Bicycle Thieves introduction at the EFC online in time for Cannes Classics

The European Film College posts a select number of videos of events screenings and lectures to show in their ‘Screening Room’. A video of my introduction to Bicycle Thieves is now on site: https://vimeo.com/123839527

The  timing of the inclusion of my introduction is to the point, as De Sica’s masterpiece will be shown a at Cannes Classics later this month.

Introduction to Antonioni’s L’Avventura

Mamoun made one of his regular visits to the European Film College in Ebeltoft, Denmark, to deliver masterclasses and his now well known movie introductions. One of the introductions was to Antonioni’s classic L’Avventura.

Many thanks to Georgi Yordanov who filmed the event, and the staff and students of the European Film College.

Introduction to Bergman’s ‘Persona’ at the NFT

Bibi Andersson and Live Ullman in ‘Persona’

This week I was asked by Dominic Power, Head of Screen Arts at National Film and Television School (NFTS) to introduce a screening of Bergman’s Persona at the National Film Theatre Southbank, London.

It’s taking a liberty telling an audience how to view a film minutes before seeing it.

I prefer to give them a perspective, often by referring to the director’s other work. I talk primarily about form and style, sometimes about subjects that recur. I try to keep it simple. The film’s the thing.

Here is a recording of the event, montaged with a few slides:

The film was shown as part of the NFTS ‘Passport to Cinema’ season – a continuous and comprehensive overview of every facet of cinema, from its beginnings to the present day.

Bill Douglas: Childhood Trilogy in Le Monde: Justified Sinner

Three of the most compelling films about childhood and adolescence – ever made – released for the first time on DVD by BFI.

Bill Douglas has always been appreciated in France but the enthusiastic response of the cinephile media to the DVD release two weeks ago of the Trilogy shows that his status is now higher than ever. He is spoken of as in the ‘pantheon’ of British directors.

It is particularly gratifying to read a glowing tribute to Bill’s work by Thomas Sotinel in Le Monde*. His piece also recognises the role the British Film Institute played in helping the young Scot get his first feature film off the ground in the early 1970’s – and contains a reference link to an account on this very website: Bill Douglas – his ain man – (as published by Sight and Sound in 1991)

It is my greatest regret that after I commissioned Bill to write a screenplay adaptation of James’ Hogg’s 19th Century Classic, Confessions of a Justified Sinner, no funding was forthcoming to make what I believe was a personal and inspired adaptation. I stand by what I said in the article more than 20 years ago:

I hope that when the film is made — and it will be — I can, in my mind at least, make peace with him.

* published at http://www.lemonde.fr/culture/article/2013/07/30/bill-douglas-une-enfance-en-ecosse_3455298_3246.html subscription only,  but may be read in full if you put ‘Le Monde’ and ‘Bill Douglas’ into your search engine!

Movie Masterclass: Pather Panchali

Explore Satyajit Ray’s masterwork scene by scene

Date: 17 August 2013

Place: National Film Theatre, Southbank, London

Time 1.00pm – 4.00pm

You are invited to come and join Mamoun Hassan for a stimulating afternoon at the NFT where he will be leading a scene-by-scene exploration of Pather Panchali, Satyajit Ray’s extraordinary and acclaimed debut.

Mamoun’s trademark Movie Masterclass technique is a uniquely engaging way of teaching the art and craft of filmmaking, suitable for filmmakers and film-lovers alike.

His accessible approach evolves from a practical analysis of the whole filmmaking craft, a technique he established for the Channel 4’s Movie Masterclass series.

This participatory seminar will require prior viewing of Pather Panchali.

You can book tickets to view Pather Panchali at a NFT screening in August or you can purchase the DVD as part of The Apu Trilogy box set in the UK.

Seminar tickets cost between £8.50 and £11.00. You are strongly advised to book in advance at the BFI website – places are limited!

‘The Third Man’ in Cuba

Mamoun has returned to the International Film school in Cuba as the visiting lecturer in Editing for four weeks. As well as his regular one-to-one sessions with the students, he will also be running his Movie Masterclasses.

For the first time, Mamoun will be running a Masterclass on the British Classic ‘The Third Man‘ on Wednesday 6th February. Mamoun has always considered this film to be one of the world greats, and is looking forward with excitement to exploring it with the students in Cuba. Mamoun would like to acknowledge the support from Studio Canal for this Masterclass.

As much of his work in Cuba is done in conjunction with a translator, it may be difficult for us to present any of the Masterclass here, but we hope to show a taster if the technical challenges do not preclude it.

My Brother the Devil at BFI London Film Festival

This week’s BFI LONDON FILM FESTIVAL featured a new British movie MY BROTHER THE DEVIL (Dir. Sally El Hosaini 2012). The film, on which Mamoun provided editing consultancy, is set in gangland London and stars fresh new actors James Floyd and Fady Elsayed as young British Arab brothers.

The story has struck a chord with young audiences world wide including those at the FILMS FROM THE SOUTH festival in Oslo, where Mamoun saw the film last week while visiting with ANDRES WOOD (Andres’ recent film VIOLETA WENT TO HEAVEN appeared at both festivals).

The relevant and controversial themes are reminiscent of the incendiary film BABYLON (1981 Dir. Franco Rosso) funded under Mamoun’s watch as the Managing Director of the National Film Finance Corporation, the  UK’s government arm for investing in feature production and development.

With Andres Wood in Oslo

Mamoun has just returned from the FILMS FROM THE SOUTH festival in OSLO
where he accompanied his close friend, co-writer and producer colleague
the leading South American director ANDRES WOOD to showings of his three
latest works:

Machuca 2004 CHILE Dir. Andres Wood,(co-writer and co-producer Mamoun
Hassan)
La Buena Vida 2008 CHILE Dir. Andres Wood (co-writer and co-producer
Mamoun Hassan)
Violeta Went to Heaven 2011  CHILE Dir. Andres Wood

Andres’ latest work VIOLETA WENT TO HEAVEN  took the World Cinema Jury
Prize at SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 and is appearing at this week’s BFI
LONDON FILM FESTIVAL and will be on theatrical release in North America
from November.

Masterclasses at The European Film College 10th-11th October

Mamoun will be at The European Film College, Ebeltoft, Denmark to give Masterclasses – 1oth & 11th October.

Films of the South Festival, Oslo 6th – 8th October

Mamoun will be attending the Films of the South Festival with Andres Wood in Oslo, 6th -8th October, for the screenings of Machuca, La Buena Vida and Violeta is alive in Heaven.