Andrew Morgan on THE TRUE COST, Fast Fashion and Making Films That Matter (Exclusive, Unedited Audio Interview)
In this exclusive and unedited audio interview, Andrew Morgan discusses his eye-opening documentary, The True Cost, about how ‘fast fashion’ – you know, those stylish little frocks that H&M and other branded purveyors sell by the millions for $9.99 each — impacts our global economy, shatters local cultures, causes political unrest and poses a serious threat to the environment. Surprise: H&M is just about on a par with Monsanto in its sacrifice of human well-being for the sake of profit. Read on and listen to the interview.
Read MoreThomas Vinterberg on FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, Dogme and Feminism (Exclusive Audio Interview)
In this exclusive audio interview, Vinterberg talks about FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD, cinematic truth beyond dogme, feminism and the importance of devotion. Jennifer Merin interviews — while, due to YouTube’s odd posting protocols, birds fly across a lake, their caws, cries and comments silenced by a mute button. To listen to the interview, click here
Read MoreCarey Mulligan on Playing Strong Female Characters, Working with Women Directors and FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD — Exclusive Interview
Carey Mulligan discusses playing Bathsheba Everdene, the independent heroine in the new cinematic version of Thomas Hardy’s FAR FROM A MADDING CROWD, portraying classic female characters created by Hardy and Jane Austen, her female director wish list and what is today’s madding crowd. Watch the exclusive interview for more….
Read MoreKirby Dick Talks About Filmmaking and Outrage
Documentary filmmaker Kirby Dick, known for tackling controversial and challenging subjects — such as the ‘outing’ of closeted gay politicians in Outrage (2009), exposing sexual abuse in the military in The Invisible War (2012), and ripping the lid off rape on college campuses in The Hunting Ground (2015) — thinks of each of his films as an ongoing experiment, an investigation of subject and form that he’s never satisfied with, never quite finished with. He is, it seems, incessantly indignant about the social issues represented in his films.
Read MoreFilmmaker Kirby Dick Outs Sexual Bias and Abuse
In his documentaries, filmmaker Kirby Dick takes on tough issues related to sexual bias, violence and abuse. He challenges institutions, authorities and media those who would hide the outrageous statistics related to rape on college campuses nationwide and across the breadth of the US military establishment, and outs hidden bias towards homosexuality and bad behavior directed towards homosexuals. His incessant righteousness in filmmaking makes us want to know more about him. Hence, this profile. Read on…
Read MoreAlly Derks Talks About IDFA and Documentary Film Trends
Ally Derks has been the director of IDFA, aka the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, for a quarter of a century, and has grown the annual event into the documentary film industry’s preeminent showcase, not only offering filmmakers opportunity to pitch projects and make distribution deals for their finished films, but providing an extraordinary program of socially relevant films for documentary watchers from around the globe. In the documentaries realm, what Derks thinks matters. Read on…
Read MoreKathryn Bigelow’s PSA for Saving Elephants
Filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow has directed her enormous talents to address a huge issue. Bigelow has made an effective and affecting three-minute PSA to support the cause of saving elephants in Sub-Sahan Africa, where poachers are slaughtering entire herds of the wonderful creatures for their ivory tusks — although international trade in ivory is universally illegal. Entitled Last Days, the PSA premieres at New York Film Festival on September 27 at Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center at NYC’s Lincoln Center.
Read MoreSharon Greytak and ARCHAEOLOGY OF A WOMAN
During our chat about Archeology of A Women, indie filmmaker Sharon Greytak brought up the idea that films can ‘out’ social issues, secrets and taboos. That idea intrigues and appeals to me. I find that most of the films I find most interesting — be narratives of a dramatic or documentary nature — do actually ‘out’ issues, either by introducing them to public awareness or exploring them in such a way that audiences are forced to reevaluate, rethink what they know about them. Archeology of A Woman is, in fact, such a film.
Read MoreRoger Donaldson’s Take On Reality – An Interview About Truth-Based Narratives
Narrative features about true events always raise questions about authenticity in film. With many truth based narratives, available news stories and other documents about the actual events may help audiences to separate the film’s fiction from fact, and to know where characters have been added or axed to enhance the story, the caper, the thrill – the entertainment value. Roger Donaldson — who’s directed documentaries and truth-based narratives, as well as films of pure fiction (such as The November Man, currently in theaters) – takes the ‘of record’ aspect of his work seriously. My interview with Donaldson focused on the truth-based The Bank Job (2008) and how the story was researched and interpreted.
Read MoreKristy Puchko comments on SEX TAPE
Critic Kristy Puchko disagrees with other cinema commentators who’ve seen SEX TAPES, the mainstream Hollywood rom com starring Cameron Diaz, as fatuous, spurious, exploitative humdrum. Puchko see the film as an interesting and relevant commentary on modern-day relationships, our expectations about them and how they evolve. She argues her point convincingly. Read her review…
Read MoreAttention Cinema Citizens: Call for Contributions!
Do you feel strongly about issues that are raised in narrative or documentary movies, and the way in which issues are represented? Express your opinions on the Cinema Citizen blog! Cinema Citizen’s OTHER VOICES category is intended to carry your opinions, along with those of filmmakers, cinema advocates, activists and audience members. The section contains interviews, articles by guest authors and your contributions — all adding up to a healthy consideration of the connection between cinema and current social and political concerns. Join the discussion!
Read MoreSteve James Talks Empathy in Documentary Making
Documentary filmmaker Steve James discusses the fundamentals of his approach to filmmaking, including his belief that one of the most essential qualities a filmmaker can bring to documentaries is empathy towards the film’s subjects. plus compassion for their plights and long-term commitment to telling their stories from their perspectives. That often makes it difficult for him to separate from his subjects when the film is complete.
Read MorePark Chan Wook Masterclass @ Jerusalem Film Festival
When an air raid alarm sounds during Park Chan Wook’s Masterclass at the 31st Jerusalem Film Festival (July 10-20, 2014), half the audience reluctantly but obediently leaves the room to seek shelter. Park sits tight, and those who remain with him hear the philosophy-student-turned-filmmaker quietly comment, “Korea and Israel are the only two nations in the world where you are discussing moviemaking in one room while a rocket is targeted at the room next door.”
Read MoreThe European Documentary Network, an Overview
Founded in 1996, the European Documentary Network (EDN) is dedicated to enhancing opportunity for documentary filmmakers by stimulating cooperation and networking, and spreading knowledge within the documentary sector about financing and distribution. The independent nonprofit organization currently has more than 1000 members representing documentary communities in more than 60 countries. EDN is an invaluable resource. Read more…
Read MoreWE LOVE IMPUNITY – Nick Fraser on THE ACT OF KILLING
By my own, not quite reliable reckoning, I’ve been asked to show The Act of Killing on the BBC at least five times. I have some difficulty in responding to its many admirers – not because my responses are hard to explain but because they appear so out of tune with the prevailing chorus of praise. And I have watched the film repeatedly. After a film-maker whose views I respect told me I should see the film on a big screen, I did so. But I found that I was put off not just by being told by the film-makers that I would find the experience upsetting, but by the ritual odour of self-approbation I could sense among members of the audience.
Read MoreJennifer Baichwal Talks About Collaborating with Edward Burtynsky
Before she was approached to make a documentary about the work of Edward Burtynsky, filmmaker Jennifer Baichwal had known of and followed the landscape photographer’s work for years. The collaboration between the two visual artists resulted in the widely acclaimed Manufactured Landscapes, distributed by Zeitgeist Films, and lead to a second collaboration, Watermark, which is currently on the festival circuit. This interview focuses primarily on the making of Manufactured Landscapes, one of my favorite documentaries.
Read MoreAbout Cinema Citizen
Welcome to Cinema Citizen! Our aim is to provoke thought and discussion about contemporary issues that are reflected in film — by taking note of how they are reflected in film. Cinemas and other screening venues are classrooms in which massive numbers of people absorb movies that reflect the world in which we live and […]
Read MoreLars von Trier Talks About America and Cinema Style – Jennifer Merin interviews
Lars von Trier’s gutsy films have always stirred passionate debate, and his set of Nymph()maniacs continue to attract a lot of pros and as many cons. Much of the controversy has to do with von Trier’s attitude towards and portrayal of women. However, discussion about von Trier’s work has not always focused on misogyny. Read on…
Read MoreFilmmaker Kavary Kaul on BACK WALKING FORWARD
Filmmaker Kavery Kaul’s documentary, Back Walking Forward, presents the story of Eric, who survived a paralyzing brain injury at age 19 and, now, at age 33 is, with the full support of his loving parents and brother, still struggling to learn independent functions that we all take for granted. Eric is a charming, funny and charismatic central character. His family’s love and loyalty are inspiring, as is his doctor’s wisdom.
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