Tag: Film

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Cinema Fashion Feature

Chat Cinema-Awards Season

Black and Paper presents Chat Cinema. A podcast involving everything cinema featuring diverse opinions on awards, stars, filmmakers, film history, festivals, and books.  

Sponsored by Beyerdynamic

The inspiration behind this project was the need to get more voices heard in regards to the cinema world. I know so many diverse cinephiles, I decided to tap into their skills, knowledge, and experiences to produce a show.  Also, whenever we get together the topic of conversation always leads to cinema, why not record it? 

Episode 1-Awards Season, contributors Sofia Stavrianidou and Steve Yates give their views on this years competition.  What are their predictions?  Who deserves to win? Does the Academy dislike a certain actress? Plus, a digression on a film master from the past. 

Sofia Stavriandou studied Classics, at the National Kapodistrian University in Athens, Greece and took classes on Film and Communication in Athens and Cologne, Germany, She’s been a film professional for 20 years, specializingin press, publicity and media. Her experience include: working as the Communications Manager at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival and the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (Greece), additionally, as Press Office Manager at Odeon Film Distribution (the largest distribution company in the Balkans and Greece), as well as a Film Sales and Acquisitions Executive at M-Appeal World Sales (Berlin). Today, her main role is the Head of Communications at Hellas Filmbox Berlin, the Greek-German Film festival in Berlin. As well, she cooperates with re:publica as publicity manager. Sofia has been based in Berlin since 2012.

Steven Yates studied Film and English at Kent University before taking an M.A. at Westminster University in London. Working as a freelance film writer since 1998, he has been published in books for Wallflower Press and in magazines and websites including El Hype, Celluloid, afterimage, Film International and theartsdesk.com. Based in Berlin, Steve is a member of FIPRESCI (The International Federation of Film Critics) and has sat on their jury at numerous international film festivals since 2002. He is also one of the main English language supervisors for the FIPRESCI website (www.fipresci.org).

Stay tuned for more podcast on cinema topics. 

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Fashion

Fake It Til,,

FAKE IT!

The age of “fake it til you make it” is upon us. The “Bling Culture” is about of looking rich if you are not. A substitution quick fix as a result of income inequality, lack of access to a better life so people show off. In your face consumption means being humble is old fashion, today it is all about the over the top lifestyle.

Documentary filmmaker Lauren Greenfield tackles modern world values from beauty, gender, and consumerism in her new work Generation Wealth.

The last years of the Roman Empire were decadent. You see in the movie “ I think you have to have a very bad crash in order to wake up” states Greenfield. There is more hope in the movie than in the my book, which feels like we are dancing on the deck of the Titanic but in the film I feel people are waking up, making choices.

“The Kim Kardashian Effect” of middle class women becoming prostitute and porn stars to gain quick access to money is now acceptable. In one generation what was once considered “bad taste” can be considered “good taste”. The value of hard work is lost.

A question I asked at the interview

Film Director and Photographer Lauren Greenfield at the Berlinale

How do you balance being a critic and being a participant?

My work has come from this place. I studied visual anthropology at Harvard. I have always thrived and able to do my work being on this line as an outsider and insider, working for “W” and “Harpers Bazaar”. I lived in the eye of the storm. Working for these publications gave me access.

Being from a Middle class family but I sometimes desired what the rich LA kids had, even thought I had all that I needed. It made me introspective about the source of the desire. My subjects in the film are like this.

In the film, the 13 year, Adam, his family rented the The Whiskey A GO GO on Sunset Blvd with go go girls for his party. They spent $50.000. He says, “you have to spend this money or you are S*it out of luck!” Then he says “money ruins kids”. He has that insight but is a part of the process.

This is not a story of evil rich people but a story of how all of us are a part of this complicity, the aspiration. Materialism, wealth, theses are ingredients of the modern dream. While watching I had a sad realization. I recognized a lot behavior traits but I know none of the people on screen.

Generation Wealth is well produced, at times, a sad reflection of who or what we are desperately grabbing for the trappings of splendor. There are no new questions raised in the documentary because the same ones have been around since Reagan’s Neo Liberal agenda. What Greenfield shows are the effects of a doctrine based on having it all.  Are we willing participants, witnesses? When do the effects of the drug end?  While not thought provoking, it makes you think.

Generation Wealth was screened in the Panorama Section at the Berlinale in February 2018.

Check selected local cinemas for the Amazon Studios release.

Sponsored by Canon Camera and Pringle of Scotland.

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Fashion

Cinema. This Should Be Interesting!

A Black and Paper Cinema Recommendation.

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Fashion

Tortured Genius

Looking for movie not involving a superhero this summer, a new documentary film on the life of a fashion genius,  Alexander McQueen is being released in cinemas this summer. As a designer McQueen’s reign was brief but influential.  His daring romantic gothic style sent the fashion world in new directions.

Check local listings for show times.

 

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Fashion

Cannes 2018

https://youtu.be/IWGPlJvtkrA

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Fashion

Cannes 2018

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Fashion

Cannes 18

The latest news from the world’s top film festival.

Special Note: The reviews for the Javier Bardeem, Penelope Cruz film, “Everybody Knows”, have been mixed. 

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Fashion

Just Fabulous!

A Black and Paper film recommendation.  This summer will be full of blockbusters film offerings;  Avengers:Infinity War, Han Solo, Deadpool, Jurassic World.  If you are looking for something a out the ordinary  but with a twist of the extraordinary check out the documentary based on Mr. Andre Leon Talley.

 

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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. 

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Fashion

Cannes 2018 from France 24