Posts Tagged ‘preview’

Though the name unfortunately prompts most to lyricise about frozen peas, the Birds Eye View festival is rapidly becoming a significant event in the international film calendar. March 2010 marks the launch of the sixth film festival, created to encourage and promote the work of women filmmakers from all over the world. Totalling only 7% of directors – a woman is yet to win the Best Director Oscar – and 12% of writers, females are very much a minority behind the scenes of the film industry. The aim of the festival is, in the words of actor Fiona Shaw, to make women “subjects, not objects.”

For me, the highlight will certainly be Lottie Reineger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed, based on various tales from 1001 Arabian Nights. Written and directed by Reineger, this German film is the first feature-length animation: made in 1926, a full eleven years before Walt Disney got in on the act with Snow White. Using silhouette animation, it was painstakingly shot frame by frame. The result is beautiful – though a simple technique, the puppets are incredibly detailed, and create an eerie fairytale quality that is still homaged today.

There are a number of contemporary feature films being shown throughout the festival. Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It will close proceedings on a high. This roller derby comedy stars Juno’s Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis and Barrymore herself and will be shown on 11^th March.

From a Whisper, by Wanuri Kahiu, set in Nairobi after the 1998 US embassy bombing, examines the lives of ordinary Kenyans and their responses to this event. Jessica Hausner’s Lourdes follows a disabled woman’s pilgrimage and seemingly miraculous recovery, while Amreeka shows us a Palestinian mother and son trying to make a new life in Illinois.

Other features include Mall Girls by Katarzyna Toslaniec, and Mia Hansen Løve’s The Father of My Children. The latter is screened as part of Birds Eye View’s ‘First Weekenders Club,’ which runs throughout the year. Audiences are encouraged to attend films in the all-important first weekend, when box office success is absolutely key to the longevity of a film.

The retrospective, ‘Blonde Crazy’ at BFI Southbank looks at ‘cliché-busting performances’: from Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, to Sharon Stone’s memorable role in Basic Instinct. Some early silent movies, such as the original Chicago are also included, with brand new live scores by contemporary female composers Patti Plinko, Jane Gardner and Gwyneth Herbert. Birds Eye View’s ‘Sounds and Silents’ events continue this theme, and in May, a season of silent films will be presented.

In addition to the fiction, there’s also a documentary strand. Highlights include Sundance award winner Rough Aunties by Kim Longinotto, examining a group of women who care for abused and abandoned children in South Africa. Junior by Jenna Rosher looks at the intricacies of the mother/son relationship, and She is the Matador tells the intriguing history of female matadors.

For those into music, there’s ‘Music Loves Video,’ a video showcase examining the work of female directors, hosted by journalist Miranda Sawyer, while ‘Fashion Loves Film’ looks at the work of designers and photographers. This includes a film featuring Lady Gaga – whose increasingly bizarre outfits should certainly be worthy of discussion!

In conjunction with The Script Factory, the ‘She Writes’ programme hopes to provide mentors, training and support to eight new female screenwriters, helping them develop a screenplay into a commercial success. The eight chosen will be announced at the festival. There’s still time to apply – submissions close on 29^th January.

Whether male or female, film buff or newcomer, there’s enough going on to keep anyone entertained, and it’s certainly a brilliant initiative to support. Even the most ardent misogynist will find something here to enjoy, so bring some popcorn and have a well-deserved rest from essays.

The Birds Eye View festival runs from 4^th-12^th March at venues across London. For more information, visit www.birds-eye-view.co.uk.

Renée Zellweger stars as a social worker trying to help a spooky little girl who seems to be hounded by all manner of creepy badness in new horror film, Case 39. See www.case39movie.co.uk for more details and a trailer.

Our good friends at First 4 Movies have offered you the reader the opportunity to see this film for free and before anyone else at one of the following cinemas:

• Whiteleys Odeon, Whiteleys of Bayswater, Queensway, London, W2 4YL
• The Rotunda, Clarence Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1QP
• Lee Valley Odeon, Lee Valley Picketts Lock Lane, Edmonton, London, N9 0AS
• Greenwich Odeon, Bugsby’s Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0QJ

All you need to do is pop over to www.first4movies.com , stick in this code: 41328 and follow the on screen instructions. Simples. All screenings take place at 6pm on 25^th February.

Case 39 is rated certificate 15 and is on general release from March 5^th.

Thanks to F4M and paramount Pictures UK.

Copyright  © 2009 by PARAMOUNT PICTURES.  All Rights Reserved.

Case 39

Though the name unfortunately prompts most to lyricise about frozen peas, the Birds Eye View festival is rapidly becoming a significant event in the international film calendar. March 2010 marks the launch of the sixth film festival, created to encourage and promote the work of women filmmakers from all over the world. Totalling only 7% of directors – a woman is yet to win the Best Director Oscar – and 12% of writers, females are very much a minority behind the scenes of the film industry. The aim of the festival is, in the words of actor Fiona Shaw, to make women “subjects, not objects.”

 For me, the highlight will certainly be Lottie Reineger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed, based on various tales from 1001 Arabian Nights. Written and directed by Reineger, this German film is the first feature-length animation: made in 1926, a full eleven years before Walt Disney got in on the act with Snow White. Using silhouette animation, it was painstakingly shot frame by frame. The result is beautiful – though a simple technique, the puppets are incredibly detailed, and create an eerie fairytale quality that is still homaged today.

 There are a number of contemporary feature films being shown throughout the festival. Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, Whip It will close proceedings on a high. This roller derby comedy stars Juno’s Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis and Barrymore herself and will be shown on 11^th March.

 From a Whisper, by Wanuri Kahiu, set in Nairobi after the 1998 US embassy bombing, examines the lives of ordinary Kenyans and their responses to this event. Jessica Hausner’s Lourdes follows a disabled woman’s pilgrimage and seemingly miraculous recovery, while Amreeka shows us a Palestinian mother and son trying to make a new life in Illinois.

 Other features include Mall Girls by Katarzyna Toslaniec, and Mia Hansen Løve’s The Father of My Children. The latter is screened as part of Birds Eye View’s ‘First Weekenders Club,’ which runs throughout the year. Audiences are encouraged to attend films in the all-important first weekend, when box office success is absolutely key to the longevity of a film.

 The retrospective, ‘Blonde Crazy’ at BFI Southbank looks at ‘cliché-busting performances’: from Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, to Sharon Stone’s memorable role in Basic Instinct. Some early silent movies, such as the original Chicago are also included, with brand new live scores by contemporary female composers Patti Plinko, Jane Gardner and Gwyneth Herbert. Birds Eye View’s ‘Sounds and Silents’ events continue this theme, and in May, a season of silent films will be presented.

 In addition to the fiction, there’s also a documentary strand. Highlights include Sundance award winner Rough Aunties by Kim Longinotto, examining a group of women who care for abused and abandoned children in South Africa. Junior by Jenna Rosher looks at the intricacies of the mother/son relationship, and She is the Matador tells the intriguing history of female matadors.

 For those into music, there’s ‘Music Loves Video,’ a video showcase examining the work of female directors, hosted by journalist Miranda Sawyer, while ‘Fashion Loves Film’ looks at the work of designers and photographers. This includes a film featuring Lady Gaga – whose increasingly bizarre outfits should certainly be worthy of discussion!

 In conjunction with The Script Factory, the ‘She Writes’ programme hopes to provide mentors, training and support to eight new female screenwriters, helping them develop a screenplay into a commercial success. The eight chosen will be announced at the festival.

 Whether male or female, film buff or newcomer, there’s enough going on to keep anyone entertained, and it’s certainly a brilliant initiative to support. Even the most ardent misogynist will find something here to enjoy, so bring some popcorn and have a well-deserved rest from essays.

The Birds Eye View festival runs from 4^th-12^th March at venues across London. For more information, visit www.birds-eye-view.co.uk.