Sundance Doc Report #1

• by Thom Powers, January 24, 2010

[STF is pleased to have passholder Melissa Hibbard pounding the slushy pavement in Park City to bring back eyewitness news. Here is her first report filed on January 23.]

Last year I had a film at Sundance in the World Documentary Competition, THE GLASS HOUSE.  I have to say it was fantastic, one of the best festival experiences of my filmmaking career.  I am excited to be back, this year on behalf of Stranger than Fiction, one of my all time favorite screening venues.

First on my list, HIS AND HERS by director Ken Wardrop [pictured].  This beautiful cinematic mosaic tells a love story through the collective voice of 76 ladies from birth until the end of her life. There’s an innocence and simplicity in the storytelling that leaves a smile on your face as the credits roll.  During the Q and A, Ken who charmed his audience – especially the ladies – with his boyish charisma, said that his own mother was the inspiration for making the film.  And while he went on to say that this is the story of Irish women, I think most people in the audience agreed that this was a universal story of women and their relationships to the men in their lives: father boyfriends, husbands and sons.

Then I made my way to SECRETS OF THE TRIBE by José Padilha [known for his film BUS 174].  This well-crafted investigative documentary puts the entire field of anthropology under fire regarding the scandalous investigation into the research on Yanomami Indians in the Venezuelan rain forest during the 1960s and ’70s.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from a documentary about anthropologists, but I have to say, Padilha delivered.  With every passing minute the story gets weirder and weirder, ranging from bitter academics attacking each other to accusations of pedophilia to top-secret government biological experiments. Padilha didn’t make it to Sundance but producer Mike Chamberlain did.  (It was his birthday and the audience broke out in an impromptu “Happy Birthday” – got to love Sundance audiences.)  He brought with him three of the anthropologists for the Q and A to answer questions, but the story is so twisted that I think audiences left the theater asking, “What the…?”

Albert Maysles’ visits STF with RUNNING FENCE

• by Raphaela Neihausen, January 21, 2010

Although I always enjoy STF greatly, once in a while there are evenings that are tinged with some additional inspiration and magic.  That’s how I would describe last Tuesday’s screening of RUNNING FENCE (1978).  Co-presented with the Maysles Cinema, the evening began with a moving intro by STF curator Thom Powers who mentioned that RUNNING FENCE was extra poignant to him now that two of its central people had passed away: David Maysles (Albert’s brother and collaborator) and Jeanne-Claude (Cristo’s partner and collaborator).  He also pointed out that the Eagles’ song “Take It To The Limit” which features prominently in RUNNING FENCE was played at David’s memorial service in 1987 - with not a dry eye in the entire room. 

The film itself is a pure joy to behold: a classic cinema-verite capturing of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s building a 24-mile white fabric fence over the hills of California into the Pacific. This film is one in a larger series of Maysles’ documentaries on these artists’ various public exhibitions - the most recent of which was THE GATES in NY’s Central Park.

The sold-out theater stayed put to hear Maysles interviewed after the film.  Although I’ve heard him speak various time, I am always struck anew by his childlike enthusiasm and purity of purpose.  I find both of these traits infectious and inspiring.  Maysles began by noting that he is now 82 years old, yet he still has 10 or 12 projects that he is working on.  He also stressed how important it is to make films about the “good” of life and that well-executed cinema can sometimes bring you closer to the event than even being there.  For a more detailed summary of the Q&A, visit the Film Panel Notetaker’s blog here.

Below are pictures from the post-show reception at Alibil Lounge.  I confess that I had to leave the bar around midnight, but from what STF insiders report, Albert shut down the bar! Why am I not surprised?
(Photos courtesy of STF house photographer Joshua Z Weinstein)

Albert Maysles holding a captive audience at Alibi Lounge.

Director Nicole Opper (OFF AND RUNNING, opens at the IFC Center on Jan. 29) challenging STF passholder and filmmaker Yoni Brook (BRONX PRINCESS, A SON’S SACRIFICE) at arm-wrestling.

L to R: Director Kimberly Reed (PRODIGAL SONS) with STF passholders editor Anne Chechler (SISTERS IN RESISTANCE, BOUND BY PROMISES), filmmaker Emily Branham (BEBE DOCUMENTARY) and filmmaker Jonathan Goodman Levitt (SUNNY INTERVALS AND SHOWERS, FOLLOW THE LEADER).

More STF passholders: filmmakers Hemal Trivedi and Cathryne Czubeck, with director Ngawang Choephel (TIBET IN SONG, closing night film of STF Spring 09).

L to R: Film publicist Sylvia Savadjian, filmmaker Hugo Perez (NEITHER MEMORY NOR MAGIC, SUMMER SUN WINTER MOON) and blogger Brian Geldin (Film Panel Notetaker).

Filmmaker and Garrett Scott Grant Recipient Rebecca Richman Cohen (WAR DON DON) with Deidre Mask.

Architect Armand Graham, artist William Lamson (you may remember his work from STF’s WHOLPHIN night or his larger-than-life paper airplane that served as an STF trailer) and their friend Dan Barry.

Cinematographer Sam Henriques (NURSERY UNIVERSITY, THE GOOD SOLDIER) with director Larry Locke (ACCIDENTAL MAYOR, PIN GODS).

My dear friend all the way back from our college days, STF passholder Courtney Erwin (Chief of Staff and Director of Programs for the Cordoba Initiative) with moi.

STF passholder and filmmaker Hemal Trivedi outside the IFC Center (great street shot, Josh!).

A very camera-shy STF passholder Maya Corneille with a friend.

L to R: A lady whose name I didn’t catch, STF passholder and editor Jean Tsien (PLEASE VOTE FOR ME and next week’s STF film THE BIGGEST CHINESE RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD) with director Nicole Opper (OFF AND RUNNING).

Mr. and Mrs. Stranger comparing bumps.

Related Film/Screening:
RUNNING FENCE by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin

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STF announces new details for Ross McElwee, THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE and THE COVE

• by Thom Powers, January 18, 2010

Recent winners at the Cinema Eye Honors, THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE (Audience Prize) and THE COVE (Best Feature, Cinematography, Production) have been added to the STF winter season for February. Director R.J. Cutler and Vogue creative director Grace Coddington will take part in a Q&A for THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE on Wednesday, Feb 3; and director Louis Psihoyos will appear for THE COVE on Monday, Feb 8.

In other news, STF has announced titles for the Tuesday, Feb 2 event “A Night with Ross McElwee.” The director of SHERMAN’S MARCH, who was honored last week with the Cinema Eye Legacy Award, will present two early short works CHARLEEN (1977) and BACKYARD (1984). The double bill runs roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A with McElwee.

20 Under 40: Film Industry Talent to Watch

• by Thom Powers, January 17, 2010

Brian Newman recently posted a blog listing 20 film leaders under the age of 40. That inspired me to make my own list, excluding those already on Brian’s and focusing on jobs other than filmmaking – curators, distributors, archivists, etc. 

My list is entirely off the top of my head without other input. That influences why half the people are based in New York City; and why the group tilts heavily, though not exclusively, to documentary. Brian lamented not including more people from outside North America. I sympathize as my international contacts tend to be older than 40, but I did manage a smattering of overseas representation. I encourage list-makers based elsewhere to celebrate their own local talent. Readers should feel free to add names and comments to this post.

Here are my 20 to watch. Years from now when they hold positions of power, I hope they give me a job:

Snowden Becker, one of the founders of Home Movie Day, impressed me greatly when I first interviewed her at the Association of Moving Image Archivists conference six years ago. She and her Home Movie Day crew opened a new way for the public to understand film preservation: not just as Hollywood history, but as your family history. I look forward to the day when she runs the Library of Congress.

Laura Coxson of Maysles Films is among a group of young people who have infused new life into the venerable production company after its move to Harlem. Veteran filmmakers take heed from the Maysles example: if you want to ensure your company’s future, you need to train the next generation.

Hussain Currimbhoy, programmer for the Sheffield Documentary Film Festival, has proven to be an indefatigable seeker, supporter and host for filmmakers. He’s been as a key asset in helping Heather Croall to build Sheffield into a worthy fall destination.

Matt Dentler is almost too well established to be on a list of fresh talent. In his twenties, he elevated the profile of the SXSW Film Festival, adding to the prominence of Austin, Texas as a center of taste-making. Now at Cinetic Film Buff, he’s leading the charge into the unknown terrain of digital distribution. Whichever way that goes, we’ll all benefit from the lessons he learns.

Cinema Eye Honors 2010

• by Thom Powers, January 16, 2010

Cinema Eye Honors pulled off its third annual event celebrating documentary craft and innovation in multiple categories. The ceremony, held at the auditorium in the New York Times building, was co-hosted by AJ Schnack and Esther Robinson and featured an array of doc luminaries as presenters including Barbara Kopple, Albert Maysles and Peter Davis. The night’s big winners were THE COVE (Best Feature, Cinematography, Production), Agnes Varda (Best Director), THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE (Audience Award), and OCTOBER COUNTRY (Best Debut, Composer). See Indiewire for the full list of winners.

After the ceremony, the party moved down 41st Street to the Arena nightclub. Pictured on top are presenters Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (TROUBLE THE WATER), flanking Peter Davis (HEARTS & MINDS) with Amir Bar-Lev (THE TILLMAN STORY) on right.

Sundance Bound in one short week: Laura Poitras (THE OATH) and Robin Hessman (MY PERESTROIKA).

STF executive director Raphaela Neihausen and filmmaker Almudena Carracedo (MADE IN LA) comparing bumps.

The filmmakers behind OCTOBER COUNTRY: Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher.

Director of EPISODE 3: ENJOY POVERTY (nominated for a Spotlight Award) Renzo Martens.

Recipient of the Cinema Eye Legacy Award for his film SHERMAN’S MARCH, Ross McElwee poses with former student Nina Davenport (PARALLEL LINES, OPERATION FILMMAKER).

FIlmmaker Trish Dalton with Rooftop Films’ Mark Elijah Rosenberg.

CEH co-chair Esther Robinson with D-Word founder and filmmaker (51 BIRCH STREET, THE KIDS GROW UP) Doug Block.

Shooting People’s Ingrid Kopp and Esther Robinson practicing the same “how to take photos like a model” technique that you’ll find in the first photo of the Shooting People blog on CEH.

Mr. and Mrs. STF (photo credit: Ross McElwee).

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