Category: Film

Without Subtitles, with added controversy

There’s an interesting twist to the tale of Simon Aitken’s latest short, Without Subtitles. It’s been summarily rejected for the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival.

This is, to put it mildly, something of a surprise. The SFC is famous for accepting a much wider range of films than you’d think, and it’s unusual for the committee to reject a film unless it’s overtly racist, pornographic or, in the words of the guidelines, has “no cinematic artistic value.” Yet Without Subtitles, which I personally think is one of Simon’s strongest works, was bounced back to him within 24 hours of submission – surprising for a festival that believe in letting film-makers sweat before letting them know if they’ve made the cut.

Simon and his writer and lead actor Ben Green pronounce themselves flummoxed by the decision. As do I. Simon has put a temporary link up to Without Subtitles, which I’ve embedded below. Any comments on why you believe the Short Film Corner should so quickly reject the film are welcome. Is it anti-French, or mysogynistic? As Simon points out in the comments, it’s based on a true story. Or is there another reason why Without Subtitles cannot be shown at the Cannes Film Festival?

(If the temp link is down let me know and I’ll endeavour to get you a new one.)

UPDATE: there’s a fan page on Facebook. Of course there is.

Guest Post: Pathways to Prometheus

Another guest post, which pleases my lazy blogger tendencies. At this rate, I’ll never need to write another word.

Seriously, Readership, feel free to send me stuff. You know the remit by now. At the very least, a recipe or two would be nice.

Any hoo. X&HTeam-mate Simon Aitken has obliged me with his take on the marketing push for one of the most anticipated movies of the summer–Ridley Scott’s Prometheus.

Continue reading Guest Post: Pathways to Prometheus

Martian Chronicles: X&HT Saw John Carter

It all comes down to preference. Critics will view a film, particularly one based on a long-standing franchise, in a certain way, fans in another. The general public will largely stay away, not willing to spend time on a property that requires knowledge of a back-story, or investment in a main character that may not be to their liking in the first place. It’s a common story that has bitten many potential money-spinners hard, and Andrew Stanton’s lush, expensive version of Edgar Rice Burrough’s Barsoom books has suffered more publicly than most this year. Which is a shame. Because there’s an awful lot to enjoy.

Continue reading Martian Chronicles: X&HT Saw John Carter

Hamza and DocoBanksy Hit Reading Running!

The DocoPhone starts ringing. It’s an old red Trimfone, thick with stickers, and the ringtone’s been modded to play a chip tune version of the Beastie Boy’s Sabotage.

It would be more than my life’s worth to ignore it, and my very soul would be forfeit if I let it bounce to voicemail or -gods forbid- redirect to the mobile. The DocoPhone is head of my to-do list every day.

“I have a job for you.” DocoBanksy’s voice is dry over the phone line, all inflection stripped away by the anonymising software he uses. In person he’s much warmer–much more human. But now he’s all business, and I’m all attention.

“A drop-off,” he continues. “Some friends of mine are shooting in your manor, and I need you to get them some stickers. Don’t make a meal of it. Be a pro. Someone will contact you. I’ve given them your number and private email. I told them you wouldn’t mind.”

Click. The line goes dead. I have my instructions. All I can do now is wait.

The call comes through soon after. Once you get involved with docoBanksy, you learn things move quickly. A charming chap called Mike, who’s happy to chat. We arrange a meet. A public place. The Delphi Bridge in the middle of Reading’s restaurant district. Plenty of witnesses if the deal goes south.

It’s dark when the drop happens, and Mike and I end up circling each other for a while before we make contact. He’s brought an oppo, a tasty cove called Sam and I regret not scaring up some back-up. But the deal goes smoothly, and my envelope stuffed with stickers vanishes into an inside pocket. “We’ll be in touch,” Sam says, and they melt back into the sodium-lit night. Ahead of them was a day with free-runner Hamza Shabazz, who would show them how he runs Reading.

And now there’s a film of their exploits. If you’re a Readingite, keep your eyes open for the stickers that Hamza planted – there’s more out there than you’ll see below. DocoBanksy declares himself pleased with the end product. As he should be.

Meanwhile, Sam and Mike of Getting Dirty would like you to know that they do this all day every day, and that you can find out more about them at their website. I think that’s a click that’s worth making.

Getting Dirty

Final Light: My second weekend as co-producer+ on Out of Hours

Stu Wright is here again to give us the lowdown on the final day of filming on Out Of Hours, the short film he’s co-written with Leading Man Clive. There’s a ton left to do. Blood and other fluids will be spilt…

(Oh, and hey, watch your feet. There are SPOILERS about, and you don’t want to get them on your shoes…)

Continue reading Final Light: My second weekend as co-producer+ on Out of Hours

God’s own light: My second weekend as co-producer+ on Out of Hours

I’m handing over the blog for the next couple of posts to the mighty Stuart Wright, co-writer, producer and man of many talents on short film Out Of Hours. The second weekend of shooting on location at a Central London office block saw a smaller crew, and a bigger challenge. There was plenty of footage still to get. How would our brave crew cope? Stu fills us in after the jump…

(as ever, please be mindful of the SPOILER ALERT)

Continue reading God’s own light: My second weekend as co-producer+ on Out of Hours

Darker Light: My Weekend As An AD – Day 2

Previously: I have volunteered to be second assistant director on a short film shoot directed by Leading Man Clive. I am desperately inexperienced, getting by on enthusiasm and a puppyish urge to please. We go into day two of the shoot with no illusions as to the size of the task ahead of us…

NOW READ ON, and be mindful that there is a SPOILER ALERT running…

Continue reading Darker Light: My Weekend As An AD – Day 2

Available Light: My Weekend as an AD – Day One

This weekend was something of a change from the norm for me. Instead of chiling out and maybe watching a movie, I was running around helping to make one. It was one of the most exhausting and rewarding couple of days I’ve spent in a looong time.

[Please note, there is a SPOILER ALERT in operation after the jump.]

Continue reading Available Light: My Weekend as an AD – Day One