Day 5 of the Berlinale. A clear front winner for in Competition category has not emerged yet. It is a hard year to second guess the jury. The direction is very unclear.
A pool of the critics standings according to Screen International are:
Django-2
On Body and Soul 2.7
The Dinner 1.3
Felicite 2.7
Wild Mouse 2.4
Spoor 2.8
A Fantastic Woman 3.2
A whirlwind day at the Berlinale with so many interviews but a film has emerged, The Party from director Sally Potter. Stay Tuned for more.
Shooting Stars is now 20 years old. The Pan European program has been celebrated for spotting emerging talent, helping talented performers to the next levels of their careers. This year there the 14 picks are:
Esben Smed* from Denmark, Louis Hofman* from Germany, Alessandro Borghi from Italy, Elina Vaska from Latvia, Hannah Hoekstra* from The Netherlands, Zofia Wichlacz from Poland, Victoria Guerra from Portugal, Tudor Aaron Istodor* from Romania, Marusa Majer* from Slovenia, and Karin Franz Korlof from Sweden.
*Stay tuned for the Black and Paper feature on these actors.
The press room opinions are in and it looks like The Dinner is a winner. Judging by the level of applause at the press conference I would say the film was well received. With an accomplished ensemble cast of veterans, director Sally Potter made a black and white film that was light and lovely but what can go wrong when people lose touch their principals. Commenting, “my favorite films are in Black and White and this is a part of the lineage. Working with Russian cinematography Aleksei Rodionov, the film is a performance character based project. Shot over two weeks the actors had to get it right the first time. Co-star Kristin Scott Thomas admitted it was like doing a play with little rehearsal time, there was no time for many takes. German Actor Bruno Ganz, an actor not known for comedic roles, made an impression going against type.
The Party stars Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas, Timothy Spall, Patricia Clarkson, and Bruno Ganz. The film screens in Competition at the Berlinale.
My first impression of the new mega Arri Stedicam Trinity was exoskeleton. Weighting in between 20 to 30 kilos the new camera mount is the latest innovation in the firm’s 100 years. Granted it is a James Cameron dream come true, an achievement in technical advancement for film production. Currently there are only 10 in available. Stay tuned for the upcoming Black and Paper video.
I had a one on one interview with filmmaker Yance Ford. His documentary feature Strong Island was well received at the Sundance Film Festival. A story of a senseless murder, except the victim was the helmer’s brother, shot because of an altercation concerning repairs over a car. This documentary resonated with me given the present climate in the USA and the continue killings of African American men.
Stay tuned for the Q&A with Mr. Ford
Up Date The Dinner did not live up to its level of artistic pretentious. Bloated, missed the mark, who cared were the comments. I was told not to waste my time.
The reviews for Trainspotting have been “OK” but no rave reviews. Does the tale of a group of aging misfits from Glasgow resonate today?
As usual this festival season, politics became a topic with reporters asking questions concerning Brexit. In this hyper political age Director Boyle states his film is not political. It is a story of life’s disappointments, a post modem.
Early news on the new Stanly Tucci debut directorial film has been met with a lack of enthusiasm. The screening is today.
Up Date: A labor for 10 years, actor, director, producer, and writer, Stanley Tucci’s Final Portrait arrived at the Berlinale. Sadly, it was not the welcome a filmmaker would like to have. Based on the last 2 years of the life of painter Alberto Giacometti, played by Geoffrey Rush, the film portrays the artist as a man who lives a life without consequences.
At the press conference helmer Tucci described the film making process of using handheld and two cameras for coverage and the color palette.
Can I recommend this film? Based on the reactions in the press area, NO, because the press conference felt more like a firing quad than a film festival, which is always a tall tale sign of a films reception.
Final Portrait stars Geoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, and Clemency Poescy.
Is Wilde Maus from Austria the breakout film?
Up Date: There were smiles after the press screening of this dark comedy, Wilde Maus/Wild Mouse, Austrian Actor, Director, and Writer Josef Haider’s story of a Viennese Music Critic who loses his job and esteem. A well-known performer in his native country, Haider decided to star and direct in his own film after realizing what he wanted to do with the feature. Saying, he could not imagine another person directing him or another actor playing the lead role he wrote. Hating the casting process of auditions, the director pulled actors, George Friedrich, Jorg Hartmann, and Pia Hierzegger, from his personal relationship circle, asking them to be spontaneous on the set. Judging by the favorable response from the press core I think he succeeded with his debut directorial effort.
Berlinale opening film Django received a lukewarm response according to press room feedback. Clichéd, typical, and wooden Nazi characters is how the biography feature on jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt has been described. Judging by the reactions I think I will pass.
The Dinner with Richard Gere and Laura Linney. Director Oren Moverman’s film based on the Herman Koch novel just finished the press screening. Was it any good? I am waiting for the instant reviews. The applause before the Q&A was less than enthusiastic. Attention was turned to politics with responses on the state of the US Executive Branch, Gere gave a blistering rebuke of Mr. Trump. Mr. Gere and Ms. Linney noted The Dinner is there third collaboration.
Berlinale
The 67th Berlinale opened with some political questions on the agenda but Jury President Paul Verhoeven stating he was here to judge the quality of the movie, not the political perspective. Mr. Verhoeven said he expects to see a lot of movies that are different and have heated arguments with respect.
Jury member Diego Luna addressed the current global political tones by saying, “I am not here to send messages but I am here to listen.” When asked about the proposed wall between the US and Mexico Luna commented, I have good memories crossing the border from both sides.
As a film festival Berlinale has always had a political edge but this year the jury seemed more pragmatic, less overtly ideological.
Berlinale makes an effort not to be taken over by market forces said fellow jury member Olafur Eliasson.
Addressing the issues concerning the state of Hollywood and the lack of Adult Movies, the bottom line mentality has taken control of the industry. Studios and Producers only want to invest in films with big returns. Film Director (Total Recall, Elle, and Robo Cop) Verhoven discussed the challenges of trying to get his latest film Elle produced.
Berlinale Jury: Paul Verhoeven, Dora Bouchoucha Fourati, Olafur Eliasson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Jentsch, Diego Luna, and Wang Quan’an
Berlinale continues until February 20th.
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It is coming up to that time of year again, February 9th kicks off the Berlinale Film Festival in Berlin. Acclaimed Dutch Filmmaker Paul Verhoeven will be Jury Head. The 67th fest opens Etienne Comar’s debut film Django.
14 films are in competition this year including entries from directors Holland, Veiel, Potter, and Moverman.
Stay tuned for more updates and complete coverage of the Berlinale here at Black and Paper.
Miles Ahead
How do you make a bio pic based on a Jazz Legend as complex as Miles Davis? Unfortunately, the creative force behind the film, Director, Star, and Co-Writer Don Cheadle answers haphazardly.
The main focus “Miles Ahead” is set in the 1970’s during the time when Davis was known for his strange behavior than music either battling his record label or being a recluse holed up in his studio, the film tells the story of the musician and Rolling Stone writer Dave Brill, reliably played by Ewan McGregor, searching for stolen tapes of music and drugs.
What is a standard bio pic without a flashback of past events and romances? Redeeming the subplot second story period is Emaytazy Corinealdi as Frances Taylor, the centerpiece of a doomed relationship between muse and musician carries the day. Corinealdi underplays the character’s victimization while the urgency of her situation becomes clearer. Girl you are in DANGER!
Complex, verging on the point of complete self-destruction as a swearing, high as a kit artist who lives on the edge for inspiration, Cheadle’s title performance was not a revelation but more expected. He shows the dark side of a character with many faults, sympathy and inspiration be damned.
“Miles Ahead” does not live up to its aspirations but is instead is head down by too many ingredients. Combining elements of the mismatched buddy film complete with one dimensional bad guys, car chases in a cool car, and gun fire, I was left me with the feeling of watching an old network television movie rather than a story of a man took music to the cosmos.
2.5 stars out of 4
Miles Ahead screened at the 2016 Berlinale.
Check local listings for showtimes.
Glashutte
High on top of the Kollhoff Tower in Potsdamer Platz the Glashutte Original opened during the 66th Berlinale. The luxury watch maker welcomed many industry professionals and artists including Nick Jonas, Cynthia Nixon, Sebastian Koch, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The 24th floor lounge became the place to socialize and mingle both day and night with a spectacular view of the Red Carpet as well Berlin.
Lastly, the Glashutte timepieces were on display with a collection based on classic designed and German Quality.
For more information go to Glashutte-Original. com
L‘Oreal Paris at the Berlinale 2016
Making sure the stars look good under the flash bulbs and spotlights during the Berlinale is the job of make-up and hair artist Andrej Baranow. Once again we managed to catch up with him towards the end of the festival for a fast interview.
How is it going?
This is my 18th year at the Berlinale. I have had a lot of things to do but in a good way. There is a team of 14. We have done a number of calls to hotels, etc. There have been many press conferences, some days 5 to 7.
No Diva Attitudes! Meryl Streep is so down to Earth, very human, no fuss at all. Alexander Skarsgard is a very keen about grooming.
What is the Berlinale Look for 2016?
The J-Lo looks with dark eyes and super Red Carpet Black Mascara and lashes. We have a new product, False Lash Superstar Red Carpet Blush. It is a 2 in 1 product for thickening and extending the lash. There are the Red Lips on the Carpet this year. A woman cannot hide with red lipstick. She wants to be seen.
What else is new?
L’Oreal has a lipstick with a powdery base, very consistent, does not dry the lips. It comes in nude tones. Also, there is a Sculpturing Blush I use for contouring and sharpening facial features. I work with it as a way to layer.
Some new blush colors. They are glowing, sparkly, and sparkling. There is a new lip palette coming in April.
What have you been doing since we last met in 2015?
A lot of beauty and catalog shootings. I worked with Diane Keaton. She is so gorgeous.
Also, I have been working at Babelsberg Film Studio demonstrating to 200 actors on how to apply special effect make up in the Zombie Style.
Andrej is the key make-up and hair stylist for the Berlinale. L’Oreal Paris has been an official partner of the Berlinale since 1998.
While the Women Are Sleeping
The Berlinale Press Conference with Director Wayne Wang and Cast.
Director Wayne Wang tackles a short story from Spanish Writer Javier Marias set in Japan. “It is a story about watching and being watched”, said Wang during the Berlinale Press Conference. My assistant director gave me the story, the story of women sleeping. It is about getting an author (Kenji) getting back his inspiration.
Translating the book to Asian sensibilities of subtlety and indirectness was important like the scene in the shop where the man speaks but never directly about the subject. Then adding Asian sensuality, we used little details, for example, the scene where he shaves the back of her neck, this is sensual in Japanese Culture. Even with these ingredients we had to remain true to the mystery of the narrative.
Wayne described shooting the film from the lead actor’s (Hidetoshi Nishijima) point of view. How he sees reality and the imagined reality. The audience is the 3rd person observing.
Special Note: This was the best dressed cast at the Berlinale wearing Berluti, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.
While The Woman Are Sleeping stars Takeshi Kitano, Hidetoshi Nishijima, Sayuri Oyamada, and Shiori Kutsuna
Check Local Listings for release Dates and Show Times