FRED Film Radio - English Channel

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interview Thomas Vinterberg, director of the film The Commune (Kollektivet) from the 66th Berlinale

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the picture of the film

One of the founding fathers of Dogme 95, Thomas Vinterberg, presented his latest film The Commune (Kollektivet) in competition at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. The Commune is loosely based on the director’s own childhood experiences. The director in fact lived a part of his life in a commune, and he tells us what it was that made him want to make a film about it. For her leading performance in the film, Trine Dyrholm won the Silver Bear for Best Actress.

Click here to listen to our interview with Trine Dyrholm, who won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 66th Berlinale for her role in the film The Commune – FRED English channel

THE COMMUNE (Kollektivet): Erik and Anna are an academic couple with a dream. Together with their daughter Freja, they set up a commune in Erik’s huge villa in the upmarket district of Copenhagen. With the family in the center of the story, we are invited into the dream of a real commune; we participate in the house meetings, dinners and parties. It is friendship, love and togetherness under one roof until an earth-shattering love affair puts the community and the commune to its greatest test yet. The Commune is a humorous, delicate but also a painful and touching portrait of an entire generation. The film turns into a gentle yet confrontational declaration of love for a generation of idealists and dreamers who have long since awakened to reality.

The post Thomas Vinterberg, director of “The Commune” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews director Terence Davies and actress Jennifer Ehle on the film A Quiet Passion from the 66th Berlinale.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

Only a few months after meeting him at the Torino Film Festival, where he presented his film Sunset Song, FRED catches up with director Terence Davies to talk about his latest film, A Quiet Pasison, presented as a Special Gala of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. With him, one of his leading actresses, Jennifer Ehle, who plays the role of Emily Dickinson‘s sister Vinnie in the film. Davies reveals how it was reading after all the letters Dickinson wrote throughout her life that he decided to create his own version of her life story. All the dialogues, some characters and the strong and ironic relationship she had with her sister are Davies’ own invention.

Click here to listen to our interview with actress Cynthia Nixon, who plays the role of Emily Dickinson in the film A Quiet Passion – FRED English channel

A QUIET PASSION is the life story of the celebrated American Poet Emily Dickinson, from her youth as a headstrong schoolgirl to her reclusive adulthood where poetry was solace.

The post Terence Davies, Jennifer Ehle talk about “A Quiet Passion” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Trine Dyrholm, actress in the film The Commune (Kollektivet) by Thomas Vinterberg from the 66th Berlinale.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

Trine Dyrholm won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival for her leading performance in Thomas Vinterberg‘s latest film The Commune (Kollektivet). On this interview, she tries to give the audience a potential eplanation for their surprised reaction to the infidelity of her character’s huband. And she also answers the question of whether or not she has to be sympathetic with the characters and roles she plays.

Click here to listen to our interview with director Thomas Vinterberg on his film The Commune – FRED English channel

THE COMMUNE (KOLLECTIVET): Erik and Anna are an academic couple with a dream. Together with their daughter Freja, they set up a commune in Erik’s huge villa in the upmarket district of Copenhagen. With the family in the center of the story, we are invited into the dream of a real commune; we participate in the house meetings, dinners and parties. It is friendship, love and togetherness under one roof until an earth-shattering love affair puts the community and the commune to its greatest test yet. The Commune is a humorous, delicate but also a painful and touching portrait of an entire generation. The film turns into a gentle yet confrontational declaration of love for a generation of idealists and dreamers who have long since awakened to reality.

The post Trine Dyrholm talks about her role in “The Commune” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Bernardo Bernardo, Cherie Gil and Angel Aquino, actors of the film A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis) by Lav Diaz, in competition at the 66th Berlinale.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

In A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis) by Lav Diaz, Bernardo Bernardo, Cherie Gil and Angel Aquino all impersonate the same character, in different forms – respectively, the male Tikbalang, the female Tikbalang and the androgynous one. The Tikbalang is a mythological figure in Filipino tradition. The three actors were honored to work with Lav Diaz and the experience on set felt like a big party, with this great energy surrounding them. They declare to be “in love with Lav!”

Click here to listen to our interview with Lav Diaz, director of the film A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery – FRED English channel

LULLABY TO THE SORROWFUL MYSTERY: Interconnected narrative threads on the Philippine Revolution of 1896-1897 against Spain characterize Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis–the story of the ballad Jocelynang Baliwag, which became the hymn of the revolution; Gregoria de Jesus’ forlorn search for the body of the Father of Philippine Revolution Andres Bonifacio; the journey of our national heroes’ fictional book characters Simon and Isagani; the role of the Philippine mythical hero of strength Bernardo Carpio and the half-man, half-horse Tikbalang/Engkanto, on the Filipino psyche. It is a marriage of history, literature and mythology.

The post Bernardo Bernardo, Cherie Gil and Angel Aquino, actors of the film “A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Cosmina Stratan, actresses of the film Shelley by Ali Abbasi, from the Panorama section of the 66th Berlinale

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Cosmina Stratan star in Ali Abbasi’s film Shelley, featured in the Panorama section of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Stratan, who won best actress at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, plays the troubled surrogate mother of a childless and therefore desperate couple, played by Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Peter Christoffersen. The actresses comment on the difficulties of portraying these characters, especially considering that neither had experienced anything similar in real life. When asked about their director Ali Abbasi, they both agreed on the fact that he loves actors, and allows them freedom to express their art and their roles.

SHELLEY: Young Romanian woman Elena arrives in the Danish countryside to work as a housekeeper for a recovering Louise and her husband Kasper. It’s an eerie feeling, being deep in a dense forest, far away from modern life. Especially since the isolated house is still and somber without electricity, according to Louise’s wishes. Elena adjusts quickly to her new routine of household chores, tending to chickens and helping fragile Louise. The two women grow closer, but the more they know one another, the more each finds the other stranger. Louise is devastated being unable to bear children after a horrifying miscarriage. Desperate for a child of her own, Louise offers Elena a generous financial deal to be the couple’s surrogate mother. Elena kindly accepts, and the money will help her return home sooner to her own small son. Elena’s pregnancy brings joy to the home of Louise and Kasper, but only briefly. The couple are troubled by Elena’s atypical cravings and aloof behavior. Bizarre hallucinations and unbearable sensations drive Elena to believe that something is frightfully wrong. The life growing inside of her is taking shape too fast, upsetting the lives of everyone like an evil force…

The post Ellen Dorrit Petersen and Cosmina Stratan on their roles in the film “Shelley” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Mathilde Henrot, co-founder of Festival Scope, at the 66th Berlinale.

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

FRED caught up with Mathilde Henrot, co-founder with Alessandro Raja of Festival Scope, the platform all industry professionals know very well, offering services it provides to people working in the sectors of film acquisition, programming, international co-productions and promotion, in the final days of the European Film Market (EFM) of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. The main topic of this interview concerns a big news for Festival Scope – the announcement of the development of a new platform, which will offer the general audience the opportunity to watch films featured in programs of film festivals. This new platform, done in collaboration with film festivals all over the world, hence begins a new era for Festival Scope, which will continue to offer services to professionals under the banner of Festival Scope PRO, and Mathilde Henrot tells us more about this brand new branch and the challenges to its creation.

FESTIVAL SCOPE in his creators’ words: “Over the last 5 years, Festival Scope has become a significant player in the film industry. Thanks to on-going agreements with film festivals worldwide, as well as our team’s commitment to discovering new films and talent with a curated approach, we make independent films available on-line so that they can enjoy extra visibility and promotion. Until 2015, Festival Scope was restricted to film professionals, providing a user-friendly environment to discover the latest films and projects on the festival circuit and get distribution and booking deals done. But our secret wish has always been to share our passion for independent cinema with everyone, everywhere, at any time. That time is now! Festival Scope celebrates its 5 years by branching out in two parallel paths. Festival Scope Pro is the path for film professionals actively involved in acquisitions, programming, promotion, exhibition, distribution, production or film journalism. Festival Scope is the new platform for film lovers who want to tour the world with us in search of the best films at the best film festivals.”

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PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Christine Eloy, general manager of Europa Distribution at the 66th Berlinale

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the image

Christine Eloy, general manager of Europa Distribution was present at the European Film Market (EFM) of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival, also to mark the celebration of the 10 years of activity of the European Network. The idea behind the foundation of Europa Distribution was to establish a creative place where distributors from different countries could talk with each other, share experiences and question methods and instruments. This idea and this goal has not changed, but it is obviously constantly adjusting to the advancements of the digital era and developing new ways to distribute European films and test new audiences.

EUROPA DISTRIBUTION is the association of independent film distributors, created in 2006. With more than 140 leading independent distributors representing 28 countries in Europe and beyond, it serves as the voice of the sector and acts as a network and a think tank. Since its creation, Europa Distribution has accompanied and reinforced the integration and collaboration process between its members through brainstorming and training sessions and information.

The network’s aim is to strengthen the existing ties to improve the curation, promotion and distribution of independent films. Ursula Meier (Silver Bear 2012 for Sister) is the President of Honor of the Association. The Board of Administration, chaired by Jakub Duszynski (Gutek Film / Poland) & Laurent Dutoit (Agora Films / Switerland) is composed of 13 independent European distributors, representative in terms of nationality, type of structure, and cultural diversity.

The post Christine Eloy, general manager of Europa Distribution #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Ali Abbasi, director of Shelley, from the Panorama section of the 66th Berlinale

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the picture of the film

Ali Abbasi presented Shelley in the Panorama section of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. FRED caught up with him to talk about it, and he explained his choice of the psychological thriller/horror genre as a metaphor, a device that allowed him to treat the complicated topic of surrgoate motherhood with a distant and impartial point of view.

SHELLEY: Young Romanian woman Elena arrives in the Danish countryside to work as a housekeeper for a recovering Louise and her husband Kasper. It’s an eerie feeling, being deep in a dense forest, far away from modern life. Especially since the isolated house is still and somber without electricity, according to Louise’s wishes. Elena adjusts quickly to her new routine of household chores, tending to chickens and helping fragile Louise. The two women grow closer, but the more they know one another, the more each finds the other stranger. Louise is devastated being unable to bear children after a horrifying miscarriage. Desperate for a child of her own, Louise offers Elena a generous financial deal to be the couple’s surrogate mother. Elena kindly accepts, and the money will help her return home sooner to her own small son. Elena’s pregnancy brings joy to the home of Louise and Kasper, but only briefly. The couple are troubled by Elena’s atypical cravings and aloof behavior. Bizarre hallucinations and unbearable sensations drive Elena to believe that something is frightfully wrong. The life growing inside of her is taking shape too fast, upsetting the lives of everyone like an evil force…

The post Ali Abbasi, director of “Shelley” #Berlinale2016 appeared first on Fred Film Radio.

PODCAST: FRED’s Chiara Nicoletti interviews Christine Vachon, producer and co-founder of Killer Films from the 66th Berlinale

To listen to the interview, click on the ► icon on the right, just above the photo

Producer and co-founder of Killer Films, Christine Vachon, has produced some of the most impressive and celebrated American films of the last few decades. Among them, Carol, I’m Not There, Still Alice and Far from Heaven. FRED caught up with her in Berlin, where she was in attendance to support the presentation of her latest production, Goat by Andrew Neel, which was featured in the Panorama section of the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.

The story of Goat is quite interesting. Its screenplay was based on a book by Brad Land, and written by David Gordon Green, who had originally intended to direct it. It was only 10 years later that Vachon, along with producer David Hinojosa, decided to shake the dust of it and offer the role of director to Neel.

Anticipation for the film is quite high, not only given the great body of work that she had produced in the past, but also considering the success of some of her more recent production such as Carol. We talk about Carol with her, and she reveals that the 6 Oscar nominations that the film earned, she did not expect but very much hoped for. Taking the opportunity of interviewing such an influential producer, we also ask her about the differences between American and European independent productions, as well as the selection critaria to find great movies to produce.

Listen to our interview with Andrew Neel, director of Goat – FRED English channel

CHRISTINE VACHON is an Independent Spirit Award and Gotham Award winner who co-founded indie powerhouse Killer Films with partner Pamela Koffler in 1995. Over the past decade and a half, the two have produced some of the most celebrated American indie features including Far from Heaven (nominated for four Academy Awards), Still Alice (Academy Award winner), Boys Don’t Cry (Academy Award winner), One Hour Photo, Kids, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, Safe, I Shot Andy Warhol, Camp, Swoon and I’m Not There (Academy Award nominated). In television, Vachon recently executive-produced the Emmy and Golden Globe winning miniseries Mildred Pierce for HBO and an upcoming series on Amazon based on the life of Zelda Fitzgerald. Other recent work includes: Kill Your Darlings, Magic Hour, Carol directed by Todd Haynes and Wiener-Dog written and directed by Todd Solondz.

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