This episode of Chat Cinema talks to award-winning director Murad Abu Eisheh about his work, TALAVISION. A short film centered on lost childhood innocence during the Syrian conflict.
Murad (left) Aisha Balase and Ziad Bakri
Tag: entertainment news
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The Shooting Stars 21
This year I rejoined the press junket for the European Film Promotion’s European Shooting Stars Program, virtual of course. The initiative serves as a platform to promote and showcase European Talent on the global stage. Since 1998 many famous faces have passed through the door moving on to becoming recognized performers in the entertainment industry. Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, Michaela Coel and 1917 star George McCay are a few examples of the talents who leaped to fame after their EFP debuts.
This year casting directors and filmmakers chose 10 European talents:
Abrecht Stork from Germany, Fionn O’Shea from Ireland, Natasa Stork from Hungary, Nicolas Maury from France, Alba Baptista from Portugal and Sara Klimoska from North Macedonia and Gustav Lindh from Sweden.
For 2021 I interviewed Martijn Lakemeier from The Netherlands, Seidi Haarla from Finland and Zygimante Elena Jakstaite of Lithuania. Normally there is face to face time but for 2021, we had one on one Zoom conferences. Hopefully, in June the live ceremony will take place in Berlin. I have my fingers crossed.
It is always inspiring to be one of the first to interview a raising media figure. I like saying “I interviewed him or her when they started”.
Congratulations to all the winners. Well deserved. I look forward to seeing them on the screen.
Stay tuned for the one on one interviews on the Chat Cinema Podcasts.
From the International Film Festival Rotterdam an interview with Actor Shogun on his unsympathetic role in Sexual Drive. How did he feel about Ramen Noodles? Click below to find out.
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Is it worth a trip to the Cryptozoo?
I got a screener link straight from 2021 Sundance Film Festival. A nice surprise these days during a never ending lockdown to know filmmakers are still working. For some reason I did not receive the press release for Cryptozoa. The short description read “cryptozookeppers struggle to capture a baku,,, or should mystical creatures be displayed at a zoo or hidden”. An unusual premise to take in on first reading. The animated feature by Dash Shaw also came with a not so familiar but intriguing looking poster of characters standing in front of an entrance gate. Initial research on IMD found the film garnered nice reviews at the Utah Fest.
Creatures and more
Taking the plunge, I clicked the link for the 90 minute film. Certainly after the first few minutes, Pixar was out the window. Dash decided to set himself apart. The director’s world is filled with well known and not so well known mystical creatures. Lauren and Joan have charged themselves with the task of finding all the crypts for safe keeping in a Zoo type amusement park. Also on the trail is Nick with the duty of securing the beings for military use.
The premise has a core moral message inside a story that gets tangled up with so much happening at once. However, the constant bombardment at times feels as though Mr. Shaw decided on the heavy handed approach to compensate for some short comings in his story telling ability. There was a not a single laugh in the Dash’s second feature film. Why the heavy dose of cynicism?
Cryptozoo offers some stunning visual renderings for the viewer. Taking a chance to challenge viewers on the definition of animation still does not compensate for a script that needed a smoother impetus.
3 stars out of 5.
Running Time of 90 minutes
Premiered at the Sundance Film Festival from The Match Factory
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Talks Revenge
I screened the short film The Women’s Revenge on the International Film Festival Rotterdam platform. The work packs a punch. Listen to the Chat Cinema conversation with Director Su Hui Yu explain his work and influences.
Click below:
From International Film Festival Rotterdam, an interview with film director Yoshida Kota. His film Sexual Drive dives into 3 episodes of cuisine eroticism.
Click below to watch the latest Chat Cinema podcast.
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Chat Cinema on Pebbles
From the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Chat Cinema interviews the creative team of the Award Winning film Pebbles. Director Vinothraq’s story inspires the spirit.
Part 1 of 2. Click the link.
Stay Tuned for Part 2 of the interview.
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Headlines 11-1-2021
A quick take on Headlines from around the world.
Tech Banning
Donald Trump got banned from the big tech platforms. Facebook and Twitter shut down the accounts of the soon to be ex President over the storming of the Capital last Week. It sets a dangerous precedent. Who’s next? Why? I am not a fan of the 45th American leader but a full shut down goes too far. Tech companies have a lot of enemies. Now, they have more even more.
Covid
What is a day without Covid News. Europe struggles to get a grip on the virus. As it rages across the continent governments are caught between a rock and hard place. As more restrictions are placed on an already burdened population this winter looking for a way out, fatigue is setting in. Vaccines roll outs have been less than competent. Skepticism is high, pressure is building.
Trump Impeachment
Once Again the current Commander and Chief is facing yet another impeachment from House Democrats 9 days before he leaves office. This performative exercise stands no chance of getting past the GOP Senate. In a country wrecked by political division, Pelosi decides to add fuel to a flame. The House Speaker known as a Washington insider with unmatched Beltway skills looks over the top.
Sex and City Redux
The iconic show to fabulous materialism is making a comeback on HBO Max. I have mixed feelings. The centre of the old show was fawning over a pair Manolo’s. In the 2021 Depression this looks out of place. Secondly, Kim Cattrall is absent. Let’s face it. Without Samantha’s sexual man-eating quips it won’t be the same. Some ideas are better left in a discussion room.
Fashion Weeks
Tis the season of the fashion week calendar. Mensweek kicks off with some very muted events. With a population holed up inside and home offices the norm. The demand for suits look dim.
Stay Safe. If you going through a bad time. Keep Going until until you hit a Sale at Ferragamo. Then Treat Yourself!
The latest move by Warner Bros to release its entire slate on HBO Max sent shock waves through the film business. From Christopher Nolan to Steven Soderbergh weighed in on the move and consequences. For the second time on the subject of steaming, Chat Cinema discusses the fall out and shock. Should cinema goers start worrying about the future of theatres? Or is this a blimp in a strange year? Click down below to watch the entire episode.
Warner Bros announced all of its 2021 slate films will have premiere simultaneously on the big screen and small screen via HBO Max. The Hollywood business models are changing. What does this mean for cheaters? Stay tuned, we talk about this on the next Chat Cinema.
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