culture about only wanting one creative head.

With his contract over in 2024, the search is on for a new creative director. The Berlinale will continue, the question is who would want to head the February Festival?

Categories
Feature

CSD Berlin 2023

CSD Berlin 2023

Christopher Street Day Berlin arrived in Berlin. The seventy-three truck strong parade attracted it’s usual colorful revelry all in the name of PRIDE.

CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
CSD Berlin 2023
Categories
Technology

Sears & tech trends in 2023

IFA IMB

Once upon time there was a major American department store named “Sears”. The Chicago based chain covered the retail landscape coast to coast from big cities to small towns offering everything from toys, clothes and household goods. What made Sears special? The once mighty retailer had Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances. Those two labels had a reputation of durability and quality. So well made, they came with life warranties and repairs. The process was easy, a buyer could take a tool back or call for a hassle free, at times no charge, service repair covered by the warranty. Modern appliance companies could take a cue from this vintage customer service template.

Sears Appliances
Sears Appliances

As the world shifts to pressing concerns and priorities, from AI, geo-political forces, energy shortages, supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns and Inflation Living Crisis, new models will have to develop.

Will the consumer appliances embrace the circular economy? What about Technologies Planned Obsolescence model? The Innovation Media Briefing for IFA 2023 came together to discuss upcoming trends in technology and consumer appliances. Will the consumer appliance brands embrace the circular economy? What about technologies Planned Obsolescence model? One of the major topics, developing a repairing and service economy for electronic goods. The EU is in the process of passing a right to repair laws, giving consumers a claim to repair electronic goods with access to spare parts.

As the consumers want more goods with a sustainable footprint, the buy now and throw away model is coming under scrutiny. When was the last time anyone had a display repaired? High cost and lack of repair professionals make it easier to buy another. Should I wait for a repairman when it would take me under fifteen minutes to work to electronic store? There are more barriers to fixing tech devices; companies control their supplies and services training.

Are buyers willing to spend money on the latest gadget during these times? Doubtful, in Berlin we face high energy bills this winter. More buyers are delaying unnecessary purchase in face of increasing basic living costs, keeping their old tech longer.

The technology industry after years of soaring above the clouds is dropping back to Earth in 2023, however, they are finding the world is a disparate place.

IFA 2023 starts August 31st.

Categories
Before Tacky Cinema podcast

Sustainable Red Carpet

Sustainable Fashion on the Red Carpet is subject of the next podcast. For the Cannes Film Festival, fashion brand CRUBA made a VCR Tape Dress. How did the bold woven look get created for Actress Eugenia Kuzmina? Stay tuned for the Before Tacky Podcast.

Before Tacky on a Sustainable Red Carpet Look
Categories
Fashion

Greta goes Barbie

Actress, Director Greta Gerwig’s BARBIE trailer has taken the Internet by storm. The Margort Robbie, Ryan Gosling lead flick hits cinemas this July 21st. Based on the iconic children’s doll, the trailer wowed professionals at CinemaCom, the Warner Bros release could be a summer blockbuster for the Sacramento born filmmaker.

Actress Director Greta Gerwig
From our archives, Greta Gerwig
Categories
Travel

Welcome Back ITB

ITB Georgia Wine
Georgian Wine

The last time I attended the ITB Berlin happened in 2019. It’s been a few years, the world of travel has changed. Restrictions, lock downs and a war gave travelers reasons to ponder.

March 2023, ITB Berlin welcomed back the tourism industry albeit on smaller scale. This time around, only professionals attended the three day trade fair from March 7th to 9th. After much discussion, public days were cancelled. However, that did not dull the pumped up feeling of being back for the big travel event.

Hello ITB
ITB 2023
ITB Visit India
A Passage to India
ITB Adventure Travel
Adventure Travel

Host country Georgia took front and center stage. The mountainous destination talked up offerings ranging from winter sports to distinctive cuisine. My view of the ancient country is a one with Georgian designers Demma, head of Balenciaga and London based David Koma both occupy prominent roles in the fashion industry as innovators. Hopefully, I’ll pay a visit the Caucasus nation.

Go Big

ITB Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia made its presence felt with the biggest stand in Hall 2. The Middle East Kingdom has set an ambitious target of spending over $800 billion over seven years positioning itself as a travel destination with underwater resorts and promoting historic destinations such as Medina. A spokesperson for the travel office told me “We need to spend to get noticed.” Spending that amount of money, it will be impossible not to notice.

There were elephants in the room, traveling these days means turbulence. Going to an airport, a traveler can be forgiven for having a sense of dread. Labor shortages along with industrial actions have hindered travel schedules. Airline customer service is lacking. Horror stories of long delays, cancelled flights and lost baggage are common. Putting anything underneath the plane is a game of roulette, Good Luck! Recently, I was told about a flyer from Berlin to Lima, their luggage went into the Suitcase Black Hole, to be never seen again.

ITB RIO
Rio
ITB
Domnican Republic

Staying with the times, Sustainable Travel topped several conferences. I am still uncertain how to approach this subject. Mass travel or accessible movement for all will leave an environmental footprint. Let’s face it, when on a holiday, most travelers want to leave the problems of the world behind. But during the Maldives conference, the low laying country expressed concerns about rising ocean levels. Saying “Responsible Travel” is easy, putting the concept into practice, that is still an answered question.

All and all, ITB Berlin like travel is making a recovery. My fingers are crossed.

Tune into the Clipper Inspired Podcast travel episodes.

Categories
Cinema entertainment news Feature

Personal Favs From The Berlinale

Berlinale

After the announcements of the main awards of this year’s Berlinale, other films also deserve recognition. In the Encounters section, The Klezmer Project was directed by Leandro Koch and Paloma Schachmann. Although it did not win (Here, by Bas Devos, took the prize), The duo’s work deserves stand-alone appraisal. Leandro, a frustrated Jewish wedding cameraman in Argentina meets and falls in love with a clarinetist. To spend time with her he contrives a documentary project commission for television. This project will take him across the remotest parts of Eastern Europe.

The Klezmer Project is original in that it adds a linear fictional narrative onto what is otherwise a documentary. It also manages to do this very seamlessly to provide double interest and entertainment. The quest to find the lost klezmer melodies that have been safeguarded by the Romani people both educates and fascinates. The film was recognized by winning the GWFF society Best First Feature Award. The prize of 50,000 € guarantees the safeguarding of Film and TV rights. A Special Mention from the GWFF was also given to The Bride, directed by Myriam U. Birara and in the Forum Competition section.

Berlinale
The Klezmer Project-From Encounters Section

Tótem, directed by Lila Aviles, played in the Competition section failed to win any of the main awards. However, this Spanish take on melodrama both charmed and delighted. A family celebrates the birthday of a young father, also a painter. Sadly, he is also facing his impending mortality. The child protagonist, played by newcomer Naíma Senties, could easily have won the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance. The award went to another child protagonist Sofía Otero for 20,000 Species of Bees. Tótem, however, won the prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The well received work finished ahead of Golden Bear winner On the Adamant, awarded Special Mention at the festival.

One film in the Competition which surprisingly failed to win a prize was Limbo, directed by Ivan Sen. A detective called Travis Hurley arrives in a small Australian outback town. Staying at the Hotel Limbo, he has come to investigate a 20-year-old unsolved homicide of an Aboriginal woman. The only evidence he has is a number of tape recordings. Meanwhile, the victim’s family is reluctant to give much information, particularly to a white cop.

Berlinale
Limbo-From Competition Section

With patience, Travis will uncover some unpleasant truths, highlighting the injustice faced by Aboriginal Australians. Indigenous Australian film director Ivan Sen had previously won the Premiere First Movie Award at the Berlinale in 2002 for his first film Beneath Clouds. In Limbo he has created a hypnotic “desert noir” that makes excellent use of the landscapes. The choice of black and white further enhances the backdrop and static progress of narrative resolution.

A personal nod also goes to the following films: Blackberry, The Shadowless Tower (Main Competition); Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker, Kiss the Future (Berlinale Special – Out of Competition); Calls from Moscow, Notes from Eremocene, Cidade Rabat (Forum Section).

By Steve Yates

Categories
Cinema entertainment

A Balancing Act at the Berlinale #73

Berlinale

The 73rd Berlin International Film Festival is the first fully in-person Berlinale event since 2020. 

Before the festival, Executive Director Mariette Rissenbeek and Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian spoke about their objectives this year. Overcoming the impact of the pandemic and closer ties with the U.S. are two such challenges. Meanwhile, there has also been a funding boost from the German government. The pair also explained how their program selection attempts to balance harsh realities with escapism. 

The festival opened on February 16th with a grand red carpet ceremony. The television and stage show was produced by the German public broadcaster ZDF/3Sat. Their filming included the exterior red carpet, the hallway of the Berlinale Palast, and the theatre interiors. The ceremony started at 7.30pm local time. Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian were joined on stage by Jury President Kristen Stewart and further speakers.   

The Rebecca Miller directed She Came to Me was the special opening ceremony screening. A composer in a creative crisis meets a tugboat captain by chance in a Brooklyn Bar. From here a seemingly unlikely strong bond grows between the two. This funny and sophisticated comedy drama is set against a backdrop of a socially divided America. Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei and Anne Hathaway are the leading stars who shine in their roles. Ultimately, this was a heartening and entertaining way to begin the festival. 

Eighteen films from around the world will compete in competition for the Silver and Golden Bears. There are also sixteen films also in the second competition, Encounters. The program conspicuously omitted films from Russia this year. However, Sean Penn’s documentary Superpower represents the omnipresence of the Ukraine conflict. Otherwise, films like Honary Bear inductee Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans are intended to be a lighter affair. 

One film in the main competition, Blackberry, is adapted from the bestselling book “Losing the Signal”. Directed by Matt Johnson, it chronicles the rise and rapid fall of the world’s first Smartphone. Glenn Howerton and Jay Buruchel are the central characters who play the fallen business partners. Commendable in art direction is the authentic period detail from the early 1990s to the late 2000s. Moreover, Blackberry humorously portrays the world of fast-paced business, corruption, and the pressure of staying ahead

This year’s Berlinale Award Ceremony will take place on Saturday 25th February. 

By Steven Yates      

Categories
Fashion Feature

Still Riding in December

Woke up to snow in Berlin today. Does this mean it’s time to put the bike in the basement? I am going to try to delay the moment as long as I can. Dutch brand Maium makes outerwear for biking in challenging weather. The oversize coats can extend over the bike to protect hands and legs while riding.

winter snow fall
maium
bike trail
Snow Covered Biking Trail