THE much anticipated programme has been announced, the website launched and tickets have gone on sale for the fifth Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival.
The festival, which returns on the weekend of September 18-20, and it really is something to shout about!
The theme for the festival is ‘Drawing the Lines’, and in it the programme explores the representation of architecture and space on screen, and the relationship between the individual with the built environment.
The film and video works take audiences from New York, in Jem Cohen’s video ‘Lost Book Found’, to Japan’s capital in the world premiere of ‘Tokyo is Dreaming’, and back to Glasgow in the documentary ‘Sighthill Stories’.
The weekend begins with the opening gala film, ‘Ballast’. Made by first–time director Lance Hammer and shot by north-east based cinematographer Lol Crawley, ‘Ballast’ is a hard-hitting drama set in Mississippi which centres around the impact that one act of violence has on the lives of three central characters.
With beautifully understated performances from a cast of non-professionals and stunning landscapes, Hammer and Crawley walked away with awards when the film premiered at Sundance last year.
Commenting on the event’s line-up, new festival director, Melanie Iredale, said: “I’m particularly proud to be opening with ‘Ballast’.
“It has never been shown outside London, and with the director of photography being north east based, I think there is a particular interest in the region for this movie to be seen.
“It’s a film that really packs a punch, and although in many ways it’s rather like throwing audiences in the deep end, it’s a rewarding challenge to kick start the festival with such a truly cinematic experience.”
Early Saturday afternoon, there is a short film programme for the youngsters, with ‘The Red Balloon and other Stories,’ featuring the classic 1956 tale in which a boy is followed by a balloon on the streets of Paris, and including new short ‘Varmints’, a beautifully animated tale of a creature’s attempt to save the world from itself.
For young and old alike, early Sunday afternoon is Woody Allen’s classic sci-fi comedy ‘Sleeper’ and the screening has been sponsored by local traders Mace Convenience Store.
The festival is also proud to be hosting the world premiere of Peter I Chang’s ‘Tokyo is Dreaming’, a rich reflection of city life in Japan’s capital, on Saturday evening.
Speaking earlier this week, Chang said: “Needless to say, all of us here, my collaborators and I, are thrilled and honoured to be included in this year’s Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival.”
Chang’s partner and frequent collaborator is Mitch Cullen, the author of ‘Tideland’, which was adapted by esteemed screenwriter Tony Grisoni for Terry Gilliam’s film of the same name in 2003.
Tony Grisoni’s directorial debut, the short film ‘Kingsland #1 The Dreamer’, makes its regional premiere as part of a collection of short films entitled ‘Down and Out in London’ later on the same evening.
The festival finishes with ‘Wonderful Town’ on Sunday evening, a tale of an architect living in Thailand in the aftermath of the Tsunami.
Running alongside the film programme in The Maltings is a series of artists’ video installations and screenings around the town at the Gymnasium Gallery, Bankhill ice house and the prison cells.
Commenting on this years’s event, Huw Davies, chairman of the festival board said: “I think our programme this year has something for everyone and will give audiences the chance to experience some of the most exciting new work from around the world together with some much loved timeless classics.”
Tickets for this year’s festival are now available, get them from The Maltings box office now on (01289) 330999. For further information visit www.maltingsberwick.co.uk or www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com.