142 Iranian film-makers have signed an appeal to boycott the "Cinema Vérité - Iran International Documentary Film Festival".
The festival was established in 2007 by the Iranian "Documentary &
Experimental Film Centre" under the provisional title "Cinema Vérité".
In 2008 the festival presented extensive national and international
competitions, devoted retrospectives to Richard Leacock and Jorgen Leth
and ran a special programme on Polish documentary films. Despite
various restrictions, the festival still managed to critically reflect
on the everyday reality in Iran and to initiate a debate on civil
injustice in Iran. With the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad this
important cinematic work now seems impossible.
Against this background, 142 Iranian film-makers have called for solidarity through a boycott of the festival:
"Cinema Verite is an important festival and has managed in its previous
2 years to invoke an atmosphere of debate and reflection, which is
essential to documentary film-making. Unfortunately, in recent weeks
extreme restrictions have been placed on our documentary film-makers
wanting to capture what is occurring in our turbulent society. We can
see so many films that potentially could have been made these days, but
we are not allowed to make them. Therefore, due to our commitment and
respect for the truth and the reality, we have come to the decision to
not take part in the forthcoming festival, either as documentary
filmmakers, critics or viewers."
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2009/08/12 DOC ALLIANCE Film of the Week: "Behind the Fence" by Marcin Sauter
This week DOC ALLIANCE recommends: "Behind the Fence" by Marcin Sauter
Time of childhood, vacation, and hot summer...
2009/08/10 Call for Release of Maziar Bahari
JOINT APPEAL FROM DOK LEIPZIG AND DOK.FEST MUNICH:
The Iranian documentary filmmaker Maziar Bahari is currently enduring a show trial in Tehran. In the morning of July 21, Iranian militia arrested Maziar Bahari at his mother’s house. He has been detained ever since. No formal charge has been made against Bahari and he has not been allowed to see either a lawyer or a member of his family.
DOK Leipzig’s Festival Director Claas Danielsen is deeply concerned about the current situation in Tehran: “Maziar Bahari is an important voice in Iranian documentary film making. DOK Leipzig stands for films which defend freedom and human dignity. We call upon the authorities in Iran to enter into a constructive dialogue with all the democratic forces in Iranian society and to immediately release Maziar Bahari and all peaceful demonstrators!“
Maziar Bahari has achieved widespread international acclaim through films such as “Along Came a Spider“. He is an active member of the “Iranian Documentary Filmmakers Association“ and an important role model for many young Iranian filmmakers.
DOK Leipzig supports the petition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) to the Iranian Justice Minister Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi which you can sign here:
The Iranian documentary filmmaker Maziar Bahari is currently enduring a show trial in Tehran. In the morning of July 21, Iranian militia arrested Maziar Bahari at his mother’s house. He has been detained ever since. No formal charge has been made against Bahari and he has not been allowed to see either a lawyer or a member of his family.
DOK Leipzig’s Festival Director Claas Danielsen is deeply concerned about the current situation in Tehran: “Maziar Bahari is an important voice in Iranian documentary film making. DOK Leipzig stands for films which defend freedom and human dignity. We call upon the authorities in Iran to enter into a constructive dialogue with all the democratic forces in Iranian society and to immediately release Maziar Bahari and all peaceful demonstrators!“
Maziar Bahari has achieved widespread international acclaim through films such as “Along Came a Spider“. He is an active member of the “Iranian Documentary Filmmakers Association“ and an important role model for many young Iranian filmmakers.
DOK Leipzig supports the petition of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) to the Iranian Justice Minister Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi which you can sign here:
2009/07/16 Warm recommendation: The DOC ALLIANCE Film of the week!
From now on, we will present you the DOC ALLIANCE Film of the week regularly. A recommendation worth checking out!
Within the week from 13 july to 19 july DOC Alliance recommends: "Fleeting Memory (Une ombre au tableau)" by Amaury Brumauld
You can watch or buy the DOC ALLIANCE Film of the week amongst all the other films at www.docalliancefilms.com by mere playing or downloading it in one of the three offered formats, legally and for a minimum fee.
Within the week from 13 july to 19 july DOC Alliance recommends: "Fleeting Memory (Une ombre au tableau)" by Amaury Brumauld
You can watch or buy the DOC ALLIANCE Film of the week amongst all the other films at www.docalliancefilms.com by mere playing or downloading it in one of the three offered formats, legally and for a minimum fee.
2009/07/14 In memory of: Allan King
Allan Winton King (79) died on 15th of June in his house in Toronto.
As a pioneer of cinéma verité King has been one of the most famous and innovative filmmakers of Canada.
In his 50 years long professional life King created a broad and groundbreaking oeuvre connected with a constant exploration of the borders between documentary and fictional film.
People on the fringes of society have been the focal point of his interest over and over again. In search of a deeper psychological truth King put his protagonist in situations that raised backed up dramas. In unity of space, time and action a special nearness developed which affected his protagonists as well as the audience.
In 2006 DOK Leipzig dedicated a homage to Alan King: "Tyranny of the Genre - Allan King."
As a pioneer of cinéma verité King has been one of the most famous and innovative filmmakers of Canada.
In his 50 years long professional life King created a broad and groundbreaking oeuvre connected with a constant exploration of the borders between documentary and fictional film.
People on the fringes of society have been the focal point of his interest over and over again. In search of a deeper psychological truth King put his protagonist in situations that raised backed up dramas. In unity of space, time and action a special nearness developed which affected his protagonists as well as the audience.
In 2006 DOK Leipzig dedicated a homage to Alan King: "Tyranny of the Genre - Allan King."
2009/05/06 New Look: Documentary Campus e.V.
Discovery Campus e.V., who arranges its annual final pitching of the Documentary Masterschool within DOK Leipzig, has changed its name to Documentary Campus e.V.
Here you can find the newsletter and the new look:
