Wong Kar-Wai sands love message to martial arts
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Elegy "Yi dai zong shi" of Wong Kar-Wai opened the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival. The picture was a real long-term project of director - it took 6 years to design and three years to shoot. But the wait was worth it. Director and the main stars of the picture Zhang Ziyi and Tony Leung Chu Wai presented to journalists their new creation.
The last film of Wong Kar-Wai was released at the big screen in 2007, when "My Blueberry Nights" opened the Cannes Film Festival. On the French Riviera director appeared much more frequently than in the German capital. Among the projects of Kar Wai, were "Happy Together" (the prize for Best Director), "Mood for Love", "2046" and above English-language debut.
"Great Masters" (Yi dai zong shi) are considered the biographical film about Ip Man, the legendary practitioner of martial arts, a representative of the style of wine-chun, a teacher of Bruce Lee. But from the very first frame it's clear that before us is not familiar to all tape from the category of "born-learned-married." Tony Leung Chu Wai, the mascot of Kar-Wai, in a white hat and a long black coat in the pouring rain easily deal with crowds of "experts of Kung Fu."
The action begins in 1936, when Ip Man was already 40 years old. Before this age he did not work and did not need anything ("My parents were so rich and famous, that in the district Foshan was named a street after them"). He married the beautiful aristocrat, lover of music, often went to the "Golden Pavilion", the brothel for the rich ones of this world. But the place with golden walls was also a gathering place for the masters of Kung Fu. Foshan was the center of the southern Chinese martial arts during the Republic of China.
When, in 1936, Japan won the north-eastern provinces of China, the great master Baosen Ghosn, head of the martial arts world in the north, arrived in Foshan. In the "Golden Pavilion" should be held a ceremony in honor of the departure from the post of Gon. Old master fights with young fighters, the best of which is the Ip Man. Daughter of Gon ( Zhang Ziyi) also arrives in Foshan. She's the one who knows the deadly technique of 64 hands. This style will experience Ip Man, but the fight with the girl turns into an elegant and sensual dance. In the end, all the movies of Kar-Wai are about love.
This is only a two-hour tie of the movie, which in the first version of the assembly lasted four hours, but in China it was shown for 2 hours 13 minutes. To cut the ribbon for the international distribution Kar-Wai has decided recently.
The history of Ip Man interested Wong Kar-Wai in 1996. Kar-Wai decided that will tell a story of martial arts of 1911-1949 period, which was a difficult time for China. Director has plunged into research questions and talked with many of the masters of Kung Fu. "You know what surprised me? They are extremely simple and humble people. " This discovery helped the director to build the line and atmosphere of the film. The main thing in "Great masters" - not the biography of Ip Man, although, of course, it is a great place, and a sense of calm and concentration that is required for understanding of martial arts.
It is known that the shooting of the "Great Masters" interrupted for a long time due to financial problems, and because of serious injury of Tony Leung Chu Wai.
Director so enthusiastically talked about the project, that no one was left in doubt: Kar-wai was able to realize his dream. And what was the biggest challenge during the process? "I do not practice kung-fu" - said director.
Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy once again in one movie
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Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy presented their new film "Before Midnight" at the Berlin Film Festival. "Before Midnight" - the continuing story of Jesse and Celine, who met in the film "Before Sunrise" and met again nine years later in "Before Sunset."
In 1995 at the Sundance Festival has been premiere of Richard Linkleyter movie "Before Sunrise." The film attracted attention of critics: its characters, twenty years American Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Frenchwoman Celine (Julie Delpy), were not similar to the standard characters of comedies. Jesse and Celine have met in the train on the way from Budapest to Paris, and Jesse convinces Celine to visit Vienna and spend time with him before his trip to the States. They walk around the city, talking about everything, kiss on the Ferris wheel and spend an exciting night in the park. In the morning they told goodbye to each other and agreed to meet in six months at the station in Vienna, leaving no contact with each other in order to avoid disappointment.
However, the meeting did not take place in Vienna. This audience will know of the sequel, which was released in 2004. Jesse has written a book about their adventure with Celine in Vienna, came to present it in Paris, and met Celine at the presentation. At this time, they had only a couple of hours before Jesse leaving to the airport, but the film ends with a hint that Jessie missed his flight and stayed in Paris apartment of Celine.
In "Before midnight" heroes are over forty. The events disclose what happened after the meeting in Paris. The action takes place in Greece, where Jesse, who became a professional writer, comes at the invitation of colleagues to spend six weeks in residence for writers. The first part of the film is devoted to arguments about love. Along with new friends, heroes discuss what will be the future, and old friend of the house tells how every morning she forces herself to remember the features of the deceased husband, in order not to lose him a second time.
In the second part of the film Jesse and Celine are alone: they walk around the city and recognize each other's fears and frustrations that accompanied them last decade. Celine constantly accuses Jesse, and instead of romantic night, which they had to spend the last day of their stay in Greece, there is a showdown in a raised voice. It seems that the characters are close to part forever.
On show for journalists honed dialogues evoked a strong reaction of the audience: laughter rang constantly. Disappointment in marriage, depression, associated with childbirth, the extinction of the senses, routine sex - all these topics are discussed with wit heroes are worthy of the pen of Oscar Wilde.
Trio praised Greece, where the shooting took place. "Originally I had in mind a few countries that I was going to visit to choose a location for shoot - explains Linkleyter. - Greece was the first of its kind, I came back to eye on a few places, met people, and immediately made the decision, canceling all other trips. It is a Greek film, in a sense. "
Should we wait for the fourth movie of Jesse and Celine? Final "Before midnight" provides hope for it. One journalist even suggested a name: "Before ...". "While we do not have any ideas on this. It will take 5-6 years before we started talking about it. Perhaps the characters really begin a new phase in life that would be interesting to tell. But who knows?” said director of the movie.
Matt Damon and John Krasinski at Berlin Film Festival
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Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Gus Van Sant presented at the Berlin Film Festival the film "Promised Land." Unhurried drama about a small farming town, Damon and Krasinski believe the story of the national character of the Americans.
"Promised Land" begins with the fact that Steve Butler (Matt Damon), a member of the energy company Global Crosspower Solutions, gets promotion at work. He, together with co-worker Sue (Frances McDormand) travels to Pennsylvania farmland and buys from farmers the right to use land for the production of natural gas. To insinuate to the common people's confidence, Steve and Sue even bought clothes at a local store, putting on more familiar to farmers and quilted flannel shirt jackets.
Steve, who hails from Iowa and watched his hometown of dying after the closure of the plant in it, sure that gives a hope to the poor for a better life. The money, they receive from the Global, help them send their children to a regular school and live better. However, in a small American town, where everyone knows each other, it is not enough to secure contracts with individual farmers. Need the support of the entire community. It was a general meeting residents he encounters criticism from scientists Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook) - teacher in the local school, which tells the villagers about the possible consequences for the environment - water, air and soil, making farming and ranching virtually impossible.
Frank's authority is too strong, and the farmers take three weeks to think.
This drama was to be the directorial debut of Damon, but due to time constraints, the director's chair has gotten Gus Van Sant, with whom he worked on the film "Good Will Hunting" and "Jerry".
"John and I wanted to make a film about the American identity. A particular problem was selected afterwards. We wanted to explore what state we are now, how to make important decisions. What is important for us and what is not? Do we think about our neighbors, about the future? And the history of the gas went up best, because the risks are very high, and the impact on the environment issue has divided society into two fronts, and constantly discussed"- Matt Damon told reporters.
"I think, subconsciously, the idea emerged as a dedication to my father, who grew up in a small town near Pittsburgh. He told me about how strong was the feeling of community as residents gathered to address issues and support each other in difficult times and have always believed that tomorrow will be better than today. It seemed to me that we are so far removed from it as a nation. I wanted to remind you that this relationship between the people still exist and can be proud of "- shared by John Krasinski.
While writing the script Damon and Krasinski have traveled many farms in Pennsylvania, talked to people and have thoroughly studied the processes of production of natural gas by hydraulic fracturing - that the technology is used by the company Global in the movie. However, the creators did not want to go into science and lead in the film debate about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular technology. "This film is not about the gas, but of choice" - Damon said, adding that during interviews with farmers faced with a completely polar opinions.
New chairman of Berlin Film Festival
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Director Wong Kar-Wai became chairman of the jury of 63rd Berlin Film Festival, which will take place from 7 to 17 February 2013. According to the director of the show Dieter Kosslick, this solution is especially proud of the Berlinale, as in 1980 it was here the new generation of Chinese filmmakers, which include Kar-Wai and which has attracted particular attention.
It is noteworthy that such an appointment of director coincided with the completion of work on his latest tape is currently "great masters." Among the most famous works of the director are highly regarded by critics and the public tapes as "Express" and "Mood for Love", strongly influenced the aesthetics of Chinese cinema in recent decades.
Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick said the organizer, "Wong Kar-Wai - one of the most acclaimed directors of our time. The unique style and poetry of his paintings can capture all of us. For him to become the president of the jury as a dream come true. Since the 1980s, the Berlinale has established itself as a platform for contemporary Chinese cinema, which is another reason why we are very proud that Wong Kar Wai will chair the international jury in 2013", - said in a statement.
"Invitation of Dieter - a real honor. In addition, I am very pleased to return to Berlin and see the last of filmmakers from around the world. It is a wonderful experience for any fan of the movie, "- says Wong Kar-Wai.
In the 2000s, one of the foremost contemporary Asian filmmakers shot very often. For ten years he made only three feature films, including not yet released "Great Masters". The rest of his recent works have been performed in the short film (for example, an episode of the anthology "Eros"). Prior to the "Masters" of the full-length movies Kar-wai over the years in rolling out a fantastic melodrama "2046" and the English attempt at writing director's "My Blueberry Nights" five years ago.
63rd Berlin International Film Festival will be held from 7 to 17 February 2013.
Mike Leigh – next president of Berlin Film Festival
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British director Mike Leigh has been elected as a president of the jury the main competition program of the 62nd Berlin Film Festival, which runs from 9 to 19 February 2012.
Leigh is working in film industry for almost 40 years and during that time became one of Britain's leading directors, as well as one of the most prominent representatives of copyright movies. Thanks to his approach to directing, actors are free to set at liberty to improvise and to reveal better their characters. Mike Leigh reveals the lives of British society with strict realism, but his films are filled with a kind of humor.
Mike Leigh made his film debut in 1971 with drama "Bleak Moments", which produced the famous British actor Albert Finney. The film won the "Golden Leopard" at Locarno Festival.
Pictures of the director repeatedly received the highest film awards in the world. He has three prizes at the Cannes Festival for the film "Naked" (Best Direction) and "Secrets and Lies" ("Golden Palm" and the Ecumenical Jury Prize). Venice has bestowed Lee with the "Golden Lion" for his film "Vera Drake" and in this year's "Oscar" has been nominated his screenplay melodrama "Another year." A total of seven nominations for the director's "Oscar". In addition, Lee got several awards of British Academy (BAFTA), including for contribution to British cinema.
In Berlin for the last time Leigh arrived with his painting "Carefree", which participated in the contest. Sally Hawkins won the prize for best actress, and later received another award and the "Golden Globe".
Since the sixties, Mike Leigh works in the theater as a director and playwright. On his account there are over 20 performances.
Berlin film festival has announced its program
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Coen brothers with "True grit" will open 61th Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 10. Among the films participating in the contest, the directorial debut of Ralph Fiennes "Coriolanus", the drama of Alexander Mindadze "In Saturday", "Margin Call" with Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons. Their three-dimensional projects in non-competitive program will introduce Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog.
For a long time it was thought that Terrence Malick will bring its "Tree of Life" in Berlin, but this did not happen. However, in the program will be another famous unfinished - film Bela Tarr "Turin horse". This is a simple story about how a horse disease darkens life and work of the farmer and his daughter. In 2008 a film was repeatedly postponed due to weather. In 2010, waiting for the tape to film festivals, but it never came. The director said that this film will be the last in his filmography.
Directed by "Maria full of grace" Joshua Marston will bring his new film "The Forgiveness of Blood", filmed in the Albanian language and tells about the family feud in Albania.
From unusual: Scandinavia, so beloved by the German festival, this year is not represented in the competition Berlinale. For Asian cinema is puffing drama "Come Rain Come Shine" Jon-Ki Lee, whose directorial debut "This pretty girl" was awarded prizes in Berlin and Pusan.
German masters Wim Wenders and Werner Herzog in this time were in the non-competitive program. Their new projects - documentaries, shot in 3D. "Pina" by Wenders is dedicated to choreographer Pina Bausch, while "The Cave of Forgotten Dreams" by Herzog tells about the Chauvet cave in southern France. It was found the most ancient examples of rock art. Age figures ranging from 33,000 to 30,000 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVoU8Hr2euA
Brothers Coen will open the next Berlin Film Festival
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New tape by Coen brothers' “True grit” will open Berlinale 2011. The film will be shown during the non-competitive program. This movie is a new adaptation of the book by Charles Portis, had already incarnated on screen by Henry Hathaway. Version in 1969 became the only tape, for the work in which John Wayne has gotten an Oscar in the category "Best Actor".
In the center of the story the young Mattie Ross, seeking the killers of his father. Her companion is an assistant county sheriff (marshal) named Rooster Cogburn. In a tape also stars Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper and country singer Glen Campbell. Later, the film got a continuation of the "Rooster Cogburn" “Stuart Millar and True Grit: A Further Adventure”, where the main role has played Marshal Warren Oates. In the film of Coens will act Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.
Berlin Film Festival director Dieter Kosslick, commenting on the choice of the jury: "Joel and Ethan are in the front row of American independent cinema. With their penchant for irony and an unusual characters and stories these directors can always capture the imagination of the audience. "
"True grit" not so long ago was awarded by the American National Board of Review of the ten best films of 2010.
Berlinale 2011 will take place from 10 to 20 February.