#FilmAndChips
For the first time in Serbia organized by the British Council and the Youth Center of Belgrade, under the auspices of the British Embassy in Belgrade.
The domestic audience was able to see the latest British movie realizations. Films that are bold, emotionally challenging and certainly inspiriting, with themes that are unconventional were simultaneously presented this weekend to the people in ten different cities (Belgrade, Pancevo, Kragujevac, Cacak, Vrnjacka Banja, Kikinda, Zrenjanin, Vrsac, Valjevo) across the country.
British Ambassador Denis Keefe opened the ceremony with a speech.
"This is an exceptional week for all film lovers. Nominations for BAFTA and Oscars are published, Golden Globes were handed for the 72nd time . We are proud that British cinema, our actors, directors, films confirmed their important global role. We want to convey part of this exciting atmosphere and passion for cinema this weekend in theatres in Serbia. We hope that the festival 'Film and Chips' will rebuild a strong relationship that already long exists between local audiences and British cinematography, but also that their innovative approach wins new viewers. "
Short films were first on the festival's program to warm things up.
"X + Y" by Morgan Matthews opened the festival that was presented at the London Film Festival this fall. The film producer Laura Hastings-Smith along with Tony O'Brien British Council director for West Balkan made an introduction for the movie.
This is personally my favourite from the festival. The characters are so realistic and the fusion of acting, scenery and great plot charms your pants off in a teary- eyed emotional roller coaster full of life's stirring profundities.
"X + Y" by Morgan Matthews opened the festival that was presented at the London Film Festival this fall. The film producer Laura Hastings-Smith along with Tony O'Brien British Council director for West Balkan made an introduction for the movie.
This is personally my favourite from the festival. The characters are so realistic and the fusion of acting, scenery and great plot charms your pants off in a teary- eyed emotional roller coaster full of life's stirring profundities.
Besides X+Y, audience enjoyed four more films,
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| Copyright British Council Serbia |
The second day of the festival had a great turn out."Pride" by Matthew Warchus which was named the best film of the British independent film was SOLD OUT! It is an extraordinary true story, proving that no good deed goes undone. Pride manages to present the awful situation (in which mine workers were crushed by the Iron Lady) and turn it into a heartwarming and hopeful tale of social cooperation and human empathy. Actors gave very dignifying, uplifting performance, actually uplifting is the adjective I would use to describe the whole movie together.
But not to forget the second movie of the second day. This intimate and life-affirming tale of rediscovery shown in 'Possibilities are endless' will give you a whole new perspective of what's it like when the content of your mind is effectively deleted after experiencing a stroke. The movie embarks you on a remarkable return journey from the brink of death with help of love, music and language.
I had the honour to do a small interview about the festival and the idea behind it with Tony O'Brien.
J: Good Evening Mr. O'Brien.
Could you please tell me a bit more about the Film and Chips movie festival and the idea behind it?
T:Yeah, we wanted to do something with film and we wanted to do something that was obviously distinctively British and contemporary because we know that a lot of people in Serbia don't have the chance to see other than Hollywood type stuff. We wanted to bring some top quality recent things, plus our desire was to make it accessible to the whole country not just in Belgrade or Novi Sad.
Film and Chips the idea is as a title it's very evocative of Britain's "Fish&Chips", but also the chips, this what the cinema is all about, about accessibility, it's popular, anyone can come and we wanted it really to be accessible to everybody, so Belgrade plus nine other towns around the country and then a range of very different kind of movies. And we hope that they will all appeal to someone, but the main thing for us is just to develop a wider audience, different audience. That's really the idea behind the festival.
J: It is a very good idea to organize the festival in several towns all over Serbia and not just the capital. I have a friend in Cacak and she is very happy to be able to see the movies in her hometown rather than having to travel to Belgrade.
Do you think that the festival should become an ongoing thing here in the future?
T: That's too early to say we're only half way through it. As with everything we will always review and see what feedback we get but so far we're delighted with the response and what we know is that we want to do more with film, but exactly what we do, will depend on the number of factors, but we are really encouraged. I would like to encourage people who read your blog to give their feedback, It is hard in this country to get a really quality feedback. We would like to know what people liked and didn't like, and why?
Do you have a favourite on the festival?
T: Well, I haven't seen them all yet so I can't answer that, but what I can tell you now is I've seen the shorts and as always with short film there's some really good and some less good. X+Y last night I thought that it was absolutely magical, a wonderful story, really well told, great ensemble acting. And Laura the producer was right when she said they wanted to make a film that will make people laugh and cry.
[As for 'The Possibilities are Endless'] this was a really unusual film, with fantastic scenery, fantastic photography. The images are just amazing. They make me want go and live by the sea in this area and go to Helmsdale. In this film we see a guy who has had a stroke and what it does to him and his wife; then coming back from it, picking up from where he was. It's not an easy topic. But my goodness it's so powerful, so moving. So there's a very different film.
Then there's this next one 'Pride', I haven't seen it yet but I read about it, I read so much that is really good and although it's a film set in 1980's the topic is really relevant for today, so I'm really looking forward to that one. So you know, so far it's a fantastic, fantastic festival.
What's it like to work for the British Council in the Balkans?
T: I've been working for the British Council for nearly 37 years, now. So roughly every four years I go to a different country. Everyone brings something different, there's so much to learn and to see. And, one of the things about the Balkans is that there are some wonderful people here. Working here is a mix of fun and frustration and then you just hope that there's more fun than frustration and when there is, it's absolutely great, lovely.
And how do you get around the Belgrade are you familiar with it already?
T: Yes, we live near the city centre so we walk everywhere. The great thing about Belgrade is that it is so accessible. We love walking to Kalemegdan and down by the river, it's really, really attractive. And the 'kafana' culture I love that. One of the things I love especially in the summer I have an alternative office in a cafe near by, because it is really nice to meet people in a cafe. I love this aspect of live, it's really nice.
I will use this line to express my gratitude to Mr. O'Brien and to thank him for taking the time to do this interview. As he said, I would also like to get your feedback dear reader about the festival and things that you loved or the things that you would improve. Don't hesitate to leave a comment below.
The last day of the festival was intended for hardcore drama lovers. Especially of the slow developing plot.
The fist on the line up was 'You (us) Me' in which a fledgling serial killer falls in love with a suicidal girl who, unbeknown to him in the beginning , is only hanging around because she wants him to bump her off. It a tragic movie and how the British would say not my cup of tea.
The second movie that closed the festival is Lilting. Unlike the You (us) Me this film Lilting tells the story of a mother's attempt at understanding who her son is after his untimely death. Her world is suddenly disrupted by the presence of his lover. Together, they attempt to overcome their grief whilst struggling against not having a shared language. It's a great touching story of grief, language barriers and even the differences that are brought to light when people finally understand each other - which gives rise to some very humorous moments - although it also avoids going deeper in its emotions.
In conclusion I will give my feedback. This weekend's #FilmAndChips festival was one of the best things I visited and watched in last few years. I just loved that it wasn't Belgrade oriented event and that the entrance in other towns outside the capital was free of charge. I also liked the location of the festival. Youth Center of Belgrade should host more events like this. I just hope that this festival will continue to live in years to come.
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| Copyright British Council Serbia |
