cafebabel.com

'Desi Boyz' and a German girl: welcome to bollywood

('Lilian Maria Pithan',) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:23:09 -0000

By staying in a salvation army hostel in India one European traveller did not expect it to also be an agency recruiting white extras for bollywood stardom. So, are glitter, rhinestones and bared white skin the essence of a bollywood star?

French actress and singer Melanie Laurent’s directorial debut: ‘The Adopted’

('Cari19',) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:32:19 -0000

At the age of 28, the actress and singer released her first film as a director, ‘Les Adoptés’, on 23 November in her native France. Do all good things come in threes? Film review

Malmo, London, Berlin, Glasgow: roller girls derby in Europe

('Annie Rutherford',) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:01:18 -0000

Cat fights on wheels? Or a sport to be taken seriously? In the run up to the first ever ‘roller derby’ world championships in Toronto in early December, the women’s team sport on wheels brought to the big screen in Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut ‘Whip It’ (2009) has been steadily sweeping through Europe. To mark the film's release in Germany, a German roller girl gets on the case

Are men dominant or dominated? View from Super France

('Madalina Pierseca',) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:39:16 -0000

With the release of the 'anti-male' documentary Masculine Domination in November 2009, the debate regarding the crisis in masculinity has flared up in the French media. But we are still far from the 'masculinist' theses which originated in America. Perspective from early 2010

Director Roozbeh Behtaji: 'Young Europeans live in an existential no-mans land'

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:43:11 -0000

The 30-year-old filmmaker and screenwriter from Gothenburg stands out, not only because he doesn't look like your average Swede, but because he dons a different hat everyday. He played a cap-wearing tourist who becomes a terror suspect because of his looks in his own debut film London Transfer. Time to find out what's under his hat

Giacomo Abbruzzese: 'I’m no longer able to make a film without talking about Palestine'

('Carol Howard',) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 10:20:45 -0000

The Italian director's short film Archipelago (2010) explores the West Bank from its various forms of transport. The arduous journey from Ramallah to Jerusalem and back highlights the absurdity of the situation that Israel and Palestine have been in for decades. Interview

Berlin film festival 2011: Coen brothers True Grit opener not true to Coen

('English language version of cafebabel.com',) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:23:14 -0000

After the road movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and the thriller No Country For Old Men (2007) the Coen brothers are back in the deserted vastness of the American landscape. The ten-times Oscar nominated film opened the 61st Berlin film festival on 10 February

Jacek Borcuch, Poland’s 2011 Oscar candidate: 'America doesn’t impress me'

('Peter Robbins',) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:00:17 -0000

'All That I Love' by the 40-year-old Polish director is one of 65 films competing for an oscar in the 2011 'best foreign language film' category. It is a nostalgic childhood tale about growing up with a punk rock band in a Poland under martial law

Mario Monicelli: 'commedia all’italiana encompassed everything from love to death'

('Mary Maistrello',) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:00:00 -0000

The 93-year-old Italian director and father of the ‘commedia all’Italiana’ film genre, on the power of cinema which ‘acts like a mirror, tells a story, but doesn’t preach’.

Bosnia-Herzegovina cinema: Jasmila Zbanic's 'On the Path'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:23:59 -0000

Four years ago the Bosnian director unexpectedly won the golden bear at the Berlin international film festival with her debut film. Her new work 'Na Putu' also has controversial potential, handling themes of islamism and a couple's alienation in modern-day Sarajevo

Film dubbing is not only stupid and evil

('nisimasian',) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:13:24 -0000

It's also wrong and economically counterproductive, says a UK-based, Italian member of the gang behind the latest blog on cafebabel.com, from the European youth cinema network Nisi Masa

Cannes film festival: three flicks and arty Palme to look out for

('Ole Skambraks',) — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:42:27 -0000

The glamorous European movie marathon wrapped on 23 May with the Golden Palme d'Or going to Thailand for the first time. Artistically, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives was the most daring film of the competition and the closest to jury president Tim Burton's fantastic universe

Julie Gray: Europe scriptwriting Hollywood

('Nicholas Newman',) — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:52:27 -0000

An average 90 minutes film will consist of 90 to 100 pages of A4. Of the daily lorryload of unsolicited scripts that Hollywood film production offices receive, only one in every hundred scripts will be looked at. The LA-based scriptwriting consultant is in Oxford to talk tips, trends and Hollywood disappointment

Cinema law: rude case to not dub and subtitle all films in Catalan

('Louis',) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:40:54 -0000

Tradition, money and marginalisation lie behind the rejection of the proposed ‘Ley de Cine’, which stipulates that 50% of all films in the region must be subtitled or dubbed in Catalan. When in early February, over 75% of cinemas across Catalonia shut their doors in protest, the people seemed to agree

Krystof Hadek: 'foreign characters played by English-speaking actors? Disappointing'

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:15:00 -0000

In the last month the 27-year-old Czech actor has picked up accolades at the Berlin film festival (one of the ten 'shooting stars' in Europe) and a Czech Lion for 'best actor'. We talk fame, acting genes and language in European cinema

The Europeans nominated for the more 'random' Oscars 2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:08:17 -0000

There's a tendency to focus on which Europeans snag the best film or best actress prizes - but here's a trailer run down of the less famed contenders vying for other Oscars from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which takes place at the Kodak Theatre on 7 March

Kinshasa Symphony: why is Mozart in Africa an alien concept?

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 13:18:39 -0000

People passionately making music is always good film fodder. This German documentary offers a contrast to the conflicts and states of mind dealt with its 2008 predecessor 'Trip to Asia', which followed the Berlin philharmonic

Florian Lukas: no more 'best mate characters' for the 'Good Bye Lenin!' star

('Lindsey Evans',) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:28:25 -0000

He picked up a Deutscher Filmpreis for his role as the fake newsreader with a stick-on moustache who brought the GDR back to life after the wall had fallen in the 2003 cult hit. Seven years on, the 36-year-old is back, this time playing the sensitive lover of a German-born Turk. We grab the actor at the 2010 Berlin film festival

Berlin film festival: 60 years of masterpieces

('Sarah Truesdale',) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 -0000

The Berlin international film festival (or Berlinale) has been fraught with political struggles. Created by the allies of west Berlin right under the noses of communist dictators, it was a way of opening a window to the 'free' world. Over the years, it has developed into an unmissable world cinema event

Mulled wine across Europe

('Annie Rutherford',) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:10:28 -0000

Sugarloaves, Swedish punch and grog: how Europe drinks to stay warm in the chilly run up to christmas

Film review Germany: interns feature in 'Résiste - Aufstand der Praktikanten'

('Annie Rutherford',) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0000

'A Quantum Revolution' has been screening in German cinemas since 12 November

European versions of 'Nobody puts baby in a corner'

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:28:58 -0000

On 14 September American actor Patrick Swayze died of pancreatic cancer, aged 57. Generations of teenage – and grown-up girls – knew him as the hunky dance teacher of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, a cult hit in Europe

The 'state of cinema' as declared in a bay by Loch Ness

('Hayley Worsley-Carter',) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0000

‘A pilgrimage’ was the name chosen by actress Tilda Swinton and documentary maker Mark Cousins for their new festival, a unique travelling celebration of cinema. In August, masterpieces of the seventh art were shown across Scotland. Memories of a week spent somewhere between poetry and politics, dream and reality

Soviet nostalgia: Russian drink, bunker parties and film in Vilnius

('Ed Saunders',) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:00 -0000

Twenty years after the Iron Curtain, the Baltic tiger is experiencing a bout of nostalgia. A young, trendy generation, fed up of hearing about the past, is looking back at a not-quite-so ‘carefree’ childhood under the soviet regime

2 days in Warsaw: Solidarnosc, cult Polish documentaries and Berlusconi

('Lydia Bigos',) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:42:13 -0000

For two days at the end of April 2009, the Polish capital becomes the 'centre of Europe' as the EU's largest centre-right party descend on the city. Quality time spent between British, Spanish and Polish colleagues raises an understanding of what the last twenty years mean, and the gap between east and west. Opinion

Film review Austria: The Bone Man is rootsy, rank and riotous

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:38:11 -0000

The world premiere of Der Knochenmann took place at the Berlin film festival on 9 February. The bittersweet crime caper, starring the unfortunate private detective Simon Brenner, provides an in-depth insight into rural Austria and its relationship with its European neighbours east of the Danube. In the Alpine republic, Brenner is something of a folk hero. Here’s why

The Bone Man’s Josef Hader & Wolfgang Murnberger: ‘Intelligent nastiness is our speciality’

('Lindsey Evans',) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:19:21 -0000

As it comes out in cinemas, ‘Der Knochenmann’ is the third film adaption by Austrian crime author Wolf Haas. Josef Hader reprises his role as unemployed private eye Brenner, while the film is directed by Wolfgang Murnberger. cafebabel.com meets up with both in glittering Vienna

Slumdog Millionaire: 8 Oscars in times of crisis

('euro topics',) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:35:10 -0000

The global financial and economic crisis also left its mark on this year's academy awards. The film industry is rethinking its financing strategy. The independent, multinational film, about a poor boy in India who wins a quiz show, won eight gongs in Los Angeles on 22 February

The Yes Men fix the world: die, global capitalism

('Ole Skambraks',) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:28:49 -0000

Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno's modern political activism doesn't only involve fighting for their beliefs. They have shot a whole movie about it. Exclusive video interview

Miss Marion: the French burlesque star will 'tease you until you die'

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:29:09 -0000

The 32-year-old from Normandy performs a 'slowed-down' version of burlesque. A dance historically popular in eras of depression, her latest show updates the genre, combining nipple tassels and an iPhone - an accessible escape for Europeans in recession

Interview with actor Paweł Szajda: ‘I was used to a kind of dictatorship on the set’

('Marysia Amribd',) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:07:24 -0000

On 13 February, the Polish film Tatarak by director Andrzej Wajda closes the Berlin Film Festival. The 27-year-old lead actor, a sort of Polish-American David Kross, tells us why he wants to return to his European roots

Berlinale: Europe’s ten up-and-coming ’Shooting Stars’

('Agnes Emri',) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:13:20 -0000

Every year since 1998, an international jury selects Europe’s best actors. These then embark take on a journey across the world to promote European cinema - and to get to know themselves. On 9 February, British actresses Carey Mulligan and Sarah Bogler joined nine other winners at the Berlin Film Festival

Berlinale documentary: FOOD inc - what are you eating?

('Ole Skambraks',) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:03:13 -0000

Do producers deliberately hide information about the origins, ingredients or the production process? American director Robert Kenner investigates in the primary phase of the chain, right into the animal factories and agricultural fields

The Reader: Germany’s Nazi past a festival highlight

('Agnes Emri',) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 22:00:00 -0000

Stephen Daldry's stirring film is an attempt to ethically approach taking responsibility for the Holocaust crimes which is ingeniously intertwined with the story of ill-fated love. The phenomenal Kate Winslet picked up a BAFTA on 8 February to add to her Golden Globe for her role as Hanna Schmitz

François Ozon’s Ricky: French-Spanish baby horror

('Ole Skambraks',) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:15:00 -0000

Love gives you wings to fly - the French director takes the saying very literally in his new film. Well known for 8 Women, Ozon presents a very sober social realism, which fades more and more into a Peter Pan like Neverland

Live at the Berlinale: The International opens film festival

('Agnes Emri',) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:25:10 -0000

The 59th Berlinale kicked off on 5 February with the world premiere of Tom Tykwer’s feature, sporting a title could not be more appropriate for this renowned film event. Celebrated every February since 1978, the festival today attracts film professionals from 120 countries, 40, 000 journalists and even more movie-goers from all over the world. Review

German cinema: Die Welle, wanting to belong

('Ed Saunders',) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:54:42 -0000

The German remake (‘The Wave’) by Dennis Gansel describes the emptiness felt by the globalisation generation, and premiered in the UK in summer 2008

Stand in the shoes of European politics

('Michelle Williams',) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:54:31 -0000

A future attraction for the puropean Parliament seeks extras to present the politics of the EU in a fun way. Latest titbits from Brussels

Events: Isle of Wight Woodstock and more in June

('Solveig Werner',) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:30:54 -0000

German-Czech festivals, strangers filming in Amsterdam and pure dance in London and Luxembourg - our pick of this month's best happenings

Catch Romanian films at the Transilvania International Film Festival

('Florin Lipan',) — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:37:27 -0000

The 7th edition of the largest and most prominent international film competition in Romania takes place in the city of Cluj-Napoca between 30 May and 8 June

No English or eastern flicks at the 61st Cannes Film Festival

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:50:41 -0000

The absence of eastern European titles is the main story at Cannes from 14 – 25 May, amidst well- known western names including the Dardenne brothers, Wim Wenders and Italians Sorrentino and Garrone

Czech cinema in the 'Hollywood of the east'

('Ed Saunders',) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0000

Light comedies and export hits: Czech cinema rides on the wave of success. But in Prague young fresh filmmakers and independent cinemas push against the mainstream

Go out in April: Uppsala, nerds and witches

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Enjoy the year's first rays at Walpurgis night in Sweden, a vintage computer festival in Munich or the spring festival in Seville

'Europe's Sundance festival'

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Culture crosses borders in Europe this March, as Spain visits Nantes, the Balkans accept a second invitation to Brussels and Irish beer takes over the continent

British, Spanish and French actors sweep Oscars 2008

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Europe was well represented at the 80th Oscars ceremony on 24 February in LA, with wins for actors Javier Bardem, Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard and Tilda Swinton

Curt Ficcions: 35mm short film to zero

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The Academy of Spanish Cinema undermine short films by excluding the medium from the world of television. Spanish short films are currently airing in francophone territories

November pick of Europe's best culture events

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:00:00 -0000

From Helsinki avant-garde cinema to factory fairs in Switzerland, your guide on where to be a culture vulture this month

Venice Film Festival goes war conflict

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:00:00 -0000

The 64th Venice Film Festival – great performances from the actors, but the favourites are two films about Iraq

September culture vulture

('Nabeelah Shabbir',) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Basel dances, Barcelona premieres the best international short films and four cultures head the dialogue in ód, Poland – our monthly cultural calendar

Invisible special effects

('Sarah Gray',) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Travelling through time, meeting surreal people in unreal places … Nothing is impossible at the cinema