Screendaily movie news 6/6/02
Jaime Jeske
Jennifer Green in Madrid 06 June 2002
Woody Allen is set to receive Spain's prestigious Prince of Asturias
Award for the Arts at the hand of the country's Prince Felipe next
October, an honour which could lift the director's spirit this week as
he defends his highly publicised lawsuit against producer Jean
Doumanian.
A sparse turnout in the Manhattan courtroom for Allen's high-profile
case - which alleges that Doumanian and her Sweetland Films partner
Jaqui Safra owe him some $12m on profits off eight films they made
together - combined with the poor box office showing of his recent film
Hollywood Ending, led the New York Times this week to declare that the
director's reign as cultural icon "may be over."
But that image clashes with the enthusiastic reception today in Spain
over news of Allen's selection for the highly regarded Principe de
Asturias Award. The jury cited his "great creative talent" and "ironic
sensibility" which have "established a bridge of union between American
and European cinema, to the benefit of both." Local critics and
filmmakers lauded the selection.
Allen was chosen out of 43 nominations in artistic disciplines spanning
architecture, film, dance, sculpture, music and painting. The award
recognises his "contribution to the cultural heritage of Humanity" and
comes with a purse of Euros 50,000.
***
De Niro quip gives birth to Siberian film festival
Anna Franklin in Moscow 06 June 2002
While most people would consider a resort like Cannes or Venice as the
ideal location for a major festival, the organisers of a new film
festival - to be held mid-winter in Siberia - are hoping to turn that
concept on its head.
The new Spirit Of Fire competitive film festival will take place 26
January to 2 February 2003, in the heart of Siberia and its organisers
have promised to keep guests warm with traditional Siberian
hospitality - and plenty of Russian vodka.
Organised by the city of Khanty-Mansiisk in the in the middle of Russia'
s largest oil and gas fields, the festival will offer a grand prize of
up to $150,000 for the main competition which will consist of 12 to 15
debut features.
There will also be a competition for work completed at film schools and
by young filmmakers with an award of up to $5,000 each. The organisers
are currently accepting entries for both competitions.
Despite its remote location, the city boasts nine new cinemas with Dolby
stereo surround, as well as a major art gallery and cultural centre. A
special arts school for talented children attracts major international
artists to give master classes on a regular basis.
The festival is headed by veteran Russian film director Sergei Solovyov
who is also a former director of the Moscow International Film Festival.
He said: "The idea for the festival actually came from Robert De Niro
while he was on a visit to Moscow. He asked why we are always holding
festivals in Moscow or St Petersburg, why don't we hold a festival in
someplace original like Siberia. Probably he was joking, but the idea
took root."
"Like most Muscovites I had never been to Khanty Mansiisk and I was
amazed when I visited the town. It is in the Siberian taiga and most of
the town has been built in the past ten years so it is very modern.
Ecologically it is absolutely clean and the surrounding area is a
national park. The average age of its citizens is 27 so it is a very
lively and youth orientated place."
***
Langhelle reveives Norway's prestigious Aamot Award
Jacob Neiiendam in Copenhagen 06 June 2002
The coveted Aamot Award, given by Norway's film distribution
professionals and theatre managers, has been bestowed on local actor
Joergen Langhelle for his contribution to Norwegian film. The prize has
existed since 1959 and is considered to be the finest, as it for some 30
years was the only major cinema award in Norway.
Langhelle has in recent years been active on both stage and screen,
following his breakthrough in Liv Ullmann's historic drama Kristin
Lavransdatter in 1995. Following a small role in the local and
international hit Elling, he is currently starring in Trygve Allister
Diesen's new drama Hold My Heart (Tyven Tyven), which has been selected
for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and was presented at
the Cannes market by Nordisk Film International Sales.
The Aamot jury of Linn Ullmann, Finn Skaarderud, Arne Chr. Thronsen,
Kalle Loechen, Kristin Aalen Hundsager and Lene Loeken stated: "Joergen
Langhelle has an ability to make his characters strong, complex and many
sided. He fills the screen and is noticeable even in the smallest
parts."
Among recent recipients of the Aamot Award are Knut Erik Jensen, Liv
Ullmann, Lars Saabye Christensen and Sigve Endresen.
***
New Zealand film awards cancelled due to lack of films
Sandy George in Sydney 06 June 2002
While New Zealand's filmmaking profile is at an all-time high because of
the worldwide success of The Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring,
The New Zealand Herald reports that the local film awards will not be
going ahead this year because of a shortage of films.
Three films slated to be included ground to a halt when Kahukura
Productions went into liquidation last week, but in such a small
filmmaking community, this is not the first year that the awards have
been postponed.
***
Ireland's Film Fleadh shows international flair
Ted Sheehy in Dublin 06 June 2002
Ireland's 14th Galway Film Fleadh from July 9 to 14 will host an actors'
masterclass and public interview with Irish American actor Aidan Quinn.
Quinn, who is in Ireland for two films - TV project Dark Eagle
(previously titled Benedict Arnold), and Song For A Raggy Boy, scheduled
for a July 1st start - will be joined in Galway by his noted
cinematographer brother Declan.
Declan Quinn will give a cinematography masterclass at the Fleadh, while
he is rumoured to be readying his directorial debut in the west of
Ireland having recently finished additional photography on Jim Sheridan'
s East Of Harlem.
The festival will show a retrospective of the films of Indian director
Mira Nair, three of which were photographed by Quinn. The Indian theme
is rounded off with Asif Kapadia's The Warrior, Pan Nalin's Samsara and
his documentary Ayurveda, and a rare screening of Satyajit Ray's classic
Pather Panchali. The Fleadh's international outlook is consolidated with
films from Poland, Canada, North America, Kurdistan, Iran, Bosnia and
Finland.
Recent Irish productions at the event will include Geraldine Creed's
Chaos, Terence Ryan's Puckoon and a screening Paul Greengrass's
award-winning Bloody Sunday which was denied a theatrical outing in
Ireland. Since neither the opening or closing films have been announced
yet it is possible that the Fleadh is still negotiating for one or two
other Irish projects to add to the programme.
The Fleadh will be rounded off with a substantial Irish short film and
animation programme, countless industry gatherings and the annual Fleadh
Fair which allows Irish producers meet and pitch ideas to potential
partners from overseas.
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Jaime