Envision - UN + IFP film forum

The first annual conference held to figure out how the UN can work with documentary filmmakers to help bring awareness to its Millennium goals. I got to see: 'Rough Aunties' an tear-jerking but uplifting film about the Bobbi Bear organization in Durban that helps abused children; and 'Pray the Devil Back to Hell' about Muslim and Christian women in Liberia, who joined together to stop the war - it's made a powerful impact, because women in other war torn countries, who saw the film have used similar tactics.
http://www.envisionfilm.org/

hot docs

I returned from hot docs a week ago, but i'm still talking about some of the films I saw: 'Carmen meets Borat' is an interesting look at a little Romanian village - reminded me of the Ukraine. 'The Wild Hearts' is a fun film about a Danish moped gang, who bond by drinking, being naked, and branding one another - very funny, and the filmmaker said he did a lot of filming naked! 'Organism.inc' is Liz Canner's film about the race for a female viagra (10 years in the making) - a serious breakdown of how drug companies work, and the tradition of treating women's 'hysteria'. the last film i highly recommend is 'the end of the the line' about the sorry states of today's oceans.

tilda swinton and john cameron mitchel

john talked to tilda about her new film 'julia' last night at apple. it was interesting to hear about how she manages to keep art her focus and maintain a pure intention in acting, while working in hollywood and indy machines. john talked a little about his european influences, having been raised by a high-ranking military father and spending formative years in berlin. both talked about never feeling that they belonged in the 'film world' as artists, but were influenced by a few very art driven filmmakers. i appreciate their motive and love both their work - from the clips they showed, 'julia' looks great!

34x25x36 on POV

Jesse signed over the rights for 34x25x36 to POV at A&E's documentary film party at tribeca film fest!

Misdirection

Last night I went to a fundraiser for 'Misdirection' at the Dakota (jason's parents have one of the largest personal art collections in the city). The film is about teens who get out of crime and into magic: http://www.priorlogicproductions.com/index.html. Jason and Ted asked me to speak about how the film could make a difference in the lives of the kids I work with in Hunts Point, with HPAC. Most of the crowd were potential investors, but nancy buirski was in town, so she came, and we had a great talk about the documentary she's working on.

Defamation

I saw Defamation at the Tribeca Film Festival, and talked with filmmaker, Yoav Shamir, and friends afterwards. It's a really moving film that deeply questions and explores anti-semitism from an Isreali's perspective, and presents hope for a peaceful future.

The Feature

Last night at MOMA, I got to see 'The Feature' made by Andrew and Luke at Seethink. Great film pulling from 6000 hours of documentary/experimental/narrative footage taken by Michel Auder, telling the story of his his close friends, wives, children, and lovers.