In 2020, director Hsin-Chien Huang won the NewImages Festival’s top prize for “Bodyless,” a dreamlike exploration of his own childhood growing up under Taiwanese martial law. That year’s jury was led by French music producer and composer Jean-Michel Jarre – and sometime over the course of the festival the two men hit it off.
This year, the fast friends will return as creative partners and co-directors of “The Eye and I,” a visual and musical collaboration screening in NewImages’ competition and born of the festival’s wider goal to develop the immersive ecosystem in part by encouraging such outcomes.
“Our mission is to connect people,” says festival director Michele Ziegler. “We’re always looking to expand our circle and build our community – and we hope more and more people will join.”
Indeed, a bout of jury duty has proven to be a powerful motivator, as Jarre is hardly the first creative to make the leap.
This year, the fast friends will return as creative partners and co-directors of “The Eye and I,” a visual and musical collaboration screening in NewImages’ competition and born of the festival’s wider goal to develop the immersive ecosystem in part by encouraging such outcomes.
“Our mission is to connect people,” says festival director Michele Ziegler. “We’re always looking to expand our circle and build our community – and we hope more and more people will join.”
Indeed, a bout of jury duty has proven to be a powerful motivator, as Jarre is hardly the first creative to make the leap.
- 4/23/2024
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Throughout his career, director Emanuele Crialese has focused on telling stories about migration, both literal (his gorgeous Nuovomondo chronicles an Italian family’s journey to NYC during the turn of the century) and figurative. In L’immensità, he brings both dimensions into play by telling his most personal tale yet; an autobiography of sorts, set in 1970s Rome, in which the young Andrea (Luana Giuliani) begins to question their gender identity.
Andrea’s only aid is their mother Clara, played by Penélope Cruz, who herself is going through an existential crisis. A Spanish immigrant living in Italy, Clara lives with a husband (Vincenzo Amato) who demands the loyalty and compassion from his wife that he fails to provide. Cruz, who has built an impressive body of work in four languages, gives one of her finest performances yet as a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, trying her best to take care...
Andrea’s only aid is their mother Clara, played by Penélope Cruz, who herself is going through an existential crisis. A Spanish immigrant living in Italy, Clara lives with a husband (Vincenzo Amato) who demands the loyalty and compassion from his wife that he fails to provide. Cruz, who has built an impressive body of work in four languages, gives one of her finest performances yet as a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, trying her best to take care...
- 5/12/2023
- by Jose Solís
- The Film Stage
Venice has unveiled the full lineup of its immersive section, which is held every year in the lush island of Lazzaretto Vecchio, a short boat ride from the Lido.
Launched in 2019 as Xr – Extended Reality, the section now has a bigger scope as reflected by its new name, Venice Immersive. As much as 43 projects from 19 countries and 32 works will be presented as part of the sidebar.
Spanning installations, live performances and virtual worlds, Venice Immersive will showcase 30 projects in competition, as well as 10 projects out of competition, among others. An international jury, presided over by May Abdalla from the U.K. and comprising of David Adler from Denmark and Blanca Li from Spain, will hand out three prizes for best experience, grand jury prize and special jury prize.
Venice was one of the first film festivals in the world to spotlight virtual reality. The development of a VR Theater in...
Launched in 2019 as Xr – Extended Reality, the section now has a bigger scope as reflected by its new name, Venice Immersive. As much as 43 projects from 19 countries and 32 works will be presented as part of the sidebar.
Spanning installations, live performances and virtual worlds, Venice Immersive will showcase 30 projects in competition, as well as 10 projects out of competition, among others. An international jury, presided over by May Abdalla from the U.K. and comprising of David Adler from Denmark and Blanca Li from Spain, will hand out three prizes for best experience, grand jury prize and special jury prize.
Venice was one of the first film festivals in the world to spotlight virtual reality. The development of a VR Theater in...
- 7/27/2022
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Venice’s Xr strand has rebranded to include immersive media beyond VR.
Venice Immersive, the Xr (extended reality) section of the Venice International Film Festival, has unveiled its official selection for 2022 with 30 projects playing in competition.
Six of the Xr competition projects come from the UK, including Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, a VR spin-off from the hit drama series.
A dark action-adventure VR game that will immerse players in the world of the show, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is produced by UK games developer Maze Theory and will launch later this year.
Formerly known as Venice VR Expanded,...
Venice Immersive, the Xr (extended reality) section of the Venice International Film Festival, has unveiled its official selection for 2022 with 30 projects playing in competition.
Six of the Xr competition projects come from the UK, including Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom, a VR spin-off from the hit drama series.
A dark action-adventure VR game that will immerse players in the world of the show, Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom is produced by UK games developer Maze Theory and will launch later this year.
Formerly known as Venice VR Expanded,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Over recent years France has established itself as a key hub for VFX work, driven by the talent and creativity of local players and extensive public support schemes.
In 2020, the VFX sector was given a further boost by the change to France’s Tax Rebate for International Production (Trip) scheme, which now offers a 40% rebate on all eligible production expenses for international projects whose VFX expenses in France surpass €2 million ($2.27 million).
Pids Enghien – the Paris Images Digital Summit in Enghien-les-Bains – runs from Jan. 26-29, including a series of presentations, round-tables and case studies, and presentation of the Genie Awards.
Yann Marchet, founder and managing director of Pids Enghien, provides an overview of the key trends that will be discussed during the event.
What are the key recent achievements of the French VFX industry?
The two last years have been very important for the French VFX industry. In 2020, for the first time,...
In 2020, the VFX sector was given a further boost by the change to France’s Tax Rebate for International Production (Trip) scheme, which now offers a 40% rebate on all eligible production expenses for international projects whose VFX expenses in France surpass €2 million ($2.27 million).
Pids Enghien – the Paris Images Digital Summit in Enghien-les-Bains – runs from Jan. 26-29, including a series of presentations, round-tables and case studies, and presentation of the Genie Awards.
Yann Marchet, founder and managing director of Pids Enghien, provides an overview of the key trends that will be discussed during the event.
What are the key recent achievements of the French VFX industry?
The two last years have been very important for the French VFX industry. In 2020, for the first time,...
- 1/23/2022
- by Martin Dale
- Variety Film + TV
BIFA Rewards ‘Boiling Point’/’Souvenir 2’
Philip Barantini’s Boiling Point and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir Part II have bagged three awards apiece in the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) craft categories, with the former winning for Best Cinematography, Best Casting and Best Sound and the latter for Best Costume Design, Best Editing and Best Production Design. Rob Savage’s Dashcam took home Best Effects and there were also wins for Will Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain and Clio Barnard’s Ali & Ava. The remaining winners will be revealed at an in-person ceremony on Sunday December 5 in London’s Old Billingsgate.
‘Lupin’ Three Enters Production
Shooting on season three of Netflix’s hit French mystery thriller series Lupin has begun, with star Omar Sy and Netflix tweeting the news yesterday. Gaumont Télévision’s drama from George Kay and François Uzan centres around Assane Diop (Sy), a...
Philip Barantini’s Boiling Point and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir Part II have bagged three awards apiece in the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) craft categories, with the former winning for Best Cinematography, Best Casting and Best Sound and the latter for Best Costume Design, Best Editing and Best Production Design. Rob Savage’s Dashcam took home Best Effects and there were also wins for Will Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain and Clio Barnard’s Ali & Ava. The remaining winners will be revealed at an in-person ceremony on Sunday December 5 in London’s Old Billingsgate.
‘Lupin’ Three Enters Production
Shooting on season three of Netflix’s hit French mystery thriller series Lupin has begun, with star Omar Sy and Netflix tweeting the news yesterday. Gaumont Télévision’s drama from George Kay and François Uzan centres around Assane Diop (Sy), a...
- 11/19/2021
- by Anuj Radia and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Venice Film Festival unveiled its award winners on Saturday night, and Jane Campion, Penélope Cruz and Maggie Gyllenhaal are among the award winners for the top prizes.
“Happening,” a French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion, and Paolo Sorrentino’s film “The Hand of God” won the second place prize, or the Silver Lion.
In the acting categories, Penélope Cruz won Best Actress for Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” and John Arcilla won Best Actor for “On the Job: The Missing 8.” Jane Campion won the Silver Lion for Best Director for her film “The Power of the Dog.”
Among some of the other winners, Maggie Gyllenhaal won Best Screenplay for her adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel “The Lost Daughter.” Gyllenhaal praised Campion and spoke about how watching “The Piano” inspired her as a storyteller. “The Hand of God” star Filippo Scotti also won the...
“Happening,” a French abortion drama from director Audrey Diwan, won the Golden Lion, and Paolo Sorrentino’s film “The Hand of God” won the second place prize, or the Silver Lion.
In the acting categories, Penélope Cruz won Best Actress for Pedro Almodovar’s “Parallel Mothers,” and John Arcilla won Best Actor for “On the Job: The Missing 8.” Jane Campion won the Silver Lion for Best Director for her film “The Power of the Dog.”
Among some of the other winners, Maggie Gyllenhaal won Best Screenplay for her adaptation of the Elena Ferrante novel “The Lost Daughter.” Gyllenhaal praised Campion and spoke about how watching “The Piano” inspired her as a storyteller. “The Hand of God” star Filippo Scotti also won the...
- 9/11/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
On a strong night for female filmmakers and Netflix releases, the Venice Film Festival has come to a close with a curveball, as breakout French director Audrey Diwan’s powerful abortion drama “Happening” beat big-name competition to the Golden Lion for best film. Diwan received the award from a jury presided over by Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon-ho.
Also on the jury, significantly, was last year’s Golden Lion champ, “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao. Diwan is only the sixth woman ever to take the festival’s top award; never before has the prize gone to female directors two years in a row. Coming on the heels of her compatriot Julia Ducournau’s groundbreaking Palme d’Or win at Cannes for “Titane,” Diwan’s triumph further points to an exciting new generation of female auteurs seizing the spotlight.
Among the films Diwan’s film beat to the punch were Netflix’s three big hopefuls from the competition,...
Also on the jury, significantly, was last year’s Golden Lion champ, “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao. Diwan is only the sixth woman ever to take the festival’s top award; never before has the prize gone to female directors two years in a row. Coming on the heels of her compatriot Julia Ducournau’s groundbreaking Palme d’Or win at Cannes for “Titane,” Diwan’s triumph further points to an exciting new generation of female auteurs seizing the spotlight.
Among the films Diwan’s film beat to the punch were Netflix’s three big hopefuls from the competition,...
- 9/11/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
This year’s Venice Film Festival is coming to a close after two weeks of in-person cinema on the Lido, which means it’s time for the annual fete to hand out its awards. IndieWire will be updating the winners list live as they are announced.
Categories including Volpi cups for Best Actor and Actress, the Silver Lion, and the Golden Lion, the festival’s top honor, and more.
Last year’s Golden Lion winner Chloe Zhao returned to Venice this year as a member of the competition jury, which is being presided over by “Parasite” Oscar winner Bong Joon Ho. The “Snowpiercer” and “Parasite” Oscar winner became the first person from South Korea to serve as the president of the film festival’s seven-person jury. Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera hailed Bong as “one of the most authentic and original voices in worldwide cinema.” Additional competition jurors were actor Virginie Efira,...
Categories including Volpi cups for Best Actor and Actress, the Silver Lion, and the Golden Lion, the festival’s top honor, and more.
Last year’s Golden Lion winner Chloe Zhao returned to Venice this year as a member of the competition jury, which is being presided over by “Parasite” Oscar winner Bong Joon Ho. The “Snowpiercer” and “Parasite” Oscar winner became the first person from South Korea to serve as the president of the film festival’s seven-person jury. Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera hailed Bong as “one of the most authentic and original voices in worldwide cinema.” Additional competition jurors were actor Virginie Efira,...
- 9/11/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
YouTube Names VP For Europe, Middle East & Africa
YouTube has appointed Pedro Pina as VP, YouTube, responsible for all aspects of the business across Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea). The exec arrives with 30 years of experienced in global marketing. He first joined Google in 2013 as leader in the Global Client & Agency Solutions team, working with clients including Apple and Coca Cola. In 2019, he was named one of the 10 most influential LGBTQ+ executives in the UK by the British LGBTQ+ awards. “I believe we have just scratched the surface when it comes to what YouTube can bring to people’s lives and to the world. The potential is limitless here in this region so the opportunity to lead the team to our next phase of growth was too good to miss,” said Pina.
Venice Unveils VR Program
The Venice Film Festival has rounded out its Virtual Reality selection with Venice VR Expanded titles announced today.
YouTube has appointed Pedro Pina as VP, YouTube, responsible for all aspects of the business across Europe, Middle East and Africa (Emea). The exec arrives with 30 years of experienced in global marketing. He first joined Google in 2013 as leader in the Global Client & Agency Solutions team, working with clients including Apple and Coca Cola. In 2019, he was named one of the 10 most influential LGBTQ+ executives in the UK by the British LGBTQ+ awards. “I believe we have just scratched the surface when it comes to what YouTube can bring to people’s lives and to the world. The potential is limitless here in this region so the opportunity to lead the team to our next phase of growth was too good to miss,” said Pina.
Venice Unveils VR Program
The Venice Film Festival has rounded out its Virtual Reality selection with Venice VR Expanded titles announced today.
- 7/29/2021
- by Tom Grater and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The third edition of the event brought together Vr professionals to discuss the challenges and possibilities of the medium. Before the festival's complete programme was brought to a halt last night due to the measures being taken against the coronavirus outbreak (read here), the tenth Luxembourg City Film Festival saw the third edition of the festival’s Vr Day take place as part of the festival’s Virtual Reality Pavilion in Neumünster Abbey. On Friday 6 March, the event brought together professionals from the Vr industry, who gathered to discuss the challenges, opportunities and trends at play in this still relatively young medium. The morning was taken up by several case studies demonstrating different approaches to the possibilities of Vr. The day opened with choreographer, dancer and film director Blanca Li presenting her project The Merry Widow, a collective and participative experience featuring dancers present both in the virtual and in the.
Blanca Li is a choreographer, film director, dancer and actress from Granada, Spain, with a resume that includes choreography for the Paris Opera Ballet, The Berlin Ballet, the Metropolitan Opera, as well as for filmmakers like Pedro Almodovar and Michel… Continue Reading →...
- 8/19/2016
- by shadowandact
- ShadowAndAct
Chicago – It’s the second week of the 31st edition of the Chicago Latino Film Festival which continues through Thursday, April 23rd, 2015. It concludes on that evening with the musical comedy film “Ciudad Delirio.” All films are at the AMC River East 21 in Chicago.
The energy has been strong so far throughout the festival, with filmmaker appearances, event receptions and representative films from all over the Latino world. The closing night film “Ciudad Delirio” will be followed by a reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Chicago. For details and to purchase tickets click here.
’Ciudad Delirio’ is the Closing Night Film at the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago Latino Film Festival
The Closing Night Capsule and the highlights of Week Two are as follows…
Closing Night: “Ciudad Delirio”
Thursday, April 23rd, 6pm
This delightfully romantic, highly energetic, and ultimately fun musical comedy proves that salsa is alive and well in Cali,...
The energy has been strong so far throughout the festival, with filmmaker appearances, event receptions and representative films from all over the Latino world. The closing night film “Ciudad Delirio” will be followed by a reception at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Chicago. For details and to purchase tickets click here.
’Ciudad Delirio’ is the Closing Night Film at the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago Latino Film Festival
The Closing Night Capsule and the highlights of Week Two are as follows…
Closing Night: “Ciudad Delirio”
Thursday, April 23rd, 6pm
This delightfully romantic, highly energetic, and ultimately fun musical comedy proves that salsa is alive and well in Cali,...
- 4/20/2015
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Benoît Jacquot's Farewell, My Queen (Les Adieux à la Reine) starring his leading ladies Léa Seydoux, Diane Kruger and Virginie Ledoyen
CinéSalon's Benoît Jacquot: Leading Ladies (March 3 - 24), curated by Delphine Selles-Alvarez at the French Institute Alliance Française in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York included screenings of The Disenchanted (La Désenchantée) starring Judith Godrèche, Marcel Bozonnet and Ivan Desny, introduced by Jacquot; A Single Girl (La Fille Seule) - Virginie Ledoyen, Benoît Magimel, Dominique Valadié introduced by choreographer Blanca Li, who has worked with Pedro Almodovar and Michel Gondry; Villa Amalia - Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Xavier Beauvois and À Tout De Suite - Isild Le Besco, Ouassini Embarek, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Laurence Cordier.
Léa Seydoux is lovely and tough as the reader and our heroine in Farewell, My Queen Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
On Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30pm, Eye For...
CinéSalon's Benoît Jacquot: Leading Ladies (March 3 - 24), curated by Delphine Selles-Alvarez at the French Institute Alliance Française in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Rendez-Vous with French Cinema in New York included screenings of The Disenchanted (La Désenchantée) starring Judith Godrèche, Marcel Bozonnet and Ivan Desny, introduced by Jacquot; A Single Girl (La Fille Seule) - Virginie Ledoyen, Benoît Magimel, Dominique Valadié introduced by choreographer Blanca Li, who has worked with Pedro Almodovar and Michel Gondry; Villa Amalia - Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Xavier Beauvois and À Tout De Suite - Isild Le Besco, Ouassini Embarek, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Laurence Cordier.
Léa Seydoux is lovely and tough as the reader and our heroine in Farewell, My Queen Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
On Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30pm, Eye For...
- 3/19/2015
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The 54th International Film Festival of Cartagena de Indias in Colombia has invited me to attend March 13 - 19, 2014.
One of Ficci's main goals is supporting the development of Colombian cinema. With that in mind, the festival will open with the world premiere of Ciudad Delirio, inviting the audience to get to know Cali, the only city in Latin America that loves all Latin American music, a center of creative development for Colombia's cinema, splendidly and authentically presented through the passion and flavor of salsa. Ficci is once again betting on the kind of cinema that speaks locally and globally, cinema that invites, seduces and embraces all kinds of audiences.
Starring Carolina Ramírez , Cauca Valley dancer and actress renown for her performance in soap operas such as La hija del mariachiand La Pola and Spaniard Julián Villagrán, winner of a Goya for his performance in Grupo 7, Ciudad Delirio also features Colombian actors of such caliber as Vicky Hernández Jorge Herrera , Margarita Ortega and John Alex Castillo. Thanks to a world-class team lead by Spanish dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Blanca Li, who has worked for The Berlin State Ballet, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé and Daft Punk, and by multiple time Salsa World Champion Viviana Vargas, Cartagena will get to experience the madness of one of the most sensual dances on earth.
Ciudad Delirio was produced by Diego F. Ramírez, head of 64-a Films in Colombia, which has produced such films as Perro come perro,Todos tus muertos, Dr. Alemán, En coma, and180 segundos and Spaniard Elena Manrique, founder of Film Fatal and renown for her production of movies such asEl laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth), El orfanato and Transsiberiano, to name just a few.
For seven weeks during the making of Ciudad delirio, 45 locations in Cali, Colombia and Madrid, Spain were overrun by salsa. More than 3,200 extras from Cauca Valley helped to tell this love story that revolves around the show Delirio, a long-standing cultural tradition in Sultana del Valle.
In Ciudad Delirio, Javier, a shy, reserved Spanish doctor, attends a medical conference in Cali, Colombia. There, through a chance meeting, he shares a magical night with Angie, a dancer and choreographer who dreams of being part of the world's most famous salsa show, Delirio, if only she can pass the audition. Javier and Angie begin an impossible romance full of obstacles, surrounded by salsa, and accompanied by a cast of characters that are as authentic as they are hilarious.
The festival's guest of honor will be the prolific British actor Clive Owen, who is known for his diverse roles in films like Closer Children of Men, and The International . The Latin American premier of his latest film, Guillaume Canet's Blood Ties (2013), will be a highlight of the Friday, March 14th event, taking place at 6:00 pm in the Adolfo Mejía Theater, where, after being presented with the India Catalina prize, the actor will be interviewed by Ficci's director, Monika Wagenberg.
Another special honoree will be Mexican director Alejando Gonazlez Iñárritu, who has garnered international acclaim throughout the years with films such as Amores Perros , 21 Grams , Babel, and Biutiful . Established within the film industry as one of Latin America's most important directors of the new century, Iñárritu is currently in-production for Birdman (2014), a film he wrote and directed starring Emma Stone and Edward Norton . Participants of the 54th Ficci will have the opportunity to attend the Tribute honoring this Academy Award-nominated filmmaker on Sunday, March 16th, as well as his Master class the following day during Salón Ficci – the festival's academic program.
In regards to the festival's line-up, it is interesting to note that several of the filmmakers that will take part in the Dramatic Competition are directors who have participated at Ficci with their previous films and have established themselves in the international festival circuit winning prestigious awards. Others will arrive to Cartagena for the first time with their operas primas.
"2014 promises to be a good year for Iberoamerican cinema and we are proud to feature several of the most recent films of the region in our Official Dramatic Competition, in which half of the chosen movies are Latin American Premieres (movies that come directly to Cartagena after their world premieres at Sundance and Berlin Festivals). Eight of the twelve films in the Colombian Official Competition (known before as Colombia al 100%) are World Premieres. This way, we have managed to achieve the goal we set four years ago: becoming the main national and international launching platform of local films", stated Ficci's Director Monika Wagenberg.
Wagenberg also addressed some chances in the festival's rules that will allow for more experience filmmakers to partake in the event.
"One of the big news of Ficci 54 is that this time we have not limited the Official Dramatic Competition to first, second and third time Ibero-American films. Ending this restriction will make possible for those directors from this region who are producing feature films at a fast pace not, to be excluded from the competition" Wagenberg added.
The Official Dramatic Competition will feature the Latin American premieres The Lock Charmer (El Cerrajero) by Natalia Smirnoff (Argentina), Natural Sciences (Ciencias Naturales) by Matías Lucchesi(Argentina), The Way He Looks (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho) by Daniel Ribeiro(Brazil), Celina Murga's Berlin Official Competition, The Three Sides of the River (La tercera orilla) (Argentina), recent Sundance and Rotterdam winner, To Kill a Man (Matar a un hombre) by Alejandro Fernández Almendras (Chile), Mateo, first film by Maria Gamboa (Colombia), and the world premiere of Dust on the Tongue (Tierra en la lengua) by Ruben Mendoza (Colombia).
This section also includes other outstanding films such as Bad Hair (Pelo malo), written and directed by Mariana Rondón (Venezuela) which comes to Ficci after its triumph at the San Sebastián Film Festival; The Mute (El Mudo), directed by brothers Daniel and Diego Vega (Perú), which had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival and are coming back to Ficci after competing winning Best Director award in 2010; premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and awarded the Concha de Plata for Best Director in San Sebastián, comes Club Sándwich by Fernando Eimbcke(México), and the 12th film in this section is Root (Raíz) by Matías Rojas Valencia (Chile), the winner of Best Chilean Film winner at the Valdivia Film Festival.
The Official Documentary Competition will showcase the world premieres of El color que cayó del cielo by Sergio Wolf (Argentina) and Heaven or Hell (Infierno o paraíso) de German Piffano(Colombia); as well as the Latin American premiere of The Silence of the Flies (El silencio de las moscas) by Eliezer Arias (Venezuela), Marmato by Mark Grieco (Colombia, USA), and Apples, Chickens and Chimeras (Manzanas, pollos y quimeras) de Inés París (España). The rest of the program includes Argentine Street Years (Años de calle) by Alejandra Grinschpun, I Feel Much Better Now (E-agora? Lembra me) by Joaquim Pinto(Portugal), Naomi Campbel by icolas Videla and Camila José Donoso (Chile), Cesar's Grill (El Grill de Cesar) by Dario Aguirre, I Will Be Murdered (Seré asesinado) by Justin Webster (Spain), Mexican documentary, Elevator (Elevador) by Adrián Ortizl and the most recent work by talented Brazilian documentary film director Maria Ramos , Hills of Pleasures (Morro dos Prazeres).
Lastly, in the Colombian Official Competition we will present the world premieres of Banished (Desterrada) by Diego Guerra, Manos sucias by Joseph Wladyka, Memorias del calavero and Tierra en la lengua by Rubén Mendoza, Monte adentro by Nicolás Macario Alonso, Parador Húngaro by Aseneth Suarez and Patrick Alexander, Infierno o paraíso by Germán Piffano; as well as the Latin American premieres of Inés, memorias de una vida by Luisa Sossa; Gente de papel, con el alma en la selva by Andrés Felipe Vásquez, Mateo by Maria Gamboa, Marmato by Mark Grieco and the Colombian premiere of Mambo Cool by Chris Gude.
One of Ficci's main goals is supporting the development of Colombian cinema. With that in mind, the festival will open with the world premiere of Ciudad Delirio, inviting the audience to get to know Cali, the only city in Latin America that loves all Latin American music, a center of creative development for Colombia's cinema, splendidly and authentically presented through the passion and flavor of salsa. Ficci is once again betting on the kind of cinema that speaks locally and globally, cinema that invites, seduces and embraces all kinds of audiences.
Starring Carolina Ramírez , Cauca Valley dancer and actress renown for her performance in soap operas such as La hija del mariachiand La Pola and Spaniard Julián Villagrán, winner of a Goya for his performance in Grupo 7, Ciudad Delirio also features Colombian actors of such caliber as Vicky Hernández Jorge Herrera , Margarita Ortega and John Alex Castillo. Thanks to a world-class team lead by Spanish dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Blanca Li, who has worked for The Berlin State Ballet, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé and Daft Punk, and by multiple time Salsa World Champion Viviana Vargas, Cartagena will get to experience the madness of one of the most sensual dances on earth.
Ciudad Delirio was produced by Diego F. Ramírez, head of 64-a Films in Colombia, which has produced such films as Perro come perro,Todos tus muertos, Dr. Alemán, En coma, and180 segundos and Spaniard Elena Manrique, founder of Film Fatal and renown for her production of movies such asEl laberinto del fauno (Pan's Labyrinth), El orfanato and Transsiberiano, to name just a few.
For seven weeks during the making of Ciudad delirio, 45 locations in Cali, Colombia and Madrid, Spain were overrun by salsa. More than 3,200 extras from Cauca Valley helped to tell this love story that revolves around the show Delirio, a long-standing cultural tradition in Sultana del Valle.
In Ciudad Delirio, Javier, a shy, reserved Spanish doctor, attends a medical conference in Cali, Colombia. There, through a chance meeting, he shares a magical night with Angie, a dancer and choreographer who dreams of being part of the world's most famous salsa show, Delirio, if only she can pass the audition. Javier and Angie begin an impossible romance full of obstacles, surrounded by salsa, and accompanied by a cast of characters that are as authentic as they are hilarious.
The festival's guest of honor will be the prolific British actor Clive Owen, who is known for his diverse roles in films like Closer Children of Men, and The International . The Latin American premier of his latest film, Guillaume Canet's Blood Ties (2013), will be a highlight of the Friday, March 14th event, taking place at 6:00 pm in the Adolfo Mejía Theater, where, after being presented with the India Catalina prize, the actor will be interviewed by Ficci's director, Monika Wagenberg.
Another special honoree will be Mexican director Alejando Gonazlez Iñárritu, who has garnered international acclaim throughout the years with films such as Amores Perros , 21 Grams , Babel, and Biutiful . Established within the film industry as one of Latin America's most important directors of the new century, Iñárritu is currently in-production for Birdman (2014), a film he wrote and directed starring Emma Stone and Edward Norton . Participants of the 54th Ficci will have the opportunity to attend the Tribute honoring this Academy Award-nominated filmmaker on Sunday, March 16th, as well as his Master class the following day during Salón Ficci – the festival's academic program.
In regards to the festival's line-up, it is interesting to note that several of the filmmakers that will take part in the Dramatic Competition are directors who have participated at Ficci with their previous films and have established themselves in the international festival circuit winning prestigious awards. Others will arrive to Cartagena for the first time with their operas primas.
"2014 promises to be a good year for Iberoamerican cinema and we are proud to feature several of the most recent films of the region in our Official Dramatic Competition, in which half of the chosen movies are Latin American Premieres (movies that come directly to Cartagena after their world premieres at Sundance and Berlin Festivals). Eight of the twelve films in the Colombian Official Competition (known before as Colombia al 100%) are World Premieres. This way, we have managed to achieve the goal we set four years ago: becoming the main national and international launching platform of local films", stated Ficci's Director Monika Wagenberg.
Wagenberg also addressed some chances in the festival's rules that will allow for more experience filmmakers to partake in the event.
"One of the big news of Ficci 54 is that this time we have not limited the Official Dramatic Competition to first, second and third time Ibero-American films. Ending this restriction will make possible for those directors from this region who are producing feature films at a fast pace not, to be excluded from the competition" Wagenberg added.
The Official Dramatic Competition will feature the Latin American premieres The Lock Charmer (El Cerrajero) by Natalia Smirnoff (Argentina), Natural Sciences (Ciencias Naturales) by Matías Lucchesi(Argentina), The Way He Looks (Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho) by Daniel Ribeiro(Brazil), Celina Murga's Berlin Official Competition, The Three Sides of the River (La tercera orilla) (Argentina), recent Sundance and Rotterdam winner, To Kill a Man (Matar a un hombre) by Alejandro Fernández Almendras (Chile), Mateo, first film by Maria Gamboa (Colombia), and the world premiere of Dust on the Tongue (Tierra en la lengua) by Ruben Mendoza (Colombia).
This section also includes other outstanding films such as Bad Hair (Pelo malo), written and directed by Mariana Rondón (Venezuela) which comes to Ficci after its triumph at the San Sebastián Film Festival; The Mute (El Mudo), directed by brothers Daniel and Diego Vega (Perú), which had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival and are coming back to Ficci after competing winning Best Director award in 2010; premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival and awarded the Concha de Plata for Best Director in San Sebastián, comes Club Sándwich by Fernando Eimbcke(México), and the 12th film in this section is Root (Raíz) by Matías Rojas Valencia (Chile), the winner of Best Chilean Film winner at the Valdivia Film Festival.
The Official Documentary Competition will showcase the world premieres of El color que cayó del cielo by Sergio Wolf (Argentina) and Heaven or Hell (Infierno o paraíso) de German Piffano(Colombia); as well as the Latin American premiere of The Silence of the Flies (El silencio de las moscas) by Eliezer Arias (Venezuela), Marmato by Mark Grieco (Colombia, USA), and Apples, Chickens and Chimeras (Manzanas, pollos y quimeras) de Inés París (España). The rest of the program includes Argentine Street Years (Años de calle) by Alejandra Grinschpun, I Feel Much Better Now (E-agora? Lembra me) by Joaquim Pinto(Portugal), Naomi Campbel by icolas Videla and Camila José Donoso (Chile), Cesar's Grill (El Grill de Cesar) by Dario Aguirre, I Will Be Murdered (Seré asesinado) by Justin Webster (Spain), Mexican documentary, Elevator (Elevador) by Adrián Ortizl and the most recent work by talented Brazilian documentary film director Maria Ramos , Hills of Pleasures (Morro dos Prazeres).
Lastly, in the Colombian Official Competition we will present the world premieres of Banished (Desterrada) by Diego Guerra, Manos sucias by Joseph Wladyka, Memorias del calavero and Tierra en la lengua by Rubén Mendoza, Monte adentro by Nicolás Macario Alonso, Parador Húngaro by Aseneth Suarez and Patrick Alexander, Infierno o paraíso by Germán Piffano; as well as the Latin American premieres of Inés, memorias de una vida by Luisa Sossa; Gente de papel, con el alma en la selva by Andrés Felipe Vásquez, Mateo by Maria Gamboa, Marmato by Mark Grieco and the Colombian premiere of Mambo Cool by Chris Gude.
- 2/27/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this week
Theatre
• Reasons to be Cheerful
Raucous, rude and really rather joyful, the Graeae theatre company's musical – set in 1979 as Thatcher comes to power, and inspired by the music of Ian Dury – is terrific fun. It's good to have it back. New Wolsey, Ipswich (01473 295 900), until 18 February, then touring.
• The Recruiting Officer
Josie Rourke's first show as the Donmar's new artistic director is a revival of an early 18th-century comedy. Mackenzie Crook, Mark Gatiss and Nancy Carroll are part of a strong cast. All eyes will be watching. Donmar, London WC2 (0844 871 7624), until 14 April.
Film
• A Dangerous Method (dir. David Cronenberg)
Freud, Jung and their patient-acquaintance Sabina Spielrein ignite psychological problems. On general release.
Dance
• Blanca Li...
• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments below
Opening this week
Theatre
• Reasons to be Cheerful
Raucous, rude and really rather joyful, the Graeae theatre company's musical – set in 1979 as Thatcher comes to power, and inspired by the music of Ian Dury – is terrific fun. It's good to have it back. New Wolsey, Ipswich (01473 295 900), until 18 February, then touring.
• The Recruiting Officer
Josie Rourke's first show as the Donmar's new artistic director is a revival of an early 18th-century comedy. Mackenzie Crook, Mark Gatiss and Nancy Carroll are part of a strong cast. All eyes will be watching. Donmar, London WC2 (0844 871 7624), until 14 April.
Film
• A Dangerous Method (dir. David Cronenberg)
Freud, Jung and their patient-acquaintance Sabina Spielrein ignite psychological problems. On general release.
Dance
• Blanca Li...
- 2/13/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
DVD Playhouse—March 2011
By
Allen Gardner
127 Hours (20th Century Fox) Harrowing true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco, in another fine turn), an extreme outdoorsman who finds himself trapped in a remote Utah canyon, his arm pinned between two boulders, with no help nearby, no communication to the outside world, and dim prospects for survival, to say the least. Director Danny Boyle manages to prove again that he’s one of the finest filmmakers working today by making a subject that is seemingly uncinematic a true example of pure cinema. Inventive, breathtaking, funny, and horrifying, often all at once. Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara make a memorable, brief appearance as hikers who connect with Ralston during his journey. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Boyle, producer Christian Colson, co-writer Simon Beaufoy; Deleted scenes; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Amarcord (Criterion) Federico Fellini’s Oscar-winning, autobiographical classic might...
By
Allen Gardner
127 Hours (20th Century Fox) Harrowing true story of Aron Ralston (James Franco, in another fine turn), an extreme outdoorsman who finds himself trapped in a remote Utah canyon, his arm pinned between two boulders, with no help nearby, no communication to the outside world, and dim prospects for survival, to say the least. Director Danny Boyle manages to prove again that he’s one of the finest filmmakers working today by making a subject that is seemingly uncinematic a true example of pure cinema. Inventive, breathtaking, funny, and horrifying, often all at once. Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara make a memorable, brief appearance as hikers who connect with Ralston during his journey. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Commentary by Boyle, producer Christian Colson, co-writer Simon Beaufoy; Deleted scenes; Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.
Amarcord (Criterion) Federico Fellini’s Oscar-winning, autobiographical classic might...
- 3/1/2011
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
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