Chat Cinema interviews Award Winning Directors, talking about their short films and future work. Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm Winner The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent from filmmaker Nebojsa Slijpcevic and Meal Ticket by Wes Andre Goodrich are works concerning choices. Stay Tuned for the new episodes.
Chat Cinema talks to director Turan Haste about his Oscar Qualifying short film THE MOISTURE. The Venice Film Festival entry is a story of challenging relationships for a teacher in a remote Turkish village.
An article in The Guardian tells the story of the effects of climate change on Alpaca breeders in Peru. In a past episode of Chat Cinema we also spoke about environmental consequences on the precious fashion textile. Utama, from director Alejandro Loayza Grisi is a film on a life under threat.
A preview if the short film The Women’s Revenge. Stay tuned for the Chat Cinema podcast from the IFFR.
An interview with film directors Flavia Mastrella and Antonio Rezza from the Venice Film Festival.
1.This is your sixth feature film in a 30-year career that has encompassed Television, shorts and medium-length films. How difficult is it nowadays to get a film financed?
Flavia: “Escoriandoli” (our first movie) was the only film we shot with a producer. It was an interesting experience but we soon realised it was impossible to replicate it. The production pressures had too much impact on our artistic choices. We produce our films and use independent distribution channels.
Antonio: For us, getting a budget is never the main issue. We can always sort something out. A budget is useful because it offers warranties to the film. Without that guarantee, we can’t start shooting. So we look for funders.
2. Where did the idea for the story and the script of “SAMP” come from?
Flavia: The inspiration came from the ancestral landscape of Puglia. I was deeply involved in the stories from “La terra del rimorso” (The Land of Remorse), written by Ernesto De Martino.
Antonio: Flavia made a location scouting in the Triana Valley in the spring of 2001. The idea was born there. The screenplay is the result of a cycle of abandonment and reconnection with an on-again, off-again 20 year-long work.
3. What should audiences infer from this film and take away from it?
Flavia: Our films are open to interpretation. We do not offer a truth. We just gather some thoughts. I would like the audience to grasp that sense of expressive liberty we encourage.
Antonio: The great sense of freedom and lack of interest in all forms of power.
4. What are your feelings of having the film play at the Venice Festival this year?
Flavia: We are happy. We can finally see if our communicative experiment works, see the reactions of an audience. We continue to seek new methods to surprise ourselves and others. I enjoy the risk.
Antonio: I was moved by the great acclaim that welcomed the film. It’s nice to feel emotions. It is very childish to vibrate to the sound of approval. But it is the only thing that keeps us attached to the world.
5. Do you feel a little cheated by the Covid-19 crisis with less people attending the festival?
Flavia: For us it is completely normal to be selected in times of crisis, it is our bizarre destiny.
SAMP screened in Competition at the 2020 Venice Film Festival.
Production Company: Rezzamastrella
Running Time: 78 Minutes
Country: Italy
Steve Yates contributes to Black and Paper.
For all things cinema, check out our Chat Cinema Podcasts.
One intriguing entry into the Venice competition program this year is Lahi, Hayop (Genus, Pan) by Lavrente Indico Diaz (better known as Lav Diaz). Those already familiar with the work of the Filipino director will know he is synonymous with slow contemplative cinema. His earlier films Evolution of a Filipino Family (2004) is ten hours long, one of the longest cinematic narrative films of all time. While some of his more recent prize-winning films, A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (2016), feature high on the longest ever films list. The director, a former film critic, drew from influences of work by the proponents of art cinema as Michangelo Antonioni and Robert Bresson.
Lav Diaz is also no stranger to the Venice Film Festival. His 2016 filmThe Woman Who Left won the Golden Lion. Lahi, Hayop, for the director comparatively modest in length at just over two and a half hours, still contains his trademark allegories of human greed and brutality, shot in monochrome with long takes. Dismayed by the working conditions at a gold mine, three workers journey to their home village on foot through the isolated wilderness of the mythical island Hugaw.
The weariness creates a hallucinatory effect for the three main protagonists; two mature men and a younger more capricious colleague. From here, with money, envy, and narcissism as the central themes, their relationship and events become more unpredictable and dramatic. As the recent back story unfolds, with scenes of contemporary Filipino society set against notions of the long-term effects of Japanese and American occupation.
Drawing allusions to the formal elements of Bertholt Brecht in its steady rhythm. Lahi, Hayop consistently uses the static camera, and almost always films at the same distance. With virtually no reference to the present, the film could be set at any time in the last 50 years. Given weight by the fact, when speaking of the film, the director’s inspiration came from a question asking him to define the human species. His urgent reply: “Despite being the better developed species, most of us still retain the demeanor and comportment of the chimpanzee or the genus Pan”. Transposed to capitalist society, the film depicts the destructive effects of the human animal, not least through greed. However, the director also finds optimism because the human brain contintues to develop. Diaz believes we will eventually become a self-actualized species, following the examples of Buddha or Gandhi.
Lahi, Hayop has been playing in the final three days of the Venice program. It was in contention for the Main Competition (Orizzonti) prize.
~ Steven Yates contributes to Black and Paper
David Mouriquand’s alternative list for the festival.
http://www.exberliner.com/blogs/the-berlinale-blog/the-berlinale-blog_2/
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.