The Berlinale
70
th International Film
Festival
It has been a spectacular year for the
Film Group with five members accred-
ited to attend the International Film Fes-
tival (Berlinale) in 2020. This year’s Berli-
nale, in particular, is special because it is
not only the 70th anniversary of the fes-
tival, but also introduces two new direc-
tors: Mariette Rissenbeek, serving as the
executive director, and Carlo Chatrian,
as the artistic director. Several changes
took place such as the removal of the
popular Culinary Cinema program and
the edition of a new competition section
entitled “Encounters.” Celebrity sight-
ings included Willem Dafoe, Hillary
Clinton, and Jeremy Irons, who served
as the jury president. Our members Pat
F. and Karen S. were accredited for the
first time, joining returning members
Rose F., Shelly S., and Becky T.. Unfortu-
nately Mary W. was unable to attend the
festival this year and was sorely missed.
All five are now in the process of com-
piling their reviews and ratings and
other impressions for the publication of
the special Berlinale edition of Currents
magazine.
by Rose Finlay
Film Reviews and more...
This runaway fashion show is an extrav-
aganza! Commencing in Connecticut,
USA and subsequently during the nu-
merous and variable preproduction stag-
es, Jean-Paul Gaultier’s voiceover tells
his life story while he collaborates with
the composer, director, choreographer,
dancers, top models, costumer, et al.
“Freak & Chic” exceeds expectations; a
haute couture fashion show-cum-revue
with Paris’ famed Folies Bergère its in-
spiration and setting. Over a two-year
plus period, we glide through rehears-
als, watch seamstresses during fittings
in his workshop, and sit in as ideas are
hatched. Bon!
Jean Paul Gaultier: Freak and Chic
(Jean Paul Gaultier:
Freak & Chic) ****
France 2018
Opening March 19, 2020
Directed by: Yann L’Hénoret
Writing credits: Yann L’Hénoret
Principal actors: Documentary
Photo from Shelly S. and Rose F.
Breaking down Gaultier’s background
into chapters depicted as video vi-
gnettes, Jean-Paul’s savoir-faire is man-
ifested in each episode: grade school
otherness; first love; relationship with
the Parisian fashion scene—“I’m not
in vogue,” and move from eccentric
to sweet, and provocative to soothing;
these will be projected onstage during
the revue. We meet working associates
Cristina Cordula, Marion Cotillard,
Catherine Deneuve, Rossy de Palma,
and Jean Teulé, to name a few. Jean-
Paul acknowledges that work gives his
life meaning; he takes in everything
around him, wherever he is, to feed
his creativity. “He is like a computer,”
says a colleague. Complimentary to as-
sociates, and open to suggestions (e.g.,
better a dancer perform barefoot than
stress his foot during the finale), Jean-
Paul laughs often, has a ready smile, and
really listens—no wonder everyone says
working with him is fun. “He is my an-
gel.”
Writer-director Yann L’Hénoret has
crafted a thematic homage to the ac-
claimed fashion designer whose un cer-
tain je ne sais quoi pulsates from the
opening scene to the very last credit.
Nile Rodgers composed the score and
the soundtrack, with collaborators of
Diana Ross, David Bowie, Madonna
and Daft Punk. Laurent Lefebvre
superbly edits cinematographer Yann
L’Hennoret’s skillful, diverse range of
styles that fit the many venues and situ-
ations.
www.awchamburg.org
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