This is the first time I covered the the International Film Festival Rotterdam. I must admit, the Dutch event unspools films selected for being different or striking instead of political. As a cinema enthusiasts, I decided to have a more open mind perspective to filmmakers, learn new cinematic languages. Story telling that ventures into new narratives. So far, I have not been disappointed. The global filmmakers showing at the festival have produced some striking features.
2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the IFFR.
IFFR 50th Anniversary
On my first day I managed to watch 3 films and 4 shorts. Not bad!
Stay tuned for coverage, features and reviews.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from Feb 1st to 7th.
Recently, there have been headlines concerning a Variety film critic making waves about his review of a Carey Mulligan performance. The Chat Cinema team had a discussion on this topic. Self censorship has become the new norm. How can critics write an honest review in the present environment? Should we allow this? Where will it lead? Are actors too thinned skinned?
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.
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.
Idea for the Film
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.
The Sense at Venice
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?
Actor and Director (left) Antonio Rezza
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.
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Senegalese-French filmmaker Maimouna Doucoure unwittingly stepped in the middle of the American Culture Wars. Her small film has gotten a lot of attention. “Cuties” is the story of a girl from a poor Paris neighbourhood trying to find her way in life.
Ignore the Outrage!
According to some, it promotes Child Sexuality. On social media many are calling for canceling Netflix. The streaming giant acquired the production earlier this year. Senator Ted Cruz wants the company investigated calling the film “disgusting”. Why the Fuss? Has the film become the latest victim of “Outrage”?
I chatted with Chat Cinema Contributor Kristin about the controversy. Kristin thinks people should see the film before condemning it. “After the Berlinale screening we discussed “Cuties“, she says. The overall opinions, “We liked it”. “Admittedly, it is not a great film, but enjoyable”.
Along with the more high-profile feature films, we should not overlook the short film entries in Venice. I commend those that have been selected. The short film competition in Venice has programmed a total of twelve entries this year. The selection represents all regions of the world except South America.
Si
Two further films selected are screening out of competition. One, an intriguing piece titled Si by Italian director Luca Ferri. Running at just under 20 minutes, it has a split screen effect; the left side for the visuals, the right for text. In his notes, the director talks of Si as the first of five planned films representing absence. Here, a man studies a series of encyclopedic images from the Prelinger Archives, illustrating the creation of the cosmos.
Si
Humanity is conspicuously absent, represented only in its works and ruins. The man falls asleep and sinks into a nightmare of arctic hunters killing polar bears, while the compellingly melancholic soundtrack features two pieces of contemporary music by the composer Agazzi with the text linked to the director’s personal childhood memory of a suicide. Hope and redemption are also tellingly absent in this unique and pessimistic appraisal of the contemporary human condition.
The Shift
The sole entry from the United Kingdom, a Scottish film called The Shift, directed by Laura Carreira. It is a candid snapshot of contemporary social dependency in an ever increasing insecure world of employment. A young woman called Anna takes her dog for a walk in the woods, then goes to the local supermarket. Waiting at the checkout, she gets a phone call telling her she has lost her shift as a temporary worker.
The Shift
The director stated that he felt the need to represent this common but largely unaddressed social situation. The film conveys this poignant vulnerability as representation of an increasing amount of people. Shift, represents the temporary shift work and also the poignant shift in personal situation and security, as a powerless young woman sees her life change spontaneously and inexorably.
~ Steven Yates loves cinema. He is a frequent contributor to Black and Paper
The first film based on the life of famed music artist David Bowie. Stardust tells the story of the 24 year old musician before his debut in the United States. Directed by Gabriel Range starring Johnny Flynn.
In these times when we are being asked to “Stay Inside” it is important to still have connect with colleagues. The Chat Cinema gang got together over Skype to have a conversation about films. Our stay home recommendations to watch until the crisis is over. Some surprises happened over the course of the 4 way digital meet up.
Bonus films we recommend.
Kristin-Breakfast at Tiffanys
Sofia-Working Girl
Steve-Crimes and Misdemeanors
Breck-Blazing Saddles
Please Stay In during this Crisis. The medical services have there hands full at this time. We wish everyone to be safe.
