On May 15, as part of the 64th Cannes film festival program, the European Audiovisual Observatory held a very informative workshop about the current relationship between film and television. More than 400 professionals had gathered as Mr. Wolfgang Closs, executive director of the European Audiovisual Observatory, welcomed a number of speakers from his organization as well as outside specialists to discuss trends in the European film and broadcast markets. And the big question was: are fil...
The theme for this year’s Europe Beyond Europe film festival that takes place March 15-24 at the Entrépot Cinéma in Paris is Heroes and Antiheroes. What film then would be more appropriate – even today – as opening film than Arne Skouen’s 1969 Norwegian classic “An-Magritt”?
Liv Ullman gives a strong lead performance as An-Magritt, a young girl born out of wedlock in 17th century rural Norway. This society is completely dominated by men, ...
At the press conference on March 3 in preparation for the forthcoming 33rd International Film Festival for Women of Créteil and Val de Marne, we were informed about a rich festival program – with a special focus on southern European female filmmakers. We were also treated to a moving story: The Italian film Lo Spacio Bianco, directed by Francesca Comencini, is about a woman, Maria, finding new strength to live for her prematurely born daughter. Margherita Buy's moving performance as Mari...
It was an evening in the name of technology at Forum des Images in Paris as the series Un Monde de Machines premiered Wednesday night. From March 2 until May 22, a number of screenings and events in tribute to machines and technology will take place here.The opening evening was filled with nostalgia and laughter as we traveled down the technological memory lane. A number of short films were screened, and then we were treated to the French documentary Astroboy. Marc Caro’s documentary gave an i...
It was an inspiring evening for the environment here in Paris last night. Louie Schwartzberg’s beautiful film “Pollen” (In English “Hidden Beauty – A Love Story that Feeds the Earth”) about the life-sustaining relationship between flowers and bees, butterflies, bats and birds is not onlya pleasure to watch but educational for all ages.
I was not the only one captivated by the film – at the following party, we discussed how refreshing it was to truly enjoy, learn and ...
“Fuck Violence!”
The screening of “Stay Down!” at Göteborg Film Festival is over, and the silent audience contemplates the last words of dialogue. We have just seen a very realistic story of violence as a part of everyday life for many teenagers – boys as well as girls. The film very intimately shows the medical consequences of something as ‘simple’ as a single kick in the stomach.
A shot of the cast and crew
Questions are raised: who is to blame? Why fight?
...
“It’s a heavy story, but I had promised to tell it,” says director Margreth Olin. She was awarded a Dragon Award for best Nordic Film – Audience’s choice at the Dragon Awards Gala.
The movie, based on reality, tells the story of Lea – a heroin addict – and her alcoholic mother. Ms. Olin tackles complex family dynamics and raises those kinds of questions that are uncomfortable but inevitable in life: What is love? What is the best way to raise a child?
I was dee...
For two days during Göteborg Film Festival, Gothenburg Film
Studios invites festival participants to "Open Set." Film enthusiasts
can follow the work on set, and also get an insight into post-production
work.
On my visit, I am drawn into the filming of stunt scenes.
Director Torbjörn Martin and his crew are in the middle of filming a
short film
with emphasis on stunt work. A stunt actress playing a laboratory
researcher is
about to swing through the air with the he...
Finnish composer/pianist/studio musician Dani Strömbäck was awarded the Nordic Film Music Prize at the Dragon Awards Gala in Göteborg on Saturday.
He had composed the score to Claus Härö’s film Letters to Father Jacob. He describes his creative process in this particular case: “First, I captured the feeling after reading the script. The first impression. I improvised and tried various melodies.” After meeting with the director, he was given a lot of freedom to work. ...
“The important thing is truth,” says Günter Wallraff. “And it has to be backed up.”
Legendary undercover journalist Günter Wallraff discussed his documentary “Günter Wallraff: Black on White” at Göteborg International Film Festival.
The man who is famous for his “wallraffing” – his method of investigative journalism – spent a year traveling through Germany as Somali immigrant Kwami Ogonno in order to find out how dark-skinned immigrants are treated in Ger...
George Clooney in Brunflo! This has been headline news in Sweden these past few weeks. The American movie star recently put the little town close to Östersund in Northern Sweden on the international map when he was in the region to film the opening scene for Anton Corbijn’s new movie, “The American.”
During Göteborg Film Festival, I had a chat with Film Commissioner Per Hjärpsgård, who is based in Östersund.
“This was an amazing opportunity to show the region at its...
“After every role, I understand myself a bit better,” says Mads Mikkelsen, Danish star in Nicolas Winding Refn’s epic action drama Valhalla Rising.
Mikkelsen plays the mute warrior One Eye, a strong Viking who throughout a dramatic journey explores his own true nature. Mikkelsen holds a press conference at Göteborg International Film Festival to promote the film, and I get the chance to discuss acting with a true professional.
Our conversation quickly leads ...
“I love to be able to co-create this important film event,” says Festival Director Marit Kapla. “Göteborg International Film Festival is as important to the audience as to the filmmakers and film industry.”
Marit exudes positive energy when we meet for a chat at Hotel Riverton; the classic festival hotspot. And she has good reason to be happy: the first weekend was a success and there is much more to come before wrapping time.
“There are so many highlights,” ...
33:rd Göteborg International Film Festival has started!
Indian tigres, samosas, skateboarding, and dancing all night long – the 33:ed edition of Göteborg International Film Festival stated off with a huge eclectic party last night.
The classic venue Trädgår’n was transformed into an international party house to celebrate the start of this year’s edition of
Scandinavia’s biggest film festival. This year’s theme is SHARING; a timely word in our increasingly global...
Closing Ceremony of the 40th annual Goa Film Festival: Red Carpet, Bollywood stars, and traditional Indian drums!
I recently had the pleasure of attending India’s biggest film festival. The Goa Film Festival is an excellent forum for Indian and foreign filmmakers to interact in a chilled atmosphere. Enjoy these pictures from Closing Night Gala!
Solveig Haugen
Correspondent, filmfestivals.com
...
Paprika Steen is a true artist. When she arrives for our
meeting, she brings a creative energy that makes me think ‘this is what
early-mid 1900s Hollywood movie stars must have radiated...’
She talks passionately about her craft. Paprika combines
acting and directing and loves both forms of creativity. She speaks Danish,
Swedish, English, French and Russian and has the world as her workplace. You
get the picture – this is a true movie star!
“The most important thing is i...
One real gem at the festival is the tea ceremony. A few afternoons, members of the press gather with filmmakers and actors to chat and have tea. It's a very inspiring and just lovely event and a great opportunity to meet in a more relaxed setting.
Today I had the pleasure to indulge in scones and tea with Danish filmmaker Martin Pieter Zandvliet. His film "Applause" is a dark, heartfelt, but also hopeful story about a mother who is recovering from alcoholism and desperat...
Official London Film Festival vodcast - Day 3 - kewego Catch up with all the action from Day 3 from The Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival. ...
Charlyne Yi and Solveig Haugen
Charlyne Yi - most known from her role in the movie "Knocked Up" - is a genuine character. At first I wasn't sure how to feel about her fictional documentary "Paper Heart" -and my question remains: does it really contribute s...
Very inspiring opening night at London Film Festival!
What an opening! Wes Anderson truly nailed it in adapting Roald Dahl's children's talk "Fantastic Mr. Fox" to the screen. The movie set a tone of energy and optimism to the 53rd London Film Festival - something I believe we all need in these harsh times.
As an actress, I felt very inspired by the brilliant voice work done by George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman and the rest of the cast. Me...
