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PODCAST - Cyndi Greening & Emanuel Levy
The Inside Scoop for 2005-08-03

Podcast on Wednesday, August 3, 2005

Posted from Phoenix, Arizona

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By Cyndi Greening. Phoenix, Arizona USA (Cinema Minima) -- Film Professor, Author and Critic Emanuel Levy discusses ...

• the
  growing popularity of documentary/non-fiction films and his new book, Michael
  Moore and the New American Documentaries


• the polarized political climate and how it drives desire for more in-depth
  and issue based films like OUTFOXED,
  BUSH'S BRAIN, FAHRENHEIT
  9/11


• the inspirational nature of real-life heroes ( like those in MURDERBALL)
  rather than momentary uplift of reel characters


• motivation for young film students to choose documentary filmmaking because
  now possible to make a living in non-fiction film (like the wildly successful
  MARCH OF
  THE PENGUINS which, according to Box
  Office Mojo, has earned $17,645,632 as of August 3, 2007)


• value of attending film school to enhance chances of success


• loss of communal film experience because so many people are watching film
  on DVD instead of going to the theatre


• his experience as a jurist in the 2003 Sundance
  Film Festival


• Palm Springs International
  Film Festival Emphasis on Foreign Language Film


• both Cyndi and Emanuel discuss their love of Foreign Language Films and
  how American Independent Cinema is further marginalizing that genre


• his education in French Cinema of the late 70's and 80's


• he recommends the Ingmar Bergman SARABAND
  currently in release


• Cyndi and Emanuel discuss the wonderful films IN
  THE MOOD FOR LOVE and 2046
  by director Wong Karwai (including his next film, THE
  LADY FROM SHANGHAI starring Nicole Kidman)


• upcoming release of book on director Vincent Minnelli, father of Liza, spouse
  of Judy Garland


• as was discussed in his book Cinema
  of Outsiders: The Rise of Independent Film, Levy talks about how Sundance
  was instrumental in starting Gay Cinema/Queer Cinema movement but with television
  programs like WILL & GRACE, QUEER AS FOLK, and THE L WORD, one is no longer
  forced to make an ultra-low budget movie simply because the main characters
  are gay or lesbian


• that the societal backlash against gay marriage does not effect films with
  gay characters or themes; nor books by gay authors or with gay themes


• an exciting time in cinema because the "right" actress can get
  a film the greenlight (from his article Women
  on Top: How Female Stars Have Conquered Hollywood)