Tag: film fest

Categories
Cinema entertainment news

Tribeca Fest Likes

Tribeca Festival

The New York City Film Festival unspooled its usual cinema fair of polished works by filmmakers from around the world. The mixture of physical and virtual continued this past June for ten days.

God Said Give Em’ Drum Machines is the story of how a sound was created in the Detroit music scene. Check out the Chat Cinema interview with director Kristian Hill.

McEnroe, director Barney Douglas’ story of the legendary “Superbrat” John McEnroe is a compelling documentary on a great tennis star. A humanising portrait of a man coming to grips with his illustrious yet troubled past.

Story of Bones from Tribeca Film Festival
Story of Bones
All Male-The Story of International Male at Tribeca Film Festival
All Male-The Story of International Male

All Man-International Male Story from Bryan Darling and Jesse Finley Reed is for anyone who remembers the sensual if not soft porn International Male Catalogs of the 80’s and 90’s. From humble beginnings flying by the sit of the pants to global success the documentary charts the raise pages sent to men all over the world.

Britain has always considered itself on the moral side of the Slave Trade having abolished the institution in 1807. The Story of Bones by Joseph Curran and Dominic Aubrey de Vere asks many unsettling questions about the country’s role with the treatment of human cargo. The effects of this are felt today on the isle of St. Helen.

Leave No Trace has generated a large amount of trace. Rightfully. Watching Irene Taylor’s devastating accounts of sexual abuse cover up in the Boy Scouts of America left me raw. For decades the civic organization knew their All American Clean image was a cover for attracting sexual predators. Anger, regret, sadness with a lost of trust combine to make this powerful documentary a raw emotional watch.

Leave No Trace at Tribeca Film Festival
Leave No Trace
Sophia at Tribeca Film Festival
Sophia

Sophia is Timely

Google whistleblower told the world the tech giant has an AI sentient, a shutter went around the world. So happens at this time I screened Sophia. A passionate inventor or mad scientist, Jon Kasbe and Crystal Moselle’s documentary on David Hanson is a character study of a brilliant man on a mission to change the way we interact technology.

Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady took a high morale approach to the documentary work Endangered. Produced by Ronan Farrow, the 4th Estate is under global threat. I can’t say I 100% liked this slickly produced myopic morality tale on journalism considering with public distrust of media at an all time high. Grady and Ewing never why? Frankly, YouTube commentators taking a stand against news censorship are more interesting than this victimhood tale.

The Belgium dark comedy Employee of the Month by Veronique Jadin gets a mention. Who does’t want to kill their work colleagues? Ines, played by Jasmina Douieb, answers the question further.

Check out our Chat Cinema Podcast for news, interviews and reviews regarding filmmaking.

Categories
Cinema

Cannes Day 1

France 24 reports on the great film festival. 

Categories
Cinema Feature

Did I Say Something Wrong?

A Trapped Artist Inside   

Dealing with bureaucrats with artistic pretensions is a balancing act. On the one hand they crave the hell with life mentality of Fassbinder, the go your own path of a Bowie, the respectability of Nolan mingled with the steady monthly salary of a state tax officer. Nowhere do I see this more than at the Berlinale Film Festival.

After the release of the 2017 petition calling for an overhaul of the film festival I saw many of the artistic and bureaucratic emotions collide. Artist and bureaucrats have thin skin.  I experienced as well as witnessed the staffs defensive sensitive side during the press screenings, the shorten opening press conference, then at the festival. 

Having attended the festival for many years, I support the annual event and films. The Berlinale mixes mainstream cinema to the quirky to the “I Don’t Get it!” 

No need for an opinion if you are small

My criticism of the organization has not been any harder or meaner than the any other site or press outlet. As an attendee,  I stated the reality. Real change has to come on all levels if it is to stay relevant on the circuit. As the film world knows, the Berlinale has been beset by criticisms from all sides. Festival Head Kosslick resigns this year. After last year’s fest and more recently during a “Chat Cinema” podcast we restated our opinions. A complete redo needed if the Berlinale can gain footing on the level as Cannes, Venice, and Sundance festivals. 

I applied for festival access as press, no response. After a quick call, the reply on the other end,  “We will check on it.”  Then a declined notice via email. Never a problem in the past, all of a sudden a problem. Should I call a CSI team to solve the case? A small website critical of the fest, suddenly there is no space for attendance, press credentials denied for Black and Paper.  I was told the press team is being diligent this year. What was their working method in the past? 

After speaking to the press team concerning the declined noticed, they mentioned my YouTube features, it felt like they used it as a homework assignment. The numbers were low and the long videos. The reasoning made no sense: the number of seats limited. A drop in attendance the previous year meant there should be more places in 2019, simple math. 

Relevant 

I asked, if the staff is so Internet Savvy why did not they not see the 24 pictorial, written, and video features produced and published about the 2018 Berlinale festival posted on Black and Paper.com. Additionally, there could have been more features had we written about the films not liked. Instead I  decided to focus on the films liked.  

After sending 10 weblinks from the 2018 coverage, I called the press officer back asking if they wanted more proof.  I am so important the response was,” we are discussing it, it will take a few hours to discuss the application.”  To be the topic of discussion at a film festival by staff should inflate the ego. Instead it feels sad on this side of petty.  Did the Chat Cinema Podcast cause this relationship breakdown?  I was smugly told we did not have time to listen to the long cast.  I had time to endure screening 40 or so films at the film festival, only a few worth processing at a negative lab.

 Can you work for another magazine, was a question from the officer. I responded with a “NO!” This site has been ok for me.  I’m listed in the Berlinale data base, receiving emails from the festival. 

My advice, put together a good festival that engages, not sermonises. Or develop thick skin.

Crystal Ball 

Waiting a “few hours” from 1 pm until 7:48. I posted on Twitter a Chat Cinema tweet. Finally, 54 minutes later an email sent from the Berlinale press office stated my accreditation declined, again. REALLY! The press team spent 7 hours discussing Black and Paper, an honor in a way,  the center of attention of a festival with over 400 films, thousands of attendees and we were singled out. A rejection letter that took an afternoon to write.  There is an saying in the American South, “If people are talking about you, you must be relevant.” “But if they tell you not to come, you must be really relevant!”

Black and Paper will not attend the Berlinale 2019 because we stated our opinion. By and large not suffering from FOMO Syndrome. 


Categories
Cinema

Chat Cinema Episode 2

Our Real Feelings on the Fest.

If you ask film critics a question you will get an response.  If you ask film critics for opinions, get the pen and paper ready for this Chat Cinema

We love the Berlinale but feel the time has come for major changes.

This is the space for hundreds of journalists, complete with 6 to 8 charging stations.

Press Area Hyatt 
Press Area Hyatt 

Chat Cinema is sponsored by Beyerdynamic.

Categories
Cinema Feature

Berlinale 2019 Preview

Ghost Town Anthology

The 69thBerlinale is shaping up. French Academy Award winning actress Juliette Binoche heads the festival jury starting February 7th2019. 

Danish director Lone Scherfigs “The Kindness of Strangers” opens the winter cinema event. According to the press film’s release,  the ensemble work stars Zoe Kazan and Bill Nighy as a group living in New York. Lone, a Berlinale regular, is known for character driven films. “An Education”, with Carey Mulligan opened to positive reviews with award nominations. 

This is the swan song for Berlinale head Dieter Kosslick. After 18 years of greeting cinema goers on the red carpet, he is hanging up his hat. New head Carlo Chatrian takes over the creative reigns in 2020.

  • The Golden Glove
  • Ghost Town Anthology
  • By the Grace of God

Staying to it’s reputation, the Berlinale showcases independent films and filmmakers with outsider perspectives.

The Competition list of films announced:

The Ground Beneath My Feet by Marie Kreutzer

By The Grace of God byFrancis Ozon

I Was Home, But by Angela Schanelec

A Tale of Three Sisters by Ermin Alper 

Ghost Town Anthology by Denis Cote

The Golden Glove by Faith Atkin

Stay Tuned for our Chat Cinema Podcast on the 2019 Berlinale.

Categories
Fashion

Cannes 2018

https://youtu.be/IWGPlJvtkrA

Categories
Fashion

Shut Up!

Black and Paper interview with filmmaker Philipp Jedicke, his first film, “Shut Up and Play the Piano”  a mockumentary following the life of Musical Artist Chilly Gonzales premiered at the Berlinale.

Director Philipp Jedicke at the Berlinale.

Why did you choose to make a documentary as your first film project?

I interviewed Chilly Gonzales when I was a journalist. As I learned more about him the more I wanted to know. My curiosity was peaked. I saw his many facets, I asked if anyone has produced a portrait or film on him. He said, “no!” He told me to do it. I had a lot of ideas about making a film but none came to fruition until this project.

You were not worried about working with an artist who is talented but a bit egocentric?

Not at all! I met him person. I knew the whole Chilly Gonzales mode he goes into was really a stage persona. Behind all of that is gentle, emotional, and nice guy. As Chilly he is erratic and in rage but for him as artist it is a wall of protection. The two are linked, but totally different mind sets.

What type of humor is employed in the film?

We tried to mirror Gonzales’ humor. I hope we managed. There is a lot of irony, sarcasm, and the “HA HA Jokes”.

How much footage did you shoot, the film is 82 minutes.

We filmed a lot over the 30 shooting days, much is on the cutting room floor. This is my first film so I gave myself complete coverage. I interviewed a number of people for the film but I had to cut them which made me sad, but as a director but I wanted to stay focus on Chilly.

How long did it take you to make the film?

From the first shooting day until now, premiere at the 68thBerlinale February 2018, three and half years. We did not have the end credits finished when the film was chosen only a few weeks ago. The producers were very supportive of me, giving a lot of control.

The camera work is really good, there was a good relationship with the production team?

My team was familiar with Chilly Gonzales’ work. I was lucky because I worked with an experienced Director of Photography, Michael Winterbauer. My first DP, Marcel Kolenbach, had to leave because of a schedule conflict. The editor, Hank Drees has been in working on documentaries for 20 years and Carina Mergens. They all knew the character I was working with as well they had great enthusiasm.

What are your future plans?

I would like to make film about another musical artist. I am in talks. My site is on The Austrian Music Scene, fascinating, a lot is happening there; many artists producing techno and indie sounds.

Music influences your work?

Yes! I was a member of 2 bands, but now only one. Music has always been an important part of my life. I never tried to make a living as a musician, I wrote about music, but the saying is “Music Journalist are fustrated musicians”. I think this is true in many ways.

Shut Up and Play The Piano was screened at the 68thBerlinale. 

Check local listing for release dates and screening times.

This interview is from our #thisberlinale18 coverage sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland. 

Categories
Fashion

Cannes 2018 from France 24

Categories
Fashion

What Comes Around

A Black and Paper interview with director Reem Saleh. The filmmaker’s documentary “What Comes Around” is a glimpse into the lives of people residing in a poor area of Cairo, Egypt neighborhood.

What Comes Around avoided Western Stereotypes of People lives in the region. There were human factors, not the 2 dimension images shown on regular television.

I am happy you saw this human factor in my film, not stereotypes. The Middle East is huge. There is everything. Stereotypes do not reflect the society. The Egyptian neighborhood is Muslim, but religion does not play a role in the film. It is a film about the struggles of life.

Can I say the subjects of the film seemed to suffer from a “Poverty of Decisions Making”?

Actually No! They did what they felt. They were happy they managed to buy a motorcycle, (for the son) so they wanted to sacrifice a rabbit because this removes the “evil eye” and paying for the two weddings.

You may think it is poor decision making or a waste of money but personally I think there is nothing wrong with this. It made them feel good.

You did not judge the characters, it was presentational, true?

Yes, it is true. I followed them and their lives. There is no right or wrong. I wanted the audience to see it without being judgmental.

Are the subjects of the film trapped or doomed to their fates?

I wouldn’t say “trapped” but perhaps in a vicious circle. They are in their comfort zones, contentment. Few start climbing further. I hope this films opens the horizons for them to do things differently.

What is your background?

I am passionate about film. I studied cinema in Lebanon at the American University. I worked in TV and did some acting. I worked for the Doha Film Institute as a film programmer. I started working on this documentary in 2010. I shot over 200 hours of footage, post production took a year.

WHAT COMES AROUND was screened at the 68th Berlinale in the Panorama Section.

This interview is part of the Black and Paper #thisberlinale18 project, sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.

Categories
Cinema

#THISBERLINALE19

Black and Paper is preparing for the Berlinale 2019.