Paul’s view of the Oscars 2009

So, the Oscars are over for another year. What did everyone think? How about that film Slumdog Millionaire eh? Eight wins out of nine nominations. Absolutely fantastic and what a result for Britain and India eh? In one of the first Anglo-Indian collaborations (well, the first since Bend It Like Beckham), they really knocked it out of the park, and all of the hype was deserved too, as yes, it is a really good little movie. When I say little, compared to the $100 million plus budget of the other favourite The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it’s miniscule. And to this that the movie almost went direct-to-DVD following original distributor Warner Brothers closing their indie label Warner Independent. What an achievement, and well done to Danny Boyle, best director. I was a fan back when you were directing for the BBC man. Superb.

“Berlinale What?”

I knew it was some festival in Berlin. For a guy growing up in Chennai, making shorts on miniDV, and still stuck in the second year of his film school, that was good enough. ‘Some festival in Berlin, dad,” I told my father, “I am going to be nominated as India’s delegate. They call it the Berlinaal or something like that.” I was excited.

Of course the next day when I knew it was not some film festival in Berlin, but the film festival in Berlin, in fact the world, my joy knew no bound.

It was only because the director of the Goethe Institute was a very visionary lady that she had the courage to nominate a 24 year old short filmmaker, in competition with 30-something heavyweights – movie critics, journalist, the elite!

RIP:VHS

VHS 1977-2008

After three decades of bringing us the best in home entertainment, the VHS tape has finally been retired. The format was, up until recently, still being bought and shipped by just one US company, but now even they have layed the, let’s face it, pretty crappy, tape to rest.

Festival alert ‘Museek’

You’ve got to catch the Museek festival in  Saint-Petersburg, Russia, if that’s your kind of thing, what they say:

There are  quite a number of music video festivals around the world, but none in Russia…
So, Tour de Film and Loud Media decided to change such a sad statistics and organize The 1st International Music Video Festival MUSEEK which will be held between November 14th and 23rd, 2008 in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.

They’ve put a cool video on their site to help inspire entries (Nov 1st deadline, so get cracking!)

More details on their site: museekfestival.ru

Festival alert: ‘Slamdance’

If you’re serious about making films (and you’re in the area) head down to the Slamdance festival in January 2009 – it is bound to have a very good lineup. What they say:

Be part of a filmmaking production team and film your own program from inside the Slamdance and Sundance Film Festival with other students from around the world.   The Real Ideas Student Broadcast program is a collaborative, mentored experience at one of the most influential indie international filmmaking events in the world.   Work in diverse teams with insider access to the most up and coming film world directors and industry professionals.   Receive training and support from industry and academic professionals and gain exposure and recognition for your work.  Real Ideas Studio is looking for students in Film, Motion Graphics, Journalism, Broadcast and Communications.  APPLY NOW for the Real Ideas Studio Student Filmmaking and Broadcast program at the Slamdance and Sundance film festivals.

Don’t just take my word for it, have a gander at their site: realideasstudio.org