Monday, October 21--------The Middle East International Film Festival – Abu Dhabi (MEIFF) announced the winners of the Black Pearl Awards at the Closing Night Ceremony held at the Emirates Palace on Saturday evening. The Black Pearl trophy (designed by Mohammed Gomaa) is a handmade sculpture representing the beautiful and rare black pearl originally discovered in the pristine waters of the Abu Dhabi coastline, and a symbol that is an integral part of Abu Dhabi history and culture. The Bla...
Tuesday, August 14----------The Locarno International Film Festival, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year in the picturesque city of Locarno in the Swiss canton of Ticino, held its Gala Awards ceremony on Saturday evening, honoring a group of exceptional films from around the world. The Japanese drama THE REBIRTH won the Golden Leopard, the Festival's highest honor. Director Masahiro Kobayashi collected his award at the ceremony held in the city's expansive Piazza Grande. The dir...
Wednesday, August 8---------There is no equivalent in the United States.....the actor Gerard Depardieu is a truly French phenomenon, a pasty-faced, barrel-chested, unpolished, roughly handsome leading man, who somehow is an enduring Gallic sex symbol. He does not have the sensual prettiness of an Alain Delon, the rail-thin sex appeal of a Jean-Paul Belmondo or the intelligent visage of a Yves Montand. He is, in fact, his own unique creation, and his enduring appeal in French cinema is mostly...
Some actors have nine lives, other sink like a stone. And then others are presumed to be "missing in action" after a series of flops at the box office. Some win fame early on, while others find it when they ripen in their later years. Some are blissfully ignored by the tabloids, and others are their bread and butter. Some are famous for what they do, and others are famous for who they are. All of the above (contradictions intact) describe the journey of Ben Affleck in the world of film. A journe...
Some actors have nine lives, other sink like a stone. And then others are presumed to be "missing in action" after a series of flops at the box office. Some win fame early on, while others find it when they ripen in their later years. Some are blissfully ignored by the tabloids, and others are their bread and butter. Some are famous for what they do, and others are famous for who they are. All of the above (contradictions intact) describe the journey of Ben Affleck in the world of film. A journe...
Wednesday, December 6----Some actors have nine lives, other sink like a stone. And then others are presumed to be "missing in action" after a series of flops at the box office. Some win fame early on, while others find it when they ripen in their later years. Some are blissfully ignored by the tabloids, and others are their bread and butter. Some are famous for what they do, and others are famous for who they are.
All of the above (contradictions intact) describe the journey of Ben Affleck i...
The European Film Award has certainly changed...changed sex, changed location, and now ,at 19, Europe's attempt to emulate the "Oscar" has finally come of age with a well-presented,dignified ceremony and a splashy but stylish party in Warsaw, not perhaps the most beautiful of Old Europe's capitals,but the first venue in Eastern -sorry, Central- Europe to host the event so far.And, contrary to those who may think that most of the Polish population has recently taken up residence in England, the l...
The Fort Lauderdale Film Festival concluded its 20th edition this past Sunday, with the announcement of its awards. The Festival, which has the distinction of being the longest in the world, running almost 40 days, had a year like none other; having survived a Category 3 Hurricane and a week of no electricity, phone service or internet connection.The Festival, which featured over 200 films, premiered on October 14 with the premiere of THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear. Closin...
The current busy film festival season has harvested a bonanza of awards for worthy films at a number of film festival events. The Provincetown International Film Festival, which held its ninth and most successful session from June 14 to 19, announced a host of awards at its Gala Closing Night Party at the Boatslip Resort overlooking beautiful Cape Cod Bay.The Best Dramatic Feature prize was won by HEIGHTS, the multi-character drama starring Glenn Close and James Marsden. The film, directed by Ch...
MONTREAL UNVEILS PROMISING WORLD COMPETITIONA new film by the team that brought us the stunning French documentary Microcosmos, Carlos Saura 's return to socially conscious cinema, and the latest from Aussie underrated actor Hugo Weaving are among the premieres that will highlight the competition of the Montreal World Film Festival.Away from the hype to which film festivals are increasingly succumbing, Montreal has developed a reputation for offering a platform to filmmakers whose work has not b...
BUENA VIDA DELIVERY WINS BEST FILM at MAR DEL PLATA FESTIVAL Leonardo di Cesare's directorial debut, the Argentine film BUENA VIDA DELIVERY, won the Golden Astor for Best Film at the Mar del Plata Film Festival, which ended on Saturday March 20. The comedy drama was backed by the Argentine Film Institute, Film Sud (France) and the Hubert Bals Fund.The award for Best Director went to Hungarian Benedek Fliegauf for his film DEALER, with Nicoletta Braschi winning Best Actress for her role in the It...
Which competition film or participant will take home a Golden or Silver Berlin Bear at the end of the Berlinale 2004 is decided by the International Jury. In 2004 this committee will again consist of seven international film experts from a variety of disciplines. This year’s President of the Jury is Frances McDormand, an Academy Award winner and star of independent film.The award ceremony of the 54th Berlin International Film Festival will be held at the Berlinale Palast on Saturday, February ...
