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30 July 2010 7:48pm PST
30 July 2010 7:48pm PST
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Before driving up to Birmingham for the Flatpack Film Festival, I pored over the events calendar, watched numerous trailers, marked out the films on my iCal and staked out the venues on my phone maps; yet despite all the extensive itinerary prep, none of my expectations could have prepared me for the amazing experience that laid ahead.
On the first night, I checked into a hotel and then went to the first venue to check out the documentary, “Who is Bozo Texino.” The outside of the building was modest, described simply with a sign that read, “Floodgate Kino.” Stepping inside, I was warmly greeted by the hospitable volunteers as I quickly took in the view. The warehouse had been transformed into a chic venue, including a bar that served a variety of drinks and cakes. The furniture inside was luxurious, if not a touch homely. A casual blend of filmmakers, students and cinephiles were in attendance, all intently discussing their common interest (which of course lied in cinema.)
When we had a chance to get our drinks, coffees and cakes, we made our way to the screening area to watch “Who is Bozo Texino.” The film had thrown out all of the orthodox rules of documentary filmmaking, creating in its place an intense and powerful look at a group of hobos who had rejected society creating, instead, their own subculture. The film had managed to explore so much, discussing art, American culture, lifestyles and norms. With that much information divulged, I was surprised to learn at the conclusion of the film, that only an hour had passed.
The following morning I attended an event called “Unpacked” which was held at the beautiful Fazeley Studio. The show brought together a range of filmmakers for an insightful
look at their work. I was truly swept away. (The full, written review can be viewed here.)
That evening, I also went to “The Electric Cinema”, a small but beautiful space in the heart of Birmingham. They served hot drinks, alcohol and cakes which actually proved a pleasant transition from the fizzy drinks and sweets found in traditional theatres. They had a modest screen with standard seats, as well as sofa seats nestled in the back of the theatre, again exuding a pleasant and intimate vibe. It was here that I viewed the film, “One Night in the City.” (The full review can be viewed here.)
Next on my agenda (on a Saturday morning) I returned to The Electric Cinema to watch the film, “Paper Cinema and Red Balloon”. I was first introduced to the directors behind, “Paper Cinema” at the event “Unpacked”, which gave me an insightful look into the history and techniques of paper animation. I was equally entertained by the live performances that were in conjunction with the film. The attendees were primarily composed of young children with their parents (the obvious target audience.) However, as an adult, I was simply mesmerized by the performances. It furthered my pleasure to also witness the young audience laughing and cheering exuberantly at the spectacle.
That scene was a stark contrast to the next film on my schedule for the night. When I went to the theatre in South Birmingham College, I came into a space which housed an audience principally composed of teenagers and young adults. The film entitled, “Style Wars” was an entertaining and informative retrospective on New York graffiti writers from the 80s. Then after that one, I also got to see “In A Dream.” I have to say, that this film was seriously one of the best I've ever seen. It's not out in theaters until Spring, and I'm so grateful to Flatpack to have had the chance to watch this cinematic gem. (Read the full review here.)
Finally, the last film I watched at the festival was “Megunica” back at the Floodgate Kino. As we all sat down to watch the film, some people were sitting on their seats drinking beer, some had got out of their seats to sit on the floor with their coffee, it felt less like a formal screening, and more like an intimate gathering of friends. Whilst watching the final screening on my press itinerary, I thought about how much I would miss the festival. Sure enough, as I went into my car and started the engine, I felt the slight pang of post-partum.
The Flatpack Festival had taken my breath away with its amazing venues and quite simply this event brought out the best of Birmingham. The festival was diverse in that it had a great selection of inspiring films that not only covered a wide range of genres and mediums, but attracted an array of festival goers of all ages and divergent interests.
The festival proved that cinema is still a thriving and pure art form (against the grain of commercial boxoffice fares), and the curators presented an amazing library of films and that continued to exceed my expectations and push the cinematic envelope. Far more than simply viewing great works, the festival was also a platform for the education and discourse of modern-day cinema, attracting film students, filmmakers and cinephiles alike. An overall standout event that should not be missed; if you haven't made it out to this year's festival, please look out for the Flatpack Film Festival of 2010!
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
For more Photos click here.
At the Flatpack Film festival, in Birmingham, I was lucky enough to get a chance to watch “In a Dream” at the beautiful Electric Cinema and the film has been running through my mind ever since.
I sat down to watch the film, coffee in hand, prepared for an edgy, philosophical, plunge into the mind of Philadelphia's prolific artist, Isaiah Zagar. What I found, instead, was a film that I truly connected with like no other.
In the beginning of the film we are introduced to Isaiah and his beautiful mosaic murals that cover over 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia. Then the film begins with Isaiah's narrative on his salad days as an artist, and from that point you had a sense that this would not be your typical film about art. Moreover, the cinematography was equally as mesmerising as plot; panning over Isaiah's stunning architectural art both inside and out.
Rather than being a standard biopic or a dreary journal of events, the film is a brutally honest piece on the quirky warm-hearted Isaiah alongside his one-in-a-million wife Julia and their beautiful family throughout the years.
Director Jeremiah Zagar never shies away from any aspect of his family's life or history, delving into issues of mental illness, molestation, addiction, forgiveness, love and family. He lays his family bare allowing the audience to really build a connection, not based on just empathy or admiration, instead, a real sense of kinship.
I hadn't even realised my own connection with Zagar's family until I reached a pivotal point in the film where Isaiah's marriage skates on thin ice. Until then, I had never watched a movie praying for something to happen, like I did when I prayed silently for Isaiah's family to stay together through all the emotional hangups.
I had plans to watch a few more movies and then drive back to London after the festival was over. However as surreal as it sounds, after the film, all I wanted to do was to see my family, my parents, my siblings. I even strongly considered driving straight out of Birmingham, past London, straight to my parents house (which is basically driving from near the top of England right down to the south coast!) The film had touched me that much!
Do you know how crazy that is? To watch a movie about strangers and then want to drive clear across country to see your parents. But hand on heart; that's what this film did for me. The next morning I fruitlessly went online to buy the DVD, then to find the cinema times; like an addict I was trying to do anything I could to see this film again. However I must wait; the film arrives in cinemas this spring, I cannot recommend this enough.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: "Flatpack Film Festival" official website.
"In a Dream" official website.
As always, Apple has dropped another new gadget without warning. The new iPod Shuffle is even smaller than its predecessor with the removal of the click wheel. The controls can now be found on the right earbud cord (similar to the iPhone 3G's microphone controls).
With 1000 songs squeezed into its tiny frame and the voice over reading out the names of artist and songs (in 14 different languages), Apple has raised the bar again.
***
http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/
When my friend Simon told me he had managed to secure tickets to the pre-release screening of the Watchmen I was excited, the event was run by "the secret cinema". The poster for the event humbly stated that it had “film, music, performance and design fusing to create an immersive experience” in the SE1 club underneath London Bridge. I wasn't really interested in that, I was just happy to see the film two days before general release.
The tunnel created by the bridge gave the illusion of entering through a time portal where you encountered a sleazy XXX strip bars (with real strippers), ripped nostalgic posters and even Mason's Garage, complete with 1970's American muscle cars and yellow cabs on your way to the entrance.
As the queue grew longer actors came out, as Newstand workers handing out newspaper like programes, rioters came out in protest against the masked vigilanties, NY police officers came out to try and keep the peace, a news anchor came out to get the scoop. As I began taking shaky shots on my phone I realised I should of brought a camera with me, because this event was clearly shaping up to be a lot more than I had expected.
All of the actors interacted with the us and each other, staying in character the whole night through; slowly drawing you into the world of the Watchmen until you forgot about London and what year it was. As the time ticked closer to the doors opening, the comic came to life right in front of our eyes; teens on top of a smashed up car standing alongside prostitutes marveling as Dr. Manhattan walked by, followed by scientists, as Ozymandias rode on top of a car and finally The Comedian smugly rolled up on top of a tank. The queue for the screening had become an interactive play right before our eyes.
The amount of detail inside was like something out of a Universal Studious show, the whole club had been transformed, into sets from the Comic. As we walked through we saw, amongst other things, Ozymandias was there watching his multiple television sets all at once. There was the Gungan Diner, with the Minutemen all celebrating, a live band playing, waittresses on hand serving hotdogs, drinks and popcorn.
When everyone had a chance to soak up the atmosphere, grab their snacks and complimentary drinks, everyone was seated in the theatre room where illustrator Gibbons came out to present the movie.
After the movie the party continued, as the live bands played, the staff who were all actors remained in character flawlessly irrespective to what you asked of them. Though this format may not be suitable for every kind of film, it certainly gave that fourth dimension that no CGI could ever accomplish and certainly gave a more tangible incentive to empathise with the protagonists of the movie. This maybe as biggest a step to the film-going experience since colour film - watch this space.
The new year of the Earth- Ox arrives in Tibet with the region under armed guard.
Last October Britain's government had been the only one not to formerly recognise China's sovereignty in Tibet, instead accepting de facto control. After discussion with Chinese diplomats, Britain, apparently ignorant of the importance of the issue to China and exiled Tibetans, tactlessly changed policy in a bland statement published on the internet.
The economic downturn has pushed Tibet further down the international agenda. Last week when Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, visited China she said that rights concerns should not be allowed to hinder co-operation between the two countries on issues such as the global economic crisis and climate change.
However last Wednesday's release of an annual US state department report alleged that the attitude of the Chinese leadership to human rights worsened last year, with increased repressive policies in Tibet and the predominantly Muslim province of Xinjiang, and was restricting dissent and religious freedom in the two western regions. The report went on to say that, "The government's human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas,". China has strongly rejected these criticisms of its human rights record, with state media describing the charges as "groundless, irresponsible and an interference in Chinese affairs".
In what China deceivingly calls the “Tibet Autonomous Region”and in neighboring provinces, security had been intensified, foreigners had been kept out and Tibet had been close; to prepare for the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that led the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, into exile in India.
Yesterday residents and witnesses said a Tibetan monk protesting against Chinese rule was shot dead after he set himself on fire in the Tibetan-populated town of Aba, in China's southwest, during a gathering of more than 1,000 monks. An echo of the bloody anti-Chinese riots in Lhasa that occurred last year, the 50 year long problem is something China must solve in order to move forwards.
China blames the problem on a “few reactionaries manipulated by foreign powers”, believing that a solution will be found upon the passing of main reactionary, the Dalai Lama.
However the Dalai Lama is Tibet's greatest hope for salvation, unlike most of his followers in exiled populations and in Tibet itself, he accepts Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama only demands true “autonomy” and that his followers pursue their aims peacefully.
50 years has shown us that Tibet is an issue that cannot be solved by time alone, only through discussion until a solution is found, with the spiritual leader approaching 75, China may one day regret their rejection of the Dalai Lama's moderating leadership.
Mubarak Elmubarak 
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At the Wireless Festival Evil Monito had the chance to sit down with Mr. Hudson and talk about his musical influences and creative process.
The Oxford graduate had a monumental year, following the UK release of his successful album Straight No Chaser and he recently toured and collaborated with the likes of Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and Kanye West, farmacia Topamax baratos. Having also played at the Wireless Festival in 2009, a few months prior to the release of his second album, I ask what it was like playing this year compared to the last.
“Well you know, Tennessee TN Tenn. , it’s a big difference from my perspective. Last year we were in a tent in the corner of the field and we had good fun. This year, we must’ve played to thirty, forty thousand people out there. It’s just a real thrill and I hope I’m here again next year.”
Although having sprained his ankle the previous Friday (following an energetic jump off stage), Alaska AK , he not only managed to continue with the rest of his performance that night, but also wowed the rapt audience with a monumental set the following Sunday. Order Topamax, Mr. Hudson discussed what it was like pulling through something like that in the middle of a performance.
“Well when you’re doing a show it’s very focused on the audience and you feed off the audience. Buy cheap Topamax, They’re having such a good time and I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun by saying, ‘look I’ve got a broken foot, do you mind if I go home early?’ You just got to get that shit done. I guess some performers would’ve gone off early, but adrenaline is a great drug, you just soldier on, North Dakota ND . You know people talk about how they’re playing football or rugby, they break a finger and they carry on for another half an hour and they don’t notice; it’s because they’re focused on what they’ve got to achieve, order Topamax.
"When I came off stage, the paramedics were like, 'you’ve broken your foot, and they gave me laughing gas, Ordering Topamax online legally, once I was in the ambulance they gave me morphine, which knocked me out. I got to the hospital they gave me X-rays convinced it was broken and it turned out it was just a really, really bad sprain.
"But I’ve never experienced pain like that; I was lying in the ambulance, as I was nodding off, purchase Topamax, thinking, “It could be a lot worse, think of some of the people that end up in that ambulance with life threatening or life changing situations. So I just tried to put it all into perspective. Order Topamax, And in fact it has been quite inspiring in a way, I’m on so many pain killers I’m kind of high, it’s been an interesting day.”
Although artists usually find themselves pigeon-holed into one particular genre, like all music, their taste is drawn from a wider range. Buy Topamax online legally, I ask Mr. Hudson what his influences were growing up and whether any of it has worked its way into his body of work. I was surprised to learn that not only was Mr. Hudson a connoisseur of music, but also tenaciously in pursuit of musical experiences.
“Yea I think so, order Topamax. You know your influenced by your family’s record collections and the music your friends get into when your at school and later you gain some independence and start finding your own record collection, Topamax discount. When I was really young, I’ve got three older brothers and they would listen to a lot of heavy metal and that was an influence. I started playing the drums in a heavy metal band when I was ten years old.
Unfortunately I couldn’t afford a drum kit so I was just hitting the pillows and I’d literally just find stuff in the kitchen to hit, Vermont VT Vt. , pots and pans, why not. Order Topamax, When I was really little I liked hip-hop and R&B, I liked Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Eric B. & Rakim, EPMD, and then Soul II Soul.
But when you get a little bit older you tend to go with where your peers are going, Topamax sale, and they went to Brit Pop and so on, and I went with that and I enjoyed it, I was into Suede, Blur and real good Brit Pop song writing. Topamax cheap, But then I gained some independence and I started going back and finding people like Bowie and Nick Drake, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Bobby Womack, Delaware DE Del. , Al Green, Nina Simone. Going further back: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Ordering Topamax online without prescription, Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, The Ink Spots, Cole Porter and Tony Bennett.
So once I was at University I was really into finding the best songs, sung by the best singers and the best arrangements, order Topamax. So like Nelson Riddle engraining the strings with Frank Sinatra sung by Cole Porter. Or Billie Holiday singing the Gershwin song book, order Topamax online cheap. How you like me now. It’s hard to beat those. Order Topamax, So around the turn of the millennium, I was having trouble finding new music I liked because I was measuring it against the greats, but of course that’s missing the point, because new music is about trying to find new lanes, new ideas, new production techniques, so I suddenly got excited about 2004, by realizing, hang on, I haven’t listened to any Hip-Hop for like twelve years, I need to get back into that. Because I ducked out of hip-hop with Public Enemy and N.W.A because I couldn’t relate to it, I mean I loved it musically, Texas TX Tex. , but I can’t relate to it lyrically, whereas Eric B. & Rakim were more fun.
So I started to get into UK hip-hop, into Sway, people like that, cheap Topamax online without prescription. A little bit of Grime, and people like Pro Green were around in the battle scene. Then I started to get into J Dilla and all the Stones Throw sound, order Topamax. And the Chicago stuff, Kanye, Order Topamax online, Common and back into Tribe. So I sort of came full circle and made a record called Tale of Two Cities.
And although it’s not a Hip-Hop album it made sense to the community of Hip-Hop artists and I got a call from Kanye west saying, “do you want a hand?” And now I’m here, 18 months later, I worked on his record, acquistare online Topamax, he worked on Straight No Chaser, I’ve worked with Jay Z, I’ve toured with both of those guys, I’ve worked with Estelle. Osta Topamax, And now I’m like getting into my Dubstep, I know I’m a bit late but I’ve been working with Caspa, Chase & Status, and I want to do something with Nero, and Joker, and all these producers that are exciting me, købe Topamax, Excision from Canada and I suppose what I’m saying is it doesn’t hurt to have a little journey with your record collection.”
An artist’s second album is usually quite similar to their first, as they try to recreate the earlier success by producing a second album of similar style, finally evolving their style on a third album. Order Topamax, However, Tale Of Two Cities and Straight No Chaser are very contrasting. Mr. Pennsylvania PA Penn. , Hudson discusses what lead him to take that step out of the ‘tried and tested’ and into Straight No Chaser.
“Good question. I mean it was partly encouragement from people to make a bigger sound. I think Kanye tried to wake me up, he was like, enough of the kitchen sink sort of little acoustic stuff, lets see how big we can go, order Topamax. Tale of two cities was more of an intimate sound, quieter; he was like lets unlock that stadium filling Hudson. I’d like to think that there are tracks on Straight No Chaser that could’ve been on Tale Of Two cities, Connecticut CT Conn. , like, "There Will Be Tears", "Central Park", "Lift Your Head". Ordering Topamax pills, So they’re there but obviously there’s that punch of "Supernova" and "Knew We Were Trouble" and tracks like that. I couldn’t make same record twice, and next album will be different again. Order Topamax, I hope you’ll be saying the same thing to me in two years. I’m not working on a new album now, I’m just getting my head together thinking about it now, no rush, lowest price Topamax, the stakes are higher now. I will be putting stuff out. I want you to be saying about the third album, ‘so another departure?’ Because that’s more interesting for me and for you, hopefully.”
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Order Topamax online cheap, Since its launch six years ago the Wireless Festival has been going from strength to strength, in the past hosting acts the likes of Kanye West, Daft Punk, The White Stripes and The Strokes.
The three day festival is set in the heart of London in the gorgeous Hyde Park with acts as diverse as its audience. Iowa IA , I was fortunate enough to attend Sunday’s line-up that boasted artists from a wide range of genres, Rock acts such as Friendly Fires and the legendary guitarist Slash, Grime from Wiley and Roll Deep, purchase Topamax online, Dubstep kings Chase & Status, Billige Topamax apotek, Pop sensations Mr. Hudson and Lily Allen, Hip Hop acts, New Jersey NJ N.J. , Chiddy Bang, Buy Topamax cheap, D12, J. Cole, Michigan MI Mich. , and Wale. Headlining was the king of Hip Hop himself, Jay-Z, order Topamax online cheap. Cheap Topamax no prescription, 
However Wireless Festival has more to offer than music, as well the four stages (Bandstand Stage, Third Stage, ordering Topamax, Pepsi Max Stage and Main Stage), Køb billige Topamax, the festival is packed with entertainment, from pampering on the Elemis SpaBus to chill out spots at the Red Bull Star Shade Bar.
The VIP area has back garden BBQ feel, comprar Topamax baratos, serving gourmet barbecued food, Buy Topamax, cold drinks and cocktails, with garden furniture on Mother Nature’s lush green carpet. Set behind the Main Stage, Topamax kopen, you have an exceptional soundtrack to your meal. Topamax online kaufen, Entertainment also included a bungee run, where two competitors go head to head, as well as the EA Hub which hosts a variety of the latest games, buy Topamax overnight delivery, including Rockband, Ordering Topamax online cheap, appealing to the various age groups present at the festival from children with their parents, to Kidults young at heart. Order Topamax online cheap, The festival’s feel is a hybrid of a funfair-concert-park-party, attracting fans of all ages and tastes. Stepping into the festival is like stepping out of London and into a whole new world, παραγγείλετε online Topamax.
What I’ve always enjoyed about the Wireless Festival is the cocktail of artists present. Where to buy cheap Topamax, The small but packed area means getting from venue to venue only takes a couple of minutes. With artists playing back to back on all four stages, people are spoilt for choice as of who to watch, acheter Topamax. As well getting a chance to experience your favorite artists live, people get a chance to sample acts they’ve had less exposure to and what better way to hear a new artists than to hear them live, order Topamax online cheap.
Performing on the Pepsi Max Stage was J. Order Topamax without prescription, Cole, like Kid Cudi the year before him, J, Topamax without prescription. Cole is performing with a single released but no studio album. Kjøpe billig Topamax, However, as he took to the stage and began performing it was clear the audience was packed with J. Order Topamax online cheap, Cole fans, singing along to every track, arms raised high in the air, his sensational mixtapes The Come Up and The Warm Up have earned him an international fanbase. J, cheap Topamax from canada. Cole’s performance was a testament to the power of the mixtape. Generic Topamax, Although other live acts usually get the crowed gradually warmed up, slowly building their energy levels to a final crescendo, Philadelphia’s Chiddy Bang exploded onto stage from the get go, Indiana IN Ind. . They had the crowd jumping and singing, Colorado CO Colo. , their energy levels stayed high throughout their whole performance. Chiddy Bang’s live act is one that should not be missed, order Topamax online cheap.
The night was wrapped up by Jay-Z’s historic set, a monumental crowd formed to see the headliner ‘Hova’. Roc diamonds in the air as Jay walked onto stage dressed in black and opened with a bold powerful performance of Run This Town. Followed by the signature Swizz Beatz beat of my personal favorite, On To The Next One. Jay-Z followed hit after hit playing tracks from his renowned library such as Song Cry and 99 problems. Order Topamax online cheap, J. Cole also made an appearance on stage with Jay performing A Star Is Born.
A true highlight of the evening was seeing the legendary performance of Young Forever, the injured but dedicated Mr. Hudson was on crutches as he joined Jay on stage, but his performance was stronger than ever. The retrospective lyrics of Jay-Z, Mr. Hudson’s spine tingling chorus and the chant of a fifty thousand strong crowd, provided the a truly moving performance and a perfect end to an amazing Wireless Festival, order Topamax online cheap.
Wireless is not just a weekend for music lovers. Families, kids and adults alike will be blown away by the wealth of entertainment, new experiences and new music it has to offer. The Wireless festival can be simply described as the perfect summer weekend.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Wireless Festival” official website.
For more Photos courtesy of Chris Wing click here..
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8 July 2010 4:23pm | |
| Flatpack Film Festival Review
Before driving up to Birmingham for the Flatpack Film Festival, I pored over the events calendar, watched numerous trailers, marked out the films on my iCal and staked out the venues on my phone maps; yet despite all the extensive itinerary prep, none of my expectations could have prepared me for the amazing experience that laid ahead.
On the first night, I checked into a hotel and then went to the first venue to check out the documentary, “Who is Bozo Texino.” The outside of the building was modest, described simply with a sign that read, “Floodgate Kino.” Stepping inside, I was warmly greeted by the hospitable volunteers as I quickly took in the view. The warehouse had been transformed into a chic venue, including a bar that served a variety of drinks and cakes. The furniture inside was luxurious, if not a touch homely. A casual blend of filmmakers, students and cinephiles were in attendance, all intently discussing their common interest (which of course lied in cinema.)
When we had a chance to get our drinks, coffees and cakes, we made our way to the screening area to watch “Who is Bozo Texino.” The film had thrown out all of the orthodox rules of documentary filmmaking, creating in its place an intense and powerful look at a group of hobos who had rejected society creating, instead, their own subculture. The film had managed to explore so much, discussing art, American culture, lifestyles and norms. With that much information divulged, I was surprised to learn at the conclusion of the film, that only an hour had passed.
The following morning I attended an event called “Unpacked” which was held at the beautiful Fazeley Studio. The show brought together a range of filmmakers for an insightful
look at their work. I was truly swept away. (The full, written review can be viewed here.)
That evening, I also went to “The Electric Cinema”, a small but beautiful space in the heart of Birmingham. They served hot drinks, alcohol and cakes which actually proved a pleasant transition from the fizzy drinks and sweets found in traditional theatres. They had a modest screen with standard seats, as well as sofa seats nestled in the back of the theatre, again exuding a pleasant and intimate vibe. It was here that I viewed the film, “One Night in the City.” (The full review can be viewed here.)
Next on my agenda (on a Saturday morning) I returned to The Electric Cinema to watch the film, “Paper Cinema and Red Balloon”. I was first introduced to the directors behind, “Paper Cinema” at the event “Unpacked”, which gave me an insightful look into the history and techniques of paper animation. I was equally entertained by the live performances that were in conjunction with the film. The attendees were primarily composed of young children with their parents (the obvious target audience.) However, as an adult, I was simply mesmerized by the performances. It furthered my pleasure to also witness the young audience laughing and cheering exuberantly at the spectacle.
That scene was a stark contrast to the next film on my schedule for the night. When I went to the theatre in South Birmingham College, I came into a space which housed an audience principally composed of teenagers and young adults. The film entitled, “Style Wars” was an entertaining and informative retrospective on New York graffiti writers from the 80s. Then after that one, I also got to see “In A Dream.” I have to say, that this film was seriously one of the best I've ever seen. It's not out in theaters until Spring, and I'm so grateful to Flatpack to have had the chance to watch this cinematic gem. (Read the full review here.)
Finally, the last film I watched at the festival was “Megunica” back at the Floodgate Kino. As we all sat down to watch the film, some people were sitting on their seats drinking beer, some had got out of their seats to sit on the floor with their coffee, it felt less like a formal screening, and more like an intimate gathering of friends. Whilst watching the final screening on my press itinerary, I thought about how much I would miss the festival. Sure enough, as I went into my car and started the engine, I felt the slight pang of post-partum.
The Flatpack Festival had taken my breath away with its amazing venues and quite simply this event brought out the best of Birmingham. The festival was diverse in that it had a great selection of inspiring films that not only covered a wide range of genres and mediums, but attracted an array of festival goers of all ages and divergent interests.
The festival proved that cinema is still a thriving and pure art form (against the grain of commercial boxoffice fares), and the curators presented an amazing library of films and that continued to exceed my expectations and push the cinematic envelope. Far more than simply viewing great works, the festival was also a platform for the education and discourse of modern-day cinema, attracting film students, filmmakers and cinephiles alike. An overall standout event that should not be missed; if you haven't made it out to this year's festival, please look out for the Flatpack Film Festival of 2010!
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
For more Photos click here.
22 March 2009 1:09pm | 1 |
| Unpacked | Flatpack Film Festival.
Unpacked, Flatpack's titular “Show-and-Tell Day”, gives the audience a chance to discuss all the different aspect of a filmmakers' work. The event was split into four parts, the first showcased David O'Reilly. However jet-lagged the animator was, his presentation was brilliant. He began with a short introduction, displaying some of his early work as a concept artist, then showed segments of his feature lengths such as Son of Rambow. He topped it all off with a 10-minute animation entitled, “Please say Something” (shown above) which won a Berlinale award.
As David began to discuss his methods of creating the animation, he unravelled the process behind his filmmaking. Essentially, he stripped down the animation process to its basics; choosing, instead, to find the simplest and quickest method to make an animation. He is a purist at heart. Expanding on this, he began to show us how he had set himself rules, such forgoing the “blurring effect,” choosing instead to pixelate the characters in the background to make the foreground bold.
The rules are based on David's theory on authenticity. David explained how realism is a science used to emulate the real world; whereas authenticity is creating a new world that is believable; a world with it's own norms. For example a sport simulator is aspiring to realism, whereas a film like “The Incredibles” is creating an cartoon world, but because everything follows the world's rules, it's believable (authentic).
He explained that when authenticity goes wrong it causes people to be pulled out of the film and remember the medium they are watching. This occurs a lot in mixed-medium, such as with CGI in movies, when people pull themselves out the plot and think about “how great the special effects are”; the ultimate goal in authenticity is to have people forget about the medium and be immersed in the film itself.
David put so much thought into his work, developed around profound theories, whilst humbly reminding us that these are only his ideas. It amazed me even more that the self-taught animator is only 23 years old--he clearly has a bright future ahead of him.
Then the filmmaker, Jim LeFevre presented next (he as well truly related to David's sentiment about stripping the medium down to its basics.) He showed us how he distilled his brand of animation; using only a turntable, a video camera and mini-figurines. The evolved process looks like this clip below:
He discussed his technique, he had the video camera linked to a projector, with the turntable in front of the audience. As it began to spin, the animation started flowing and the audience was awed.
Next Nic Rawling, an illustrator shared with us his story about how the “Paper Cinema” came to be, demonstrating how he uses his cut-outs, an onstage camera and live music to create an ingenious live performance. He demonstrated techniques of zooming out, creating an effect of going through a key hole and moving over still images to create a sense of motion, but he kept stopping after demonstrating each effect. I wished I could see the whole show, luckily the next day I got that chance to see the Paper Cinema perform at the electric cinema.
Overall “Unpacked” proved to be an insightful event for both the cineaste and the casual cinephile. A truly rare opportunity to engage in intimate conversations with up&coming filmmakers in one of the best moments of Birmingham's Flatpack festival.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
For more Photos click here.
David O'Reilly's official website
Paper Cinema's official website
The rules are based on David's theory on authenticity. David explained how realism is a science used to emulate the real world; whereas authenticity is creating a new world that is believable; a world with it's own norms. For example a sport simulator is aspiring to realism, whereas a film like “The Incredibles” is creating an cartoon world, but because everything follows the world's rules, it's believable (authentic).
He explained that when authenticity goes wrong it causes people to be pulled out of the film and remember the medium they are watching. This occurs a lot in mixed-medium, such as with CGI in movies, when people pull themselves out the plot and think about “how great the special effects are”; the ultimate goal in authenticity is to have people forget about the medium and be immersed in the film itself.
David put so much thought into his work, developed around profound theories, whilst humbly reminding us that these are only his ideas. It amazed me even more that the self-taught animator is only 23 years old--he clearly has a bright future ahead of him.
Then the filmmaker, Jim LeFevre presented next (he as well truly related to David's sentiment about stripping the medium down to its basics.) He showed us how he distilled his brand of animation; using only a turntable, a video camera and mini-figurines. The evolved process looks like this clip below:
He discussed his technique, he had the video camera linked to a projector, with the turntable in front of the audience. As it began to spin, the animation started flowing and the audience was awed.
Next Nic Rawling, an illustrator shared with us his story about how the “Paper Cinema” came to be, demonstrating how he uses his cut-outs, an onstage camera and live music to create an ingenious live performance. He demonstrated techniques of zooming out, creating an effect of going through a key hole and moving over still images to create a sense of motion, but he kept stopping after demonstrating each effect. I wished I could see the whole show, luckily the next day I got that chance to see the Paper Cinema perform at the electric cinema.
Overall “Unpacked” proved to be an insightful event for both the cineaste and the casual cinephile. A truly rare opportunity to engage in intimate conversations with up&coming filmmakers in one of the best moments of Birmingham's Flatpack festival.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
For more Photos click here.
David O'Reilly's official website
Paper Cinema's official website
20 March 2009 5:17pm | 2 |
| One Night In The City | Flatpack Film Festival.
When I sat down to watch One Night in the City at the electric cinema, I really didn't know what to expect. The Flatpack film festival had thrown me a cocktail of films of so far with a diverse range of genres and mediums. The only thing I knew about this film was it promised to be a “stop-motion-animated feature-length black comedy horror film.”
Jan Balej's Czech horror is comprised of a series of intertwining shorts narratives which all takes place within the same finite world (much akin to the structure of films such as "Sin City" and "Pulp Fiction.")
The film is set in Prague's dimly lit streets, with dilapidated buildings and a creepy aura reminiscent of Tim Burton's work--or actually more like its darker, twisted step-cousin.
During the film, you encounter a variety of misshapen low-lifes, eccentrics, freaks and mutants. I found that their demented appearance repulsed me in a manner common to horror; such as the ghost-like dog killer who lures in a puppy in order to cremate it alive and a hold a funeral service for it (or at least that is the first morbid impression). Yet when we spend more time with him, we see him dress-up as the crying family (in a hilarious dress), take photos, and sing hymns at the make-believe funeral service; only to realise he is merely a dog lover who means no harm, and is in actual fact in love with the pup's owner.
The film explored the city's folk, from a violinist busker so desperate to play well that he tears his own ear off, a tree man that shares a strong friendship to a fish to lonely man searching for love in all the wrong places. As the film introduced me to the city's folk it had me fear them, only to laugh with them and ultimately understand and empathise with them; impressively it does this without using any discernible words throughout the film, only grunts and grumbles.
The film is a comedy, one of the funniest dark comedies I've seen in a long time. The humour is definitely fit for an adult audience, the cocaine snorter who also snorts ants, the hopeless romantic who's so lonely that he hires escorts because he has no friends to show his art to. But although the humour is adult in nature, it manages somehow to remain heartfelt and even sweet at times.
The highlight for me was the drunkards who discover a genie who grants them their wildest desire, sending them on a giant tea-cup ride with oversized cigarettes, beer, shots, food and pornography.
This film, like many others I've had the good fortune of witnessing at the Flatpack Film festival manages to exceed my expectations. It seems these diligent festival curators of esoteric taste have managed to unearth a library of underrated cinematic gems.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
“One Night In The City” official website.
During the film, you encounter a variety of misshapen low-lifes, eccentrics, freaks and mutants. I found that their demented appearance repulsed me in a manner common to horror; such as the ghost-like dog killer who lures in a puppy in order to cremate it alive and a hold a funeral service for it (or at least that is the first morbid impression). Yet when we spend more time with him, we see him dress-up as the crying family (in a hilarious dress), take photos, and sing hymns at the make-believe funeral service; only to realise he is merely a dog lover who means no harm, and is in actual fact in love with the pup's owner.
The film explored the city's folk, from a violinist busker so desperate to play well that he tears his own ear off, a tree man that shares a strong friendship to a fish to lonely man searching for love in all the wrong places. As the film introduced me to the city's folk it had me fear them, only to laugh with them and ultimately understand and empathise with them; impressively it does this without using any discernible words throughout the film, only grunts and grumbles.
The film is a comedy, one of the funniest dark comedies I've seen in a long time. The humour is definitely fit for an adult audience, the cocaine snorter who also snorts ants, the hopeless romantic who's so lonely that he hires escorts because he has no friends to show his art to. But although the humour is adult in nature, it manages somehow to remain heartfelt and even sweet at times.
The highlight for me was the drunkards who discover a genie who grants them their wildest desire, sending them on a giant tea-cup ride with oversized cigarettes, beer, shots, food and pornography.
This film, like many others I've had the good fortune of witnessing at the Flatpack Film festival manages to exceed my expectations. It seems these diligent festival curators of esoteric taste have managed to unearth a library of underrated cinematic gems.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: “Flatpack Film Festival” official website.
“One Night In The City” official website.
19 March 2009 10:16am | 3 |
| In a Dream | Flatpack Film Festival.
At the Flatpack Film festival, in Birmingham, I was lucky enough to get a chance to watch “In a Dream” at the beautiful Electric Cinema and the film has been running through my mind ever since.
I sat down to watch the film, coffee in hand, prepared for an edgy, philosophical, plunge into the mind of Philadelphia's prolific artist, Isaiah Zagar. What I found, instead, was a film that I truly connected with like no other.
In the beginning of the film we are introduced to Isaiah and his beautiful mosaic murals that cover over 50,000 square feet of Philadelphia. Then the film begins with Isaiah's narrative on his salad days as an artist, and from that point you had a sense that this would not be your typical film about art. Moreover, the cinematography was equally as mesmerising as plot; panning over Isaiah's stunning architectural art both inside and out.
Rather than being a standard biopic or a dreary journal of events, the film is a brutally honest piece on the quirky warm-hearted Isaiah alongside his one-in-a-million wife Julia and their beautiful family throughout the years.
Director Jeremiah Zagar never shies away from any aspect of his family's life or history, delving into issues of mental illness, molestation, addiction, forgiveness, love and family. He lays his family bare allowing the audience to really build a connection, not based on just empathy or admiration, instead, a real sense of kinship.
I hadn't even realised my own connection with Zagar's family until I reached a pivotal point in the film where Isaiah's marriage skates on thin ice. Until then, I had never watched a movie praying for something to happen, like I did when I prayed silently for Isaiah's family to stay together through all the emotional hangups.
I had plans to watch a few more movies and then drive back to London after the festival was over. However as surreal as it sounds, after the film, all I wanted to do was to see my family, my parents, my siblings. I even strongly considered driving straight out of Birmingham, past London, straight to my parents house (which is basically driving from near the top of England right down to the south coast!) The film had touched me that much!
Do you know how crazy that is? To watch a movie about strangers and then want to drive clear across country to see your parents. But hand on heart; that's what this film did for me. The next morning I fruitlessly went online to buy the DVD, then to find the cinema times; like an addict I was trying to do anything I could to see this film again. However I must wait; the film arrives in cinemas this spring, I cannot recommend this enough.
***
For more info on the festival, visit: "Flatpack Film Festival" official website.
"In a Dream" official website.
17 March 2009 5:00pm | 2 |
| New iPod Shuffle
As always, Apple has dropped another new gadget without warning. The new iPod Shuffle is even smaller than its predecessor with the removal of the click wheel. The controls can now be found on the right earbud cord (similar to the iPhone 3G's microphone controls).
With 1000 songs squeezed into its tiny frame and the voice over reading out the names of artist and songs (in 14 different languages), Apple has raised the bar again.
***
http://www.apple.com/ipodshuffle/
11 March 2009 5:01pm | |
| New Cinema Experience
When my friend Simon told me he had managed to secure tickets to the pre-release screening of the Watchmen I was excited, the event was run by "the secret cinema". The poster for the event humbly stated that it had “film, music, performance and design fusing to create an immersive experience” in the SE1 club underneath London Bridge. I wasn't really interested in that, I was just happy to see the film two days before general release.
The tunnel created by the bridge gave the illusion of entering through a time portal where you encountered a sleazy XXX strip bars (with real strippers), ripped nostalgic posters and even Mason's Garage, complete with 1970's American muscle cars and yellow cabs on your way to the entrance.
As the queue grew longer actors came out, as Newstand workers handing out newspaper like programes, rioters came out in protest against the masked vigilanties, NY police officers came out to try and keep the peace, a news anchor came out to get the scoop. As I began taking shaky shots on my phone I realised I should of brought a camera with me, because this event was clearly shaping up to be a lot more than I had expected.
All of the actors interacted with the us and each other, staying in character the whole night through; slowly drawing you into the world of the Watchmen until you forgot about London and what year it was. As the time ticked closer to the doors opening, the comic came to life right in front of our eyes; teens on top of a smashed up car standing alongside prostitutes marveling as Dr. Manhattan walked by, followed by scientists, as Ozymandias rode on top of a car and finally The Comedian smugly rolled up on top of a tank. The queue for the screening had become an interactive play right before our eyes.
The amount of detail inside was like something out of a Universal Studious show, the whole club had been transformed, into sets from the Comic. As we walked through we saw, amongst other things, Ozymandias was there watching his multiple television sets all at once. There was the Gungan Diner, with the Minutemen all celebrating, a live band playing, waittresses on hand serving hotdogs, drinks and popcorn.
When everyone had a chance to soak up the atmosphere, grab their snacks and complimentary drinks, everyone was seated in the theatre room where illustrator Gibbons came out to present the movie.
After the movie the party continued, as the live bands played, the staff who were all actors remained in character flawlessly irrespective to what you asked of them. Though this format may not be suitable for every kind of film, it certainly gave that fourth dimension that no CGI could ever accomplish and certainly gave a more tangible incentive to empathise with the protagonists of the movie. This maybe as biggest a step to the film-going experience since colour film - watch this space.
11 March 2009 3:45pm | 1 |
| Tibet 50 years on
The new year of the Earth- Ox arrives in Tibet with the region under armed guard.
Last October Britain's government had been the only one not to formerly recognise China's sovereignty in Tibet, instead accepting de facto control. After discussion with Chinese diplomats, Britain, apparently ignorant of the importance of the issue to China and exiled Tibetans, tactlessly changed policy in a bland statement published on the internet.
The economic downturn has pushed Tibet further down the international agenda. Last week when Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, visited China she said that rights concerns should not be allowed to hinder co-operation between the two countries on issues such as the global economic crisis and climate change.
However last Wednesday's release of an annual US state department report alleged that the attitude of the Chinese leadership to human rights worsened last year, with increased repressive policies in Tibet and the predominantly Muslim province of Xinjiang, and was restricting dissent and religious freedom in the two western regions. The report went on to say that, "The government's human rights record remained poor and worsened in some areas,". China has strongly rejected these criticisms of its human rights record, with state media describing the charges as "groundless, irresponsible and an interference in Chinese affairs".
In what China deceivingly calls the “Tibet Autonomous Region”and in neighboring provinces, security had been intensified, foreigners had been kept out and Tibet had been close; to prepare for the 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that led the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, into exile in India.
Yesterday residents and witnesses said a Tibetan monk protesting against Chinese rule was shot dead after he set himself on fire in the Tibetan-populated town of Aba, in China's southwest, during a gathering of more than 1,000 monks. An echo of the bloody anti-Chinese riots in Lhasa that occurred last year, the 50 year long problem is something China must solve in order to move forwards.
China blames the problem on a “few reactionaries manipulated by foreign powers”, believing that a solution will be found upon the passing of main reactionary, the Dalai Lama.
However the Dalai Lama is Tibet's greatest hope for salvation, unlike most of his followers in exiled populations and in Tibet itself, he accepts Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama only demands true “autonomy” and that his followers pursue their aims peacefully.
50 years has shown us that Tibet is an issue that cannot be solved by time alone, only through discussion until a solution is found, with the spiritual leader approaching 75, China may one day regret their rejection of the Dalai Lama's moderating leadership.
1 March 2009 9:35am | |
| Juan Enriquez at TED
TED annual conference brings together fascinating minds from around the world; challenging them to give the "talk of their lives" in 18 minutes. In this video Juan Enriquez - one of the world's leading authorities on the economic and political impacts of life sciences - discusses facinating advances in cell, tissue and robotic engineering and the "reboot" they will cause.
***
For more on this year's TED conference, visit: http://www.ted.com/
20 February 2009 8:00am | |
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