Polish audience picks 'Winter's Bone' for prize - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety

Polish audience picks 'Winter's Bone' for prize - Entertainment News, International News, Media - Variety

After reading this article on Variety I had many questions. First of all, I find it intriguing that Poland is having an American Film Festival. I would think that a country like Poland would have a film festival that exhibits their own films, and lets distributors find films that depict their culture and society. On the contrary, this festival exhibits films that come from the U.S. Second, I found it also intriguing that they chose the same film that won the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Sundance is probably the most acclaimed American Film Festival, and choosing a film that won that festival seems to me that Poland is trying to 'fit in' with American trends. What do you think?

Project Idea

I want to compare the Czech film Closely Watched Trains by Milos Forman which was made during the Czech New Wave to Boredom in Brno a Czech film made in 2003 and how their portrayals of gender roles and relationships between men and women differ because of the time periods they were made in- during and after the rule of Communism. I am willing to consider other films as well if anyone else is interested in this.


Here is a trailer for Closely Watched Trains:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igc0Jp62kEg

I couldn't find a trailer for Boredom in Brno so here is an article on it:
http://czechfilmz.blogspot.com/2006/11/boredom-in-brnonuda-v-brn-2003.html

Project Idea

Hey Everyone!

I wanted to know if anyone is interested in working on the project. I want to do something around the area of European Film Festivals and the independent film circuit, and how that is perceived/portrayed in the States.

Behind the Scenes of Exit Through The Gift Shop

Cool new interview with the producer and editor of Banksy's documentary, Exit Through The Gift Shop.

http://www.woostercollective.com/2010/10/one_to_watch_david_polands_dp30_on_exit.html

Arab Film Festival

The 14th Annual Arab Film Festival -- This October 22nd - 24th, 2010 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills

Dear USC School of Cinematic Arts Students, Faculty and Staff,

In anticipation of our forthcoming SCA Visions & Voices Film Festivals, Eyes on the Middle East (November 20 - 21, 2010) and Contemporary Middle Eastern Cinema (March 4 - 6, 2011), we would like to help spread the word about the 14th Annual Arab Film Festival taking place in Los Angeles this October 22nd - 14th. The Arab Film Festival is a co-sponsor for our Middle Eastern cinema showcase in March 2011.

Best,

Alex Ago, USC School of Cinematic Arts

FILMS SCHEDULE LOCATIONS TICKETS CENTERPIECE EVENT AT THE WRITERS GUILD THEATER 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills Los Angeles Centerpiece Event The Arab Film Festival opens its fourth season in Los Angeles with the LA premier of Algeria's 2009 official entry for the 2009 Academy Awards, Masquerades, winner of many prestigious awards including Best Feature at the Dubai International Film Festival, and Best Arabic Film at the Cairo International Film Festival. Friday, October 22nd WGA Theater, Los Angeles 6:30pm Centerpiece Reception 8:00pm Centerpiece Film: Masquerades TICKETS Masquerades is copresented by the Global Film Initiative and is part of the Global Lens 2010 film series. For more information, visit www.globalfilm.org. LOS ANGELES______________________________________ Friday October 22nd Writers Guild of America Theater 8:00pm Masquerades Saturday October 23rd Writers Guild of America Theater 11:00am Fragments of a Lost Palestine / The Butcher 1:00pm Cinecitta 3:30pm The Wedding Song 6:30pm Marina of the Zabbaleen 9:00pm Every Day is a Holiday Sunday October 24th Writers Guild of America Theater 11:30am Chicken Heads / Little Town of Bethlehem 1:30pm Fiasco / 12 Angry Lebanese 4:00pm Heliopolis 6:30pm The Man Who Sold the World 9:00pm Tale of Existence / The String Get Your Festival Pass Festival Passes include access to all screenings and events in Bay Area or Los Angeles. Includes Centerpiece Reception and film, Masquerades Support The Arab Film Festival www.arabfilmfestival.org

The lasting effects of Borat and an attempt to rebrand

Is Jean-Luc Godard an anti-semite?

The other day when I was out and about in LA, I saw that on the front page of some magazine Jean Luc Godard's face was staring straight at me. I picked up the magazine and read part of the article. Apparently he's getting an honorary oscar, but there is a huge controversy over whether or not he's anti-semetic.

Check it out:

http://www.jewishjournal.com/articles/print/jean-luc_godard_to_get_honorary_oscar_questions_of_anti-semitism_remain_201/

Multikulti failed in Germany says Angela Merkel

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101017/wl_afp/germanymuslimreligionimmigration

Spanish Cinema Festival

If you didn't get this email today, here's something which might be interesting to do for our cultural event report.

FREE tickets for SCA students, faculty and staff to all screenings during Recent Spanish Cinema at the American Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre on October 14 - 17, 2010    Dear Students & Educators: Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we are able to share the films of Recent Spanish Cinema with educators and students by inviting you to come to a selection of these screenings at no cost!! At the bottom of this email you will find instructions on how to RSVP for tickets. You are welcome to forward this to other students and teachers in your community. Sincerely, Your Friends at the American Cinematheque If this e-mail formats incorrectly, click here. Recent Spanish Cinema XVI October 14 - 17 Exclusively at the Egyptian Theatre Presented in collaboration with the Instituto de la Cinematografia y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA) of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and EGEDA - Filmotech. With the support of Embassy of Spain in Washington, Spain USA Foundation, Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles, Tourist Office of Spain in Los Angeles, Promocion Madrid (Madrid City Council) and E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America). Sponsored by Lladro, Codorniu, Bodegas Terras Gauda y Vina Zaco. This year’s selection of recent Spanish cinema focuses on a new generation of filmmakers, while highlighting performances by both seasoned veterans and talented newcomers in roles that demonstrate their strength and versatility. Strong performances highlight the nine films in the showcase. Luis Tosar, one of Spain’s most vibrant actors, is in three of the this year's selections! He shines as the delectable Bad Mother in Daniel Monzon’s box office hit CELDA 211. In Alvaro Pastor’s and Antonio Naharro’s YO, TAMBIEN, actress Lola Duenas (alongside newcomer Pablo Pineda), garnered the Goya for Best Actress and both won accolades at the 2009 San Sebastian International Film Festival. Alberto Rodriguez’s AFTER showcases the talents of Blanca Romero, who received a nomination for Best New Actress at the 2010 Goyas. Emilio Aragon’s directorial debut,PAJAROS DE PAPEL, pairs Imanol Arias and Lluís Homar as a comedy duo in a vaudeville troupe in post-civil war Spain. Oskar Santos directs EL MAL AJENO, starring Eduardo Noriega in a "snappishly contempo morality tale [that] is satisfyingly breathless and twisty," raves Jonathan Holland of Variety. Daniel Sanchez Arevalo directs a stellar ensemble cast inGORDOS, a comedy that received seven nominations at the 2010 Goyas, with one win for Raul Arevalo in the Best Supporting Actor category. Director Laura Mana’s second feature LA VIDA EMPIEZA HOY stars the ever-delightful Rosa Maria Sarda as an unconventional teacher of a senior citizen sex education class. In LOPE, Andrucha Waddington brings famed Spanish playwright Lope de Vega's passionate life to the screen. This highly entertaining late 16th-century Madrid period film just opened in Spain. All films in Spanish with English subtitles. Join us opening night for Spain’s official selection for the 2011 Foreign-Language Film Oscar, TAMBIEN LA LLUVIA (EVEN THE RAIN) starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Luis Tosar. A kick off cocktail party will follow the screening in the Egyptian Theatre Courtyard! We are thrilled to welcome actors Luis Tosar, Eduardo Noriega and Antonio de la Torre and director Emilio Aragon to the Egyptian Theatre. Series compiled by Gwen Deglise with the assistance of Soledad Gonzalez and Elvira Cano. Program notes by Noelia Saenz. EGYPTIAN THEATRE - HOLLYWOOD 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028 Thursday, October 14 - 7:30 PM EVEN THE RAIN (TAMBIEN LA LLUVIA) 2010, Morena Films. Dir. Iciar Bollain. SPAIN’S OFFICIAL OSCAR SUBMISSION! A film crew headed by director Sebastian (Gael Garcia Bernal) and his producer Costa (Luis Tosar) arrive in Bolivia to make a revisionist film about the conquest of Latin America. Set in February and March of 2000 when real-life protests against the privatization of water rocked the nation, the film reflexively blurs the line between fiction and reality in what Variety calls "a powerful, richly layered indictment of the plight of Latin America's dispossessed." A hit at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, and Spain's official selection for the 2011 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Discussion following with actor Luis Tosar. Join us for a celebratory bash in the Egyptian courtyard after the screening! Preceding the feature, the short film contest winner: VOLTERETA 2010, 700G Films, 14 min. Dir. Alexis Morante It's 1985; Lolo is a ten-year-old Andalusian boy who moves to New York with his family, knowing only of America what he's seen in films like THE GOONIES and THE KARATE KID. A visit to the building's swimming pool with his grandma becomes an unexpectedly life-changing event for Lolo, in this short film by student filmmaker Alexis Morante. This film was the winning entry from the Recent Spanish Cinema XVI Student Short Film Contest, a competition for Spanish film students living in Los Angeles. Friday, October 15 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature! LOPE 2010, 109 min. Dir. Andrucha Waddington. U.S. Premiere! Dir. Andrucha Waddington brings famed Spanish playwright Lope de Vega’s passionate life to the screen. The young poet (Alberto Ammann) returns to Madrid from war and gets his foot in the door of Madrid's most important theatre troupe – quickly charming his boss's daughter. His childhood friend, Isabel de Urbina, also falls under the spell of his poems. So much seduction eventually brings misfortune and he must flee Madrid. This highly entertaining late 16th-century Madrid period film just opened in Spain. With Leonor Watling, Pilar Lopez de Ayala, Juan Diego, Luis Tosar and Antonio della Torre. PAPER BIRDS (PAJAROS DE PAPEL) 2010, Hispano FoxFilms, 110 min. Dir. Emilio Aragon. A traveling vaudeville troupe struggles to stay afloat despite economic hardships in post-civil war Spain. Jorge del Pino (Imanol Arias), a former member of the resistance, and Enrique Corgo (Lluis Homar), a closeted homosexual, play a comedy duo who take in a feisty but lovable orphan named Miguel (Roger Princep). "A zesty celebration of those who entertain us" – Variety. Discussion between films with director Emilio Aragon (PAJAROS) and actor Antonio de la Torre (LOPE). Saturday, October 16 - 5:00 PM LIFE BEGINS TODAY (LA VIDA EMPIEZA HOY) 2010, Ovideo TV, 90 min. Dir. Laura Mana. U.S. Premiere! Olga (the ever-delightful Rosa Maria Sarda) teaches a sex education class to a group of senior citizens. "A lively, sympathetic script brought to bubbling life by fine perfs, agile scripting and a shot of social critique." – Jonathan Holland, Variety. Discussion between films with director Emilio Aragon (PAJAROS) and actor Antonio de la Torre (LOPE). Saturday, October 16 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature! FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS (EL MAL AJENO) 2010, Mod Producciones, 107 min. Dir. Oskar Santos. L.A. Premiere! After a near fatal shooting, Diego (Eduardo Noriega), an emotionally distant doctor, discovers he mysteriously possesses the ability to heal with a touch of his hands. This ability proves life-affirming, but with unforeseen consequences for Diego and his patients. Screen Dailydescribes this beautifully executed film as "an intriguing emotional and psychological drama." CELL 211 (CELDA 211) 2009, IFC Films, 113 min. Dir. Daniel Monzon. After an on-the-job accident renders him unconscious, Juan Oliver (Alberto Ammann), a rookie prison guard, finds himself locked inside cell 211 during a prison riot. To ensure his survival, Juan masquerades as a new prisoner and finds himself under the wings of Malamadre, aka Bad Mother (Luis Tosar), the prison riot leader. "The film won eight Goya Awards, the Spanish Oscars, this year. It deserves them." – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times. Discussion between films with actor Eduardo Noriega (FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS). Sunday, October 17 - 5:00 PM AFTER 2009, La Zanfona Producciones, 116 min. Dir. Alberto Rodriguez. U.S. Premiere! Three soon-to-be middle-aged friends reunite for one drug- and alcohol-fueled night of debauchery in Seville. Nominated for three Goyas, including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. "This is acid noir with a flashy surface." – Robert Koehler, Variety Sunday, October 17 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature! FAT PEOPLE (GORDOS) 2009, Cinemien, 110 min. Dir. Daniel Sanchez Arevalo. L.A. Premiere! Stories and lives are intertwined in a group therapy session for fat people, led by thin therapist Abel (Roberto Enriquez). The participants include a now fleshier former spokesman for a weight-loss supplement; a jovial crime investigator; and a woman engaged to a thin and devoutly religious man. Don’t miss what Variety called "a daring, refreshingly fleshy take on society’s obsession with appearances!" ME TOO (YO, TAMBIEN) 2009, Olive Films, 103 min. Dir. Alvaro Pastor & Antonio Naharro. L.A. Premiere! A recent university graduate with Down syndrome, Daniel (Pablo Pineda) falls in love with coworker Laura (Lola Dueñas, winner of the 2010 Goya for Best Actress), a woman battling her inner demons. This touching tale focuses on Daniel’s quest to develop a romantic relationship with Laura and raises the contentious issue of sexuality and love within the Down Syndrome community. Discussion between films with actor Antonio de la Torre (FAT PEOPLE). Recent Spanish Cinema XVI Click here for detailed listings and more information. www.larecentspanishcinema.com • Recent Spanish Cinema Facebook American Cinematheque Egyptian Theatre 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028www.americancinematheque.com - 323.466.FILM - tickets: www.fandango.com find us:   HOW TO RSVP: To attend any of the film screenings, you must RSVP to rsvp@americancinematheque.com  We must have your RSVP 24 hours in advance of the show.* When you RSVP please clearly state: SPANISH CINEMA RSVP as the subject heading First and last name The name of your school Whether you want one or two tickets The name and date of the film you wish to attend. Your RSVP is not confirmed unless you get an e-mail reply.  Tickets will be held for you at the Egyptian Theatre Box Offices until 20 minutes prior to the start of the show. After that they may be sold if there are people waiting to buy tickets. You must show your school I.D. in order to claim your passes. Additional tickets are available for $11 general admission and $9 student/senior on Fandango.com (search by zip code 90028 to locate the Egyptian’s listings) or at the Egyptian Theatre Box Office. *The opening night screening of Spain’s Oscar submission TAMBIEN LA LLUVIA (EVEN THE RAIN) on Thursday, October 14th is NOT eligible for this RSVP offer. If you wish you attend, you must purchase a ticket onhttp://www.fandango.com or at the Egyptian Theatre Box Office.

65 International Titles

Thought this article was interesting. 65 foreign titles are feigning for an Oscar. This shows that international production has gone up, and that the recession that affected the industry abroad is starting to disappear. Also, I find it interesting that international titles are "fighting to be recognized" by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Does this mean that more interntation productions are trying to be more mainstream, and dropping the art-house?

http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/exclusive-oscar-foreign-language-race-set-with-65-films-competing-screening-schedule/

Bosnia and Herzegovina still divided 15 years after wa

I found this article on CNN today titled Bosnia and Herzegovina still divided 15 years after war:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/05/bosnia.elections.mostar/index.html

I found these three quotes especially interesting:
Tomas Valasek, of the London-based Centre for European Reform, said the war in Bosnia has continued by other means, such as politics.

"When I return to Mostar I'm surprised by how little healing as taken place. Speaking to the locals you realize there is a great deal of animosity."

Valasek said that the EU and other world powers have failed to leverage the financial and political power they hold in the area into Bosnian political stability.

The international community has been pushing to strengthen central government and has made it a key requirement for Bosnia's EU membership.


It's sad to see that things have not changed very much since the original conflict in the 1990s. Just like in No Man's Land where fingers are pointed at the UN fingers are now being pointed at the EU and Bosnia must meet certain Western requirements before they are even admitted to the EU. Meanwhile there is still too much internal conflict that continues to hold Bosnia back. Will this region ever be peaceful and united?

Ronald Reagan DID bring down the Wall

See this article from the San Bernardino Chronicle, which announces the erection of a piece of the Berlin Wall in local park with local artist's rendition of Ronald Reagan's portrait painted on it. The monument to Reagan's achievement will be complemented later by life-size statue.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/sbcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_D_nwall30.2fcbbd0.html

"The Seventh Continent"

(Spoiler Alert)

I don't know if you guys remember. Today professor Imre mentioned another one of Michael Haneke's films "The Seventh Continent". It's a story about a family that ends up committing suicide together--based on a true story. I watched the film tonight on Netflix Instant Play. I have to say the 2nd half got really interesting. If you enjoy Haneke films, this is a must see.

Anyways, I was browsing youtube and I ran into this clip of Haneke talking about the film. It's probably best to watch the film first, but here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lkl8sNh-C8&p=F3787D81C11DE236&playnext=1&index=13

He makes an interesting point here. I think this is why I enjoy his work so much. Because he's not afraid to put all these concepts about film into action.

"ENTER THE VOID" boggles my mind

Last week, I saw Gaspar Noe's new film, "ENTER THE VOID". Having seen his last film, "Irreversible", which was some difficult combination of hard-to-watch shock and completely original filmmaking. While I have some real trouble describing the film, because it is simply so out there, I do recommend seeing it. You will see filmmaking elements, both technical and content-wise, that I have never seen implemented before. It's truly cutting-edge art, whether you like it or not. My friend, upon the film's ending, turned to me and said: "I need some time to process what I just saw."

The "story" follows a young American drug-dealer/addict living in Tokyo with his sister, who works as a stripper. The film cuts back and forth between their childhood, the drug-induced present, and "life" after the protagonist's death from his POV as a ghost. It is bizarre to say the least, and each element uses its own style: the flashbacks show everything from directly behind the protagonist's head, while the present show's everything from an extremely well-done first-person perspective. The sequences after the main character's death are filmed in a dreamy, floating manner, by which the camera flies through the air, around people's heads, and over the neon city of Tokyo.

Visually, it is a feast par-none, and the film looks nothing like any other film ever made. I can make that argument with a good deal of confidence. Content-wise, I wouldn't say it has a lot of socio-political impact, such as a film like "La Haine". It has a lot more to do with the existential ideas of life, death and love.

I highly recommend it, but only if you're the sort of person who gets a kick from seeing someone really push the boundaries. If you're looking for a more entertaining film, I'm not sure you'll walk away pleased. At least a few people walk out in every screening - I'm sure they're thinking "What the hell is this movie?"

Let the Right One In and Let Me In

I'm sure a lot of you have heard that Let the Right One In is getting a US remake called Let Me In. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this. I loved the original Swedish version. Just by comparing the trailers for both movies, it already seems that Let Me In is going to be leaning towards more action and very dramatic while the original was so much more subtle and subdued. It's fun to see in both trailers clips of the same scene. So if you haven't gotten a chance, here are both trailers for the films. If you haven't see Let the Right One In yet, I really recommend you do, especially if you're going to watch Let Me In.

Let the Right One In

Let Me In

Becker Making Another Movie

Found this article where it talks about Becker (dir. Good Bye Lenin!) making another film.

http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/good-bye-lenin-director-becker-plans-second-feature-oskar/5018958.article

"Les Niqabitch" Secoue Paris: A Response to the Law Banning Burqas

Although France has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe (about 5 million), on September 14th, the nation became the first European country to outlaw the burqa or niqab. Les Niqabitch are two women in their 20's (one source stated one was of Maghrebian origin) who created a (now viral) video in which they walk around the streets of Paris wearing a controversial mix of clothing--burqas, minishorts, and high heels. Their attitudes and the stark contrast of their attire drew various types of responses from by-passers, many of whom which take photos with the duo. Their point was furthered as they stopped at culturally significant places such as Centre d'Analyses Stratégiques du Premier Ministre and the Ministère de l'Immigration et de l'Identité Nationale, pausing to talk to a police officer. The video is also interesting for its casual, almost playful tone in regards to such a large statement-creating additional points of discussion, such as the pink border, choice of music, and of course, the name "Niqabitch" itself.

In the Rue89 article, les Niqabitch provided a statement which explained that they did not aim to attack or degrade the image of Muslims, but more so to scold the elected officials of the Republic, as they believe the law is largely unconstitutional. They add lastly that the "LOL" is a good way to denounce the law.

The video received about 40,000 hits by the time I heard of it on the French news last evening....I'm assuming this number has grown. The news report suggested to follow their twitter for more updates. It will be interesting to see if the viral video continues to grow, and if so, if it will have any effect on the law, which does not go into effect for another 6 months. Regardless, I hope this will be relevant to our discussion on immigration/Fortress Europe on Monday.

The link to the video: http://vimeo.com/15104826
Niqabitch Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NIQABITCH
Articles: http://www.rue89.com/2010/09/30/minishort-et-niqab-balade-provoc-dans-paris-avant-la-loi-168779; http://www.francesoir.fr/buzz-video-immigration-medias-religion-vos-droits/les-niqabitch-des-militantes-qui-font-leffet-dune-bombe.31095