Offscreen Notes
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Jean Rollin: 1938-2010
Sad news for fans of Euro-horror, as one of its very tallest giants, French director Jean Rollin, passed away on December 15, 2010, at the age of 72. Rollin was one of the most unique stylist among a group of Euro-horror directors known for their style (Jesus Franco, Amando de Ossorio, Paul Naschy, Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, etc.). Rollin’s style was shaped by an openness to nudity and a conception of the nude body (usually female) as a tool of his painterly and poetic approach to the cinematic image. More than the other noted directors Rollin showed the influence of Surrealist cinema (Georges Franju, Luis Bunuel) and art (especially the art of Paul Delvaux). Scythe wielding women, vampires stepping out of clocks, comatose women walking along train tracks, twinned vampires moving through Gothic landscapes, and many more such imagery comprised Rollin’s visual (and not to discount the aural, since his use of music was also innovative) imagination. The latter perhaps best defines Rollin’s contribution to cinema, and the horror genre: an imagination unfettered by confines of narrative protocol or commercial cinema. I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Jean Rollin in Montreal when he was an invited guest at the 2007 Fantasia International Film Festival, where he was given a lifetime achievement award, and his then latest film was shown, La nuit des horloges, a wonderful panorama of Rollin’s past film’s themes and images. Already then his fragile health was in evidence. When I have the time I will do a proper essay in homage of this filmmaker who has touched me (and like-minded) in ways few have. In the meantime I encourage you to read the Offscreen essay on Rollin written by one of Fantasia’s festival programmers, Simon Laperrière, entitled “Cinematic Nostalgia and Blue Nights: On Jean Rollin’s Two Orphan Vampires.” Please visit the site linked, “Fascination: The Jean Rollin Experience,” which is gathering links to Rollin tributes as they come in. He will be sorely missed. (Donato Totaro, editor)
Offscreen editor Donato Totaro with Jean Rollin
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Raro Video in North America
The Italian DVD label Raro Video has been ‘secretly’ providing fans of important (mainly) Italian cinema treasure after treasure for many years now, and is about to expand their horizon with the recent news of a partnership deal with Cult Epics to distribute their films in North America. To launch this initiative Raro Video is strategically releasing work from a more established filmmaker, Federico Fellini, which should no doubt sell itself, and a lesser known filmmaker, Fernando Di Leo. The Fellini film is the hard-to-find The Clowns (1970), while the Di Leo package involves a more ambitious 4-disc “The Fernando Di Leo Crime Collection.” Well informed fans of the Italian crime film, which were extremely popular during the 1970s, will be aware of the importance of this release. Three of the four films in this set are absolute gems, marked by riveting characters, visceral action, and melancholic atmosphere. These three, which comprise the “Milieu Trilogy,” are Caliber 9 (Milano Calibro 9), The Italian Connection (La Mala Ordina) and The Boss (Il Boss). The set’s final disc includes 1976’s Rulers of the City, which stars Jack Palance as a mob boss. There are good times ahead indeed, for fans of both popular Italian filone and art house classics. Future releases include: Antonioni’s The Vanguished (I Vinti), Pasolini’s The Anger (La Rabbia) and Carmelo Bene’s Our Lady of the Turks (Nostra signora dei Turchi).
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Charlie Chaplin: From Laughter to Tears: Dec. 10-23
Charlie Chaplin does not really need an intro, but his major retrospective playing at the Cinema du parc comes at a good moment for the world of film comedy, which has lost two giants in the weeks leading up to the retrospective: Leslie Nielsen and Mario Monicelli (see obits in Offscreen below). So we can all use a good laugh. And who better than Mr. Chaplin to provide it. The retro is showing restored 35mm prints of all Chaplin’s major feature films (except for A Countess in Honk Kong, which is being projected digitally). This alone is a cause of celebration, to have the opportunity to see these classics of (mainly) silent cinema in good 35mm copies, and with a crowd (comedy is, if anything, a social gesture and thrives, excels when seen in a large group). It is hard to pick out which films to see from the group, but for this viewer, the ones not to miss are The Gold Rush, Modern Times, my personal pick for his masterpiece, and The Great Dictator, his most debated, discussed, and talked about film at its time of release. But they are all great films, each having their own specific historical and cultural reason for being included.
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Mario Monicelli: Italian Cinema Legend Dies
A strange turn of fate. One day after the death of comedy giant Leslie Nielsen on November 28, 2010, the cinema loses an even greater figure in the annals of film comedy, director Mario Monicelli, on November 29, 2010, at the ripe age of 95. I say strange because Monicelli is along with Nielsen, two of the greatest figures in film comedy that I had the good fortune to interview for Offscreen, see link below for interview. For someone who was at the forefront of creating the particular brand of ‘commedia all’italiana’ that was marked by tragedy and misfortune, it is a bitter irony that Monicelli threw himself from his 5th floor Lazio Hospital balcony as a quick respite from his terminal prostate cancer. I knew I was in the hands of a genius the first time I saw his groundbreaking comedy I Soliti Ignoti (Big Deal on Madonna Street, 1958), with its wonderful moody lighting by Gianni Di Venanzo (another tragic figure, who died in a car accident at the peak of his career at age 45 in 1966), brilliant comic timing and brilliant ensemble acting from a young Marcello Mastroianni, Vittorio Gassmann, and an oldish Totò. The world is definitely a sadder place.
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Leslie Nielsen: R.I.P. 1926-November 28, 2010
A very sad day for Canadians and lovers of absurd, non-sequitur (Nielson was a master) comedy, with the passing of Leslie Nielsen on November 28, 2010 at the age of 84 (born in Regina, Saskatchewan, 1926). Nielsen was in his mid-forties when he decided to take on the role of Dr. Rumack in the Zucker brothers’ Airplane! in 1980. The rest, as they say, is comic history. His nutty portrayal as Det. Frank Drebin in first the TV series Police Squad! and the Naked Gun series should be remembered as the finest example of the ‘straight-faced” comedian. I had the great pleasure of interviewing the man when he was in Montreal shooting a film that will not go done as one of his better ones, 2001: A Space Travesty, actually one of his worse, but he was ever the gentleman, relaxed, cordial, and every the professional (click below for link to the interview).
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INDEX035 FERRY RADAX THOMAS BERNHARD – THREE DAYS / DREI TAGE
Thomas Bernhard – Three Days
A film by Ferry Radax
Original version with English, French and Spanish subtitles I Germany 1970, 52 min
Concept & Image: Ferry Radax I Cinematography: Michael Wingens (film), Ferry Radax (video) I Sound: Ben Janse
Editing: Ferry Radax I Editorial Journalist: Christhart Burgmann I Executive Producer: Günther Herbertz
Production: IFAGE-Filmproduktion, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)This portrait of the great Austrian writer combines a brilliant monologue delivered by Thomas Bernhard and
the artful film work of Ferry Radax. The location chosen for three summer days is a park in Hamburg full of
huge old trees. While sitting on a white bench, Bernhard talks about dark childhood memories, his youth, and
his struggles with writing. A striking element is his high praise of obstacles as “material for the brain.”Ferry Radax about his film Thomas Bernhard – Three Days
An interview with Ferry Radax by Georg Vogt in 2006
Original version with English subtitles I Austria 2010, 40 min
Moderation: Georg Vogt I Cinematography: Christian Karst I Production, Editing: AUTOCHTHON (Otto Mörth)In an interview conducted by Georg Vogt, Ferry Radax talks about the work process during the production of the
film and how his shooting concept enabled Bernhard to open up and talk about his past for the first time, which
later appeared in his autobiographical prose. (Brigitta Burger-Utzer)“The original intentions gave way to an experiment whose unknown outcome could only arise from the performative
moment created by the interaction of participants and location. Similar to Sonne halt! and Mosaik im Vertrauen before it,
this allowed improvisation within an extremely open context to generate a film from the reaction to the situation,
from the acknowledgment of what Radax called “what the film called for.” (Georg Vogt)Extra:
20 pages booklet, bilingual English-German. “Resistance and Productive Inefficiency – On Ferry Radax’
television portrait Thomas Bernhard – Three Days”, by Georg Vogt -
Ingrdi Pitt (1937-2010)
The woman dubbed the “first Lady of British horror” by her fans died Nov. 23, 2010, at the age of 73. Born in Poland, and with a life history fraught with more drama than her films (see bio linked), Pitt exploited her ‘exotic’ (i.e. East-European) looks for a successful career during a period and studio (Hammer) which introduced busty women, sexuality, and carnality to the horror film. Perhaps best known for her lesbian turn in the Sheridan Le Fanu-influenced Carmilla role in The Vampire Lovers (1970, Roy Ward Baker) and her portrayal as Countess Bathory-like Countess Elisabeth Nodosheen in Countess Dracula (1971, Peter Sasdy). Visit her official website for memories and condolences.
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Dino De Laurentiis: 1919-2010
One of Italy’s most successful producers, Dino De Laurentiis, has died on November 11, 2010, at the age of 91. In North American De Laurentiis is best known for such popular as Serpico, Death Wish, King Kong and Ragtime, but in his home country De Laurentiis worked with some of the most artistically accomplished directors, including Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, and Alberto Lattuada.
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The Savannah Film Festival
SAVANNAH, Ga.—Acclaimed actors Liam Neeson, Sir Ian McKellen and Isabella Rossellini will be honored as part of the 13th Annual Savannah Film Festival, which will take place Oct. 30 to Nov. 6. McKellen will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on Nov. 4, Neeson will receive an Achievement in Cinema Award on Nov. 2 and Rossellini will receive a similar award on Nov. 5.
With more than a month to go, the Savannah Film Festival is currently scheduled to host Academy Award-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, who will present the documentary “I Know a Woman Like That,” directed by her mother Elaine Madsen, who will also be in attendance; Ed Burns, showing his new film “Nice Guy Johnny;” writer/director Neil LaBute, who will participate in a workshop; Zach Gilford, who will attend a screening of his film “The River Why” and Tony Goldwyn who will be attending a gala screening of his latest directorial effort “Conviction.”
Other gala special screenings this year will include Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan,” Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours,” Doug Liman’s “Fair Game,” Mike Leigh’s “Another Year,” Nigel Cole’s “Made in Dagenham” and Derek Cianfrance’s “Blue Valentine.” This will be the first year the Savannah Film Festival will present films in Digital Cinema Projection.
ABOUT THE SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL
Featuring the best in independent and innovative film from around the world, the Savannah Film Festival presents a full-range of cinematic creativity from both award-winning professionals and emerging student filmmakers, bringing world-renowned filmmakers, producers, actors and journalists, as well as other film enthusiasts, to SCAD and Savannah for eight days of feature films, lectures, workshops, panels and competition films from a range of genres.
Highlights of the festival include intimate “coffee talks” with film professionals, question-and-answer panels, lectures and special screenings.
Passes to the Savannah Film Festival will be available for purchase through the SCAD box office, 216 E. Broughton St., online at www.scadboxoffice.com or by phone at 912.525.5050.
Individual tickets to screenings and workshops will be available through the SCAD box office beginning Friday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. Morning and afternoon screenings and panels will be $5 for the general public; $3 for students, seniors and military; and free for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.
The price for tickets to the evening screenings will be $10 for the general public and $5 for SCAD students, faculty and staff with a valid SCAD ID.
The Savannah Film Festival schedule is subject to change.
SCAD: The University for Creative Careers
The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in 43 majors. Visit scad.edu.
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NFB celebrates 40 years of China-Canada relations
Friday, October 8 at 7 pm
Forever Enthralled by Chen Kaige, 2008
An epic film on the life of the famed Chinese opera singer Mei Lanfang, starring Zhang Ziyi and Masanobu Ando, rising star Shaoqun Yu, who gives a remarkable performance, and Xueqi Wang in a supporting role. Named Best Film at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards in 2009, Forever Enthralled has been presented in several competitions, including the Berlin International Film Festival in 2009.Saturday, October 9 at 3 pm – program for the whole family
The Dream of Jinsha, animated film, 2010 (Canadian premiere)
Xiao Long, a schoolboy around ten years old, accidentally goes back in time to an ancient Chinese empire that existed 3,500 years ago. That’s when the problems start…The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Chinese Violin.
Saturday, October 9 at 7 pm
Confucius by Mei Hu, 2010
A sweeping historic epic about the life of the great thinker Confucius from his early years as an ordinary accountant to his transformation into a philosopher and sage, including his prophetic travels to China’s northern kingdoms. Confucius is played by renowned actor Chow Yun-Fat.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB film Fragrant Light.Sunday, October 10 at 3 pm – program for the whole family
Screening of the NFB films The Friends of Kwan Ming and Roses Sing on New Snow from The Talespinners collection, a vibrant and exceptional series of short animated films for children from five to nine years of age, plus Mr. Mergler’s Gift, the touching and unique story of a student and her mentor, a lyrical homage to the transcendent power of music.Sunday, October 10 at 7 pm
Go Lala Go! by Xu Jinglei, 2010 (Canadian premiere)
Du Lala is a determined woman who begins her career as a humble receptionist. Little by little she moves up the ranks, overcoming stress and frustration to reach her goal. A comedy about the ruthless business world.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Chinese Violin.Monday, October 11 at 7 pm
Walking to School by Peng Jiahuang and Peng Cheng, 2009 (Canadian premiere)
Children of the Lisu tribe in the Yunnan mountains have a strange way of getting to school: they have to dangle from a hook above the gorges of the Nujiang River and slide along a steel cable. Young Wawa will defy authority to gain access to the education that he deems so invaluable.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB animated film The Chinese Violin.Tuesday, October 12 at 7 pm
Bodyguards and Assassins by Teddy Chen, 2009
The story is set in the early 20th century. Hong Kong is a British colony and the corrupt Qing Dynasty rules China. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, who will later be called “the father of the nation,” the founder of the Chinese Republic, has arrived to organize the revolt. He must fight to survive in a city where danger lurks at every corner.Wednesday, October 13 at 7 pm
The Message by Chen Kuo-Fu and Gao Qunshu
In 1942, during the Japanese army’s occupation of China, Japanese officers in Nanking are threatened by a series of assassination attempts. The head of the intelligence agency gathers a group of witnesses for some heavy-duty questioning. A game of cat and mouse ensues and the tension is palpable.
The film will be preceded by a screening of the NFB film Fragrant Light.NFB CineRobotheque
1564 St-Denis Street
Montreal, Berri-UQAM Metro
514-496-6887
