A still from ‘Femmetasia’ by Mouhssine El Badaoui

Five projects from this year's Qumra I simply cannot wait to watch

E. Nina Rothe March 31, 2019

The yearly, five days long Qumra event in Qatar, held by the Doha Film Institute each March is that rare occasion for those of us who write about cinema to connect with the filmmakers, producers, film programmers, sales agents and festival directors who make the magic happen. Don’t misunderstand me now, I think film journalists and bloggers are equally to praise or blame for great movies being made. Our collective word, the reviews and interviews we manage to sell to publications or feature on our blogs, can create a movement that reverberates around the world. I know colleagues who pride themselves on making or breaking someone’s career. It’s not nice, but it is true. Take the case of Gianfranco Rosi’s ‘Below Sea Level’ and the infamous Variety review that ensured the film never made it to a cinema near you — a fact the filmmaker mentioned in his Masterclass at last year’s Qumra.

That said, in Doha there is a great energy created by the powers that be of the DFI, which allows journalists to relate to the film projects in such a personal way that it’s impossible thereafter to dislike it or even ignore it.

A still from Hamida Issa’s ‘Places of the Soul’

The Qumra Diaries: Souq Waqif, "from desert to desert", Alice Rohrwacher and Kiyoshi Kurosawa

E. Nina Rothe March 22, 2019

On my last day in Doha, I spend the afternoon wandering around the Souq Waqif which I learned from a local filmmaker, literally translates as “the stand up souk.” In the olden days, before Qatar turned into the international, cosmopolitan country it is today, the sea would come straight into the alleys of the souk so the merchants had to stand up and pick up their wares during the tides. Thus the name, and actually while I wandered around checking out the shops, having a shawl sewn from a traditional flower fabric by a local tailor while drinking a karak chai (cardamon infused milky tea) and eating a chapatti flat bread filled with zaatar, I felt like I was transported back to those early days of the pearl divers and their haunting songs of the sea.

Doha is special place. I’ll never get tired of saying it. And their annual Qumra event, organized by the Doha Film Institute is sheer cinematic magic. Qumra is a meeting place, a five-days long networking session, a place to pitch, secure financing and ensure a screening chance for film projects. But it is also an occasion to recharge our collective passion for the movies. For journalists, producers and of course filmmakers, the atmosphere at Qumra offers an almost electric energy, a jolt of renewed hope in the future of the 7th art.

Eugenio Caballero talks with Richard Peña during Qumra

The Qumra Diaries: Eugenio Caballero and Pawel Pawlikowski share their filmmaking wisdom

E. Nina Rothe March 18, 2019

When I look at the title of this piece, I feel overwhelmed myself. I mean, it would be pretty wonderful to just hear one of the these two men who are such Maestros in each of their professions give a Masterclass. But when you get them both, within 24 hours of each other, on a stage, talking to the equally wondrous Richard Peña, well, you have cinematic magic.

Or more precisely, what you have is the Doha Film Institute’s annual Qumra event.

A still from ‘Rosso: a true lie about a fisherman’ by Antonio Messana

Watching the short end: The Ca 'Foscari Short Film Festival is the other Venice film festival

E. Nina Rothe March 18, 2019

Most directors whose features you are watching in cinemas today started out making short films. It’s a fact that short narratives and documentaries are the stuff future filmmaker build their craft on and the Ca 'Foscari Short Film Festival recognizes that through and through. In their press release for the upcoming ninth edition of the event, which will run from March 20th to the 23rd, the following statement made me realize just how much they believe in the learning power of the ‘Short”.

The Qumra Diaries: Discovering Agnès Varda in the land of cinema

E. Nina Rothe March 16, 2019

It is obvious from the moment one steps on a Qatar Airways aircraft that cinema is important in Doha. I mean, just going through the entertainment system on my particular flight, I found ‘Rebecca’ by Hitchcock, Barry Jenkins’ hauntingly touching and all too true ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, Paul Dano’s intimate portrayal of a family struggling to remain a single nucleus ‘Wildlife’ and even the 2019 Best Picture Oscar winner ‘Green Book’.

Qatar knows good cinema and nowhere is that better understood than in the welcoming arms of the Doha Film Institute.

The London Diaries: 'Christian Dior Designer of Dreams', and why style has nothing to do with money

E. Nina Rothe March 6, 2019

What I found most interesting during my visit to the Victoria & Albert Museum, to view their latest fashion exhibit, was how my fellow visitors decided to dress for it. While Christian Dior as a brand has been known for impeccable, lady-like style since 1946, in 2019 London I was surrounded by a cacophony of sloppy, unkempt and dull outfits, worn by women who didn’t give their mirror a second look before leaving their homes/hotels/offices that day. And some men, trust me guys, you didn’t fare that well either.

The National Youth Film Academy roundtable luncheon at Brasserie Blanc, Southbank

The London Diaries: the National Youth Film Academy helps cinema professionals find their working community

E. Nina Rothe February 18, 2019

When he founded the National Youth Film Academy back in 2011, Chief Executive Rob Earnshaw spotted a gap within the cinema industry in the UK. There were jobs being offered, and people craving to fill those positions both in front and behind the camera, yet absolutely no bridge between them. In fact, in his mission statement Earnshaw talks about building that bridge.

““The National Youth Film Academy is dedicated to building bridges between education and employment in film. Our team works tirelessly to locate, nurture and promote talented, aspirational actors and filmmakers. But most importantly we discover people with the right attitude to be employed in British film.””

— Rob Earnshaw, Chief Executive, National Youth Film Academy

In the last eight years, the National Youth Film Academy has become the most important community to which aspiring film professionals in the UK can belong. And beyond, because of course, the film community — once bridges are formed to connect the jobs with the job seekers — is the largest open circle of artists in the world.

Hanaa Issa with filmmaker Elia Suleiman at a DFI event

"This is the environment where films flourish": Talking Qumra 2019 with Hanaa Issa in Berlin

E. Nina Rothe February 11, 2019

Ever since its creation in 2010 on the peninsular country of Qatar, the Doha Film Institute has been revolutionizing cinema in the Region. The word “revolution” is never a sign of good things in the Arab world and yet at DFI, they should welcome the term when it comes to describing the work they’ve been doing almost singlehandedly to create and foster a healthy cinema culture in the Arab world. And beyond.

Inspired: Highlights from the 2019 International Film Festival Rotterdam

E. Nina Rothe February 2, 2019

I’d long heard about the Rotterdam International Film Festival and yet had never personally been here. IFFR will hereafter be a much craved stop on my itinerary of world cinema events. I can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

So what makes this cinephiles’ festival filled with independent gems, languid culture-filled days and inspiring evening talks by the masters so addictive? Well, that — what I just said. Turns out there is no festival in the world quite like IFFR.

And here are a few favorites of mine from this year’s edition.

The Rome Diaries: The OnStage! Festival features Aizzah Fatima's perfect show and a play about Hedy Lamarr

E. Nina Rothe January 20, 2019

In a 2014 article in The Guardian, Pakistani-American comedian Aizzah Fatima described one of her first auditions. “One of the roles I auditioned for was ‘Terrorist No 2’s girlfriend,” she admitted tongue in cheek.

Of course, that’s the destiny of most actors who don’t fulfill the blue-eyed-blond-hair requirements of playing your average “as good as apple pie” American. Yet time and time again, while our leaders fight it and even try to build up walls to prevent it, the very greatness of our good ol’ U.S. of A. lies in its immigrant population as well as its indigenous tribes. And the culture that is most often exported and celebrated around the world as “American” is a mixture of African, tribal, native and otherwise ethic music, dance and art. And that’s never vanilla in flavor now, is it?!

The Rome Diaries: Photographer Massimo Sestini at WeGil shows us humanity, from above

E. Nina Rothe January 4, 2019

Back in the fascist era of the 30s, an Italian Youth Center was opened in Trastevere, these days considered a cool, but also touristic side of Rome. Then a more popular neighborhood, which also consisted of housing projects. Architect Luigi Moretti was in charge of the structure and what is today the WeGil was inaugurated in 1937. Imposing and clearly fascist look and feel, the structure was supposed to house equipment to train Italian youths for sports but also battle. WeGil therefore has a strange, complicated background to contend with and the feel within the structure is at once one of awe and discomfort.

The Cairo International Film Festival Diaries: And to think I almost missed this!

E. Nina Rothe November 23, 2018

One of the most beautifully mysterious actors of our time, Mr. Ralph Fiennes will be in Cairo, presenting his latest directorial project ‘The White Crow’ — about a childhood idol of mine, ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev — and for a conversation with the audience inside the massive Cairo Opera House. Moderated by yours truly.

It’s a momentous event, but I almost missed it.

Guillermo Del Toro, courtesy of the Marrakech International Film Festival

In "Conversation With" Scorsese, Del Toro, Nasrallah and more at the Marrakech Film Fest!

E. Nina Rothe October 24, 2018

If ever there was an upcoming event that felt outrageously exciting, almost too jam packed with greatness (could there ever be such a thing!) it’s the Marrakech International Film Festival — which will take place from November 30th to December 8th, 2018 in the beautiful Moroccan city. Now in its 17th edition, the festival took a year off in 2017 and is coming back stronger, better and more action-packed than ever.

Exceptional Women: Agnes Varda and Robin Wright honored at this year's Marrakech Film Festival

E. Nina Rothe October 15, 2018

You talk exceptional women and few garner as much unanimous adoration as legendary filmmaker, photographer and artist Agnes Varda. Then you think versatile actresses, women who have transformed themselves from super popular soap opera stars to beloved movie icons and the name Robin Wright immediately comes to mind.

Well, as it turns out both of these legendary women in their own right, or “Wright” if you pardon the pun, will be honored with the Etoile d’Or Award under the starry sky of the Moroccan city of Marrakech this December.

James Gray at 2018 Marrakech Film Festival, as Head of Competition Jury

E. Nina Rothe September 20, 2018

That I’m excited about the upcoming Marrakech Film Festival — which will take over the Moroccan city from November 30th to December 8th — is no secret. Apart from loving this country of spices, colors and incredible food, the Marrakech Film Fest has always held a special kind mystique for me. And with their new reorganized staff and crew, some of the most prestigious names in cinema circles (see all of them listed at the bottom of this post) my excitement has only grown stronger.

But this morning, when the festival announced director James Gray at the helm of their Competition Jury, I burst into downright joy. Let me explain.

City of Fragrances, Part Two: Scents, Art and Sensibility

E. Nina Rothe September 18, 2018

Sight and sound are definitely a part of our earliest memories. They say children can remember only from the age of three and a half upward and I have to say, my first memory has to do with sticking my finger in the electric socket and feeling the jolt. I remember feeling like someone had pushed me and apparently — this is my parents’ memory of the event — I ran to the living room crying holding my index finger, utterly frightened.

But how much does scent, the smells around us, have to do with our individual memory bank? Personally, I can’t help but remember my favorite uncle Pippo every time I smell a certain brand of cigarette smoking up the air. And I go back to my childhood quickly, as soon as I step off the train in Florence and smell the city’s distinctive scent of, well how do I put it nicely, sewer… Just recently I was told why that smell is so intrinsically Florentine and it has to do with the lack of a sewage system dating back to Medici time. Apparently, every time the system fills up, giant trucks come to gather up the goodies and carry them away. There are serious studies done on it!

So it’s no surprise that the Florentines were some of the first people to use scents, ambiance fragrances and perfume to change the air around them.

Frescoes by Mariotto di Nardo, inside the Santa Maria Novella shop in Florence

City of Fragrances, Part One: Florence at the scent-er of this year's Pitti Fragranze

E. Nina Rothe September 17, 2018

This year, the iconic once-a-year fragrance fair Pitti Fragranze, which is held in Florence every September, incorporated the entire city into its scent design. Thus, in the process, let the select audience of buyers and journalists that attended the event, in on the secret nooks and crannies of the great renaissance town. From the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, to the church of San Miniato al Monte, from the center to the outskirts, Florence became the “City of Fragrances” and in the process, reclaimed its scent, health and beauty heritage.

Following are a few personal highlights from this incredible journey of scent.

A still from ‘The Man Who Surprised Everyone’ by Natalya Merkulova and Alexey Chupov

The Venice Diaries: 'The Man Who Surprised Everyone' is the antidote to intolerance

E. Nina Rothe September 11, 2018

How would you cope with being told you have a terminal illness?

That is a question I’ve asked myself often these days, as I deal with people I love getting ill and the recent death of my father. Where do you find the strength to go on, when you know the days are numbered and how do you continue to be a functioning member of society when probably all you wish to do is go into the woods and hide?

Well, in Natalya Merkulova’s and Alexey Chupov’s haunting, beautiful and at times painfully truthful film ‘The Man Who Surprised Everyone’ which screened in the Orizzonti section in Venice, the real life husband and wife team tackle the difficult question.

A still from 'Roma' the Venice Golden Lion winning film by Alfonso Cuarón which will be in theater and on Netflix in December 2018

The Venice Diaries: The mixtape of Venezia 75 is an homage to creativity's soundtrack

E. Nina Rothe September 10, 2018

This year's Venice Film Festival seemed to carry a special soundtrack, like a mixtape of our collective thoughts and hopes and wishes. For a future where we are finally able to learn from our past and stop thinking that our opinions count individually. For a world where we will discover, finally, a middle ground in shades of grey, instead of living everything in either black or white.

Here is my Venezia 75 Mixtape.

Sawsan Arsheed in a still from Soudade Kaadan's 'The Day I Lost My Shadow'

The Venice Diaries: Lion of the Future winner Soudade Kaadan's 'The Day I Lost My Shadow'

E. Nina Rothe September 9, 2018

'The Day I Lost My Shadow' by Soudade Kaadan won the Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film Jury at the 75th Venice Film Festival. It's a win to be celebrated for all women filmmakers, of course, but also for Syrian filmmakers who, since the start of the war in 2011 have all but disappeared. Scattered around foreign lands, their voices and visions have become the true casualties of this conflict.

In her film, which world premiered at the festival in the Orizzonti section, Kaadan uses the metaphor of personal shadows as a way to show how the war strips people of their humanity and hope. When Sana, played by the beautiful Sawsan Arsheed, goes out looking for a gas canister so she can cook for her son, she is pulled into a three day nightmare that eventually ends the way everything ends in Syria... I'll leave that to your imagination and perhaps your first viewing of the film.

The Diaries, because sometimes life needs more.