Friday, December 24, 2004

TCM IN 2005

TCM presents 28 DAYS OF OSCAR®, its annual tribute to Hollywood's biggest event of the year, The 77th Academy Awards® Ceremony - OSCAR® night.

The month-long season, airs every day in February, from 1:00pm until 9:00pm and features the biggest stars, the best films and the most gifted directors who have either won or been nominated for an OSCAR® over the years.

For the second year running, Stephen Fry is hosting the Oscar season and introduces some of his personal favourites from the illustrious list of winners and nominees.

The season includes the PREMIERE of Woody Allen's Radio Days (1st Feb at 21:00) and Broadway Danny Rose (12th Feb at 21:00), The Morning After (23rd Feb at 21:00) and When We Were Kings- the documentary on the 1974 fight between George Foreman and Muhammed Ali (28th Feb at 21:00).

For information on TCM see www.tcmonline.co.uk
ELVIS ON TCM

On 8th January, Elvis Presley would have turned 70, as a tribute to one of the most influential singers of the 20th century and undoubtedly, The King of Rock n Roll, film channel TCM (Turner Classic Movies) is showing a double bill of Elvis movies as well as exclusive documentaries featuring friends and fans who talk about the inspirational man.

ELVIS - Still The King, airs every Saturday in January from 15:00, including Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas, Elvis: That's The Way It Is, and interviews with TV presenter Cat Deeley, Kurt Russell, David Stanley (Elvis' Stepbrother) and Joe Esposito (Elvis' Road Manager).

UNHOLY TRINITY!

Titan unleashes three fantastic Constantine: Hellblazer graphic novels, just in time for the Constantine movie, starring Keanu Reeves!

TITLE : CONSTANTINE: ALL HIS ENGINES
AUTHORS: MIKE CAREY & LEONARDO MANCO
PRICE: £19.99
ISBN: 1 84023 966 2
FORMAT: HARDBACK
RELEASE DATE: 21 JANUARY 2005

When a worldwide plague puts millions into comas – including the granddaughter of Chas Chandler, one of the Hellblazer’s closest friends - John Constantine steps in with the "cure." However, in scratching the surface of a seemingly personal tragedy, he finds a mad demon in a body woven out of cancer cells, and a plot to build franchised Hells in the cities of men! To rescue a single innocent child from the clutches of evil, both John and Chas will have to face temptations they never dreamed of, forging alliances with monsters every bit as terrible as the ones they're fighting…

From Mike Carey, fan-favourite writer of Lucifer, Hellblazer and Inferno, and acclaimed artist Leonardo Manco comes an epic tale of horror, friendship and the ultimate in high-stakes gambling!

TITLE: CONSTANTINE: HELLBLAZER – RARE CUTS
AUTHORS: GRANT MORRISON, GARTH ENNIS, DAVID LLOYD, SEAN PHILLIPS & VARIOUS
PRICE: £9.99
ISBN: 1 84023 974 3
FORMAT: PAPERBACK
RELEASE DATE: 21 JANUARY 2005

Rare Cuts assembles six spellbinding stories that have never been collected before, including the horrifying events of Newcastle, 1978, that ended with the loss of an innocent soul and Constantine confined to an asylum as well as, amongst others, a tale of Constantine’s rough-and-tumble childhood.

Created by some of the most popular and critically-acclaimed comics writers and artists, Rare Cuts is an essential read for both long-term followers of Hellblazer and those new to Constantine’s universe! Includes a Constantine timeline and a map of Constantine’s London!


TITLE: CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER COLLECTION
AUTHORS: NEIL GAIMAN, GARTH ENNIS, JIMMY PALMIOTTI, DAVE MCKEAN & VARIOUS
PRICE: £9.99
ISBN: 1 84023 979 4
FORMAT: PAPERBACK
RELEASE DATE: 25 FEBRUARY 2005

The official adaptation of the upcoming Constantine movie!

Doomed by his own hand to an afterlife in Hell, John Constantine has dedicated his life to ridding the world of its demonic influence in the faint hope of redemption. Using his knowledge of the occult, his wits, and a few items of choice customized weaponry, he wages a war against the demons among us. With his time cut short by a case of terminal lung cancer, and with the help of bereaved police officer Angela Dodson, Constantine confronts the agents of darkness in an apocalyptic battle to the death!

Also featuring three pivotal issues of Hellblazer which introduce the character of John Constantine — issues #1, #27 and #42 — this is one collection you cannot afford to miss!

Constantine the movie (due to be released in March 2005) starring Keanu Reeves is based on the Hellblazer comics series published by Titan, with over 35,000 copies sold.

Advance praise for the movie: “Astonishing... Constantine’s looking pretty damned good” — Empire.

Praise for Hellblazer: “The best thing on the UK comics scene since Alan Moore.” — SFX Magazine

“Constantine’s brand of South London suss, arcane knowledge and somewhat dubious morality proved an instant hit with readers.” — Melody Maker

“John Constantine is the most human character in mainstream comics today... A journey you can’t afford to miss.” — Neil Gaiman, author of The Sandman

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

PRIVATE MOMENTS

London’s answer to Sex and the City

The humour of Sex and the City meets the fantasy of Red Shoe Diaries in the sassy, sensual new film Private Moments

Serena Call (Judi Shekoni) is having a bad day. She’s just turned a year older, her love life is non-existent, and her job as host for London’s lowest-rated night time talk show is in serious jeopardy. Serena’s got one week to come up with an idea to boost the stations sagging ratings, or it’s off to the unemployment line.

What’s a girl to do? Why, turn to her friends, of course! An impromptu birthday party and several bottles of wine lead to a night of sinful confessions for these four funny, sexy ladies. From titillating talk in a corner phone booth to a sensual rendezvous on a moving underground train, these ladies share their sexiest, most private moments.

It turns out that they are not alone in this desire. Serena returns to the air with a new style, new sense of purpose, and a new direction for the show. Re-dubbed “Private Moments, Public Places”, she finds that there are as many sexy stories in the city after dark, as there are women who want to tell them.

Cast

Jason Connery; son of actors Sean Connery and Diane Cilento, London-born Jason inaugurated his own film career in 1982 with The Lords of Discipline. His next film was The Boy Who Had Everything (1983), which was critically acclaimed. He also starred in Robin of Sherwood, a well-distributed BBC television series of the late 1980s. In 1990, Jason Connery was wittily cast in the title role in the made-for-cable The Secret Life of Ian Fleming, a fanciful biography of the author/adventurer whose "James Bond" novels had helped catapult Sean Connery to fame. also regarded by many as the greatest living theatre practitioner.

Luke Goss; as part of the pop duo Bros, Luke received the Brit award for best newcomer and has now established a successful acting career and appeared in a number of TV productions and films including Frankenstein.

Catalina Guirado; British model first found fame on "TFI Friday" as Chris Evan's gorgeous sidekick. She has since been highly in demand as a model and appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Series 2. Filming work has included a highly publicised appearance on the Osbournes and a Channel 4 documentary Summer In St Tropez.

Natasja Vermeer; a French actress who has played Emmanuelle a record seven times in the internationally successful series.

Judi Shekoni; a gorgeous model, TV presenter and actress who has appeared in Eastenders and Casualty.

Aruna Shields; sassy new British Asian actress who has starred in an array of Bollywood movies.

Director, Jag Mundhra has been making films since 1980 and has directed twenty four feature films in the past twenty years. Jag has received critical acclaim and several international and national awards for his sensitive and committed portrayal of true-life stories in his films Kamla, Bawandar, Night Eyes, Improper Conduct.

Producer Sunanda Murali Manohar has a high profile roster of films to her name including, Jungle Boy, Inferno, Tropical Heat, Indian Summer, Blood Stone, Jeans and Backwaters starring Tamzin Outhwaite, Jason Fleming and Nicholas Irons.

Private Moments will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Monday, December 20, 2004

The Classic Movies Weekly Newsletter
December 19, 2004


This week: My annual (and once again updated) list of favorite Christmas films! Plus new DVD releases and a new list of Best New Links.


--------------- New/Updated Features --------------

**Favorite Holiday Movies**
My annual list of favorite Christmas films, updated with a few new ones.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/6f7217d683/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Edward G. Robinson**
He was a Romanian Jew with an English-sounding name who gained fame by creating the prototypical Italian gangster. He was also the best actor who never won an Oscar. A brand new (and overdue) salute on what would have been Eddie's 111th birthday.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/2f0f22637c/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Frank Sinatra**
An update to our original tribute to Frank Sinatra, the Chairman of the Board and an underrated actor, written at the time of his death in 1998.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/db05d98ec5/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Kirk Douglas**
A birthday tribute to the ultimate "tough guy," both on and off screen.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/5d502a0926/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A Tribute to Walt Disney**
Originally written to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of the man who turned animation into a genuine movie art form and entertained several generations of children and adults, and whose legacy continues today.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/8aae422d32/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- New on DVD -------------------

"Mary Poppins" (40th Anniversary Edition) (1964) - Julie Andrews won an Oscar in her film debut as the "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" nanny who brings magic and joy to the Banks family in turn-of-the-century
London. Fanciful adaptation of P.L. Travers' books co-stars Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns and Ed Wynn. The score by Richard and Robert Sherman includes "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Let's Go Fly a Kite," "Chim Chim Cher-ee."
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/e345f14a3d/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

"Love Me Tender" (1956) - Elvis Presley's first movie finds him as a farm boy romancing his presumed-dead brother's fiancee during the Civil War. Songs include "Poor Boy," "We're Gonna Move" and the title tune. With Debra Paget, Richard Egan.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/b9581a6894/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

"Godzilla" Collector's Box Set (3-Pack) - Three-disc boxed set includes "Godzilla vs. Hedorah," "Godzilla vs. Gigan," and "Godzilla" (1998).
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/0d5b12212a/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- Best New Links ------------------

Here's a selection of the best new links (new to us, anyway) added to the Classic Movies site this week (the first three are brand new):

**A Day on the Internet - This brand new tribute to the Marx Brothers by Steven Bailey is dedicated to the long-suffering Margaret Dumont.
**Authorized Tribute to Noah Dietrich - Lynn Dougherty presents the only official and authorized Web site celebrating the life and career of Noah
Dietrich, who was chairman of the Board of RKO pictures.
**Lana Turner Online - Liza Waldman's new tribute to the poor kid from Idaho, who never had a bicycle or any toys to play with, who grew up to be a lady they called "LANA."
**OpenFlix - A directory of movies commonly thought to be in the public domain, plus works their owners are willing to let be distributed.
**The Ultimate Gangster and Crime Film Web Site - Nice-looking site includes a comprehensive list of gangster and crime films, including a separate listing of Prohibition films, a bibliography, poster collection, and listing of actors who appeared in the films.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/cda2d8e2fc/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


--------------- Find What You Want ------------

**Recommended Resources**
My personal recommendations for all kinds of Web resources that will help you save money on videos, DVDs, books, posters, and more, plus help you make money if you're so inclined.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/4c00123634/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classic Movies Feature Articles**
Humor, interviews, special tributes, quizzes, and more, all on the subject of classic Hollywood films.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/560193e8fe/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Net Links**
The most extensive collection of classic movies links on the Web, arranged by subject matter, with content descriptions.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/0546eaa06c/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classic Movies Sound Files**
A large and growing collection of sound files in wav format from classic and not-so-classic films.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/fc253d9f98/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**A to Z List**
A master A to Z list of over 700 films, from "8-1/2" to "Zulu," with many more to come, all with links to help you buy them at the best prices from Movies Unlimited or Amazon.com.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/3764a71ca1/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**The Classic Movies Forum**
Stop by today and ask a question, start a poll, make a bold statement, or just see what's there. Warning: It can become addictive.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/d56b6bd565/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classified Ads**
Now anyone can place a classified ad on this site for only $5 a month, on almost any subject. You can even run it for free for a couple of days and see how you like it before paying.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/d240448fce/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classic Movies Bookstore**
A listing of movie-related books, with brief reviews and links to help you find them. Your reviews are welcome, too.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/9fad697208/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classic Movies Video Store**
Choose from thousands of titles at great prices! VHS or DVD.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/12ac7782ef/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7

**Classic Movies Poster Store**
Nothing but reprints of posters from older films, plus links to help you find whatever you desire from the Web's best poster store.
http://r.vresp.com/?ClassicMovies/3a1968d2bf/266129/6108ff7f32/7a363d7


----------------Parting Words -------------------

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate the holiday!

Next week: An updated tribute to Ava Gardner.

Brad Lang
Classic Movies
classicmovies.org

Copyright 2004 Brad Lang
ISSN: 1520-2739
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Friday, December 17, 2004

34th International Film Festival Rotterdam
January 26 - February 6, 2005


- Tiger Cub Awards Competition for short films
- Filmmaker in Focus en theme section from Russia
- IFFR welcomes Tiscali as main sponsor

The International Film Festival Rotterdam introduces the Tiger Cub Awards Competition for short films. Three winners will be chosen by a jury to receive the equal Tiger Cub Awards. The Rotterdam programme will have a Russian strand with the selection of Yevgeni Yufit as Filmmaker in Focus and with the theme section 'Near Past and Near Future: Russian Parallel Cinema'. During IFFR 2005, new Dutch films by, among others Vincent Monnikendam, Colette Bothof, Erik van Zuylen, Eugenie Jansen and Kees Hin will see their world premieres. Tiscali is the new and third main sponsor of IFFR.

Tiger Cub Awards Competition
Next to its VPRO Tiger Awards Competition for first or second feature length films, IFFR introduces the Tiger Cub Awards Competition for short films. For many editions, the short film has been an integral part of the festival programme. In the IFFR programme section Shorts!, the festival screens compilations by theme, country or film-makers. For the new Tiger Cub Awards Competition, thirty short films up till thirty minutes will be selected. All must be receiving their world-, European or international premieres in Rotterdam. A jury will choose three winning short films from the competition selection. The three Tiger Cub Awards will come with a prize of Euro 3,000. The short films in Competition will be revealed by the first week of January 2005.

Filmmaker in Focus: Yevgeni Yufit
Russian filmmaker and photographer Yevgeni Yufit (1961, Saint Petersburg) has been selected as IFFR 2005 Filmmaker in Focus. The festival honours Yufit with the screening of four feature films (including his latest film BIPEDALISM as world premiere), eight short films and a photo exhibition. After finishing his studies in mechanical engineering in 1983, Yufit took film lessons from Aleksandr Sokurov. Yufit went on founding the film studio Mzhalalafilm and started making experimental films. He was the founding father of the 'Necrorealism' movement in Saint Petersburg that includes filmmakers, photographers, painters and writers. Manifesting themselves by the beginning of the Eighties, death as a physical reality became a principal theme in their works. IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund has supported his BIPEDALISM (2005). Yufit's works had considerable influence on a later generation of Russian progressive filmmakers and artists. One of the IFFR 2005 theme programmes will be 'Near Past and Near Future' devoted to a choice of feature and short films from this 'Parallel Cinema' movement.

Near Past and Near Future: Russian Parallel Cinema
The rise of what in Russia is known as 'Parallel Cinema' (which includes Yufit's 'Necrorealism') is closely connected to the 'perestrojka' period and the desintegration of the former USSR. 'Parallel' meaning that these films were made and screened without official support or consent of the authorities. A second generation, now including artists, performers, musicians, photographers, writers and journalists continued the Parallel Cinema throughout the Nineties. In and around Moscow, they now have a network of own festivals, production platforms, websites, films and film stars. IFFR focuses the attention on eight feature films and five short films from this widespread alternative circuit. Themes and forms of these films vary from the very Russian 4 by Ilya Khrzhanovky, the anti-Chechen war drama ZELENIY SLONIK (GREEN ELEPHANT) by Svetlana Baskova to the bizarre comedy IVAN DURAK (IVAN THE IDIOT) van Alexandr Doulerain & Sergei Koryagin.

Dutch films in world premiere
The following Dutch films will see their world premieres during the upcoming International Film Festival Rotterdam: ZIELEN VAN NAPELS (SOULS OF NAPLES) by Vincent Monnikendam, VOORLAND by Eugenie Jansen, HET MYSTERIE VAN DE SARDINE (THE MYSTERY OF THE SARDINE) by Erik van Zuylen, CINEMA INVISIBLE: HET BOEK (CINEMA INVISIBLE: THE BOOK) by Kees Hin, BROSSA by Digna Sinke and Colette Bothof's début feature film ZWARTE ZWANEN (BLACK SWANS). ALIAS KURBAN SAÏD by Jos de Putter gets its European bow. After the Dutch internet release in December 2004, 0605 by Theo van Gogh gets its screen premiere during the festival.

Tiscali new main IFFR sponsor
The IFFR welcomes Tiscali as new main sponsor of the festival, joining Dutch national newspaper de Volkskrant and Dutch public network VPRO. Supporting IFFR, European internet communications company Tiscali states "does fit in with Tiscali's strategy to strengthen the versatile functions of internet within the world of film."


The 34th International Film Festival Rotterdam takes place from Wednesday January 26 till Sunday February 6, 2005. The festival programme will be published on Thursday January 20, 2005 as a supplement to Dutch national newspaper de Volkskrant and may be found online the same date on www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com.


VPRO Tiger Awards Competition
The heart of the IFFR: about 15 first or second features battle for the three equal Tiger Awards. The complete selection of competition films will be announced in early January.

Cinema of the Future: Sturm und Drang
The programme section Sturm und Drang comprises features and documentaries, most of them by young film makers who are investigating new angles on cinematography. The film makers have one thing in common: they display an urge to innovate and seek ways to narrate and portray. This makes Sturm und Drang a series of filmic surprises and a source of discoveries. Among the films you can see in this section are: SZEZON (EASTERN SUGAR) by Ferenc Török (Hungary), LOS MUERTOS by Lisandro Alonso (Argentina), GUI YEO WO (SO CUTE) by Kim Soo-Huyn (South Korea) and ABSOLUT by Romed Wyder (Switzerland).

Cinema of the World: Time & Tide
The heartbeat of the world can be felt in the programme section Time & Tide. Here, the IFFR presents features and documentaries that reveal the social political and cultural commitment of the makers. Young talent is combined with experience. In these films, the makers look around, reflect on social processes, tell personal stories or adopt a position on what fascinates them. These films take the viewer on journeys to cities, landscapes, borders, homes and their stories. Among the films in this programme: DASTANEH NATAMAN (STORY UNDONE) by Hassan Yektapanah (Iran), SAN ZIMSKE NOCI (MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM) by Goran Paskaljevic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and ETT HÅL I MITT HJÄRTA (A HOLE IN MY HEART) by Lukas Moodysson (Sweden).

Maestros: Kings & Aces
The programme section Kings and Aces is the domain of the masters of authors' cinema. In their latest works, we recognise here the signature and style of experienced film makers and hence also well-known names from previous festivals. Here you can find the film makers whose oeuvre is followed by the IFFR and who display the hand of a master, not hindered by their age, be it young or old. It is no coincidence that these are often inspiring examples for a new generation of film makers (and film fans). This section includes new films by Hong Sang-Soo (WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MEN, South Korea), Wong Kar-wai (2046, Hong Kong), Claire Denis (L'INTRUS, France), Olivier Assayas (CLEAN, France), Kim Ki-Duk (BIN-JIP and THE SAMARITAN GIRL, South Korea) and Kira Muratova (TUNER, Ukraine).

Cinema Regained
In Cinema Regained, every film lover can enjoy films and documentaries about film (makers) and rare recently restored jewels from film history. These include seven features from the director Uchida Tomu, who is scarcely known outside Japan, Sam Fuller's restored epic THE BIG RED ONE, a series of short films by the American experimental film maker Owen Land (aka George Landow) and I DIED IN CHILDHOOD…, a documentary about Sergei Paradjanov.

Tiger Cub Awards Competition
In order to focus extra attention on short films and their makers, for the first time in 2005 the IFFR is presenting a short film competition. From the most recent short films - films should have their European, international or world première in Rotterdam - thirty will be specially selected for the Tiger Cub Awards Competition.

Short!
Short films, in compilation programmes or screened before features, have always formed an important part of the IFFR. The selection varies from Italian Minimalism to Armenian poetry, from experimental video to advanced animation. For instance, there are two compilation programmes with (experimental) short films from Croatia and neighbouring areas. Some of these films were made during the war in former Yugoslavia, such as LETTER, or have the war as their subject, such as DAS LIED IST AUS. But the programme also includes the Golden Palm winner (for the short film), the Romanian film TRAFFIC by Catalin Mitulescu, in which a businessman thinks of something worthwhile to do during his 20-minute break.

Film makers & Artist in Focus
IFFR 2005 honours three film makers by screening a selection from their oeuvre. By Benoit Jacquot (France) there are features (including film versions of literary works, theatre and opera) and several films especially made for television. The festival is showing features and short films by the 'necrorealist' Yevgeni Yufit (Russia). The Artist in Focus is the video artist Anri Sala (Albania/France). He will be putting on an exhibition during IFFR 2005 in the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum and in TENT.; more of his work can be seen in the film theatres.

S.E.A. Eyes
This theme programme uses features and short films to provide us with a cinematographic map of Southeast Asia. IFFR programmer Gertjan Zuilhof concentrates on a young and rising generation of film and video makers from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.

Near Past and Near Future: Russian Parallel Cinema
This theme programme presents a series of features and short films made by a new generation of independent and alternative film makers from Moscow (and far beyond). Committed, creative, playful, political. Compilation: Andrei Plakhov and IFFR programmer Ludmila Cvikova.

Rotterdämmerung
This series of films, largely from Japan, is more suitable for the 'late-night slot' and less for children. It includes variations on genres such as fantasy, thriller and science fiction. Several Japanese examples: Samurai slasher drama IZO by Miike Takashi, the hybrid live-action sci-fi manga CASSHERN by Kiriya Kazuaki and psycho-revenge RINJIN 13-GO (NEIGHBOR #13) by Inoue Yasuo (both from Japan).

PS Homefront USA
Epilogue to the extensive IFFR 2004 theme programme by programmer Gertjan Zuilhof, with several new films reflecting on the present political and cultural climate in the United States. This includes films by Bruce Weber (LETTER TO TRUE), Wim Wenders (LAND OF PLENTY) and Jon Jost (HOMECOMING).

Exploding Cinema: Sound Check
This year, Exploding Cinema is dedicated to sound as an important instrument for audiovisual artists and film makers. The group exhibition 'murmur' in TENT. will be a silent sound show in which the more subtle sounds can be heard and seen. Among the film programme: features (FIVE by Abbas Kiarostami and UNE VISITE AU LOUVRE by Jean-Marie Straub & Danièle Huillet), the documentary MOOG by Hans Fjellestad about the inventor of the synthesiser, short (-er) films: Matt Hulse's AUDIBLE PICTURE SHOW; an experimental sound work with film by Jonas Mekas, mini operas in the form of animation films by the Estonian artist Matti Kütt, conceptual music videos by Tony Cokes and the symphonic short films of Kirsten Winter. Exploding Cinema: Sound Check also includes: 'Testing, Testing' (daily series of presentations in Witte de With by artists and film makers), the installation SCIENCE FRICTION in V2_ (including work by sound artist Francisco Lopez) and 'DVdrome' (presentation of a new genre of DVDs with innovative combinations of sound, music and pictures).

Screen Tests
An exhibition in the Dutch Photo Museum (Rotterdam) about the effect of the film and still camera on the human face. A selection from recently restored Andy Warhol screen tests functions as starting point (with, for instance, Susan Sontag and Lou Reed). The threat and confirmation expressed by a screen test is pursued in this exhibition with the contemporary photo, film and video works of Artist in Focus Anri Sala (Albania/France), Graham Gussin (UK), Johan Grimonprez (Belgium), Martin Arnold (Austria), Fiona Tan (Netherlands), Manon de Boer (Belgium), Eric Pellet (France) and Ana Torfs (Belgium). Several of the Screen Test films will be presented in the festival cinemas, such as the documentary SYLVIA KRISTEL - PARIS by Manon de Boer.

What (is) Cinema
Back in its regular venue in the Small Auditorium of the Rotterdamse Schouwburg, every day an 'In Person' interview with a festival guest, the 'In Conversation' debate motivated by a theme from the festival programme and the Late Talk Show presented by Wilfried de Jong .

Hot Spots
Three times three days in Off_Corso: every day from 5 to 11 p.m., music, film, live performances and art from the young, alternative scene & cultural hotbeds of Istanbul, Baghdad and Bristol.

Dutch Perspective
A selection of features and documentaries released in 2004 in the Netherlands, with English subtitles for the international festival guests.


IFFR 2005 Festival Venues
The International Film Festival Rotterdam makes use of more than 20 film auditoria and the following venues: the cinemas Pathé Schouwburgplein, Cinerama and Lantaren/Venster, the theatres Oude Luxor and Rotterdamse Schouwburg. In the Doelen Congress and Music Centre (Jurriaanse Zaal Entrance, Kruisplein, Rotterdam) are the Main Festival Box Office and the Festival Restaurant and Bar. In addition, the Doelen serves as the 'IFFR Professionals Centre'.

More details at:
http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com

Simon Mayo
Today from 1pm to 4pm BBC Radio Five Live

James Cracknell - 2pm.

Mark Kermode will be discussing the best and worst of this week's movie releases including Lemony Snickets a Series of Unfortunate Events, Sleepover, Ella Enchanted and Without a Paddle from 3pm.

From 1pm the sports panel of discuss the latest goings-on in the world of sport including the latest updates from England's tour of South Africa and the latest football transfer rumours.

Listen to Five Live on AM, on digital and online.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

SWADES – WE, THE PEOPLE
Presented by UTV Motion Pictures

After the revolutionary success of the Academy Award Nominated film Lagaan, its critically acclaimed writer, producer and director, Ashutosh Gowariker presents another magnum opus and one of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year, Swades – We, The People.

Swades is a contemporary and unconventional film that tells the story of a man’s quest for his inner self, sense of identity and his home, the story of a bright young scientist Mohan Bhargava working as a project manager in NASA (played eloquently by the undisputed king of Indian cinema, Shah Rukh Khan) who returns to his childhood home in India in search of his nanny, his epitome of motherhood. What was a simple mission, prompted by nostalgia and affection, turns into a journey into the heartland of rural India, both literally and metaphorically.

Gowariker’s script is groundbreaking in the subject matter it embarks upon commendably. His unique directorial abilities permeates the script of Swades in his effective and novel use of juxtapositions, as he contrasts the highly developed world of NASA, with a country at the crossroads of development. The cinematography of Swades displays the captivating and untouched beauty of rural India, with superb sophistication.

“Swades is a simple, effective and entertaining juxtaposition of the East and West. Its beauty lies in the fact that it is extremely earthy and identifiable, and has universal appeal” remarks Ashutosh Gowariker.
Following the success of commended films such as Lakshya, Fiza and Chalte Chalte, the Motion Pictures division of India’s largest integrated media major, UTV, is proud to present Swades. Part of the UTV Group, one of the most powerful and prominent integrated media and entertainment companies in India, known across Asia as an industry standard setter, innovator and pioneer for its cutting edge creativity, finesse and management depth, UTV Motion Pictures is pleased of their association with this pioneering film.
UTV Motion Pictures has spearheaded the Studio Model in the Indian Motion Picture Space. UTV Motion Pictures' expertise spans across production, distribution and marketing across a slate of multi genre films.
Also, UTV Motion Pictures’ release of Swades both nationally in India as well as in the overseas market marks the first ever widest and simultaneous release of a Hindi Film in India and internationally, with 275 prints of the film releasing.

Swades boasts an impressive film team, a culmination of unmatched talent, illuminated in every facet of the film. Shah Rukh Khan’s unparalleled engaging performance in Swades is poised to captivate his audience to unsurpassed heights. He performs the role of Mohan, a complex protagonist with strong personal beliefs, and sincere admiration. Being an actor who is versatile and with a commendable mix of roles to his credit, Shah Rukh Khan is the ideal candidate to incarnate Mohan and to exhibit the range of emotions the character demands.

Swades also sees the launch of debutant actress and model, Gayatri Joshi, in the role of Mohan’s re-united childhood companion Gita, the woman who in many ways plays the catalyst in helping Mohan forge the links between his two worlds.

The musical score of Swades sees the collaboration of the unparalleled maestro, A. R. Rahman, and the legendary lyricist Javed Akhtar. Undisputedly, every song in Swades is a gem, and after listening to the melodies, it becomes clear that the music was composed with soul and holds the golden token of appealing to everyone. As each song progresses we are privy to the musical melody that has classic A.R. Rahman running through and through. Swades sees the amalgamation of harmonious vocals by Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Hari Haran, Sadhna Sargam and Ashutosh Gowariker himself, which creates an incomparable bouquet of flair.

Swades releases world-wide on 17th December 2004. Distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, certificate (U), duration 210 minutes.