Here are the films I am looking forward to seeing in theaters for the coming year, the Guilty Pleasure List.
The Dark Tower
Alien Convenant
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.
The new Cloverfield Film
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Tag: cinema
Sandra Seeling Lipski is the Festival Director and Founder of the Mallorca International Film Festival. 2016 marks the 5th anniversary of the Mediterranean event. This year’s honorary is famed actor, director and producer Danny DiVito.
The Black and Paper interview with Mallorca International Film Festival Director Sandra Selling.
What distinguishes the Mallorca International Film Festival from others?
There is an intimacy to the festival. We attract a number of guests from all over the world. What really makes Mallorca different from other festivals, we are the only festival in the world with a drive in cinema, for 2 nights we show 2 films. The sound is delivered over the frequency of a local radio station. This year there will be a screening of War of the Roses.
Is the Festival more focused on independent cinema?
We were called the “Sundance” of the Mediterranean. But yes we are definitely a place for independent filmmakers to show their works.
Why did you choose Danny DeVito as this year’s honoree?
Mr. DeVito started working in independent cinema scene in the 1970’s. His career evolved but he remained true to his artistic beliefs. He just completed a film with his kids. Plus, Danny is positive and funny.
As a creative director what do you look for in regards as festival entries?
My attitude is Surprise Me! Fresh! In December of 2015 I saw no films. In January I started screening films. The German film Wild by Nicolette Krebitz, blew me away! It is the story of a relationship between a woman and wolf.
How are you facilitating diversity in the festival program?
Being a woman I am drawn to female directors but I also want this festival to be a bridge to different cultures. It is about opening windows. I am always looking for something fresh, new stories, themes, filmmakers who take chances. I recently saw a documentary on transgendered men who dress up as their mothers to share their stories about how their mothers feel about them. It was emotional.
How are you facilitating networking for filmmakers?
Our Café con Cine is a breakfast where we invite people to come and speak, mingle, and discuss in a relaxed atmosphere. There is the Producers Club and many panels on different topics. All of the festival action takes place in the center of the city. Afterwards, participants usually go to bars for drinks and tapas.
What are your favorite films?
Great Expectations, Born To Be Blue, (The story of Chet Baker) both are with Ethan Hawk, I am a fan.
Casino was the first adult movie I saw. Loved it! I had a connection with Bridges of Madison County.
Victoria (From director Sebestian Schipper) was a cinematic experience. It really knocked my socks off! All was done in one take. Laia Costa (Lead Actress) was amazing.
The Mallorca International Film Festival takes place from November 3rd to the 12th. This year the festival will screes 17 films along with 6 documentaries.
Sandra Seeling Lipski is an international actress based in Los Angeles and Mallorca. She is a graduate of the Los Angeles Film School with a degree in directing in producing.
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Fashion History Hollywood Style
A lush pictorial history of Hollywood costume designer as a Cinephile and fashion editor the coffee table book “Creating the Illusion” has become a guide and style reference point. Starting from the genesis of the film industry to the modern day, authors Jay Jorgensen and Donald L. Scoggins give in depth narratives of craftspeople responsible for creating cinema’s most iconic looks by helping performers build characters that would make them famous on silver screens around the world.
Informative as well as entertaining from Page 1, Chapter 1 “Creating the Illusion” weaves together fascinating features with pictures, illustrations, and narratives on the giants of the field; Head, Adrian, Plunkett, Kelly, Louis, and Banton. But also included are stories of artist Erte and fashion designer Chanel forays into film costume design. Without skipping the spotlight shines on other well-known equally talented figures including Irene, Rose, and Travilla to name a few.
A vast number of films are discussed from “Salome”, “Gone with the Wind” to “The Matrix” mixed with behind the scenes anecdotes involving studios, directors, and movie stars; Liz Taylor’s gold costume from “Cleopatra” or the battle of wills involving Marilyn Monroe against Fox, and Dietrich’s iconic jewel encrusted dress from “Angel” are just some of the fascinating stories involving designers caught in the political maneuverings of movie making.
If you have a collection of cinema books or fancy yourself as a film buff I recommend “Creating the Illusion”. I had so much fun while inspired reading about relationships between costume designers have with movie stars and their involvement in the creative process of film production.
Creating The Illusion is available at your local bookstore or on order from Amazon.
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A Quick Conversation
Leandro Taub is a multi-disciplined artist born in Argentina. His latest film, Endless Poetry, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsjy, debuted at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. An autobiographical story set against the artistic movement of Chile.
What is your roll in the film Endless Poetry?
In the film, I play the best friend of Alejandro Jodorowsky when he was also a teenager. He discovers and finds in me an inspiration, muse, friendship, competition, and companion. It is a great adventure. My character’s name is Enrique Lihn, he learns about art, love poetry, and other inspirations at a young age.
Variety described the film as “Felliniesque”, would you agree with this?
I believe that any comparison is a risk for the one who is doing it, for the ones who are being compared and for the witnesses who witness the comparison. First, the one who is doing it, blocks his mind in definitions and doesn’t allow himself to open up to the new alternatives and ideas outside of his past experiences. Secondly, the ones who are being compared are judged not by what they are and what they are doing. Lastly, the witnesses of these comparisons, if they are discerning, could believe in them. They are being influenced by the view of the others.
Do you have a creative pattern?
Unpredictable! Not because I try, just because I am. I don’t have a clue what is going to happen tomorrow. Sometimes I go to one side, sometimes to the other side. Sometimes I don’t like any side. I have been involved in several projects from cinema to writing books. I hope everything I do improves the world.
Were you a David Bowie fan?
He was an influence with his music, words, and aesthetic. But if you explore my works you will not only find him, but you also find rabbis, pop idols, dictators, saints, yogis, porn stars, Hollywood stars, and philosophers. I filter and process a lot of information. Everything I have heard, seen, or listened to in one form of anther has influenced me, subconsciously.
Name a great creative city.
Planet Earth, it is a big town, right?
Check local cinema listings for Endless Poetry.
Check out the Anniversary Edition edition of 032c magazine to see Leandro’s Gucci Pictorial Spread.
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Lights, Camera, Glamour, Costumes
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Cannes Film Festival from France 24
Cannes Film Festival coverage provided to Black and Paper from France 24.
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Miles Ahead
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
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While the Women are Sleeping at Berlinale
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