Compelling and marketable cinema usually comes from the same continents, over and over again. Countries in those continents (Europe, North America, and Asia) have the kind of support structures that ensure that out of the ever-expanding lot of budding filmmakers some film school graduates are going to become noteworthy filmmakers and will bring films to first-tier fests like Cannes. The reverse ... more >
ARCHIVES
CANNES DAY 1 – TIMBUKTU
Narrating the story of the African continent
Directed by Aberrahmane Cissako
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – Armando Capo, “August”
Putting a poignant narrative to good use
This is the first time that Cuba is represented
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: In the summer of 1994, rafters are getting ready to try the impossible journey to America. Meanwhile, someone is watching them. What is your brand of filmmaking, cinema that's meant to entertain or cinema that will nourish someone's moral and political convictions? I live in a ... more >
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – Jiji Gayaneh, “My favorite fabric”
Representing the venus of Willendorf
SYRIA
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: "My favorite fabric" is a portrait of a woman named Nahla, a sort of Venus of Willendorf. Hers is a beauty that falls outside society's conventions. Why the Venus of Willendorf ? What sort of symbolism do you attach to her? The Willendorf Venus is a prehistorical statue ... more >
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – Mariam Khatchvani, “Dede”
I worked with natives who had no acting experience
GEORGIA
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: In "Dede" the strict honor code of this mountainous region of Georgia makes happiness elusive and prevents a mother from being with her child. Where are you from ? I was born in Ushguli, Georgia, where "Dede" was shot. How bad are filmmaking conditions in Georgia? Conditions ... more >
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – Damien Ounouri, “Chedda”
Hoping to start shooting by early 2015 if financing comes through
ALGERIA
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: In "Chedda" one woman's story provides a unique glimpse into the contemporary Algerian family and its contradictions. Algeria is prominent in your film’s thematics. Why this particular preoccupation with your own country? I was born of an Algerian father and a French mother. It is ... more >
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – John Trengove, “The Wound”
I was tired of acting in other people's shitty productions. I wanted to be in charge.
SOUTH AFRICA
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: In "The Wound" sexual taboos within traditional culture are shattered when three people are forced to hide their true feelings. Sexuality and man’s tendency to pervert it, either through religion or politics, is one of your topics of concern. Can you describe the curiosity ... more >
LA FABRIQUE AT CANNES – Kamar Ahmad, “Silence of the seashell”
For every soul there is a shell
BANGLADESH
(part of a multi-article series about the 2014 Fabrique des Cinémas program at the Cannes Festival) THE PITCH: In "Silence of the seashell" two friends set out on a journey, crossing borders and valleys, in search of a river that runs to the sea. Who do you make movies for? I want to make movies for myself. It is my way of coping with the strange world we live in. Secondly, I want to make ... more >