#BCNFilmFestival

[abitterlifethroughcinema]

A RETURN OF SORTS…!

BCN FILM FESTIVAL 2020

WOKE! Film Previews  

by Lucas Avram Cavazos

Guess who's back? I hope this finds you, my lovelies, strong and moving from surviving to thriving. The last time I graced these pages directly and not just via tagged social media samo-samo, a new year was dawning, I was pumped with 2020 vision, and my mom was still alive. Fast forward six months and Lawd knows, our world has seen a global pandemic rip through our continents and our homes, opening eyes and forcing many of us to turn brave new corners showing new mirrors revealing new truths. Again, I hope all is well.

We all have certainly had loads of time to become streaming magnates, and I don't know about you, but between Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Movistar, and HBO Go, there has been a love fest of cinema, docs, series catch-ups and horror nights in my home, so it's made working through this brave, new world quite more palatable. Catalonia's first taste of cinematic normalcy came over the last week as the BCN Film Fest braved the coronavirus restrictions and heralded its fourth annual incarnation, providing a broad spectrum of a host of genres, industry and celebrity sightings, with all films gravitating toward those loved subjects of history and literature. Let's take a peek at some upcoming films that made their Spanish or Catalan, some even European, debuts here in BCN this past week. We’ll start with three of them.

Firstly, we commence with director Matteo Garrone and his glorious retelling of Pinocchio, based on the beloved classic by Carlo Collodi nearly 140 years ago. Starring none other than Roberto Benigni as Geppetto and the cutest of newcomers in pure fantasy wooden form is little Federico Ielapi as Pinocchio. Far be it from me to deny the Disney gods their due but I'm going to trust this version to be much more accurate to the original...full stop. From a few moments in, the sheer silliness of Begnini is so on point that it is instantly impossible to not feel for him as he lovingly constructs his little puppet out of what turns out to be a huge, magic log of wood. What he produces is a rapscallion little tyke that we know as Pinocchio, and he is not a mere simple little fellow. In fact, he's a right louse at times, obstinate and daring but still ever so tied to his human father. His daring nature throws him into the midst of a traveling puppet circus, only to find him then taking an adventure to get back to his dad. What he and his counterparts, found and befriended along the way, help show is that we are usually just trying to get back to the essence of who we are in some form or fashion. Some years ago, Benigni actually created his own interpretation of this dear fable, and it was widely panned. If this was a form of redemption with director Garrone at the helm, mission accomplished. The film won 15 awards at this year's David Di Donatello Awards and swept it clean and is currently, slowly drawing more audiences to the box office till. Maybe not for the youngest but what a great family film. ###-1/2

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, based on the novel Als Hitler das rosa Kaninchen stahl by Judith Kerr, is masterfully and evocatively served to us in emotional beauty by director Caroline Link, who gave us Exit Marrakech a few years ago. Taking the essence of nostalgia and turning it WAY up, Link and her perfectly cast actors serve us a brutally honest and semi-autobiographical telling of the life of author Judith Kerr, acclaimed German-born British illustrator and writer. Starting in Berlin, Germany 1933, just as Hitler's new forces are commencing their triumph after many a year in German politics, we see a well-known and well-to-do family of German-Jewish heritage quite aware that their opposed and vocal views of the National Socialists will soon force them to flee to Switzerland, before making it to Paris, and then eventually winding up in England. The film chronicles these times over a span of two years. The title is derived from the protagonist Anna Kemper's (the spectacular young actress Riva Krymalowski) need to choose only one plush toy to take before their lives as refugees begin, and she decides to leave her wee rabbit behind in the belief that her dear housekeeper will forward it on to her when able. What grips you is the way director Link draws out the pure nature of a young sister and brother team as they move from proud upper middle-class intelligentsia life to one of glorified refugees. All involved are uniquely aware that they are documenting truth in the face of an ever-increasing fear as Nazi takeover grows stronger. But beyond that, it becomes powerfully moving to watch the manner in which their parents make their harsh reality an adventure-of-sorts for the two young Kemper children. Winsome yet profound, emotional and yet quite comical as well, this is a wonderful piece of historical cinema and well worth the time. ####

Polish director Agnieszka Holland is not a stranger to reproducing works of literature for the big screen… think The Secret Garden and Washington Square as examples. Her latest work takes on a subject that even I, as a history tutor, was not even aware of, frankly. Mr. Jones is based on the true events documenting Welshman Gareth Jones, who stumbled onto a sickening truth. Played by James Norton with odd anxiety (known for playing the imprisoned psychopath on Happy Valley), Jones is also an adviser to David Lloyd George, the former British Prime Minister, so he actually has some wee access to intelligence and as the film is set in the early 30s, his furtive and somewhat intense nature makes him a bit of someone to ignore amongst others of his ilk. But since he had the chance to interview the Führer Hitler whilst travelling, he knows damn well that the Germans want war, and he becomes hellbent to interview Stalin, and so he travels to Moscow, kicking it indie journo-style. What then happens is a side trip to Ukraine, where he becomes aware of and documents the ‘Holodomor,’ (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor), the mighty famine that hit Ukraine from 1932 to damn near ’34. It is reported that nearly four million people died and NOT because of natural causes but due to a deliberate starvation policy, enforced by Stalin. He forced Ukrainians and other workers to cull grain, then sell and distribute it for the most money possible, while waging mass assault, deportation, even execution if any worker flouted the norms. The scenes depicted at this point are incredibly hard to watch, but what makes it even sicker is the way Stalin continues to be lauded by many today and that no one believed Jones when he finally got back to Moscow and the UK. Even George Orwell makes himself known within the film, but that pales in comparison to the heinous truths that the last part of the film brings with it. From passing a dead body on a Ukranian train platform to a scene in which a baby, still alive and crying but aside its dead and frozen parent, is tossed onto a cart with the already deceased, Fighting the inevitable I suppose…but then there’s the horrifying cannabalism scene. It matters not…Holland makes it brutal so we learn about what truly happened. The New York Times correspondent in Moscow, Walter Duranty, played eerily by Peter Sarsgaard to shit-ass perfection, poo-poos the mere notions brought up by Jones, and what is more, the same continues to be said about the atrocities that took place over those two-plus years. Mr. Jones horrifies you into needing to know more. Start with that wikipedia link and then find this film soon in theatres! ###-1/2

[objecteiespai]

BCN Film Festival Cine🗓️ 21 - 29 de abril de 2022. #️⃣#bcnfilmfest2022 Un dia per al llibre i la rosa... una setmana per al cinema.www.bcnfilmfest.com/es/programacion

[martaarmengou]

El director #SalvadorSimó en la presentación en Barcelona de la película #Buñuelenellaberintodelastortugas #art #cine #cinema #director #writer #sevenart #film #filmaking #cinematography #portrait #blackandwhite #instamovies #instafilms @wanda_films #luisbuñuel #SalvadorSimó busom #lashurdes #tierrasinpan #animation @bcnfilmfestival #comic @festivalmalaga @annecyfestival #FermínSolís (en Hotel Casa Fuster) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6KsXGoA5O/?igshid=107x8d9e04rg2

[depplovers]

Autographs and some photos 🥰 #JohnnyDepp #Minamata at @bcnfilmfestival Credit 📸 El Cinèfil (at Barcelona, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNuoOyBLRd8/?igshid=kpvewgt435et

[depplovers]

#JohnnyDepp 💕 📸 @albe_sil #Minamata @bcnfilmfestival (at Barcelona, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNumiRCr2Mc/?igshid=qbcu9sao3exu

[depplovers]

Beautiful photo 💕 #JohnnyDepp At @bcnfilmfestival 📸 By @elenagodessart (at Barcelona, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNumQdUrqPA/?igshid=oqzkzrix3z83

[depplovers]

💕 #JohnnyDepp with @andrewlevitas and @sunstrokehouse @bcnfilmfestival #minamatamovie #Minamata (at Barcelona, Spain) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNukqNLL1n4/?igshid=4fcuy9ril8u2

[depplovers]

#JohnnyDepp by @bcnfilmfestival a few minutes ago 💕 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CNufAHfnC0A/?igshid=v9gf8eervlrj

[abitterlifethroughcinema]

Chief Rep for @bcnfilmfestival Sir #DavidMitjans serves up some truth about how bringing back an int’l 🌎film festival after a global pandemic requires strategic planning and sharp execution. And folks, until #StJordi, the bomb 💣 films 🎥 keep dropping. Tix 2,90€ at @cinemesverdibarcelona so get cultured today & 😷 it up!✌🏾 • • • #BCN #film #festival #StJordi #history #literature #art #actors #directors #HI #culture #internationallanguage #LIVE #English #Radio 📻to keep you in the know in Barcelona, Tuesdays at 11h on @radiokanalbarcelona (at RKB Radio Kanal Barcelona 106.9 fm) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5HsWmqPAo/?igshid=1xnenyd3m5itm

[martaarmengou]

@alexismichalik #AlexisMichalik #Edmond #CartasARoxane #actor #director #writer #filmdirector #art #cine #cinema #storyteller #film #filmaking #cinematography #moviemaker #cinematographer #sevenart #instacine #theatre #portrait #blackandwhite #instamovies @acontrafilms @bcnfilmfestival #edmondlefilm #EdmondRostand #CyranoDeBergerac (en Hotel Casa Fuster) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3X4CDoqD3/?igshid=1wq8e4elreqd3

[martaarmengou]

El cineasta britànic #MikeLeigh a la presentació de #LaTragediaDePeterloo al @bcnfilmfestival @diamondfilmses #art #cine #cinema #producer #sevenart #director #filmdirector #filmmaker #movie #moviedirector #author #storyteller #film #filmaking #filmaker #cinematography #theatre #screenwriter #barcelona #moviemaker #cinematographer #portrait #blackandwhite #instamovies #secretsandlies #lifeissweet #veradrake #Manchester (en Hotel Casa Fuster) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxQQpRCAjoW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nks6q23swz4i

[martaarmengou]

#SalvadorSimó @Salva_Simo_B #director de #Buñuelenellaberintodelastortugas @BunuelLaberinto al @bcnfilmfestival #filmdirector #cinema #animation #storyteller #film #filmaking #cinematography #author #moviemaker #cinematic #festival #cinematographer #sevenart #instacine #portrait #blackandwhite #movielovers #instamovies @festivalmalaga @wanda_films #luisbuñuel #lashurdes (en Hotel Casa Fuster) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxN1nM6gptr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12ks8b8sj602x

[abitterlifethroughcinema]

Like a fine wine, this king amongst men introduced #ThePradoMuseum documentary at @bcnfilmfestival! @jeremyirons_ Your riding boots were slaying that night, I must say! #cinema #vintage #theclubwithlucas #art #pradomuseum #docs #englishradiobcn #WOKE #abitterlifethroughcinema (at Cines Verdi Barcelona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw204ytBqrF/?igshid=1fd3kc2fbd989

[martaarmengou]

La actriz #LolaDueñas una de las protagonistas del film #7razonesparahuir @7razonesfilm #art #cinema #storyteller #film #sevenart #filmaking #movies #cinematography #barcelona #cinematic #festival #theatre #cinematographer #portrait #blackandwhite #instamovies #instafilms #portrait #blackandwhite @compactocoop #syldaviacinema @bcnfilmfestival #cinelovers (en Asador de Aranda) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwnMlX6gK4S/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lgnowphgo89e

[abitterlifethroughcinema]

#theclubwithlucas does exclusives! Get lit with the #lights #camera #action of it all as @bcnfilmfestival hits the studio lights Tuesday at 11h! #radiokanalbarcelona #local englishradiobcn #CineInBCN #film #actors #redcarpet #barcelona #woke #106.9FM #wikilukesnews #weirdnews #dajamzradio (at Barcelona, Catalonia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwThAZsBnBD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tjvn3fhp7wql

[martaarmengou]

##EsteveSoler @estevesoler dramaturg, codirector i guionista del film #7razonesparahuir @7razonesfilm #art #cinema #director #auteur #storyteller #film #sevenart #filmaking #movies #cinematography #screenwriter #barcelona #moviemaker #cinematic #festival #theatre #cinematographer #portrait #blackandwhite #instamovies #instafilms #portrait #blackandwhite @compactocoop #syldaviacinema @bcnfilmfestival (en Asador de Aranda) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwP88vsjQUJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lgb3n2yczp2m