Cameraimage cinematography festival in the bin

[Andrew Reid]

https://www.screendaily.com/news/backlash-to-camerimage-directors-misogynistic-op-ed-on-women-in-cinematography/5199103.article

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/camerimage-film-festival-sexist-editorial-change-1236059689/

https://variety.com/2024/film/global/camerimage-controversy-festival-director-1236207572/

Apparently, this is a story of intolerance, of good vs evil.

The festival director is evil - he doesn't tolerate mediocre cinematography, and thinks that if you select for jobs based on gender, you encourage it and deprive somebody more talented (presumably a man) of an opportunity, and deprive filmmaking of meritocracy.

The film industry replied - we don't tolerate this kind of free speech. It's against our rules on sexism.

The festival director replied - sorry... let's have a discussion about it.

The film industry replied - we doesn't tolerate sexism.

And Steve McQueen replied... goodbye, I'm out of Cameraimage 2024.

But does the festival director really have an intolerance towards mediocrity?

After all a lot of what is shown is indeed mediocre.

And even when it comes to a proven genius such as Deakins, he's involved with the occasional mediocre movie.

And does the film industry really have an intolerance discrimination? After all the entire purpose of the industry is to be highly selective of to whom they give money. They are also very discriminatory in what they do and don't allow in terms of freedom of speech and editorial comments... and even more discriminatory when it comes to which projects they will fund and which ones they won't. And also, the film industry doesn't seem to like some groups (such as poor people) - and won't give them jobs, hence you nowadays only really hear middle class voices chattering on set.

So in the end, perhaps the Polish festival director is indeed more tolerant of mediocrity and does in fact select cinematographer's work based on factors other than just talent.

And perhaps the film industry is indeed a LOT less tolerant than they like to make themselves out to be.

Because by the very definition of the world, tolerance allows for all sorts of different opinions and cultural views, even when it comes to Polish festival organisers.

And that by definition, is diverse.

Whatever the culture war victor in all of this... wouldn't it be a genuine shame however to lose an event like Cameraimage in Poland?

It's the leading cinematography community and good for all involved, yes even women. So when Steve McQueen and others pull their support, perhaps they should think about whether this is truly a good thing for cinematographers or not, and if filmmakers can afford to lose yet another community event, in a rapidly more lonely corporate world, during a major industry crisis.

[ND64]

Right wingers has X, liberals have Threads and BlueSky. Maybe we're heading for a situation where there is a film industry for conservatives and another film industry for liberals. 

[PannySVHS]

Liberals and conservatives, yeah just two kinds of humanbeings.;) Liberal cinema, conservative, both sounds dull as a freaking polit talkshow with all these dull broadcasters and podcasters with their framing and then their framing about framing.

Talent? I haven't read from Reed Morano in a long time. Her direction of the first three episodes of Handmaids Tale were the best of the whole thing. She did these as a Dop turned director and it has shown in the visual power. Any episodes later had a tough time to keep up with that level of quality. Quiet a few did a good overall job, possibly sticking to the visual concept of the Moreno episodes in an attempt to use it as a blueprint. A whole bunch of the last two seasons was mediocore and in that with even nervewreckingly annoying parts and unappealing talking heads galore.

So where is Reed Morano? She did three exceptionally outstanding episodes of cinema for that show. This industry doesn't really do as much for diversity as it does against it. In Germany filmsets have been, until recently, spaces of labor exploitation and psychological abuse. Middle and upper class kids taking the trophies. But they are scared too not to get their project financed.

I had the great pleasure of talking to Oliver Stapleton for a few minutes at Camerimage 2019, the edition before Corona. He told me that filmschools in Brittania are much rather accessible for wealthy kids. He found that to be not ideal. He was frank to point out his disappointment with a pretty desasterous shortfilm, infront of an audience, which also agreed on his assertions. Oliver Stapleton and any of the viewers had respect for the cinematography and technical prowess and they were showing acknowledgement. But story, acting, direction of acting, dialogue, and tone aka mood were just disappointing.

I have seen another highly mediocore mid length film at that very same Camerimage, which also had a screening at a pretty prestigous German filmfest, just like the film I mentioned above. Both shorts were from technical showcases. Then I've seen two dull shorts from another famous German filmschool, which both made it to that same German prestigeous festival. The DoPs did good pro work in all these films, but story, acting, dramaturgy, mood were all dubious. Camerawork and tech aspects were pro level. So camerimage has shown some lacklaster student films. Btw Berlinale has too. I am not competent to say by any means if it is the festivals fault as a lot of good stuff is running there too. They can only choose from the films which are sent to them.

[Andrew Reid]

On 11/14/2024 at 7:33 AM, ND64 said:

Right wingers has X, liberals have Threads and BlueSky. Maybe we're heading for a situation where there is a film industry for conservatives and another film industry for liberals. 

I wouldn't mind one internet for Trump cult members and one for the rest of us.

[Andrew Reid]

10 hours ago, PannySVHS said:

Liberals and conservatives, yeah just two kinds of humanbeings.;) Liberal cinema, conservative, both sounds dull as a freaking polit talkshow with all these dull broadcasters and podcasters with their framing and then their framing about framing.

It used to not matter once upon a time.

Politics didn't even factor in dating... you had young people getting married with totally different opinions, yes shocking.

And even today it's possible to agree with certain things that people say no matter who they are or what end of the culture war they belong to.

It would be nice to have a bit more of that and a bit less of the divide and rule, but I am also equally fed up with the stupidity and naivety coming out both ends of the same toilet... from extremists on the far right (Trump cult) and far left (unrealistic ideologues)

10 hours ago, PannySVHS said:

So camerimage has shown some lacklaster student films. Btw Berlinale has too. I am not competent to say by any means if it is the festivals fault as a lot of good stuff is running there too. They can only choose from the films which are sent to them.

The cameraimage thing is quite sad really, it was a force for good as far as I can see and the festival organisers have done a great job over the years of supporting talent, and it's right that student films should be shown even if they're no masterpiece. Every talented person looks back at their earliest work and it's imperfect.

I think where the BSC is right (but didn't say so) is that Marek has been really insensitive with his interview comments given he is hosting the debut screening of RUST at Cameraimage... Halyna's last work and she died shooting it. 

Whether it is tasteful to show it is a whole other debate.

It's hard to square it being her last work behind the camera, and it being the film set that was incompetent enough to get her killed.

[majoraxis]

Just because the majority of voting Americas voted for Trump, does not make them conservatives or right wingers. Many of them simply voted against Harris, just as people voted against Trump in 2020.

Picking the lesser of two evils is what it comes down to in American politics today and not some type of ideological victory as the media would have you believe.

So when I encounter liberals - I happen to rent a room from one. When we actually talk about the issues, it turns out we have more in common as Americans than the media would have us believe.  All these labels do is divide people...

I'm pretty sure the hierarchy of needs is something like shelter, food, and sex rather than "believe what I believe or we can't work together to help each other get our common needs meet"...

Ironically every day has now become "be kind to a liberal day" because the media completely lied to their base about the election forecast - no wonder people for Harris are upset about the election results - same thing happened on 2016. 

The situation is not people vs people - it is divide and profit by the media - it makes sick the brain washing the has taken over society.

People are people and may the best film maker win regards of how they voted in an election, or what race or gender or creed they are.

The facts is, it is the people against the media rather liberals against conservatives - what a deception - I happen to like pulp fiction and tropic thunder... great cinema is great cinema and great comedy is great comedy no matter who makes it and who is offends...

The price of freedom is me allowing other's to express ideas that I don't agree with and other's allowing me to express ideas they don't agree with... hopefully the first amendment is practiced on this forum. ; )

[Leon Postma]

It is pretty easy to spot the bias in MSM if you still have your critical faculties about you. I haven’t read newspapers or watched TV since early 2000’s. So now when I ocassionally see coverage  with my arguably obsolete frame of what objective reporting should be I can point out factual error, bias, and vested interests in seconds.
 

But much like in advertisement the repetitive nature of installing fear and sowing divisiveness takes a hold when tuning in to it daily I’m sure.  Glad most of the American people are seeing they have been fed bullshit this cycle. Talking to 50+ Uber drivers when I was over in the USA in 2017 after Trump won  it struck me people just want to live their lives and have more in common than not on both sides of the aisle.
 

Could in general not care less about which side wins as party positions have drastically shifted through the years.   I’m a one issue pro bitcoin voter so I’d have voted Trump this time.  And Dems will undoubtedly co-opt bitcoin in 4 years like nothing happened if it brings them to power again. Really curious to see what the UK stance will be towards Trumps policies.  Pro bitcoin will keep London relevant as a financial center and move them further away from doomed  centralizing hungry Europe - we’ll see.  
 

On a personal note as  Dutch citizen facing new capital gains tax regulations and an exit tax possibly within 2 years I’m actively planning to emigrate the continent altogether. F that - sure as hell won’t be  held financially hostage by my country of birth. I am voting with my feet 🦶

[fuzzynormal]

"The media completely lied about the election forecast"

Yet I was out here voting and worried about Harris winning.  Why's that? 
 
All the reported polling forecasts I was reading about had it at a statistical tie.  All polls were within the margin of error with many polls showing Donald trending to a slight lead.

I was incredulous about it being so close going into election day because it's Donald, and, you know, all he does, how he behaves, and all the ridiculous authoritarianism he represents, but never thought for a minute the election wasn't a toss up. 

After all, eggs cost more now.

All MSM I saw was reporting these fact.  Lo and behold, look what happened.

So, friend, where's the lie in that?  What media do you consume that implies otherwise? 

And, bare with me here, could that particular narrative potentially be what is not true? 

The stories we tell ourselves.  Ever curious.  I suppose a good story always needs a bad guy?

[Andrew Reid]

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

Just because the majority of voting Americas voted for Trump, does not make them conservatives or right wingers. Many of them simply voted against Harris, just as people voted against Trump in 2020.

Correct.

Although when you look at who Trump has appointed in the cabinet, you have to say that the majority of those Americans aren't a very astute judge of character, or perhaps they're simply unawares.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

Picking the lesser of two evils is what it comes down to in American politics today and not some type of ideological victory as the media would have you believe.

Lesser of the two evils?

Trump's tariffs will destroy the US economy and triple inflation, and it doesn't need a 'mainstream media outlet' to tell you that. It's simply logic. If he does what he says he will, and nobody stops him, then he could also crash the global economic outlook as well. The stock market has already fallen following his batshit crazy cabinet picks.

I can't in any way deny that the Democrats completely messed up this election... Too cozy with corporate culture and lobbyists, ignored men, ignored Bernie Sanders, can't claim a good record on the economy when normal people aren't feeling it and only big businesses are... And involved in two depressing wars.

But the fact that people think Trump is the lesser evil just seems completely wrongheaded to me. It's as if you folk have been brainwashed by a cult leader.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

So when I encounter liberals - I happen to rent a room from one. When we actually talk about the issues, it turns out we have more in common as Americans than the media would have us believe.  All these labels do is divide people...

I agree... Too much divide and rule in today's pre-war world.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

I'm pretty sure the hierarchy of needs is something like shelter, food, and sex rather than "believe what I believe or we can't work together to help each other get our common needs meet"...

Absolutely... Shelter is unaffordable, food is a rip off, and society is becoming clinical, sexless, dull.

In fact property prices, rent prices, food prices, are a big reason Biden lost the election.

And he ain't responsible for any of it.

Global population is growing, resources are not keeping up, and the US public will find out soon enough that whether they elect a politician or a celebrity, it won't make a damn difference in the long term.

You have a celebrity apprentice government with unserious, inexperienced demigods and narcissist in it, and somehow they have been able to resonate with the public.

That shows how vast the failure of the liberals are... That a convicted felon was able to resonate with the everyday American family better than the morally posturing vacant Harris.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

Ironically every day has now become "be kind to a liberal day" because the media completely lied to their base about the election forecast - no wonder people for Harris are upset about the election results - same thing happened on 2016.

They didn't lie at all the polls were very accurate, it was a close outcome in the few key states where the voting mattered, 51-49% is a similar margin to Brexit referendum in the UK which was always on a knife edge, and in these situations even a Joe Rogen podcast can sway the result last minute.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

The situation is not people vs people - it is divide and profit by the media - it makes sick the brain washing the has taken over society.

Why do you think Trump is the lesser of the two evils then, he is the ultimate divide and profit by media candidate.

He is not out for you.

He is not out for anybody but himself and his racist rich friends.

11 hours ago, majoraxis said:

The price of freedom is me allowing other's to express ideas that I don't agree with and other's allowing me to express ideas they don't agree with... hopefully the first amendment is practiced on this forum. ; )

I am all for it.

No hardened personal feelings towards you at all.