Verge. Music and Film
May 2013
New
Carelle Talent
Off
The
Beaten Track
Little-known Festivals
The
Great
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Gatsby Costume Designer
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62 10 An Interview With Buddy Banter 15 Empire Award Winning Newcomers 18 Five Minutes With... Foinavon 21 Brit-Pop sensation Carelle 24 The Great Gatsby Costume Designer 30FOUR
Verge. inside this month’s
32 Making Fantasy into Reality 36 Off The Beaten Track 40 We Celebrate London 50 Looking At Brit Marling 54 Spending Time With MS MR 56 A History of Sundance 58 Play Your Way To Fame
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Editors Letter. Hello,
Welcome to the first issue of Verge. We’re pretty excited to not only be introducing a shiny new magazine, but a whole host of lesser known musical talents and movie gems too. Each month you can count on us to present you with all things unseen but ultimately awesome in the music and film industry. S’ok, you’re welcome!
In this issue we’re treating you to everything from the sweetest songs if you only have a few minutes to spare, to the finest festivals if you’re looking for a whole weekend’s entertainment. Rachel met film artist Sergio Cruz and discovered the journey that led a Spanish boy fascinated by sound technology into a world of manipulated imagery and fantasy (p. 36) - a far cry from the down to earth Bristol boys Foinavon, who write and play their songs across the city (p.18). Andrew interviewed everyone from heartbroken San Diego stars Buddy Banter (p.10), to the latest brit-pop beauty Carelle (p.21) and found some ace new hangouts in London too (p.50). Not based in the South? We’ll be introducing a new city next month. If you’re cinema-bound to watch Baz Luhrmann’s Gatsby this month (and if you’re not you should be) be sure to admire their costumes, as Emily delved into the history of the award-winning designer Catherine Martin (p.24). We’re a small team here at Verge and getting pretty bored of our own voices – so add yours. We’re always keen to hear your ideas, so join the debate on Twitter (@verge_mag) or if 140 characters isn’t enough, you can find us on Facebook too (www.facebook.com/mag.verge). We’ll be uploading material we think you’ll love, as well as some cheeky peeks at what you can expect in the next issue, so be sure to check it out. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the first issue! Andrew, Emily & Rachel
Flannel Panel Editors Emily Black - Andrew Haywood - Rachel Kennedy Illustrators Emily Black Contributors Emily Black - Andrew Haywood - Rachel Kennedy
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enter buddy Banter B
uddy Banter is the latest offering from Steven Oira, the former drummer of U.S indie rock band My American Heart. Their split in 2007 followed seven successful years which saw sell out world tours supporting bands such as Madina Lake. The band were signed to Universal Records and released two albums. The world was at their feet, but a series of arguments and fallouts over the direction of the band led to a split. Despite attempts at reconciliation, new band members and ideas left fans disconcerted. Six years later following a musical exile a new adventure has begun in the form of Buddy Banter, with the new group describing their music as ‘memories in sound’. One thing is for sure, it’s interesting. The beats are alternative, angry and intimate, reminiscent of a grown up and slightly more wounded version of Moldy Peaches. Unlike his previous exploits as a “drummer/beat maker” Oira sings in his new band. The voice is strong and the music is personal, there aren’t many mainstream bands to compare it too but what it brings is a sense of individuality and raw emotion that anyone can appreciate. Oira tells us how it all began: “Originally Buddy Banter started off as a solo project. It was just a way for me to write, record, and keep myself sane! I was going through a lot of tragic shit when I decided to write songs again.” His ‘tragic shit’ was not just the group split; his marriage broke down when his wife returned to England sighting homesickness. Whether the lyrics ‘she is a psycho’ is a reference to her he wouldn’t confirm, but having already claimed his music to be an exploration of memories, the question surely answers itself. Several songs from Buddy Banter’s first EP appears to be in reference to Oira’s ex wife, and for sure she wouldn’t like to hear it, but for a fan of lyrics written from the heart, this offers a fresh, alternative approach to your typical love songs about yearning and passion - this is real and we love it. What began as an escape to vent emotional torture grew into a band with his two best friends Dylan O’bosky and Jeffrey Reynolds. He confirms: “Having your friends around makes it a lot easier to express yourself and share your thoughts about certain topics or songs. It’s so much more fun as a three piece.” Buddy Banter are currently playing gigs in Downtown San Diego, hoping for a record deal, but there’s a quietly growing fan-base Oira
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Buddy Banter are a new, refreshing alternative to popular music, they are unique in every way confirms: “We are a really new band on the scene, every show is a little bit bigger and the people watching us are all really sweet and kind.” The future looks bright for the new band and their alternative sound, though fans of My American Heart expecting something similar will be disappointed, this is an entirely different musical experience. As successful as they were, the tune and lyrics were more mainstream and fitted with stereotypical indie/rock bands of the time: “My American Heart was a different band, at a different time.” Oira explains. Buddy Banter’s music is raw and often angry, but the band is built on friendship and real experiences which are easy to relate to. While his dark and explicit thoughts may be unnerving, what is certain is Steven Oira’s musical talent is well and truly still in tact.
Find Buddy Banter information and music at: Facebook.com/BuddyBantermusic Twitter.com/BuddyBantermusic BuddyBanter.bandcamp.com
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How good is What songs are you going to be listening to this summer? As a band most likely will be listening to music from The Replacements who are an American indie-rock band, or The Wire who are really old school rock from England. It’s great music. What inspires the music of the band? I started the band so it’s based around my ex lovers, but for my two best friends who joined the group, I think it’s just past memories. We have all gone through a lot and this is where the inspiration for our music comes from. If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be? If Kurt Cobain was still alive I would love to collaborate with him, otherwise Dave Ghrol from Foo Fighters or Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene. They are real musicians and to jam with those guys would be insane. What songs are on your iPod at the moment? None of us actually have an iPod which is shocking I know, but as a group we have been listening to a lot of the Pixies and screaming Jay Hawkins on vinyl. As three best friends a lot of the stuff we listen to is really similar which is great, and we collect a lot of the old , nostalgic records. What has the highlight of your music career been so far? There have been many highlights, I have personally travelled around the world doing gigs in countries i never thought I would visit, supporting bands I listened too, but overall I think it has to be Buddy Banter, because we are having fun, doing crazy stuff but collaborating and creating music on a personal rather than a commercial level.
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their Banter? Do you want to be a success? I think for all of us, it’s more of an outlet activity but of course we wouldn’t say no to future success! I mean it would be even sweeter to be recognised for music that comes from us and our messed up past. it would be nice to get some recognition at some point. Do you think you will be signed by a label? We have actually had some attention and interest from labels, it would be amazing to be able to tour with funding and record music properly in a studio. Which of these musical stars (Cher, Kate Nash,Annie lennox) would you snog, marry and avoid? I think we would avoid Cher, snog Annie Lennox because she is a legend, and marry Kate Nash because her music is ok, and she is probably the best looking.
What’s the future for Buddy Banter? For us the future is keep writing music, live every day the way we only know how, and stay as positive as possible, you never know what’s waiting around the corner. What would you say to people to promote your music? Here is your chance (saaaay ittt) We write honest music . If you like it tell your friends and share it pretty please. Spread the word. v.
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The Newcomers Tom Holland
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t 16 years of age, Tom Holland found success young on both stage and film - and he has plenty more talent to show us in the coming years. Born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, Tom was the first of four children to a photographer mother and comedian/author father - so it is clear art, creativity and performance ran through his veins from his first day of life. He had a fairly prestigious education, starting with Donhead Preparatory School (which charges an average of £3,000 per term, FYI). Following this he gained entry to Wimbledon College where he carried out his secondary stage of education, before finally landing in the well-acclaimed BRIT school, where he started his final two years of education in 2012. However his success came long before any mention of BRIT school, at the tender age of 10. As a youngster Tom took part in a hip-hop dance class “Nifty Feet Dance School”. With this troupe he danced in the local Richmond Dance Festival where he was spotted by choreographer
Lynne Page - who is known in the dance world for her work in the West End and Broadway - and at the time was working on Billy Elliot the Musical. After 2 years of training and auditions, Tom Holland made his stage debut as ‘Michael’ in the show. It didn’t take long for Tom’s true potential to shine through, and by September 2008 he was promoted to the main role of Billy. In 2010 he and four other Billy’s marked the fifth anniversary of the show with a visit to Gordon Brown, and a special performance of the show. He was chosen from the four Billy’s to play the pivotal role for the honoured audience - which Elton John described as “astonishing”. His last performance in Billy Elliot was in May 2010 - but Tom, always the professional actor, successfully auditioned for ‘The Impossible’ only two months later. This, of course, was the role which earned Tom Holland the Best Male Newcomer Empire Award. Well done, Tom. ▶
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Samantha Barks
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orn on the Isle of Man, 1990, 23-year-old Samantha Barks has had a long, experienced journey to success. Having a humble start to her education, Samantha attended local schools until she reached A-level age where she relocated to London to study at The Arts Educational Schools. However she had constantly been training in performance since the age of 3 - learning ballet, tap and modern in numerous different agencies, including Stagecoach in the Isle of Man. Samantha’s voice earned her her first success - in 2007 she opened for the Sugababes a the Peel Bay festival, and later that year went on to win the Maltese International Song Competition. Despite the enormity of her accomplishment, it went largely unnoticed in the UK. The following year, Samantha made sure that her name was known through auditioning for BBC talent show ‘I’d Do Anything’ with Andrew Lloyd Webber and beating out the majority of the competition. In the
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show Samantha fought for the role of Nancy in the West End musical Oliver!, which she came third for. On the back of this success she earned a role in Cabaret, before playing Eponine in the London production of Les Miserables. She also played a short stint as Nancy in Oliver! in 2011, despite being unsuccessful on the BBC show. It was while playing Nancy that Samantha was told the news that she had beaten out the competition to reprise her role as Eponine for the film-adaptation of Les Miserables: competition which included Taylor Swift, Lea Michele and Scarlett Johansson. In the film Samantha Barks acted alongside Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway to name but a few. And it was through this role that she was given the Empire award for Best Female Newcomer 2013. Well earned, we think!
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Five Minutes With:
Meet Foinavon: Bristol’s latest musical offering. We caught up with lead vocalist Luke Thomas to find out more about their sound Bristol has produced some exceptional musical talent lately. With Seasfire’s recent success and recognition from Radio One introducing, Foinavon are the city’s latest offering keen to follow in their footsteps. Luke Thomas was an established solo act before he started the band, but together Jack, Jake, Nick and Luke create an entirely new sound. Foinavon is an awesome name, where did it come from? Glad you like it! It is actually the name of a racehorse who won the Grand National after being 100/1 to win. One or two of us like a gamble and take risks, so it seemed appropriate. It is also the name of a Scottish mountain, but that’s a more boring story! Tell us a bit about Foinavon, what kind of music are you making? I think this has to be the hardest question to answer with us. I don’t think we can be defined into one genre, but if you like upbeat folk/acoustic/pop/ rock, then we might be your guys! We come from a mixture of musical backgrounds so we each contribute something different.
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Which artists inspire your music? (After suppressing his laughter): I know that if the guys were here we would be arguing over it for hours. Overall it is a mixture of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Modest Mouse, Pearl Jam, The Cure, Death Cab For Cutie, Guster, The Lumineers… I could go on and on! Personally songwriters like Joshua Radin, Ben Kweller and Simon & Garfunkel are really inspiring me right now. You’ve been playing gigs around Bristol lately, what’s it like to play your music live to an audience? We love it, the opportunity to play your music in front of a live audience and (hopefully) get some positive feedback is a great feeling. It reinforces why you wanted to make music in the first place. The bigger the audience the better! What are your plans for the coming year? We have a number of gigs lined up in and around Bristol, but we are looking to start playing further afield when we can. We have already started recording 3 more songs and hope they will be ready in the next month or so. We will keep writing songs, practicing and playing gigs: hopefully something good will come of it. I would love for us to go on tour and play bigger venues and hopefully one day we will. For now we’re are being really well received at gigs and building quite a following online, which is great.
Foinavon
A number of songwriters have a very specific process for producing material: Bon Iver likes to retreat to a log cabin for a few weeks, what about you? I wish I had a log cabin, but unfortunately it usually consists of me locking myself away in my room. I tend to start with the lyrics and they will almost always come from real life experiences. Sometimes a whole song will just come to me at the most random times and I have to try and remember it until I can note it down. Once I have the lyrics I’ll add my guitar and start developing a structure. Then, providing the guys like it, they will start adding their own ideas. We all contribute to the writing process as it gives everyone a chance to influence the song in their own way and feel proud of what we have produced. Prior to Foinavon you were working on solo material, how does being part of a band compare? It may seem like stating the obvious but the fact that I am now playing with three other guys makes a huge difference. We all have ideas and we all want to contribute. I love playing with these guys and I love the bigger feel it gives the music we make. It sounds cheesy but there is just a great feeling about being on stage with other people to support you and share the fun. I still like playing solo and we have a few gigs coming up where I ‘m playing a couple of my old songs, but I think I need the ideas and inspiration I get from the others.
We’re curious, if you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? There are so many I could choose! I think I would have to say that someone alive at this point in time would be Joshua Radin. He is one of my favourite singer songwriters and having only picked up a guitar when he was 29, he shows that it is never too late. If we are bringing people back from the dead, it would have to be Johnny Cash; he was one of the most influential musicians of all time. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians? We are still aspiring musicians! It is difficult but I would say to just enjoy creating material and playing it in front of people. Try to be patient and take it one step at a time but that is a lot easier said than done, I know. Finally, what songs will you be putting on your summer playlist this year? Well Joshua Radin’s new song called ‘When We’re together’ will be one of them for sure. The Lumineers, anything by Nada Surf is perfect for the summer. I am really into Admiral Fallow at the moment as well so they would have to go on there too. v. Find Foinavon on YouTube, Soundcloud, Facebook, all over the internet!
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Carelle town Eyes up for a new song-writing sensation
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he girl who once dreamed of being a weather lady is now on the verge of stardom, after her debut EP ‘Under My Skin’ went straight to number 1 in the UK iTunes singles chart. Ever since, she has appeared on many radio stations including Heart and was on BBC introducing where a panel of experts gave her excellent feedback on her abilities as both a song-writer and a performer. This is not the first time she has received recognition for her talents, in the early stages of her career Carelle was touted to be part of a girl group, but decided that it was not for her. While writing her own songs and performing pub gigs, she once again caught the interest of a record company, but on signing the deal they announced they wanted to create a new image and write songs for her. Staying true to her beliefs, she walked away and continued to write her country style music. Looking to the future, and following the success of the debut single, Carelle is hoping to move forward and support established stars on tour. Country-pop music could be gracing a city near you any day now courtesy of Carelle, who hopes to follow up with a solo tour soon. We recommend going; she is quite the talent, and well worth watching.
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q&A How did you start? Did you always want to be a musician? No! When I was really young I wanted to be a weather girl, but once I realised that I could sing and I enjoyed performing, I knew I wanted to do something that involved music. Do you write all of your own music? I sure do, to me my songwriting is just as important as my singing. One of my favourite parts of performing is telling the audience what inspired me to write a song, and letting them into an aspect of my life. Have you played any big gigs? Playing gigs is great and I get a real buzz from performing to a lot of people, but I actually really like intimate performances just as much. Are you hoping to be signed? Yes, absolutely! Until then I will just keep writing music and see where it takes me. How would you describe your music? I think it would be a bit of pop-country, it’s quite unique in terms of music from this country, so hopefully there is a market for it. Have you ever thought of entering shows such as the X Factor and The Voice? Perhaps in a few years time if I don’t break through by myself but I really want to try and go down my own indpendant route first. Writing as many songs as possible and building my own sound, and creating a fan base is vital. What do you think stands you out? I have real belief in my ability and I am determined to do well in whatever I do. Do you have a good fan base who buy your records? Yes, I’m starting to build up a good fan base which I’m really grateful for. With Twitter and Facebook it’s so easy to interact with people that enjoy your music and it’s great to have that communication with them. Where can we find your music? Youtube and iTunes. I also have a Twitter so you can contact me directly on there.
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The Great Costume Designer We explore the genius behind the fashion Catherine Martin, the costume designer for The Great Gatsby.
Gatsby
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ince the announcement of ‘The Great Gatsby’ being recreated for modern audiences by one of this century’s most iconic and stylized directors - Baz Luhrman - the 1920s have made a massive impact on the fashion world. Alexander McQueen and other designers alike have dedicated entire collections to the art deco movement, and waistlines are dropping left, right and centre. Could there be any bigger indicator that the film is headed for success - even before release?! The original novel is, of course, set in the 1920s, right in the heart of the jazz age (a term coined by the author himself, F. Scott Fitzgerald). The characters are fashion-conscious and wealthy; none more-so than Mr. Gatsby himself (played by Leonardo DiCaprio). Living the American Dream, everything has to be bigger and better than the last, and costume is no exception to this. However it isn’t the men’s fashion that has captured the interest of the soon-to-be audiences: we are far more fascinated with what will be hung over the shoulders of Daisy Buchanan - played by Carey Mulligan. Looking at Luhrman’s past productions, the world will not be disappointed. Most famous for directing ‘Moulin Rouge’, ‘Romeo+Juliet’ and ‘Australia’, his style is big, bold and glamorous with no expense spared. His extravagant sets are matched only by the costumes, flawlessly made: and credit for both goes not to the famous director, but his humble wife. Catherine Martin is the genius behind the set production and costume design of all these films; she has, in fact, worked on every project her husband Baz has ever taken part in. Australian born (just like her husband), Catherine grew up in Sydney before completing a diploma in design at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, where she met Baz in 1988. They immediately began working together, as she was hired by his theatre company as a production designer for the Australian Opera ‘Lake Lost’. Their partnership was a hit from the very beginning, and she won a Victorian Green Room award for her work. Not bad for an undergraduate. Their film collaboration debuted with Strictly Ballroom another award winning production, for which she earned both Best Production Design and Best Costume Design at the BAFTAs and ATI awards. Her next BAFTA was paired with a prestigious Academy Award won for her work on Romeo & Juliet - a film which translated Shakespeare’s classic to modern-day, gun-wielding verona, whilst keeping the original manuscript. The film was extremely dramatic, taking three of the most iconic scenes - the meeting of Romeo and Juliet, the marriage of the two, and their untimely death - and extending their extravagance. For example, the party at which the two met was turned into a costume party, with outfits created with the finest detailing, and a comical soundtrack set to drug-induced ‘tripping’ camera angles. If one Academy Award wasn’t enough, Moulin Rouge gave Catherine another two. Arguably even more extravagant than Romeo & Juliet, the main character alone goes through over 13 diamond-studded, bustier-fitted wardrobe changes alone. Away from her husband, she has an impressive CV of her own: most famously collaborating with Karl Lagerfeld for the Moulin Rouge-esque global campaign Chanel No. 5: The Film. Starring Nicole Kidman, the advert, which was too long to get played in full on television, saw the star running through New York in a pink corseted dress, followed by a full train of pink feathering, before hiding on top of a skyscraper behind the Chanel logo.
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In the final scene she wears a low-backed black velvet dress with a diamond-emblazoned No.5 logo hanging from it. These dresses have become almost as iconic as the perfume itself. Catherine has also worked with Prada for an exhibition at The Met, New York, named: Impossible Conversations. For The Great Gatsby the two designers, fashion and costume, have reunited their partnership to create a fantastical array of 40 dresses for the New-York set production. Talking to Vogue, Catherine has said: “Our collaboration with Prada recalls the European Flair that was emerging amongst the aristocratic East Coast crowds in the 1920s. The fashions of the time saw the development of the dichotomy between those who aspired to the privileged Ivy League look of wealthy Long Island and those who were aspiring to European glamour, sophistication and decadence.” Looking at Catherine’s art-deco-inspired home-ware range, andPrada’s history of 1920s dresses, we know that the costumes for The Great Gatsby will be phenomenal.
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Mistakes You Never Noticed
American Pie The famous cup - filled with a substance we won’t mention right now (that Stifler unfortunately drinks) - constantly changes from clear to blue throughout the scene.
Pretty Woman The morning after her first night with Richard Gere, Julia Roberts grabs a croissant - which magically turns into a pancake three seconds later. I wonder what her next trick will be...
Pirates Of The Caribbean On the Black Pearl, in the middle of the Caribbean Blue in the 18th Century... appears a crew member in khaki shorts. Oh...
The Wizard of Oz For a film that takes place overnight in a dream, Dorothy’s hair seems to grow a hell of a lot.
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Mazzy Star Look On Down From The Bridge
Full of quiet grace and serenity this is guaranteed to soothe your soul. There’s an incomparable calmness to Hope Sandoval’s (half of the duo that make up Mazzy Star) lyrics that you can only hope might be absorbed by listening to their music.
Seasfire We Will Wake
Seasfire’s ethereal sound is full of haunting vocals, given an edge with electrifying guitar and synth sounds. BBC introducing has started paying attention to the Bristol quartet so expect big things from the boys this year.
Explosions In The Sky Dragging We picked one song but actually, the whole album Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place is the perfect soundtrack to snoozing. Or driving. Or anything actually. The acoustic collection is full of soothing sounds, brooding melodrama and arresting crescendos.
Benjamin Francis Leftwich Atlas Hands Everything about BFL’s song is nostalgic and beautifully dreamy. If you can keep your eyes open long enough be sure to watch the video and immerse yourself in all the fantastical, otherworldly goodness.
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Lullabies To Help You Sleep 31.
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start here
Your talent is discovered at a karaoke night and a music mogul in the audience promptly signs you.
You’re featured in Verge: move forward 2 spaces
Let’s go!
Your fans are demanding autographs after a gig, keeping them happy holds you up: miss a go
MS MR invite you to support them at their London gig: move forward 2 spaces
You’ve been nominated for the Mercury Prize: move forward 4 spaces
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Your label find out you’re thinking about signing with JAY Z. They’re livid: move backwards 4 spaces Michael Eavis personally requests you headline Glastonbury Festival: move forward 2 spaces
You made it!
you cracked the music industry. We suggest playing a couple of times before you attempt it for real though.
Your lip synch is out for your MTV performance and fans aren’t impressed: move backwards 4 spaces
Your label treat you to your own tour bus: zoom forward 2 spaces
Crowd surfing goes wrong and you have to spend the night in hospital: move backwards 2 spaces
Grab a friend, dice and counters then set out on the path to stardom, negotiating record deals and fangirls along the way. [No real life musical credentials required.]
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Chvrches I Would Die For You The band gives Prince’s classic a new, electro-pop twist and we like lead singer Lauren Mayberry’s vocals a lot. Perhaps even more than the original. Yeah, we said it.
Ben Howard Call Me Maybe
Scour the Internet to find this beauty: Ben Howard transformed Carly Ray Jepsen’s bubble-gum-pop tune into something rather marvellous.
Bastille What Would You Do City High’s R’n’B masterpiece has been reworked into an indie anthem, with a new lease of passion and unexpectedly impressive rapping.
Frightened Rabbit The Whole Of The Moon It was huge when The Waterboys released in 1985 so it was only a matter of time before someone gave it a new lease of life. With their usual charming Scottish lilt and raw emotion, Frightened Rabbit have it down.
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Song Covers You Didn't See Coming
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Films You Should See
Shadows A movie about three siblings based in New York in the 1950’s, addressing the topics of interracial friendships and relationships in an eye opening way. Old, but still up there with our favourites.
Another Earth Tells the story of a women looking for redemption after killing a young family in a car crash, but can she find it on the other planet? A complex and clever story.
Winter’s Bone A dark insight into the life of a family behind a drug dealer. Set in a dirty rural area, the young daughter seeks to find her father so that he can appear in court. Or else the family lose everything.
Runaway Train We had to get an action packed blockbuster in here somehow. Here’s a story about two escaped convicts on the run, trying to save themselves after boarding an out of control train in their bid for freedom (what are the chances?).
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Making Fan of Reality
â–ś
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ntasy out y
Portuguese filmmaker Sergio Cruz talks about his award winning triumph: Hannah and capturing casual movement –not dance. “
I
fell in love with sound design in film at University,” Sergio explains, and this was to mark the beginning of a passion for filmmaking. He’s since received accolade for short films that have been exhibited internationally (most recently as part of the Figuring Landscapes exhibition held at The Tate, London) and appeared as part of Channel 4’s Three Minute Wonder Series. While he’s deviated from his initial interest in sound, it still plays a fundamental part in his productions. Noises are often inexplicably loud, be it running feet on shingles, the crashing of waves or the swish of ice, as skis cut through a snowy wasteland; all sensations are heightened. It was Sergio’s search for understanding sound that led him to what came to be the focus of his films: movement. “I became very involved with DJing and going out to clubs to hear music,” he explains, “but it was the way people moved and danced that caught my attention.” Dance has since become an integral part of his productions and he opted for a second master’s degree, (the first in Fine Art at Central St Martins) to refine his passion, studying Dance for the Screen at contemporary dance school: The Place. His artistic training is evident in the attention to details like colour, light and the careful framing of shots that allows each still to become an artwork in its own right - Sergio even describes Hannah as “a moving painting.” For the first time dance films gave viewers the opportunity to really see dancer’s exertion, as they contort and manipulate their bodies. “You can go in close and see hands and feet – details you would never see from the stage,” Sergio said, though his interests continued to evolve. Now his films have become celebrations of movement in a broader sense, as opposed to strictly choreographed pieces: “I choreograph casual movement. It’s performance art rather than dance,” he explained. To understand what he means it’s best to watch one of his earlier short films, ‘Animalz’. Hoards of young boys emerge from the ocean; drag themselves across a beach and into a forest that they proceed to colonise in a manner akin to Lord of The Flies. These boys are trained dancers, but this only becomes evident when they backflip across rock pools and tumble meticulously from trees. The rest of their movements are things anybody could do – but wouldn’t, and like many of Sergio’s films it makes the viewer question their ▶
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Verge. potential. “I like things that are playful and surreal, that might make the viewer question themselves or what they think they see,” he said. This is evidenced further by experimental techniques he employs throughout the film – such as the use of mirrors to create endless reflections and deceptive imagery. At first it’s easy to assume this is an effect that has been added in postproduction, but if you’re paying close attention you’ll notice mirrors have been placed across the forest floor to trick the eye. This trickery, which Sergio aptly describes as: “making fantasy out of reality,” is ever present in his work. In Hannah, perhaps his best-known production, we see a girl swimming and diving in the depths of the ocean, before emerging from an impossibly calm lagoon. “We went from Greek beaches to Icelandic springs to film that,“ Sergio explains and if it sounds contrived, it isn’t. Rolling mists and evolving sounds (from the roar of the ocean to the splash of fresh water) soften the transition and take the viewer by surprise. The film was released to coincide with the 2012 London Olympics and celebrates the infinite potential of humans. “Hannah was amazing, she became this kind of Bond girl,” Sergio says of Hannah Dempsey, a young athlete with a disability who here showcases her sporting prowess and ambition. The piece challenges preconceptions of what is possible, with Hannah aptly demonstrating that disabilities are no barrier to creativity. Sergio also presents an unusual relationship between art and sport, creating beauty as Hannah swims to the shore, before running and then skiing across the snowy landscape. “She personifies evolution,” Sergio says of her transition from a vulnerable girl in the water,
to a professionally kitted out skier, confidently carving her route through the unforgiving terrain. The film was widely recognised as a success and has been exhibited internationally. It won a number of awards including ‘Best Portuguese Film’ at InShadow film festival and the ‘Pamela K. Walker Award’ at Superfest, USA, yet Sergio doesn’t cite it as a favourite project. Unlike many of his independent productions, he received generous grants to produce Hannah, which led to a number of assistants and contributors. “There were too many people involved,” he said, explaining how he prefers to work more intimately with the actor to produce ‘real’ footage. It’s this passion for portraying his subjects as intimately and honestly as possible that separates him from other contemporary filmmakers. “There’s an excess of beautiful moving images now,” Sergio says when I ask what’s next for the filmmaker. He describes the way technology has evolved since he started, with people able to record good quality footage on their phones and instantly upload and share it with the world. While this creates opportunities for amateurs and low budget producers, what separates Sergio is his expertise, experimental sound and artistic vision. His continued curiosity with the human body and capturing the most finite of movements guarantees an audience for his future short films.
Hannah was amazing, she became this kind of Bond girl
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Find Sergio Cruz films at www.vimeo.com/sergiocruz
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Off the beaten Everyone’s familiar with the furore of big festivals like Glastonbury, Reading and Bestival, but if you’re after a real adventure this summer why not try something different? Here we introduce four English festivals for you to fall in love with, offering everything from roller-discos to river swimming, with awesome headliners in-between.
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Green Man 15th-18th August Black Mountains, Wales £145 (£125 for full time students) Launched in 2003 Green Man began as a one-day event for 300 people. A decade on and the four-day festival now comprises of ten entertainment areas tucked away in the Welsh wilderness. Originally attracting a number of folk musicians such as Fleet Foxes and Iron and Wine, the music scene has expanded to encompass acts like Explosions in the Sky, Laura Marling and Metronomy, all the while retaining an idyllic charm. This year’s headliners including Band of Horses, Midlake, Local Native and Ben Howard – a real coup given his sold out UK tour and two BRIT awards earlier this year. As the only UK event with a 24 festival license you can expect to party all night with big name DJs and dance acts scattered across the site. Don’t sleep the days away though; the site might be small but the entertainment’s endless with stand-up comedy, mind blowing science experiments, cinema tents and of course, the Brecon Beacons are yours for exploring. Organisers have made a concerted effort to supply endless local ales and ciders for visitors to sample, along with a veritable feast of local food and produce.
We’re most excited about: Visiting Einstein’s Garden. Buried deep in the heart of the festival it’s the perfect place to cultivate your curiosity with live music and theatrical performances showcased alongside art installations, science experiments and animals.
We’ll be front row for: Stornoway. An indie folk band from Oxford, who have steadily grown in popularity since their first radio play in 2006, when presenter Tim Bearder barricaded himself in the BBC Oxford Introducing studios and played an hour of tracks from their first EP. The band utilise unusual sounds, like TV static or vegetables being chopped, as accompaniments to their instrumentals and we can’t wait to hear their haunting lyrics echo across the Welsh valleys. ▶
Festival Photographs from Greenhouse Group, Catrin PR, Inkling, Greenman Festival
Please Drink Responsibly
Boomtown Fair 8h-11th August Matterley Estate, Hampshire £154.10 Welcome to the UK’s maddest city; the elusive Boomtown moves around the country, keeping its location anonymous and only providing details of how to get there when tickets are issued. The ‘city’ provides a playground for hedonistic delights and an abundance of musical treats. While they’re fundamentally roots and reggae artists, the festival attracts some of the biggest jungle, dubstep and drum and bass acts around. The extensive line-up includes Foreign Beggars, The Paroy Stelar Band and The Wurzels (yup, we were surprised too). When the music finishes on the main stages, wend your way along narrow pathways through the cities various districts. Each offers their own delights and endless music tents, packed to the rafters with revellers. The care and attention that’s gone into crafting this festival is incredible, with a temporary town hall, square, barbers and bank filling the fields. Visit the city’s Latin Quarter; El Barrio Loco, which is famed throughout the town for providing the biggest party, boasting heavy bass music to soak into your soul every night. Those feeling a little more sophisticated can dance the night away in Mayfair, the swankiest of the districts where the streets are lined with electro swing clubs, cocktail bars and live jazz bands. Be sure to pack your dancing shoes...or roller-skates if you prefer, there are roller-discos too.
We’re most excited about:
music tents packed to the rafters with revellers
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Skankin’ City is the latest campaign by Boomtown, endeavouring to bring ska back to the UK music scene this summer, so expect to see a variety of awesome ska acts across the festival.
We’ll be front row for: Arcadia. Not so much a musical act but a series of awe-inspiring installations created with scrap materials. Think the dark side of the circus and horrors that haunt your dreams personified, with giant fire breathing spiders and heavy bass lines that will reverberate through your bones. Arcadia has also appeared at Bestival and Glastonbury – where the demand is so high to get in it frequently closes due to overcrowding, so make the most of Boomtown’s smaller crowds and don’t miss out.
Bliss Fields 5th-7th July Vicarage Farm, Winchester Weekend adult £85 With a capacity of 2 500, Blissfields provide a more intimate experience, embracing all the best bits of bigger festivals and scaling it down. They ‘re continually recognised for their efforts in producing a beautiful, independent event and were awarded Best Small Festival in 2007. Proving that size doesn’t matter, they attract awesome musical talent before it goes global, with previous acts including Mumford and Sons, Charli XCX and Ben Howard. This makes it the perfect place for anyone looking to discover new talent - and this year you can see Bastille headline. They’re being hailed as a young Coldplay with music that transcends pop, rock or indie. With a sell-out UK tour and debut album ‘Bad Blood’ reaching number one in the charts, this is likely to be one of the last opportunities to see them at an intimate event. A medley of established and emerging artists will appear across the weekend, including Mystery Jets, Dub Pistols, Theme Park and The Staves, but be sure to explore the fields of folk artists and DJs too. 2013 is extra special for film fanatics as the festival plans to celebrate all things cinematic. They’re promising screenings, red carpets, the finest in movie soundtracks alongside Hollywood style parties. Everything Verge loves in one place.
We’re most excited about: This year Blissfields are introducing a new craft area where you can create anything from tie-dye tops to iron works. There’ll even be the opportunity to make your own drums and attend workshops on how to play them – you’ll be ready to headline by 2014.
We’ll be front row for: Sam Smith. After hearing his powerful vocals on catchy Disclosure track ‘Latch’ we’re intrigued to hear what more Sam has to offer. Single ‘Lay Me Down’ showcases powerful vocals with minimal instrumental support – because he really doesn’t need it. From the highest of whispers to the deepest of vocals he consistently demonstrates raw emotion in his singing – not what we were expecting from such a cool, collected guy. ▶
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Verge. Wilderness 8h-11th August Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire £146.50 Put together by the producers of Lovebox and Secret Garden Party, Wilderness comprises of endless delights in a world so enthralling that you’ll never want to go home. There’s an eclectic selection of musical acts from the folk pop sounds of Noah and the Whale to electronic dance duo Empire of the Sun. A whole host of DJs and jazz bands are guaranteed to get you dancing, along with late night revelry which promises to provide three nights of exceptional after dark antics. For those who prefer a more chilled vibe (or need to soothe a sore head), relax in grassy meadows with the sounds of singer-songwriters including Lucy Rose and BRIT award winner Tom Odell; young talent with hauntingly beautiful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Set deep in the English countryside the site is beautiful to roam between musical acts. There’s fields, meadows, lakes and forest to explore and you’ll find hammocks strung among the trees where you can relax under the dappled leafy sunlight (we’re optimistic about the weather this year). If you can be lured away from the music long enough, there’s endless alternative entertainment, from horse riding and wild swimming for the adventurous, to crafting, meditation and a lakeside spa (with hot tubs…if you don’t mind wild deer watching from the woods) making this perhaps the most luxurious festival experience going. There’s even a lavish camping area set aside with a butler service available for those looking to live it up all weekend. The food is a far cry from the usual dodgy burger vans, with an array of international cuisine available. Refuel at the Moro Souk Tent on a fusion of Spanish and Middle Eastern dishes, or enjoy a traditional English Banquet, courtesy of acclaimed chef Mark Hix.
We’re most excited about: The Bacchanalian Masqued Ball. Saturday nights are for fancy dress and what sounds more appealing than heading into the depths of the forest, masked and mysterious for an evening of live music and dancing. It promises to be a plethora of enchanting entertainment to transform your world.
We’ll be front row for: Tribes. Controversially formed after the guitarist was caught attempting to steal the drummer’s wallet, the four piece have enjoyed growing success over the last year, making Zane Lowe’s single of the week and appearing as part of the NME Awards tour. We’re hoping tracks from their new album, ‘Wish to Scream’ showcase the same combination of sweet, bright melodies and v. heavier, moody instrumentals as their previous work.
when a man is tired of Londonhe is tired of life for there is in London all that life can afford Samuel Johnson, 1777
London on Film Hidden in Covent Garden lies the history of London’s large contribution to film: from storyboard projection to today’s powerhouse productions. Lodger’ recreated this iven London’s
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epic influence on films of every genre, this exhibition is perfectly located. It’s not hard to imagine how inspirational the winding streets of our capital were (and are) when you step out of the London Film Museum and onto the stage of street magicians and dancers, the blaring music barely audible over the un-hushed awe of the bustling audience. But take yourself away from the atmospheric chaos for a while, to explore through history in this underground mine of cinematic splendour. Tucked below the footsteps of Covent Garden you are met with instant calmness. On first impressions the humbly-sized museum seems empty - however the quick glimpse of a moving silhouette through dim spotlighting deny claims of loneliness. There are screens set up to separate the room into a small maze, each new wall lit up with a vintage early-film projection, the volume just loud enough to overlap with the next projection, creating a faint echo of sound wherever you stand. Scattered around the museum are old examples of film equipment (lights and cameras) mixed in with typical London memorabilia (red telephone boxes and a Union Jack-painted Mini) setting the scene for the exhibit. London is home to 6 major film studios, including the renowned Pinewood and Warner Bros. Studios. So it’s hardly any wonder why London has leaked itself through the studio and into the films, setting standards worldwide. The Victorian Smog is one of the first things to bleed its way into the world of cinema. The gaslight era of London has become a thriller convention: with gas-lit street lamps spotlighting small areas of pitch-black city streets at night, while the tail of a dark, heavy trench coat swirls up the thick smog with every silent footstep of it’s owner. One of the first people to capture this convention and make it famous was Alfred Hitchcock (who I’m sure needs no introduction). His 1926 film ‘The
era to create tension around a possible Jack-The-Ripper suspect. It was again used in Mamoulian’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ to emphasise danger. It’s now such a horror convention, it has been brought to the modern world - despite our current lack of smog - in films such as 2007s ‘The Mist’. London’s rich cultural history has always been a favourite for film adaptations: perhaps the most recreated stories being those created by a certain William Shakespeare. I’m not going to name all of the films which have been inspired by or indeed written by Shakespeare, because there simply are not enough pages in the magazine. However the playwrite isn’t the only writer to inspire - many classical authors have had their London-based novels on the big screen: Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde to name but a few. And let’s not forget a major part of London’s history which was happening alongside the development of the film: The World Wars. London’s devastation has been well documented upon the silver screen, starting out with Humphrey Jennings ‘Listen to Britain’ and ‘Fires were started’, aired in cinemas in 1942 and 43 respectively. All areas of London’s culture have moulded the style of cinema and created new genres and genre conventions used time and time again over the years, including Guy Ritchie’s favourite subject the violence and crime of London’s underworld; a historical fascination with the home-city of Britains Royalty; London’s fashionable pop-culture; and finally the irrepressible sarcasm of it’s comedy (more recently think Ali-G and Shaun of the Dead). London has been shaping the cinema since film began - and it’s effect on the industry is legendary.
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unseen london
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ver wondered where would be a cool place to see a movie, or a gig in London? Your mind probably casts to the big venues of Leicester Square or the 02 arena, but there is so much more to the music and film scene in the capital. Known as a hub for live music, London attracts glamourous pop stars from around the world, which grace the huge stadia on offer, but what about those of you who want to see a more intimate gig? Well worry no more because we have a few little places to tell you about. There are a number of small pub venues that allow the music lover to see the whites of an artists eyes and the sweat dripping off the forehead. We have the Blues Kitchen in Camden that is known to play some of the best jazz in London, including nightly performances and jamming sessions so audiences can observe or show off their talent. We advise you to check this one out for sure – head to 111 Camden High Street – to not only watch but go and get involved. If you are looking to watch chart stars for a little cheaper, with a chance of getting up close and personal why not take a stroll down to the Tabernacle. It is set in an old style building, perfectly indie and a hit with famous bands of the past. Stars such as Florence and the Machine and Corinne Bailey Rae are playing there, this is somewhere all music fans should go, it’s newly refurbished and ready for you. Music has become so diverse that finding the type of sound you enjoy has become less difficult, so for stripped out versions of songs and stars to match, you should get down too the Bedford. In the past it has been the starting point for chart toppers, James Morrison and KT Tunstall, and continues to open it’s doors to local talent. You may just grab a glimpse at the next big thing for a bargain price and a cheap drink too match. London has fast become a competitor to Hollywood with its Elstree
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Movie Studios that have been home to the filming of Oscar winner The Kings Speech and blockbusters Sherlock Holmes 2 and Kick Ass. With this ever-growing pedigree, the love for film has grown, so where in London can you have a cinematic experience different to any other. Movie fans often talk of their favourite films, you will hear them talking it up and reciting classic quotes, but for the very first time, a cinema is offering you the opportunity to live the experience of the film, with dress up, and real life actors in the audience. For recent showings of Bugsy Malone and Wayne’s World everyone was donned up in gangster uniforms and fancy dress, shouting out random quotes collectively from the movie as they went. One fan described it as: “One of the most enjoyable nights out I have ever had.” They have specific nights around the city for different movies, so keep up to date with the website at Londonconfidential.co.uk and you may just find your favourite movie will be on. Expect a little more than the average movie experience, you will be living it with fans just as big as you, we love it and so will you. The opposite of underground is our next must visit cinema experience. Have you ever been jealous of people in the states who can watch movies outdoors, on a hot summer evening in the back of a pick up with some fast food or a picnic? Well if like us you absolutely have, then the Secret Cinema is perfect for you. In secret locations, pop up cinemas are available for movie loving fans to experience this very American tradition. The films like the other venues mentioned are all random, but for summertime Britain it’s another opportunity to experience film in a unique and exciting style.
The music event we are most excited about
little noise sessions You may not have heard of the Little Noise Sessions but you soon will do, it’s an event which has been running since 2006, and is a charity based gig, where all ticketing proceeds go to MENCAP (Working in partnership among people with learning difficulties). The showcase is held, in of all places, a church but it adds great feel to this very special event. St John at Hackney is situated in beautiful garden surroundings and provides the perfect acoustics for the stripped back performances of songs from artists such as Example and Cajun Dance Party – and when did you think that would ever happen?! Although the cost is more than you would pay in any of the low-key pubs that have been mentioned, it is all for a good cause and this years line up includes, Olly Murs, Amy Macdonald, Gary Barlow and the Maccabees.
The film venue we are most excited about
Electric cinema This venue will take you by surprise. When you first arrive, it looks reasonably low-key, just like anywhere else, but when you walk through the door and see leather armchairs, side tables for drinks and even a foot stand to rest your feet, you’re guaranteed ultimate comfort for the film. And it gets better, at the rear of the theatre you have three large sofas to sit across and a row of double beds at the front for those of you wanting to get really snuggled in with the addition of a very expensive cashmere blanket. To further add to the experience you have a bar, serving cocktails, wine, beer, champagne and substantial cinema snacks prior to every film. Far from showing the movies you might expect to see up and down the country, at the Electric Cinema you can watch some of the critically acclaimed classic titles and art films, as well as mainstream movies. This month you can enjoy Iron Man 3, Cloud Atlas and lower budget movie In The House. At £15 for an armchair it’s a great experience; one like nothing you will probably ever do again, so don’t waste a second, if you are in London, it should definitely be on your places to visit list.
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Brit Marling Star of the year
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Brit Marling is a rising writer, producer, director and actress in Hollywood and has been regarded as the next big thing. “She is different form most actresses, she is not afraid of the unknown.” Said Mike Cahill, the friend and co–producer of Another Earth, her biggest movie to date. Before all of this success, from the outside she was just another wannabe actress looking to break on to the Hollywood scene, but in reality, she was so much more than that. The enigmatic beauty attended Georgetown University where she graduated as valedictorian (that’s head of the class for us) with a degree in economics. She is intelligent with a cool, trendy, indie image perfect for the art films she is coming to be known for. In the years during her time at Georgetown, she was an intern at Goldman Sachs, a global investment banking and securities firm. It was a success, and if she wanted, there was a very well paid job waiting for her, an industry that is hugely dominated by men – not one to shy away from a challenge then. This certainly wasn’t the case when offered a job on Wall Street, she turned it down stating she wanted to be an Artist, quite a leap of faith given the lucrative life she could have lead with a job on the worlds most famous and wealthy street. She instead lived in digs trying to get acting roles but over and over again she was turned away. Then she met Mike Cahill and Zal Batmanglij at a film festival and in the end, they cast her for a number of short movies they were making. They are said to have made a number of films illegally by entering premises and filming scenes where they shouldn’t be, but soon the big break would come. With little or no budget, they started the newest project, named Another Earth, a film inspired by a school friend of Brit’s who was involved in a car crash killing a young boy. At first the film was shot at the house of Mike Cahill, using a school as the backdrop when producer Hunter Gray picked up the film. A film simply shot and with real beauty, it discusses many topics such as hope, guilt and penitence, it’s a deep film but beautifully acted out by the brilliant Marling. more was to come in the way of success. She shot to fame during the Sundance festival, the new girl on show and all of a sudden the memories of rejection where a thing of the past. She landed roles in Arbitrage, her first blockbuster starring along side superstar Richard Gere as ironically the daughter of a money hungry stock market analyst. Another movie role in The Company You Keep starring Susan Sarandon, Robert Redford and transformers star Shia Labeouf is set to come out this year, but Brit hasn’t lost touch with what made her the superstar she is. Her new film The East is an official selection at this years’ Sundance Film Festival and is directed by Zal Batmanglij. As well as appearing in the film, she has also co-written the movie that is about a group of people seeking revenge on those who haven’t paid for their mistakes. The future for Brit Marling seems clear, a star is born and expect to see her face for many years to come.
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Introducing:
Ms mr U
ntil recently noir-pop duo MS MR have kept their identity unknown, providing few details to the increasingly curious industry as to who and what they’re about. Their Tumblr encompasses a wealth of their musical inspiration, but tantalising photographs cut them off at the neck and it’s difficult to glean anything about the duo themselves. While they’ve kept a relatively low profile up until now, they’re starting to gain the recognition they deserve, with Zane Lowe naming Hurricane his record of the week, Jay Z featuring their video on his Life & Times site and designer Tom Ford using Hurricane for his catwalk soundtrack this spring. This month the release of their first full album ‘Second Hand Rapture’ promises to lure them out of obscurity and into the consciousness of many, who will be drawn in by their huge hooks, dark lyrics and haunting vocals. Lizzy Plapinger, the Londoner responsible for boutique pop label Neon Gold (who helped catapult Marina and the Diamonds from the Welsh valleys to stardom) comprises the ‘MS’ of the duo: Idaho native Max Hershenow her counterpart. Together they write and produce beautiful electro-pop, which is made all the more atmospheric by the addition of Lizzy’s haunting voice and often ominous lyrics: “Welcome to the inner workings of my mind, so dark and foul I can’t disguise,” reads a verse from Hurricane. Along with several tracks from the new album, their latest release Fantasy, has been mixed by Tom Elmhirst who can be credited with material on both Adele’s album: 21 and Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black - so expect big things. Their label, Purple PR promises it’ll be a ‘huge rush of cinematic electronic pop’ and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Lizzie’s voice is clear and compelling over a thunderous beat which is bursting with energy. In past releases, such as Bones
and Hurricane her tone is often much softer and more vulnerable, her lyrics almost merging with the music, but here it breaks free and she owns the song with a confidence you might expect from Florence Welch. In fact, the duo are frequently compared to Florence, and while there are certainly similarities in their fluorescent-pop sounds, I’m surprised nobody had drawn a comparison with The XX. Not solely because of the duo dynamic, but because the heavy, synthy baseline holds more than a passing resemblance -and is of a similar quality to the London pair’s music. While Lizzy’s voice holds a greater clarity than Romy’s, The XX’s lyrics boast a little more maturity and less clichéd rhymes - though MS MR’s melodies are no less enjoyable for it. Their songs are sweet in spite of often-intense lyrics, ideal for injecting energy into melancholy days. Music aside there’s something equally engaging about the duo themselves, with their awesome style (more than a little reminiscent of the nineties) and online exposure. Their Tumblr reads like a visual diary, offering fans an intimate insight into their creative psyche. Similarly their first music video which accompanies Fantasy only serves to increase our curiosity, as cheerleaders parade across the playground vomiting glitter. Part charming, part gross: but ultimately demonstrating their imagination isn’t limited to their music. With The Guardian heralding them as ‘potential superstars’ and a recent support slot on Bastille’s sold out UK tour, 2013 is set to be MS MR’s year – expect to see them all over the festival scene. v.
It's a huge rush of cinematic electronic pop
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Their debut album Second Hand Rapture is released in May
The finest in underground sound courtesy of Max and LizzieNew York’s most elusive duo.
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The history of sundance film festival
Verge.
It Felt Like Love is a story of a young girl looking for love; it is beautifully shot film shown from the main character Lily’s point of view. It is heart warming but sometimes painful to watch as this girl looks to stamp her identity on the world.
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The Moo Man shows that life can be a lot simpler than people make out. You see people rushing around like one part of their life will make or break them, but not in rural England where farmer Stephen Hook has a special relationship with his herd of cows, it is hilariously funny and reveals are a real insight in to the VERY simple things in life.
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undance Film Festival is a yearly event celebrating American independent moviemakers and new stars on the scene. It has launched the careers of superstars such as Ellen Page and Brit Marling, and continues to be a hit for film fans all over. For many years, the event in Utah has covered a varying amount of short and long film features as well as documentaries. It is a continued success and one on the movie festival calendar that fans look out for. It is iconic. The event began back in 1978, but under a different name of the Utah/US film festival, and was founded by Sterling Van Wagenen, who heads up the wildwood company run by actor Robert Redford. The future goal of the festival was to highlight the potential of independent film in the United States and to make sure that people outside of the Hollywood bubble were credited with the work they were doing. A film institute was set up to help talented individuals with little hope to break into the industry, and in 1984 the institute owned by Van Wagenen took over the US film festival and was renamed as Sundance after Redford’s character name in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. With the connection to Robert Redford it bought a huge level of interest to the festival, and movies and filmmakers were offering services along with major Hollywood studios to help. By this point Sundance was starting to compete with the USA Film Festival, which is the only other to concentrate on the independent section of film producing. In recent years the Sundance movement has become superior and for the first time in 2011, an equivalent festival was to be held at the London 02 arena in April 2012. Robert Redford said the aim of the event was to bring the American film culture to London. The event was a success, and documentary films such as 2days in New York, and Chasing Ice were on show – and this year you can check it out because it’s back again. Since it’s creation as a small time festival, the growth of popularity has seen it a home for Hollywood superstars, but the Focus on film campaign back in 2007 has made the love of cinema its focal point. Sundance film festival is a growing international event that allows real fans to experience and enjoy the beauty and technical side of film making, whilst getting close to the stars of the next generation. If its history is anything to go by, then its future is looking very bright. As we go to press, the Sundance London Film Festival will be taking place, celebrating American independent movies and young stars. In this year’s event there is a mix of the usual independent documentaries, features and short films, but a film to look out for is Metro Manila. As a 1/3 Filipino editorial team we’re a little biased, but this really opens you up to the world of the Philippines and the fight for survival. It’s a heart-wrenching story that delves deep into the desperation of a desire for a better life. Like many people, you may have gone to see killer whales performing with there trainers, and you watch in awe, you think of Free Willy jumping over a rock pool, they are people friendly, (with Jesse anyway). This year a documentary depicts the life of Tilikum, a whale who has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. The documentary reveals shocking never seen before footage of cruel treatment of the animals, as well as a disillusioned workforce. This story reveals the relationship between animals and humans, showing just how delicate it can be. There are 29 features on show at the festival running from the 25th to the 28th of April, and if it is as widely supported as last year, the event is sure to be a success.
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10
films
you didn’tknow were
books first
In Truman Capote’s Novella, Holly Golightly was a prostitute - something which Audrey Hepburn wasn’t comfortable playing, so it was taken out for the film.
Originally written by Michael Crichton, both book and film sparked debate over the feasibility of the plot - but makes a damn good read!
For Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - let’s jsut say Hunter S. Thompson really did his research!
Based on real people and their perception of events, William Peter Blatty freaked out the nation with his novel.
Brokeback Mountain is a short story by Annie Proulx, as well as a film which no-doubt shocked the noughties!
This $25 million budget film was first ‘Madame Doubtfire’, written by Anne Fine.
Dick King-Smith wrote the 160-page kids book, ‘The Sheep-Pig’ - who else?!
Okay this wasn’t exactly a ‘book first’ kind of film - but it was based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Watch it again. You’ll see.
Written as the infamous court-case took place, this film started life as ‘The Accidental Billionaires’, to which Zuckerburg took no part. Silence of the Lambs was a sequel to Thomas-Harris’ equally dsiturbing Red Dragon. Read both if you dare.
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music movie and
interiors Interior decoration with an inspired twist...
Montclair Made’s sheet music bunting is worth the import from New York - sold on Etsy. £5.25
These Mix Stix spoons make cooking a whole lot more interesting... and noisy. earlywhirly.com £10.99
BHS’ sportlight gives an oldhollywood feel to any living room or bedroom. £150 Made for music-loving picnickers, sacheto.com have the most stylish bamboo cheese board we’ve ever seen. £87.82 The most impressive (and definitely most expensive) of the collection is Take Portugal’s innovative light design - bending the brass in the same fashion as making a trumpet, the Clark Suspension light is our pick of the month- even if we have to save up for a year to afford it. £1608.09
notonthehighstreet.com have come up with a brilliant way of showboating your old records - as a lamp shade! £15
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A fun take on the ice-cube, from drinkstuff.com £2.99
Until Next Time!