Wondering how Wim Wenders 3d film on Pina Bausch is being received at Berlin Film Festival, I scanned the website of this famous festival. What can be learned from how they run it?
Asked to do a self-evaluation for DFA's Board, I am exploring a bit beyond the same final report requested by any funding agency, such as NEA. What more could be done?
The Berlin Festival proudly presents 8 categories of films: 1) BIG name fiction features expecting big audiences, 2) art -house expecting small audiences, 3) films for the young, 4) films from Germany, 5) out-there & weird "disturbing" films, 6) Retrospective, 7) Homage to an actor 8) Shorts - only 30!
From that list, dance on camera festival shows the art house, out-there, retrospective and shorts. Occassionally DFA does an homage, such as last year's tribute to Alwin Nikolais. Perhaps next year we will do one for Gene Kelly. This year, DFA had the honor of offering Carlos Saura's FLAMENCO FLAMENCO US Premiere and simultaneous US premiere of Masayuki Suo's DANCING CHAPLIN.
But what about films for the young or a US dance film program? Should these categories be promoted for Festival 2012? Are the Hollywood hip hop guy meets ballerina films the only dance films created for young eyes? Are they being made but they aren't being submitted to dance film festivals? Should we commission them?
Now back to wondering how the Berlin crowd will receive Pina Bausch....
