As a seasoned gamer who has attended numerous film festivals, I can say that Camerimage is one of my all-time favorites. The event’s focus on cinematography and the art of filmmaking always leaves me in awe. However, this year’s edition is shrouded in controversy, and it’s a bit like playing a game with unexpected twists and turns.
This year, Poland’s EnergaCamerimage Film Festival commenced amidst controversy, yet the opening ceremony held on Saturday night in Toruń seemed devoid of any such tension.
Marek Żydowicz, founder of the festival, kicked off the 32nd edition without referencing the recent controversy that stirred up a storm in the industry. This event led to the withdrawal of two prominent guests, Steve McQueen (Oscar winner) and Coralie Fargeat (director of “The Substance”), who expressed their disapproval. Nevertheless, Żydowicz highlighted that he established Camerimage over 30 years ago to uphold the artists in the film industry, often overlooked or reduced to mere technicians during celebrations of film.
Camerimage famously highlights the work of cinematographers and other craft artists integral to the filmmaking process. For years, the event has been akin to a cult favorite on the festival circuit, attracting hundreds of working cinematographers and film buffs for a weeklong celebration of the art of filmmaking in the historic medieval city. But Żydowicz ignited a firestorm a week ago with an editorial published in Cinematography World magazine, in which he seemed to suggest that pushing for greater representation by women cinematographers at Camerimage could result in a film selection of diminished artistic quality.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “When my comments were labeled misogynistic by prominent filmmakers and cinematography guilds, I initially tried to clear up the confusion by responding to criticism from the British Society of Cinematographers. However, I realized later that my initial explanation wasn’t enough, so I issued a more heartfelt apology after McQueen decided to withdraw due to my remarks.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the electric vibe at Camerimage this year is even more intense. The festival has chosen to showcase the world premiere of Rust, an indie Western featuring Alec Baldwin, which tragically led to the on-set death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
When the screening was announced a month ago, some DPs took to social media to argue that the decision was a promotional move undertaken in poor taste, given that the creation of the work caused the death of one of their compatriots. The festival has emphasized, however, that the premiere was only intended to honor the work and wishes of Hutchins, a past attendee of Camerimage who had privately told her collaborators that she hoped her work would one day screen there. (Organizers also told THR that Baldwin was deliberately not invited, because of the distraction his presence at the event would likely generate.)
Despite the controversies surrounding Camerimage this year, numerous prominent industry figures and artists continue to express their support for the festival. For instance, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, who was appointed as the president of the main competition jury, has declared her intent to fulfill her role with a joint statement from her fellow jurors. In it, they expressed their stance on gender representation, stating “We welcome discussion about gender representation,” and emphasized their commitment to promoting genuine inclusivity by saying, “we fully endorse the necessary shift towards real inclusivity.
On Saturday evening, Cate Blanchett attended the opening ceremony and was warmly greeted with applause when she was briefly mentioned to the audience. It has been announced that her latest directorial partner, five-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón, will also be joining the festival as a late addition. Next week, the filmmaker will discuss his and Blanchett’s Apple TV+ series, “Disclaimer,” at a public talk event.
The ceremony opened with a video message from world-renowned performance artist Marina Abramović, who accepted a Camerimage honor for artistic achievement. The artist said she wasn’t able to attend in person due to a health condition but stated that she was “very happy that so many women — great, creative women — are taking part in this important festival this year.”
The second-most enthusiastic round of applause during the ceremony was given when Hiroyuki Sanada, star of Shogun, made his way onto the stage to receive Camerimage’s first award for outstanding performance in a TV series. In line with the festival’s ethos, the esteemed Japanese actor graciously accepted the trophy not just for himself, but on behalf of the talented crew behind his Emmy-winning show.
As a gamer, I’d put it this way: “I, an 85-year-old filmmaker, Krzysztof Zanussi – a name known for its golden lions and Cannes jury accolades – was honored with the Pomorze Region Prize at a festival. From the stage, I humbly admitted that I feel like a Christmas tree losing its needles, yet the organizers are still adorning me with new decorations.
As Zanussi remarked, with a sly grin, conventional wisdom suggests that a man grows wiser as he gets older and becomes less affected by signs of appreciation. However, for me, this rule doesn’t apply – I remain just as unwise, and the feeling of being appreciated has only grown more precious over time.
The event ended by showing the movie “Blitz”, without McQueen’s participation. Later, on November 23rd, Cate Blanchett and her jury will reveal the recipients of the Camerimage’s Golden Frog awards during the closing ceremony.
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2024-11-16 22:54