Once again the Anamorphic Club Cafe opened for two days during the Berlinale. A place to meet and greet filmmakers while looking over the filmmaking goods from Sony cameras, Hawk lens and Vantage Films. Directors, producers and cinematographers came together for chats and seminars on the latest filmmaking trends.
@blackandpaper A bit of classical with the Berlinale event at the Anamorphic Club Cafe by Sony, Vantage Films and Hawk Lens #filmfestival #berlinale #pianomusic #filmmakers #piano
♬ original sound – Blackandpaper – Blackandpaper
Chat Cinema Podcast talks to director Maziyar Khatam about his well received Sundance Film Festival premiered short BABA.
The second segment of the Chat Cinema Podcast with Jeff Jur from the Anamorphic Cafe Lounge in Berlin. The award-winning cinematographer answers questions about achieving the overall look of the hit Netflix show.
Click below for the episode.
The second segment of the chat with director Aliaksei Payuyan talks about the effects of oppression on society.
Click here
The 75th Cannes Film Festival opened with a bang with Tom Cruise walking on the legendary Red Carpet. The Superstar brought all the glamour to the South of France this year with his new film MAVERICK.
Stay tuned for the podcast conversations with the creative teams of some two acclaimed short features.
I saw the latest Star Wars film: Rise of Skywalker. I know the film has been out for a while. Contributing to the discusion seems pointless. The Rotten Tomatoes reviews are right.
Once again I ask the fallback question: How does it compare to The Empire Strikes Back? At 2 hours 23 minutes, the answer; please end this film soon.
There are so many problems with this film. The original Star Wars played it simple, a story of good versus evil. 2019, the world has become more complicated. That is one problem with the latest sequel. Filmmakers have not figured out a tone for the films. It has become weighed down trying to please everyone, not offend, stay modern, and hold true to the formula. A heavy order to fill.
JJ Abrams and team combed through an old Xerox copy machine recycling box at Lucasfilm for a story. The entire movie is a reference to other films lacking original ideas with a repeated premise that comes off as lazy and vague.
The evil Sith Emperor returns to reconquer the galaxy. Off the band goes jumping from planet to planet chasing clues on where to find, then stop Palpatine. Guess how it ends? No spoiler needed.
Some character interaction scenes were painful. Just saying the lines, woodenly interacting each other. I could almost hear the word “action” to the actors. I had little empathy for these characters. There were groans in the large cinema, not a single laugh.
Chewie, the reliable comic relief character in Episode 4, seemed more of an overly contrived plot device for nostalgia sake.
CGI is what you would expect from a Star Wars film. However, even this did not propel the story in an awe inspiring way.
How will the next Star Wars team move forward? I have no clue. No advice to give. But the future instalments cannot continue to rely on the good will of the fanbase.
2.5 out of 5 stars. I could push it to 3 stars.
StarWars: Rise of Skywalker is playing in local cinemas.
Black and Paper exclusive interview with Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival Creative Director Sandra Seeling.
Would you say filmgoers are looking for different stories and narratives?
In my experience as a festival programmer, filmgoers want to be surprised and inspired. They want to be taken out of their daily routines and experience new adventures and new point of views.
As a woman, why do you think there are so many challenges for women to direct films?
Women do not get the same opportunities as men. As a woman, we are instantly thought of as less capable, emotional and not as efficient. Unfortunately those attributes are deeply imbedded into the male think pattern (not only in the film industry) and make it harder for women to even get the chance to prove themselves. The challenge also lies in the century long history of the film industry. We as women have to simply keep pushing forward, to do an exceptional job, stand together, and support each other.
Why did you choose Paul Haggis this year as an honoree?
Paul is an incredible social justice advocate and his vision fits really well with EMIFF’s mission; BRIDGING CULTURES – BRIDGING PEOPLE. His work as a filmmaker and humanitarian makes him the perfect recipient for the Evolution Vision award, an award given to a filmmaker with an active vision to encourage unity and peace on our planet.
Isabelle Huppert is one of the greatest actresses of modern screen; her latest film has been submitted for the Academy Award for Foreign Film but “Barrage” seems dark for a festival on an idyllic island. Why did you decide to screen this film?
“Barrage” tells the story of three generations of women. Isabelle plays Elisabeth who is raising her granddaughter while her own daughter Cathrine is busy exploring the world. When Cathrine returns, she kidnaps her daughter from her mother and the story takes a dark turn into very emotional territory. I love the way director Laura Schroeder tells this fragile story of three women, all different ages but connected by the simple fact that they are family. They mirror each other, at the end of the day they are more similar than they like to admit. EMIFF wants to promote young new filmmakers who have a unique vision. Laura’s work in “Barrage” is all that and more.
How do you envision the festival in five years?
In five years I see EMIFF as a year long event with Evolution LAB’s (Workshops and conventions) in the summer and a solid festival in the fall. I want the festival to be known as “The Mediterranean Sundance” and want everyone to know our mission is “Bridging Cultures, Bridging People”. I hope to continue to grow our audience and attract more international filmmakers to come and enjoy our island, inspiring films and great networking.
You meet filmmakers from all over the world. What is your opinion on the general state of global cinema?
My sense is that the world is our playground. Globalization creates endless possibilities for filmmakers to connect, interact and create together even when being on different continents. On the other hand, I think filmmakers still appreciate nothing more than a real face to face conversation, round table or discussion panel or Q&A. Connecting virtually is a great possibility but real connections is what sparks new ideas and fuels new stories and films.
Sandra Seeling is the founder and director of the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. She is an actress, director, and producer.
The 6th annual The Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival starts on October 26 until November 4th. For more information go to: http://www.evolutionfilmfestival.com/
An upset at the Cannes Film Festival.