For his "coming of age", the European Film Award- formerly known as Felix- has come for the first time to Scandinavia, to the lovely and lively -but horribly expensive- fairy tale capital of Denmark, home of the world's oldest, continuous monarchy - representatives of which will royally grace the 21st EFA Ceremony on- perhaps aptly enough- St Nicholas's Day (or December 6th for humbug-free non-believers and infidels, though I must chose my words carefully in multi-culti København)...
If Clara was one musical highpoint in Mannheim this year, another was certainly Carlos Saura's latest revue-film Fados, which like his earlier Flamenco and Tango, explores urban melodies, presenting- with some luminous photography by Eduardo Serra-the place of fado in the life of Lisbon, looking for its African and Brazilian roots and providing 90 sensuous minutes filled with infinite affection and regret.The film received its German premiere, out of competition, and like Iberia seems to...
The second Gala Opening of the 57th Mannheim-Heidelberg Film Festival took place on 7th November 2008, in the mother-ship, so to say.Even more crowds massed for the premiere of Helma Sanders-Brahms's (surely some relation) elegant menage `a trois Clara (original title Geliebte Clara), an opulent opus on the turbulent amours 'twixt the troubled Schumanns (energetically brought to life by Martina Gedeck and French star Pascal Greggory) and their younger protege Johannes Brahms (an intrigui...
"April is the cruelest month" wrote T.S.Eliot when having to choose between invitations to fests in Istanbul, Nyon and elsewhere- then for FIPRESCI members it became September when the Fall season started to invigorate itself with Venice, Toronto, San Sebastian, Hamburg vying with each other for films and attention, and more recently October became the new September with London and Roma and Sitges and Gent clashing wildly and who gives a damn about Chicago...?
Now November is...
Just when you thought it was safe to cruise the canals in search of cinematic treats for younger viewers ,CINEKIDS- one of the largest international events showcasing productions made for, by ,and with children-decided to celebrate its 20th Edition by uprooting the annual extravaganza from the heart of Amsterdam and relocate most of its activities in a revamped old gas factory,the Westergasfabriek, from 14-2I October, 2007. But the Dutch have a flair for making something new and practical ...
The 54th Pula Film Festival running from 12th to 21st July in the historic Istrian city brings crowds of cheery Croatians to alfresco screenings in what must be Europe's most magical "cinema"- the majestic Arena constructed by the Emperor Vespasian for his mistress more than 1900 years ago.Here unreel the latest new Croatian films,competing for Golden Arena trophies and represented by delegations of film-makers who then can enjoy the latest international movies as late-night previe...
The European Film Award has certainly changed...changed sex, changed location, and now ,at 19, Europe's attempt to emulate the "Oscar" has finally come of age with a well-presented,dignified ceremony and a splashy but stylish party in Warsaw, not perhaps the most beautiful of Old Europe's capitals,but the first venue in Eastern -sorry, Central- Europe to host the event so far.And, contrary to those who may think that most of the Polish population has recently taken up residence in England, the l...
There is no doubt that the current International Filmfestival MANNHEIM-HEIDELBERG has capably regained its position as the second most significant cinema event in Germany, after the Berlinale. From 16th to 25th November, 2006 these lovely cities in Badem-Wurtemberg (a short drive from the vast Frankfurt airport) are home to an impeccably organised celebration of art-house cinema,which has reached its 55th edition with renewed vigour and a welcome sense of style. A legendary birthing event for nu...
I felt like Liza Minnelli, when she used to sing that saga entitled "Ring them bells" which underlined how after roaming the world you will find love on your doorstep,or with a nearby neighbour.Although hailing from Yorkshire, and for some years contributing to the Bradford Film Festival, I had actually never ever attended the Leeds International Film Festival.(At the National Museum of Photography Film and Television,that was not encouraged- though the current director of the Leeds Festival,a c...
The sun certainly shone on Sevilla's successfully revamped 100 Per Cent European Film Festival, which ran from 3rd to 11th November 2006 in the sensuous Andalucian city.
(Actually, much of the downtown of this beautiful southern Spanish metropolis is currently scarred by the construction of a new underground transport system so not only the flamenco dancers have to watch their steps to cross from one florid architectural wonder to the next. Personally, I am rather fearful that whenever the firs...
The second Thursday of the 50th Times BFI London Film Festival began promisingly with my first if brief visit to the Film-makers' Breakfasts held some mornings in the festival hotel, the St James Sofitel. a converted bank in the heart of clubland.In the small oak- panelled bar, directors du jour were already seated at 9.30am for their 90-minute rounds of interviews, cheerily marshalled by perky PRs.I managed a short but pleasant interview(see it here later!) with Denmark's Pernille Fischer Chris...
