MMiFF 20015 Take a look at the festival's program.

★ Aaaaaaaah! (2015 / Comedy / UK / 79min) by Steve Oram with Julian Barratt, Holli Dempsey and Noel Fielding.

★ Crumbs (2015 / Science-Fiction/Fantasy / Ethiopia / 68min) by Miguel Llansó with Daniel Tadesse and Selam Tesfaye.

★ The Strongest Man (2015 / Comedy / USA / 99min ) by Kenny Riches with Lisa Banes, Ashly Burch and Paul Chamberlain.

★ Der Bunker (2015 / Comedy/Horror / DE / 85min) by Nikias Chryssos with Pit Bukowski, Daniel Fripan and Oona von Maydell.

★ Virgin Mountain (2015 / Drama / Iceland / 94min) by Dagur Kári with Gunnar Jónsson, Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir and Sigurjón Kjartansson.

★ The Sky Trembles and the Earth Is Afraid and the Two Eyes Are Not Brothers (2015 / Drama / UK / 100min) by Ben Rivers with Oliver Laxe.

★ End of Summer (2014 / Documentary / Denmark / 29min) by Jóhann Jóhannsson with music by Jóhann Jóhannsson with Hildur Guðnadóttir & Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe. Plus a couple of other exciting shorts before every feature film.

More about our films here: http://mmiff.com/program2015/ Tickets are on sale here: http://mmiff.com/tickets/

Facebook: http://fb.com/events/800416133412655/

After show parties with DJ sets by Tomaga (UK/Hands in Dark), Matti Gajek (DE/Monkeytown), Michael Rosen (DE/Digital in Berlin) and guests.

The film festival takes place on the volcanic, flower-covered island of Madeira, in an almost 100 year old art-deco cinema with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean. We feature challenging and fantastic films, a landscape to match and spring temperatures in December. With a limited capacity of 150 guests, this intimate and unique festival is set to be a magical and adventurous experience for cineastes.

Dear Bruno,

May people of all faiths band together in solidarity and support of freedom and peace. 
Our deepest condolences to all of humanity of the loss of life in Paris. Let us all stand together in this terrible time.

Best, Diane Raver
Founder The Garden State Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

From New York City to Paris.

Our hearts and best wishes to the people of Paris. 

We understand your horror but don't let it turn to fear!!  You are a great city and will be stronger from staying the city of love.

Dennis Cieri Executive Director NYC Independent Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruno
Our thoughts and concerns are with you all in France, wishing that you and all of your families and friends are OK after this terrible savagery. Tony Manne

Bristol Media International, Inc.

------------------------------------------------

Peace, calm and resolve to act.

Best wishes, Jacob Sebag & Associates, P.C. 

------------------------------------------------

One of my favorite countries in the world: peace and love to all the French people. No mercy with the terrorists, wherever they are. Love and solidarity!

Ricardo Freixá Executive Director P l u r a l  -  J e m p s a , SL

------------------------------------------------

You have my support! 

Jasmin Durakovic Depo doo

------------------------------------------------

Glad to see you are ok. Hope all your family is ok as well. Our solidarity with all the people in Paris. Vive la France!

Patricia Martin 

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

 

Debrah Jalmet Ododo  

 

------------------------------------------------

Glad to see Bruno Chatelin is safe, hope to hear from others soon.

Mike Takeuchi

------------------------------------------------

 

Prayers for France; the victims and their families; and all the people who are dealing with the aftermath. People of Peace stand with you.

Ethan Marten

------------------------------------------------

 

Hi Bruno,

Glad you are ok. I’m terribly sorry for what happened in Paris yesterday. The world has gone mad, I wish we could all live in peace and accept each other.

Love,

Lia Fietz Filmfestivals.com correspondent

------------------------------------------------

I am praying for Paris and the world

Vanessa McMahon Filmfestivals.com correspondent

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

We are glad you are OK.
Thoughts from the animation world.

Warm Regards 
Laurie Gordon | Director | MIAFF Montreal International Animation Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

So thankful you are all ok. Sending love and prayers from California. 

Jack Elliott

Bruno...all our love and support to you and the French nation throughout these horrific moments.

Stay strong, determined and free of fear.

Pituka Pituka Ortega Heilbron Panama International Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Keep the light burning. Never fade out.

Word Smith

------------------------------------------------

Peace&Love for Paris

Elena Nemykh Producer and director

------------------------------------------------

Questa volta non restiamo in silenzio: Parigi ci appartiene

Muri invisibili (Parigi ci appartiene)

Federico Chiacchiari

La guerra finisce quando i muri vengono abbattuti. Ma lo sappiamo bene: i muri più difficili da abbattere sono quelli invisibili agli occhi, i muri dei pregiudizi, i muri culturali.

Dans Paris (Parigi ci appartiene)

Simone Emiliani

Non si può stare in silenzio. Ma non ci sono neanche le parole. C'è solo voglia di Parigi. Attraversata mentalmente come sul filo di The Walk prima di essere lì il prima possibile

Non l’abbiamo “scampata”! (Parigi ci appartiene)

Valentina Carnelutti

Ma questa guerra è in corso da tempo! E questi morti e feriti e traumatizzati ci sono continuamente! E ci passano davanti e accanto e ci chiedono aiuto ogni giorno. (dal Blog di Valentina Carnelutti)

Parigi, città aperta (Parigi ci appartiene)

Lou Reed – John Cale – Nico – (Le-Bataclan – 1972) – Femme Fatale (Parigi ci appartiene)

On January 29, 1972 Lou Reed and John Cale, founding members of the Velvet Underground, reunited with Nico, German actress, model and musician, for a special concert at le Bataclan nightclub in Paris.

Peace for Paris (Parigi ci appartiene)

Redazione Sentieri Selvaggi

Questa volta non staremo in silenzio. Sconvolti, devastati dalle stragi di Parigi, abbiamo deciso di continuare a lavorare con i nostri strumenti, che sono il cinema e la cultura. Parigi ci appartiene 

Redazione Sentieri Selvaggi

------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruno,

It is horrible what happened in Paris last night. And the world press and celebrities are informing us of it. 

With reference to your first item, Justin Bieber did not draw that symbol of Peace for Paris. Read who the artist really is in this Slate article Meet the artist behind the Eiffel Tower peace sign drawing. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/11/14/paris_shooting_eiffel_tower_peace_sign_an_interview_with_artist_jean_jullien.html?wpsrc=sh_all_tab_tw_bot.

In fact, the creator of the drawing was a French illustrator named Jean Jullien, who posted it to his Twitter page around midnight Paris-time with the caption “Peace for Paris,” and watched it swiftly take flight.

Ken Chawkin

------------------------------------------------

Bonjour Bruno, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of France! The radical Islamists are going to kill us all! And we are letting it happen! Fondly, with prayers.

Hunter TODD & Kathleen Hanney WorldFest Houston

------------------------------------------------

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN!

Every Fall, discover what makes Charleston, South Carolina the destination of choice for art and culture. Join us for an inspiring celebration of the art and science of film and screenwriting, in a city known for its alluring landscapes, enduring architecture, world class cuisine, and unrivaled hospitality.

The Charleston International Film Festival accomplishes their mission to educate, entertain, and inspire by showcasing the works of veteran and emerging writers and filmmakers, from the U.S. and around the globe in the beautiful coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina.

The five day event kicks off with an amazing Opening Night reception at the world class Charleston Music Hall in downtown Charleston, and continues with features, shorts, documentaries and animations of all genre and subject matter. Some of the many past interesting events for attendees have included a screenplay spectacular where live actors bring scripts to life on stage, Q&A's with industry pros Chris Brigham and Laray Mayfield, virtual production, editing, and principles of animation workshops, script to screen seminars, and even camera drone operations. (The Charleston International Film Festival is a 501(c)3non profit organization and offers workshops and seminars free of charge to attendees).

We love to show Filmmakers and Screenwriters some southern hospitality in Charleston. In addition to the above, all are cordially invited to nightly socials, special photography and history tours, participation in interviews and podcasts, daily happy hours and meeting interesting new people in the inventivENVIRONMENTS Lounge, and of course the Awards Ceremony.

Thank you for considering the Charleston International Film Festival for you next project, we would be honored to hear from you.

It's nearly time for the 25th Bath Film Festival (3 - 13 December)  

The programme is confirmed and we're thrilled with with the line-up and want as many people as possible to come along and watch some great films in December. Any help you can provide in sharing/posting the below would be very much appreciated! (Feel free to tweak)

In brief: 

40 features

11 Days

16 Previews

29 Shorts

19 F-Rated Strand

12 Special Guests

Q&As with filmmakers and actors

13 Feature Documentaries

Family Films

IMDb Awards

Tweet

25 years old this year, @BathFilm has a fantastic line up of films 3 - 13 Dec #FindYourFilm here http://tinyurl.com/p2t7taj


Facebook

Bath Film Festival has a fantastic, mouth-watering line up of films 3 - 13 Dec #FindYourFilm here http://tinyurl.com/p2t7taj

Newsletter

Bath Film Festival is 25 years old this year and is celebrating by screening a great selection of films 3 - 13 Dec, including previews, special guests, awards, feature docs and more. Have a look at the full line up here http://tinyurl.com/p2t7taj

Image attached.

Los Cabos International Film Festival held its second gala night, where celebrities, government officials, film-industry professionals and other Festival attendees gathered in a welcome cocktail presented by the Quebecois delegation.
 
During the ceremony, the Festival revealed its intention to help filmmakers to find new paths for finishing and distributing their works. That is why the Festival has created film-industry alliances with partners such as the Cannes Film Festival’s Marché du Film,IFP from New York, Strategic Partners from Canada, Cine-Link Sarajevo Film Festival and Tribeca Film Institute.

Cabos TV was also presented as our response to the global trend whereby cinema actors and directors are beginning to be active in television, TV writers are starting to make independent films, and a generation that has gradually begun to consume both TV and movies alike via their mobile devices is watching TV series with cinematographic production value.
 
Lucía Puenzo, who has directed Cromo and films such as Wakolda, XXY and The Fish Child, presented an advance of what will be the Latin American Premiere of this 13-episode TV Series, which will be shown tomorrow –Friday, November 13th– at Cinemex Puerto Paraíso in a condensed version. 
 

Nicolás an Lucía Puenzo, director of Cromo

The Festival is honored to present four production teams from the film industry that are making the TV’s world tremble. Leo Zimbrón is showing Club de Cuervos, Netflix's First Spanish-Language Series, and his series in development stage, Dunas, along with Edgar Sanjuan; Room Service will be showing the series produced with Sony, El Dandy, as well as pitching Vida Stereo; and the creators of the Canadian hit, Book of Negroes, will be coming to Los Cabos with The Lincoln County War. This will be enriched by a select delegation of executives from HBO, Netflix, Sundance TV, Awesomeness, among others.
 
To close the gala event, Carol had its Latin American Premiere. This film was directed by Todd Haynes, with great performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, who won the Best Actress Award and the Queer Palm this year at Cannes.
 
In this fourth edition, Los Cabos International Film Festival dresses for a gala every night to let Mexico, USA and Canada showcase their best films to the world.

 
The third Los Cabos International Film Festival’s gala event was presented by Mexican actor and director Eugenio Derbez and Mexican actress Johanna Murillo, in a ceremony to celebrate the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund (GFFF).
 
This film fund, which honors one of the most outstanding cinematographers in the world, offers support every year for projects in development stage and, in collaboration with Labodigital, supports films in post-production stage.

 
Awards of the two programs were presented by Jorge Sánchez Sosa, Director of the Mexican Film Institute (IMCINE) and GFFF’s promoter.
 
In the first place, a jury formed by Cristina Garza (Mundial), Santiago de la Paz (Nómadas) and Cynthia Wiesner (Wiesner Distribution) awarded two prizes worth USD 52,000 each in post-production services provided by Labodigital to: Kyzza Terrazas’Somos lengua and Rodrigo Cervantes’Los paisajes.

 
In the second place, a jury formed by Molly O’Keefe (Tribeca Film Institute), Ségolène Roederer (Québec Cinéma) and Mirsad Purivatra (Sarajevo Film Festival) awarded prizes worth USD 5,000 each to seven projects in development stage: Marcelino Islas’ History Lessons, Gustavo Gamou’s F.B.I., Pau Ortiz’ Outside of Prison, Luciana Kaplan’s Rush Hour, Andrea Pallaoro’s Beauty Salon, Pedro García Mejía’s Tree, and Skin Deep by Paulina del Paso and Elsa Miller.
 
For the first time, the Gabriel Figueroa Film Fund rewards a project from North America. In collaboration with Labodigital, the Festival selected one film from the Tribeca Film Institute Documentary Film Fund to be awarded a prize worth USD 52,000 in post-production services. This prize was presented by LabodigitalDirectorCharles Barthe to Jeff Unay for his film Grey Water.
 
Finally, María Carranza presented the Splendor-Omnia Mantarraya post-production prize of USD 25,000 to Nicolás Celis, producer of the winner film, Soy negro.
 

During the ceremony, a new program was launched: the Spotlight, this time devoted to the short but solid career of a young US talented filmmaker from the NYU: Alex Ross Perry.
 
After having competed in our 2014 edition with Listen Up Phillip, this year Ross Perry presents his first work, Impolex, his sophomore film, The Color Wheel, and his most recent work, Queen of Earth, in a complete retrospective that shows the maturity and profoundness he has reached. Sean Price Williams, his cinematographer and loyal collaborator, presented this award.
 

Closing with a final flourish, Canadian director Atom Egoyan presented the Mexican Premiere of his most recent film, Remember, accompanied by his production team: Ari Lantos, Gerardo Gatica, Alberto Muffelman and Moisés Cosio. This film competed at the Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Vittorio Veneto Award.
 
One more year, Los Cabos International Film Festival continues to be the festival that awards the largest number of prizes in all of Latin America, with more than USD 480,000 in prizes on this edition.
 
 

The Retrospective of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival is dedicated to the year 1966, a turning point in German cinema dating back fifty years. An atmosphere of change prevails: in the West, auteur filmmakers challenge the contradictions of the economic miracle, in the East, young directors question everyday life under socialism. The New German Cinema manages to make an international breakthrough, whereas in East Germany, as a result of the 11th plenum of the Central Committee of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) in December 1965, almost half of all DEFA feature films intended for theatrical release in 1966, are banned. With that abrupt end to concurrent developments, opportunities for mutual appreciation were also lost. The Retrospective aims to counter that with its overview of films from both sides.

“The year 1966 stands for extraordinary films in the West and the East, films which broke new artistic ground. The Retrospective 2016 shows the audacious revolt and tentative exploration in a time of transition”, remarks festival director Dieter Kosslick.

The Retrospective includes around 20 East and West German feature and documentary films from cinema and television. Additionally, more than 30 films of short and medium length - a typical format at the time - will feature in film programmes and as supporting films.

Four years after the authors of the Oberhausen Manifesto proclaimed “The old film is dead. We believe in the new one”, the New German Cinema for the first time receives critical acclaim at important film festivals: The Berlinale awards Peter Schamoni’s debut Schonzeit für Füchse (No Shooting Time for Foxes, West Germany 1966) with a Silver Bear, Volker Schlöndorff’s film Der junge Törless (Young Törless, West Germany / France 1966) receives the film critics prize in Cannes, while Alexander Kluge’s Abschied von Gestern (Yesterday Girl, West Germany 1966) wins the Silver Lion in Venice.

By contrast, DEFA productions that openly question the contradictions of so-called ‘real existing socialism’, are banned and in most cases première only years or even decades later. Two of such ‘forbidden films’, Hermann Zschoche’s Karla (Carla, East Germany 1965/1990), and Jürgen Böttcher’s Jahrgang 45 (Born in ’45, East Germany 1966/1990) will be shown at the Retrospective. Presenting these films in their censored versions, as they were when they were aborted, as well as how they were eventually released in 1990, will reveal the discrepancy between the two. A short documentary by Kurt Tetzlaff will also be shown in two versions: Es genügt nicht 18 zu sein (censored version: Guten Tag – das sind wir, both East Germany 1966).

But as different as conditions may have been, the auteur films from the West and the studio productions from the East have much in common. The protagonists are drifters, rebels or searchers. Like the dockworker, who roams the streets of Hamburg on a sleepless night (Jimmy Orpheus, Roland Klick, West Germany 1966). Or the rebellious brigadier Balla in Spur der Steine (Trace of Stones, Frank Beyer, East Germany 1966), a film that ran in the cinemas for only three days before it too was banned. Or Helene Raupe in Fräulein Schmetterling (Miss Butterfly, Kurt Barthel, East Germany 1965 / Germany 2005), who longs for self-realisation. The film was censored and never completed. Using an experimental form, it contrasts Helene’s unadorned day-to-day life and her professional defeats with her fantasy world.

For most of the female protagonists of the DEFA films, it is normal to have a career, not so in the West. Along with contraception, abortion and adultery, these are issues that are openly addressed by female protagonists in Es (Ulrich Schamoni, West Germany 1966), Playgirl (Will Tremper, West Germany 1966) and Mahlzeiten (Lust for Love, Edgar Reitz, West Germany 1966/67). From 1966, the founding of the German Film and Television Academy Berlin (dffb), as well as other film schools, leads to a professionalisation of film education in West Germany. As a consequence, young women directors, who will go on to shape German cinema, make their mark with their first works. “It was important to us to include early short films by directors such as Jeanine Meerapfel, May Spils, Helke Sander, Ula Stöckl and the DEFA documentarian Gitta Nickel in our programme”, says Rainer Rother, Head of the Retrospective and Artistic Director of the Deutsche Kinemathek.

For the Retrospective, Bertz + Fischer Verlag will publish a richly illustrated book in German, including essays by renowned authors, as well as historical documents and photos, some of which have hitherto not been published.

For the first time, the Program Gallery of the Deutsche Kinemathek - Museum für Film und Fernsehen will be supplementing the Retrospective with a special exhibition, showcasing a wide selection of TV programmes from the year 1966.

The Retrospective film programme will once again be complemented by numerous events at the Deutsche Kinemathek. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, has been a partner of the Retrospective since 2011 and will be presenting the films in April 2016.

For the third year running, the Retrospective and Homage will be supported by their section partner, the long-established watch manu­facturer Glashütte Original, a co-partner of the Berlinale since 2011.

Special thanks for their support also go to German Films and the partners of this year’s programme, the DEFA Foundation and the Federal Film Archive. 

MFF 17, by Jio-MAMI, Festival Diary, IV

At film festivals, the experience of watching films is like no other. You have many choices, depending on the venue, and the option of walking out of one ‘bad’ film into another unknown entity, just next door, trying pot-luck. Advance booking, the norm at MFF, means that you might never ever succeed in getting a ticket, given that the number of delegates and media-persons always far outweighs the number of seats available, often by 3:1 or 4:1, and the seat goes to whoever hits the mouse or the touch screen first. The only reason one does get some to see some films in the end is the theory of supply and demand.

Some films are in great demand, others not so. The latter often play to empty halls, while the former have a serpentine queue of hopefuls, who patiently wait for up to an hour or two, anticipating substantial ‘no show’ turn out. Indeed, there have been occasions in MFF when the capacity was, say 300, the show was ‘sold out’, and yet there were not more than 100 persons in the auditorium at the start of the show, a bonanza for the ‘unreserved’ class, that often included ‘yours truly’.

Needless to say, tastes differ dramatically. Some raved films make you wonder how they even made the cut, the odd mouse arrives with a roar, and the rest fill the bill. At any good film festival, more than 20% films rate ***1/2 or above. So-so festivals tip 15%, while if the really watchable film percentage is less than 10, it’s a waste of precious time and precious human resource. MFF 17 was in the 15% category, based on the films I could sit through and those that I had to escape from.

I am scanning the catalogue, and recalling the films that I saw at Jio MAMI’s 17th MFF, page-wise/alphabetically.

Un+Une/One Plus One was the much looked forward to film. Since it was directed and co-written by Frenchman Claude Lelouch, whose Un Homme et Une Femme (1966) was successfully remade in Hindi by Ramesh Sippy (who later directed the all time cult classic, Sholay) as Andaz. It was given pride of place, as the closing film, probably because it is set partly in India and the locale of Varanasi (wonder why the other de rigueur foreign film unit favourite, Jaipur, was bypassed!). Carefully characterised and earnestly acted, the film still proved an overall disappointment. It is extremely verbose, and a translucent, clever re-working of Un Homme et Une Femme, exploring relationships between married couples as well as those who play by the ear, making a strong case for ‘opposites attract’. Great music, not so great Indian participation (Rahul Vohra, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Abhisek Krishnan) and just about passable narrative—leads me to give it **1/2.

Volcano (Guatemala-France), directed by Jayro Bustamante, was, for me, the mouse that roared. A masterly natural essay about the plight of Red Indians in modern day Gautemala, set against the volcano that separates the country from Mexico, and symbolically holds them back from migration to the USA, the film has mind-boggling performances from actors most probably playing themselves. It won an award, and richly deserved too. Rating: ****

Using minimalist technique, Bi Gan’s Chinese film Kaili Blues about loneliness, family issues and the inevitable modernisation of the countryside, was another surprise packet. It is indulgent, slow and detached, plays around with time and sequential order, but makes a profound impact when you begin to sink into it. Let’s go with ***1/2.

Mina Walking required brave-heart Canadian/Afghan writer-director Yosef Baraki to make it, in guerilla style. Exploding several myths about young girls in present-day Afghanistan (Kabir Khan, you must see Mina Walking!), it uses the milieu of everyday occurrences and a few stereo-types too, assemble a must-watch movie. Acting is a treat to watch. The only minus points would be the constantly jerky, hand-held camera, and the fact that it is shot with one camera, in available light. Considering the genre, one might overlook these shortcomings, and even applaud the feature film of the debutant director, as Mina is Walking tall. Another winner at the festival, it corners ****.

For an Iranian film, 105 minutes is considered long. Writer-director Behtash Sanaeeha makes Risk of Acid Rain seem longer. Never judgemental, the film frames the lives of a desolate retired company junior executive based in a province, and his encounters with various individuals in Teheran, whose lives he touches. It’s grim if you go with the protagonist, but optimistic when you peep into the lives of the younger generation of characters, who go with the flow. Amazing that even a somewhat disappointing Iranian film manages ***.

Blame it on the hype, if you like. Ram Reddy’s Thithi, touted by some as the best Indian film a decade, is not even the best Indian film in month. It gets off to a good, humorous start, and then peters out into the kind of matrix that looked really hilarious in the comedy fest, Maalaamaal Weekly, but seems completely out of place in a film that apparently deals with the more contemplative side of village life, using sarcasm rather than slapstick. To add to my woes, the air-conditioning failed in this show, and a seat below the hot air-duct, in a packed house, was not the ideal place to watch Thithi from. All attempts to get the A/C functioning, or finding another seat, failed, and I missed some 20 minutes of the film in the process. No rating, though I was told that the film catches on in the second half, but ratings cannot be based on hearsay. And, yes, it did win a prize.

Let’s move on now from the Competition Section to the India Gold section. A few minutes into Chauthi Koot (India, Gurvinder Singh), I could not help feeling I was watching Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan (2011). Later, I read that CK was the second feature of Gurvinder, who had made AGDD. A huge Mani Kaul disciple, he had made the earlier film under Kaul’s guidance, but Kaul died before it could get completed. There is a lot of Kaul in both films. Both are shot mainly outdoors, in low, available light, both brood and brood, characters in both films take long pauses before speaking, probably in an attempt to let the painting like ambience sink in, and both films convey very little through dialogue. In Chauthi Koot, the backdrop is the high level of mistrust between Hindus and Sikhs, following the Khalistan agitation of the 1980s, the killing of a Sikh Guru and his followers in a military operation and the assassination of India’s Prime Minister by her two Sikh body-guards. It is slightly easier on the senses than AGDD, but the extensive footage devoted to a dog detracts from the social commentary that the film sets about to make. Rather late into the film, I made my way towards the ‘paanchveen koot’ (fifth direction), the exit. Unless some magic surfaced in the final moments, the award it bagged must have been for the vast gaps in comprehension that audiences find themselves facing when viewing deeply indulgent cinema.

There’s more to say. But with the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) coming up in Goa, in a couple of days, we’ll have to wait.

IFFI Goa 2015, Festival Diary, I

It began, like Ameen Sayani’s legendary film music popularity countdown show, Binaca Geetmala, in 1952, a few months after I was born. The first International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in 1952, in Bombay, which was at that time, a state in itself. It was a non-competitive festival and ran for a fortnight. Twenty three countries, including host India, participated, along with the United Nations Organisation. 52 feature films and 115 documentaries, scientific films, cartoons, puppetry-based, educational and children films, were screened. A special feature of the inaugural function of the festival was the re-screening of the first film shown in Bombay, by the Lumière Brothers, 56 years earlier, in 1896.

It was nine long years before the second IFFI edition came up, at Delhi, in 1961. This festival was also non-competitive. Competition was introduced in the third edition, in 1965, and with an A gradation by the Paris-based Federation International de Producers de Films (FIAFP), it came on par with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary and Moscow festivals.

Thirty four countries participated in the fourth IFFI, 1969. The Government of India instituted national film awards in this edition. Thirty such awards were classified under three sections--films as art, films as communication and for special shorts films. I was 17 going on 18, an age that would soon allow me to attend film festivals, and that year was the first time I heard about IFFI. I also managed to see Akira Kurosawa’s landmark films, Red Beard and Rashomon, at private film society screenings in Mumbai. These two Japanese films opened my eyes to a world I never knew existed. When was IFFI coming to Bombay?

Delhi 1974 saw India adopting a permanent insignia: a representation of the peacock, India’s national bird, with a permanent motto of the festival ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The whole world is a family). Till date, the peacock appears in various shapes and forms, on all festival paraphernalia as well as the animated video that precedes every screening. The same year, it was also decided to hold a non-competitive festival of films (Filmotsav, which, translated, means ‘film-festival’), alternating with IFFI. By this time, I was running a film society and viewing films that would never make it to cinema halls, both on account of their content and language (non-English).

IFFI came to Bombay too, but under another name: Filmotsav. Taking the shape of a travelling festival, IFFI stayed in Delhi for its competitive avatar, while a non-competitive version travelled from metro to metro city, every alternate year. 1976 saw it land in Mumbai, and I was part of the organising and selecting committees. It came back again as Filmotsav, in 1984, when I still played a small part in the organising.

The significant change in the 12th IFFI, held in Delhi in 1989, was that it was made non-competitive, following a decision taken in August 1988, by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, that the state sponsored film festivals, in future, would be non-competitive, and that all festivals would be called IFFI, marking the end of Filmostavs. Hence, the festival held in Calcutta was called the 21st IFFI, instead of Filmotsav 90. Another important decision taken in 1989 was that IFFI will hence-forth be of 10 days’ duration only. Many reasons were forwarded for these changes, but I cannot comment on their veracity or accuracy. The general feeling was that IFFI did not attract the better films for competition since it was yet to achieve the heights of other major competing fests, and that 14 days meant higher costs, so the pruning to 10 days was mandatory, as an austerity measure. Never mind. I was by now an IFFI addict, and braved the 3-20 ̊ C temperatures that greeted us in the Januaries of New Delhi.

During 1996-2004, when I was based in Singapore, I managed to attend at least six of the eight IFFIs, at great cost, both to the pocket and to my career. The last IFFI held in New Delhi was its 34th edition, from October 9-19, 2003, when I was back to Mumbai for good. The 35th IFFI was held in Goa, shifting to the tourist paradise for the first time, from November 29 to December 9, 2004, making Goa the permanent venue. Since then, IFFI is being held in Panaji, Goa every year. It is just pre-festive season in the state, and hotels, food and travel are just below the sky-high level that they touch mid-December to February. 

IFFI Goa 2015, Festival Diary, II

To be held from November 20th to 30 2015 in Panaji, Goa, Goa, the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will showcase movies across several sections, including World Cinema, Indian Panorama, Country Focus, International Competition, Retrospectives, Tributes, First Cut, Workshops, Master Classes,  and more. IFFI is organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India, in association with the State Government of Goa.

The Indian Panorama section will showcase 26 Feature and 21 Non-Feature films. Selected by a jury, led by well-known film-maker from the North-East, Aribam Syam Sharma, comprised 13 members, who deliberated over 28 days.

The final list of selected films contains 7 Bengali, 1 Bodo (spoken in Assam), 5 Hindi, 1 Kannada, 1 Konkani, 4 Malayalam, 4 Marathi, 1 Sanskrit, 1 Tamil, 1 Wancho (spoken in Arunachal Pradesh) films. 

Directed by Vinod Mankara, Priyamanasam is the only third movie ever to be made in Sanskrit, and is based on one of the greatest poets who lived in Kerala during the late 17th century, Unnayi Warrier, and wrote the masterpiece, Nalacharitham Attakadha.

Directed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta, the Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer Anwar Ka Ajab Kissa (the strange tale of Anwar) is the story of a detective called Anwar, who suddenly decides to follow himself and not anyone else.   

Radiopetti, the first Tamil film to win an award at the Busan Film Festival, is the a story of an old man, Arunachalam, who finds solace in his past, especially when listening to musical melodies of his younger days, on a vintage radio set that his father gave him. The Head Hunter, directed by Mumbai-based film-maker from Assam Nilanjan Datta, is the first film in the Wancho language of Arunachal Pradesh. The film revolves around an old man from a forgotten tribe of India, dreaded for its practice of head hunting.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a commercial block-buster that makes a strong case for cross-border amity. Rajkahini, The Silence, Masaan, Dau Huduni Methai and Court have been screened at other festivals in Mumbai and elsewhere. Masaan, I can confirm, is an achievement, no less.  Rajkahini flattered to deceive, while The Silence was a let-down. Manju Borah has made better films than Dau Huduni Methai. Hope to catch Bajrangi at IFFI.

Selection

Feature Films

Non-Feature Films

 The 5th edition of RECENT CINEMA FROM SPAIN will be held from 19-22 Nov. 2015 at the Olympia Theater of Miami.

RECENT CINEMA FROM SPAIN was set up in Miami in 2011 as an initiative of the Spanish Audiovisual Producers' Rights Management Association (using the Spanish acronym "EGEDA"), aiming to provide a new outlet for promotion of Spanish cinema in the United States, boosting its circulation to the public in general, and the international audiovisual industry.

On September 17th, Recent Cinema from Spain hosted a kick-off event and film screening in the presence of Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain at the sold out Olympia Theater.

The event presented by Elvi Cano (Executive Director, EGEDA U.S.) and Robert Geitner (Director, Olympia Theater) included a presentation introducing the film lineup for November and speeches by the honorable Consul General from Spain Cándido Creis and by the Mayor of Miami Tomas Regalado, who thanked EGEDA for bringing the Spanish series to Miami. Rounding up the presentation was a humorous speech- performance by writer/ director Guillermo Fesser, who also directed this year´s trailer for the series with the title "Let you Spanish side out". Audiences enjoyed a wine reception and the screening of Spanish Filmmaker Guillermo Fesser's comedy “Cándida”.

TRAILER https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2xvT42_tQA&feature=player_profilepage

LOS MIÉRCOLES NO EXISTEN, 2015. US Premiere!.
Written and directed by Peris Romano.

Cast: Eduardo Noriega, Inma Cuesta, Gorka Otxoa, María León, Alexandra Jiménez y William Miller.

MAGICAL GIRL2014,
Diector. Carlos Vermut.

Cast: Luis Bermejo, José Sacristán and Goya and Feroz Award Winner Bárbara Lennie

TALK (HABLAR). 2015 US Premiere!.

Director Joaquim Oristrell
Cast: Sergio Peris Mencheta, Miguel Angel Muñoz, Marta Etura, Antonio de la Torre, Raúl Arévalo, Juan Diego Botto & Goya Toledo

TIEMPO SIN AIRE (BREATLESS TIME), 2015.

Director Andrés Luque Pérez y Samuel Martin Mateos

Cast: Juana Acosta, Adriana Ugarte, Félix Gómez y Carmelo Gómez
 

THE WILD, THE CHILD & THE MIRACLE 2014, American Film Institute
Producer: German Fernandez-Moreno
Dir. Carl Robertson

PERDIENDO EL NORTE, 2015

Direrctor Nacho G Velilla. Distribución Internacional: DeAplaneta

Cast: Yon González, Javier Cámara, Blanca Suarez, Julián López y Miki Esparbé
 

Australia, prepare for a summer celebration of monumental proportions.  The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is back.  The Festval kicks off on Friday 19 February and runs for two weeks, until Sunday 06 March, 2016; with a jam-packed program of events, performances, exhibitions and activities.

The 2016 theme is ‘MOMENTUM’, evolving from Mardi Gras history in the fight for social justice and self expression.  Born from a night of political protest in 1978, Mardi Gras’ spirit lives on 38 years later, in joyous celebration.  A shining light across the world, that demonstrates just how far the community has come; whilst acknowledging the journey and challenges ahead.

With the theme Momentum, Mardi Gras is saying:  it’s time to stand up and be counted; turn passion into purpose, and let it ripple out and resonate around the world.

Tickets for this spectacular program, brimming with sequins, seminars, cinema and self-expression go on sale Wednesday 02 December 2015.

Fran Bowron, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Co-Chair said, “Mardi Gras 2016 is a celebration of our whole community. There are people all over the world who are unable to express their true selves, and this is our collective opportunity to show the world the most dazzling celebration of pride and diversity as we say ‘we stand with you’.”

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO, Michele Bauer said, “This year absolutely represents every colour of the rainbow, to match the incredible diversity of our community.   The Festival really is the most amazing two week long celebration, an opportunity for everyone to get involved and have their voices heard. From visual arts, theatre, film, the Parade, outdoor family activities; whether you’re eight or 89, there is something for you.”

MARDI GRAS ’16 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Join over 80,000 people in Victoria Park for Fair Day, proudly supported by ANZ; a free, fun filled celebration of LGBTQI family and community on Sunday 21 February, 2016. From pooches and Pad Thai, to markets and music; dancing and drama, to rides, comedy, and crazy fun for the kids; Fair Day is for the whole family. 

Queer Thinking gives audiences the low down on some of the meaty LGBTQI community issues for 2016, both at home in Australia and abroad. Inspiring, entertaining and provocative, Queer Thinking delves into what 'momentum' can mean from both inside and outside the diverse LGBTQI communities. The talk fest will take over venues across Sydney for the first time.  

Gender Trailblazers returns to celebrate the courageous individuals, who take transgender rights from strength to strength on Friday 4 March, 2016. Gender counsellor and leading psychologist Dr Elizabeth Riley will host a riveting night of Trans* community conversation with speakers across the spectrum of ages and experiences. The evening at Monkey Baa will be a lively night of discussion, ideas and outlook for the community.

The Harbour is a brand spanking, shiny new, Mardi Gras event series on Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, presented in partnership with Canon.  An epic series of film, talks, concerts and musical spectaculars, glittering from our favourite shore.  Headlining the series is In Bed with Madonna, presented by Queer Screen to celebrate the film’s 25th Anniversary! Australian pop icon, Tina Arena will perform an intimate concert at Tina Arena at The Harbour with all the classics like: I Need Your Body, Chains, and I Want To Love You. There will be a Sing-a-long with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir to the film Mamma Mia as well.

The parade that captivates a nation and reverberates around the world; The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is back for its 38th year! Over 200,000 people will line the streets of Sydney’s traditional Gay and Lesbian district in support of the 10,000 fabulous parade entrants who have united for a glittering spectacle of sparkles and self-expression on Saturday 5 March, 2016.  The event is once again supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Parade Sideshow is the ultimate way to experience the Parade in style.  Hosted by acid tongued Drag diva Portia Turbo and TV host Andrew Mercado no sequined jockstrap passes without comment, or wardrobe malfunction missed. Leave the milk crates at home with some premium seating, exclusive access to bars, food stalls, live screens, and bathrooms.

The Diamond Club, for Mardi Gras members and their guests only is an exclusive ticketed viewing area in the heart of the Parade celebration, presented in partnership with ANZ.

The Official Mardi Gras Party on Saturday 5 March, 2016, has over 12,000 partygoers from all over the world. This is the largest LGBTQI party in the Southern Hemisphere held at the Entertainment Quarter. Shiny and spectacular, the Party is a piping hot line-up of local and international DJ’s, shows, and world class production that will soon be announced.

Send off Mardi Gras with a bang in a final event extravaganza between The Beresford and Flinders Hotel on Sunday 6 March, 2016. A cherished tradition of the Festival, The Laneway has evolved from a portable stereo on Hill St to a full blown street party. Expect live music, diva drop-ins, pop-up shows and world class DJs across a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

THEATRE

Mega-watt stars of Australian drag Courtney Act & Trevor Ashley team up for their Gentlemen Prefer Blokes, Seven-Year-Itch reunion tour, and take on some of history's greatest duos as a part of the Rainbow Room. For three nights only from Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 March, the Sydney Opera House will transform into a hot-bed of comedy, chaos and cabaret as a line-up of stars take to the stage to paint the sails rainbow.

Shift from 1958 to the present and back again with The Pride at the Eternity Playhouse from Friday 5 February – Sunday 6 March 2016. Alexi Kaye Campbell’s award-winning theatre piece promises to be a remarkable reflection on society’s journey towards sexual attitudes, both past and present.

With Mad Max: Fury Road and The Great Gatsby under his belt, iOTA will put on a show just as high octane and memorable as his on screen performances on Friday 4 March 2016. Combining musical talent, amazing theatrical presence, and outrageous outfits, this will be an unforgettable showcase of old favourites as well as hits from his brand new album ‘Wolf Number Nine’.

5 Lesbians Eating A Quiche is the uproarious, award winning theatrical show about a women's society forced to confront the future during their 'Annual Quiche Breakfast'. After taking America by storm this smash hit performance will have audiences at Belvoir Street Theatre coming back for second helpings from Tuesday 16 February – Saturday 20 February.

The sexy and hilariously raunchy double billThe Ultimate Lesbian Double Feature explores what Sappho and Virginia Woolf may have sexted to their lovers (had sexting been around during their time); and puts a lesbian twist on a 1950s American instructional video on how to prepare the perfect dinner party from 23 February to 05 March.

PARTIES

A festival within a festival for all things furry and cuddly, the Harbour City Bears’ Bear Festival will be returning across multiple venues.   As well as the highly successful pop-up, Bear Bar at the Burdekin Hotel. There’s nine days of themed party nights, tasty beers, live performances, delicious food, great DJs, and a big ol’ bear hug awaits at Sydney’s woofiest bar, Friday 26 February – Thursday 3 March.

Get outside and make the streets of Sydney a dance floor with Silent Disco Tours, a series of one hour magical disco adventures at Sydney hot spots from Saturday 21 February to Friday 4 March 2016. Don disco gear and a set of special discoD headphones to ‘Get Physical’ with new and old favorites.

MUSIC

Australian pop icon, and newest ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, Tina Arena will send shivers up the spine at Tina Arena at The Harbour, presented in partnership with Canon on Thursday 25 February, as well as the State Theatre on Friday 4 March, 2016. With a name synonymous with Australian music, Arena fans can catch all the classics like: I Need Your Body, Chains, and I Want To Love You.

Bearded beauty and 2014 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Conchita Wurst, is teaming up with Sydney Symphony Orchestra to bring her new show From Vienna with Love to Mardi Gras.  Rising like a Phoenix from the steps of the Sydney Opera House, Wurst will be joined by special guests Courtney Act, Trevor Ashley and Paul Capsis at the Concert Hall.

VISUAL ARTS

William Yang: Stories of Love and Death features several strands of Yang’s photography for which he is now well known, including his portraiture of celebrities (Patrick White, Brett Whiteley, Cate Blanchett) and historic Mardi Gras documentary work.  Investigate the importance of identity through photography from Wednesday 17 February – Saturday 5 March.

Raw, sassy and proud Fierce Femme brings together professional and amateur works in an exploration and celebration of the Femme Identity, Thursday 3 March. Telling the stories of Femmes within the LGBTQI community, the exhibition analyses what ‘Fierce Femme’ looks like through the eye of a lens.

The beard obsessed (and admit it, aren’t we all!?) will revel in The Bearded Men Project; a series of oil portraits showcasing contemporary male presence and beauty at Blank_Space Gallery from Saturday 20 February to Friday 4 March. The exhibition aims to highlight there’s more to gay men than “abs, bums, sneers & pouts”.

SPORTS AND OUTDOORS

The most stylish run in Sydney, the Little Black Dress Run, returns to Darling Harbour on Sunday 28 February 2016. Rock your frock for the 3km run/walk around Darling Harbour in the name of charity. The event has become a “must do” for the Mardi Gras season, so frock up and stretch out those hamstrings and heels!

Break out the hairspray and blue eye shadow for 80s themed The Mardi Gras Disco Climb. This is Sydney’s highest disco dance party, with retro track list; climb leader guides; and the most fabulous ascent over Sydney Harbour Bridge, from Thursday 25 February – Wednesday 9 March 2016.

FILM

The ever-popular Mardi Gras Film Festival presented by Queer Screen is on again in 2016 at Event Cinemas George Street, from Thursday 18 February – Thursday 3 March. Opening with Summertime, a lesbian love story; and the hotly anticipated documentary Remembering The Man, the real-life story behind Holding The Man.

By Maria Esteves – November 16, 2015

The 53rd New York Film Festival Premiere of CAROL, directed by Todd Haynes. Screenplay by Phyllis Nagy commenced Friday, October 9, 2015 at Alice Tully Hall, New York. Red carpet arrivals included director Todd Haynes, actress Rooney Mara, two-time Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett, American composer Carter Burwell, screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, producer Christine Vachon, producer Elizabeth Karlsen, Edith “Edie” Windsor, American comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard, and actor Cory Michael Smith. CAROL in select theaters November 20, 2015. Watch Trailer

Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams to be held at Lincoln Center November 18-29, 2015.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals: Director
Todd Haynes, center, with actresses Rooney Mara, left,
and Cate Blanchett.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
leading actresses Rooney Mara, left, and Cate Blanchett.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
celebrity guest Edie Windsor.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
leading actress Cate Blanchett.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
Director Todd Haynes.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
American composer Carter Burwell.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
leading actress Rooney Mara.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
celebrity guest American comedian and
actress Sandra Bernhard.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
actor Cory Michael Smith, CAROL.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
producers Christine Vachon, left, and Elizabeth
Karlsen, CAROL.

NYFF53 Premiere of CAROL Red Carpet Arrivals:
screenwriter Phyllis Nagy, CAROL.

Director of Programming Dennis Lim, Film Society of Lincoln Center, left, with director
Todd Haynes, Todd Haynes: The Other Side of Dreams, Walter Reade Theater, NYC,
Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

Glasgow Film Festival today announced its new programme strands for 2016, along with a major new development. The festival, which runs from 17-28 February 2016 and is supported by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Creative Scotland, the BFI and EventScotland, traditionally contains a retrospective of films by a particular legendary star. This year, they’re broadening the focus to see double: Dream Teams on the Silver Screen will focus on classic Hollywood on and off-screen double acts like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, and Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Entrance to all of the films in this strand will be free, and the Dream Teams programme has been specially designed to celebrate friendship, with an eye to cross-generational audiences. The specific films in the strand will be announced with the main programme.

New strand Roads To The South will also showcase and celebrate some of the excellent work currently being created in Argentina, which has seen a renaissance in the past two decades following the politicised realist charge of the New Argentine Cinema movement.

Also new for 2016 is a pioneering film industry programme, GFF Industry Focus, a major step forward for the festival, which to date has concentrated its programme focus more on audiences. Running from 24-25 February, GFF Industry Focus will bring together international filmmakers, funding bodies and industry insiders for a unique two-day seminar within the festival programme which, it is hoped, will offer huge benefits to Scotland’s film and television industry, and to visiting filmmakers from around the world.

Tickets for the Opening and Closing Galas will go on sale on Monday 18 January following an early January announcement; the main programme will be announced on Wednesday 20 January with tickets on sale on Monday 25 January. Fans of the festival are encouraged to become GFF Members this year; a one-off payment of £10 offers exclusive access to advance booking.

COMMENT

Allan Hunter, Festival Co-Director, said ‘Chemistry is everything when it comes to creating the perfect screen couple: when audiences sense that electricity they want to see it again and again. Dream Teams on the Silver Screen celebrates the very finest Hollywood duos, individuals who made cinema history together in unforgettable classics. Meanwhile, the international reaction to films like 2009’s The Secret In Their Eyes (El secreto de sus ojos) and this year’s Wild Tales (Relatos salvages), which premiered at GFF15, has been part of the surge of interest in Argentine cinema and Roads To The South is designed to celebrate the range of bright new talents in Argentinian filmmaking making their mark around the world.’

Allison Gardner, Festival Co-Director, said‘While GFF’s programme will always put audiences front and centre, we are delighted to be able to host something like GFF Industry Focus this year. Bringing this sort of industry presence to Scotland will hopefully feed into and strengthen the Scottish film industry, creating connections and opportunities, and offering international insight. I’m also really happy that we’re able to offer our Dream Teams programme for free this year: why not make a date with an old friend you haven’t seen for a while, or share an old favourite with a younger family member?’

Ben Luxford, the BFI’s Head of UK Audiences said:“We’re proud supporters of GFF’s vibrant public programme as well as the inaugural GFF Industry Focus, which will bring together industry leaders from around the world to gather in Glasgow with the aim of forging exciting new collaborations that will benefit film in Scotland and the UK more widely.”

GFF16 Programme strands

·                     CineMasters A first chance to catch new works from some of the biggest names in international filmmaking, and a mini-retrospective of the work of legendary French director Julien Duvivier.

·                     Crossing the Line Somewhere between visual art and cinema, experimental films to challenge and inspire.  Bring your imagination. 

·                     Dream Teams on the Silver Screen From Burton and Taylor to Butch and Sundance, we celebrate Hollywood’s starriest double acts.

·                     FrightFest Back-to-back horror premieres to get hearts racing and adrenalin pumping.

·                     Galas Stars, premieres, red carpets – get your glad rags on!

·                     Local Heroes Home-grown cinema doesn’t necessarily mean small-scale, as this showcase of the newest and brightest productions from all over the country proves. 

·                     Modern Families Fantastical, imaginative features and animation to delight audiences of all ages.

·                     Nerdvana Spectacular screenings and heated discussions collide in a celebration of cult classics, gaming gregariousness, and all things geek.

·                     Pioneers First-time and emerging filmmakers from all over the world, pushing the limits of cinematography.

·                     Roads to the South: Argentine Cinema A celebration of the most exciting cinema currently coming from Argentina.

·                     Sound and Vision Exploring the interplay between music and cinema with a specially curated programme of screenings, live music, and events

·                     Special Events Unique and atmospheric venues across the city become pop-up picture houses, as cult classics and old favourites step off the screen.

·                     Stranger than Fiction You couldn’t make it up – weird, wonderful and thought-provoking new documentaries from across the world.

·                     Window on the World Explore the world from your cinema seat with a selection of brilliant international titles.

French Artist Tells How He Created ‘Symbol of Peace for Paris’"In all this horror there’s something positive that people are coming together in a sense of unity and peace."

“I express myself visually, so my first reaction was to draw a symbol of peace for Paris,” Jullien, who says his friends and family are safe and accounted for, told TIME over Skype on Saturday from a location he did not wish to disclose. “From there it seems to have gotten a bit out of my hands.”

That poignant painting has quickly become a unifying symbol for people in France and beyond. A cell-phone picture of the illustration that Jullien posted to his Instagram on Friday evening has garnered at least 129,000 likes on Instagram and 48,000 retweets on Twitter, as well as countless other uncredited shares. Instagram’s own post of the image has topped 1.3 million likes.

“I can’t say I’m happy because it’s such a tragedy and such a horrible event,” he says. “I can just say that in all this horror there’s something positive that people are coming together in a sense of unity and peace.”

It’s even been shared by celebrities such as John Legend and One Direction’s Harry Styles. “People are asking me, ‘Are you proud?’ and all that,” Jullien said of the famous figures distributing his work. “No, at the moment what touched me more, so to speak, is the fact that everyone shared it—not just famous people but everyone all over the world. The main purpose of the image was to communicate peace and solidarity, and that’s exactly what it seems to have done.”

Jullien also says he’s not bothered by all the people sharing the image without attributing it to him. “Some people were trying to alert me that people were using it without credit,” he says. “That’s not really the point. I did not create the image to get credit. I created a symbol for everyone to share. It’s not for ownership and pride.”

And while his illustrations are typically more humor-based than the image that’s now brought him international attention, Jullien notes that his Paris peace sign has had a similar impact on those who see it. “What I normal do is try to bring a smile on peoples’ faces with my work,” he says. “I got someone emailing me saying they were happy to have seen my message because the feeling of peace and unity took over the raw anger that can come from such an event.”

as written for Time Magazine

http://time.com/4113068/paris-peace-sign-artist-interview/

------------------------------------------------

Hello Bruno,

What just happened in France and before in other countries are barbaric acts caused by the self styled Islamic  state, an organized terrorism threatening  our basic values of freedom, tolerance and justice.  My sorrow goes to all who have suffered with the hope that there is the will power  by all countries concerned to destroy  the Islamic state through effective military and political actions.

Claus Mueller filmfestivals.com correspondent

------------------------------------------------

RB and I wanted to send our love to you in Paris. You are  in our thoughts and prayers.  May you find peace....

Amanda Toney Managing Director Stage 32

------------------------------------------------

Warm salutations here on behalf of Khefren family. Edward Efren and I would like to express our condolences to beautiful France in light of all the darkness that has transpired in these last days. More than our prayers go out to you and yours .  

Chantal Marie Vidal Khefren productions group. 

------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruno,

May people of all faiths band together in solidarity and support of freedom and peace. 
Our deepest condolences to all of humanity of the loss of life in Paris. Let us all stand together in this terrible time.

Best, Diane Raver
Founder The Garden State Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

From New York City to Paris.

Our hearts and best wishes to the people of Paris. 

We understand your horror but don't let it turn to fear!!  You are a great city and will be stronger from staying the city of love.

Dennis Cieri Executive Director NYC Independent Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Bruno Chatelin thank God you are safe Deepest sympathies to all of France

Diane Raver Garden State Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

We were shocked and shaken by the events in Paris. Thanks God the team of Filmfestivals is safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. Everything seems surreal as if it happened in another world, not on our planet which has everything to be a happy place for the people. At this time we should bring ourselves together and think, think, think - what we can do to stop this sensless .

Olena Vitvitska, Adel Vafeyev, Montreal, Canada

------------------------------------------------

We the world of lovers of life stand together after what has happened in the great city of Paris.we as art faculty stand together to oppose violence and hatred thT these handful of terrorists are trying to perpetrate. They will fail ,the terror will be vanquished and peace shall prevail.

India stands with France .My condolences and preyers for the departed souls .

Regards

Bobby Vats

------------------------------------------------

whew... so sorry about the tragedy... And GLAD YOU are ok.  

Stay safe and well.

Stephen Ashton Founder/Director Society for the Advancement of the Arts & Film Wine Country Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruno
Our thoughts and concerns are with you all in France, wishing that you and all of your families and friends are OK after this terrible savagery. Tony Manne

Bristol Media International, Inc.

------------------------------------------------

Peace, calm and resolve to act.

Best wishes, Jacob Sebag & Associates, P.C. 

------------------------------------------------

One of my favorite countries in the world: peace and love to all the French people. No mercy with the terrorists, wherever they are. Love and solidarity!

Ricardo Freixá Executive Director P l u r a l  -  J e m p s a , SL

------------------------------------------------

You have my support! 

Jasmin Durakovic Depo doo

------------------------------------------------

Glad to see you are ok. Hope all your family is ok as well. Our solidarity with all the people in Paris. Vive la France!

Patricia Martin Amazonas Manaus International Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Cher Bruno,

Just a pump of the hand from this side of the Atlantic to let you that you and your rattled cosmos are in my thoughts. 

Warmly, Laura Blum Filmfestivals.com Correspondent

------------------------------------------------

I hope you are all right in Paris horrible events...can not believe...just post if you are ok

Radmila Djurica Filmfestivals.com correspondent.

------------------------------------------------

Hope you and your loved ones are safe. Really awful to hear about the attacks. Do take care. Hugs

Mes chers amis, 

On pense à vous...! Bien chaleureusement, 

Robin Woods

« En me voyant si près d’être joué aux Français, je commence à croire qu’il pourrait y avoir une Providence pour la constance de l’effort et le courage de la volonté. » Année 1865, 30 novembre. Journal Mémoires de La Vie Littéraire 1864-1867, Tome VII, Edmond et Jules de Goncourt  

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

 

Debrah Jalmet Ododo  

 

------------------------------------------------

Glad to see Bruno Chatelin is safe, hope to hear from others soon.

Mike Takeuchi

------------------------------------------------

 

Prayers for France; the victims and their families; and all the people who are dealing with the aftermath. People of Peace stand with you.

Ethan Marten

------------------------------------------------

 

Hi Bruno,

Glad you are ok. I’m terribly sorry for what happened in Paris yesterday. The world has gone mad, I wish we could all live in peace and accept each other.

Love,

Lia Fietz Filmfestivals.com correspondent

------------------------------------------------

I am praying for Paris and the world

Vanessa McMahon Filmfestivals.com correspondent

------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------

We are glad you are OK.
Thoughts from the animation world.

Warm Regards 
Laurie Gordon | Director | MIAFF Montreal International Animation Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

So thankful you are all ok. Sending love and prayers from California. 

Jack Elliott

Bruno...all our love and support to you and the French nation throughout these horrific moments.

Stay strong, determined and free of fear.

Pituka Pituka Ortega Heilbron Panama International Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Keep the light burning. Never fade out.

Word Smith

------------------------------------------------

Peace&Love for Paris

Elena Nemykh Producer and director

------------------------------------------------

Questa volta non restiamo in silenzio: Parigi ci appartiene

Muri invisibili (Parigi ci appartiene)

Federico Chiacchiari

La guerra finisce quando i muri vengono abbattuti. Ma lo sappiamo bene: i muri più difficili da abbattere sono quelli invisibili agli occhi, i muri dei pregiudizi, i muri culturali.

Dans Paris (Parigi ci appartiene)

Simone Emiliani

Non si può stare in silenzio. Ma non ci sono neanche le parole. C'è solo voglia di Parigi. Attraversata mentalmente come sul filo di The Walk prima di essere lì il prima possibile

Non l’abbiamo “scampata”! (Parigi ci appartiene)

Valentina Carnelutti

Ma questa guerra è in corso da tempo! E questi morti e feriti e traumatizzati ci sono continuamente! E ci passano davanti e accanto e ci chiedono aiuto ogni giorno. (dal Blog di Valentina Carnelutti)

Parigi, città aperta (Parigi ci appartiene)

Lou Reed – John Cale – Nico – (Le-Bataclan – 1972) – Femme Fatale (Parigi ci appartiene)

On January 29, 1972 Lou Reed and John Cale, founding members of the Velvet Underground, reunited with Nico, German actress, model and musician, for a special concert at le Bataclan nightclub in Paris.

Peace for Paris (Parigi ci appartiene)

Redazione Sentieri Selvaggi

Questa volta non staremo in silenzio. Sconvolti, devastati dalle stragi di Parigi, abbiamo deciso di continuare a lavorare con i nostri strumenti, che sono il cinema e la cultura. Parigi ci appartiene 

Redazione Sentieri Selvaggi

------------------------------------------------

Dear Bruno,

It is horrible what happened in Paris last night. And the world press and celebrities are informing us of it. 

With reference to your first item, Justin Bieber did not draw that symbol of Peace for Paris. Read who the artist really is in this Slate article Meet the artist behind the Eiffel Tower peace sign drawing. http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/11/14/paris_shooting_eiffel_tower_peace_sign_an_interview_with_artist_jean_jullien.html?wpsrc=sh_all_tab_tw_bot.

In fact, the creator of the drawing was a French illustrator named Jean Jullien, who posted it to his Twitter page around midnight Paris-time with the caption “Peace for Paris,” and watched it swiftly take flight.

Ken Chawkin

------------------------------------------------

Bonjour Bruno, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all of France! The radical Islamists are going to kill us all! And we are letting it happen! Fondly, with prayers.

Hunter Todd & Kathleen Hanney WorldFest Houston

------------------------------------------------

Glad to hear you are safe

Katha Cato Queens World Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

Happy you are safe

Tacie Hovey Maryland International Film Festival

------------------------------------------------

IFFI Goa 2015, Festival Diary, IV