Panel: Crossing The Blogosphere
When the Starz Denver Film Festival showed its first movie 30 years ago, the word “blog” didn’t even exist. Now movie blogs are proliferating across the Internet while newspapers continue to downsize. From the flip and hip to the ultra-serious, blogs impact every aspect of the world of cinema and our panel, “Crossing The Blogosphere,” explores this fast-growing phenomenon.
This panel was moderated by noted film critic Robert Denerstein, who also blogs at Denerstein Unleashed. He was joined by bloggers AJ Schnack of All These Wonderful Things, James Israel of Jump Cuts, Mark Rabinowitz of The Rabbi Report, Matt Dentler of Matt Dentler’s Blog, and Karina Longworth of Spout.
This episode also features an introduction by Britta Erickson, Media and Industry Relations Director of the Starz Denver Film Festival.
Posted on November 19, 2007 // No Comments »
Granny D’s Quest for Change in Run Granny Run
According to Doris “Granny D” Haddock, life begins at 65. Granny D first found the national spotlight in 2000 when, at the age of 90, the New Hampshire-based activist walked from coast to coast to publicize campaign finance reform.
Four years later, at age 94, she challenged her home state’s incumbent Republican senator in a grassroots bid for his seat. Filmmaker Marlo Poras’ documentary Run Granny Run captures this historic quest for change and equality.
After Run Granny Run showed at the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival, Granny D took time out of her busy schedule to chat with noted film critic Robert Denerstein. The two discussed the impact that both her walk across America and Senate run had on campaign finance reform, and why the golden years should be the richest time of a person’s life.
Posted on November 18, 2007 // No Comments »
A Look Back at 30 Years in Photos
Few, if any, film festivals with any longevity can claim that a single photographer has chronicled the entire history of events that have happened outside the theaters of their festivals. The official photographer of the Starz Denver Film Festival, Larry Laszlo, has held that position since 1978, the festival’s inaugural year.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of that event, the Denver Film Society has released Take30: The First Three Decades of the Denver International Film Festival, a 192-page retrospective. In the video below, you’ll get a glimpse at some of our favorite photos from the book.
For more information on the book, click here.
Posted on November 16, 2007 // No Comments »
The State of Cinema: One on One with David Ansen
In observation of the 30th anniversary of the Starz Denver Film Festival, veteran Newsweek film critic David Ansen, who has been attending since 1980, returns for this special event, “The State of Cinema.”
Ansen chats with panel moderator and fellow critic Robert Denerstein about the evolution of the festival scene over the past three decades, the future of film criticism in a changing media climate and the brave new cinematic world awaiting moviegoers.
This episode also features an introduction by Ron Henderson, founder and Artistic Director of the Starz Denver Film Festival.
Posted on November 16, 2007 // No Comments »
Inside the Mind of Frownland’s Ronald Bronstein
Filmmaker Ronald Bronstein says it all: Frownland is “both an overripe tomato lobbed with spazmo inaccuracy at the spotless surface of the silver screen and a mad valentine to the craggy tradition of unadulterated cheap-o, ultra-independent expression.”
Bronstein brought Frownland to the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival on the heels of winning a special jury award from this year’s SXSW Film Festival and a nod from Filmmaker, which named Bronstein among its “25 New Faces of Independent Film.”
Noted film critic Robert Denerstein had a chance to discuss Frownland with Bronstein, who gave his characteristically candid view of the dark side of interpersonal relationships, the struggles of a young filmmaker, and the state of independent film.
Posted on November 15, 2007 // 1 Comment »
Panel: Bringing the War Home
Just five years into the so-called war on terror, a number of remarkable documentaries have already come along to address its myriad consequences: Iraq in Fragments, Gunner Palace, Occupation: Dreamland, My Country, My Country, When I Came Home, The Blood of My Brother, The War Tapes – and, of course, the one that started it all, Fahrenheit 9/11.
In this year’s festival, three new documentaries provide fresh insight – from some truly alternative perspectives – into the U.S.– Middle East conflict: Alex Gibney’s Taxi to the Dark Side, Gary Weimberg and Catherine Ryan’s Soldiers of Conscience, and Nina Davenport’s Operation Filmmaker.
This panel discussion, moderated by film critic Robert Denerstein featured a diverse group of experts providing varied perspectives on Iraq, the films that have been made about it, and the emotional toll the increasingly unpopular war is exacting on all of us. Joining Denerstein were filmmakers Weimberg, Ryan, and Davenport, as well as Iraq War veteran Spc. Russell Peterson and Iraq native, retired pychatrist, and Middle East consulant Dr. David Kazzaz.
Posted on November 14, 2007 // 1 Comment »
Norman Jewison Reflects on Four Decades in Film
Norman Jewison has been a vibrant force in the motion picture industry for four decades, directing and producing some of the most essential films in the American canon. Jewison’s contribution to the world of film is astounding: his extensive, highly diverse filmography includes Moonstruck, Agnes of God, A Soldier’s Story, …And Justice for All, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming and The Cincinnati Kid (among still others).
The Canadian native has earned four Oscar nominations over the course of his distinguished career; this year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Jewison’s cinematic masterpiece In the Heat of the Night, which won the 1967 Academy Award for Best Picture.
At the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival, Jewison was presented with the Mayor’s Career Achievement Award in honor of his contributions to the world of cinema. After receiving the award, Jewison took time out to sit down with noted film critic Robert Denerstein. The two chat about Jewison’s start in the industry, the memorable pictures he’s made, and the actors who made those films come to life.
Posted on November 13, 2007 // No Comments »
Take30 with Photograher Larry Laszlo
As the Starz Denver Film Festival celebrates its 30th year, few people can claim they’ve been around since the very beginning. Photographer Larry Laszlo is one member of that exclusive club.
His photos of stars Sean Penn, Steve Martin, Tim Robbins and others have become the lasting face of the Starz Denver Film Festival. These photos are more adorn the pages of the book Take30: The First Three Decades of the Denver International Film Festival . For more information on the book, click here.
These Take30 episodes were produced and aired on Martini Radio.
Posted on November 13, 2007 // 1 Comment »
Women + Film: Commanding Voices, Strong Leaders
Three films showing at the 30th Starz Denver Film Festival, all dealing with women engaged in the electoral process, frame the issues for a lively, informative and entertaining discussion of women in prominent leadership roles in the United States and Liberia.
The documentary 14 Women takes you inside the halls of power of the U.S. Senate and introduces you to its 14 female members.
Iron Ladies of Liberia follows Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s first elected female president, and her largely female cabinet over the course of their turbulent first year in office capturing democracy in action.
Doris “Granny D” Haddock is the nation’s oldest political newcomer. In 2004, at age 94, she challenged her home state’s incumbent Republican senator in a grassroots bid for his seat. A tale of doggedness versus dollars, grit against greenbacks, director Marlo Poras’ spirited and engaging Run Granny Run is an unlikely portrait of a truly memorable and outspoken character.
This panel included filmmakers and producers Nicole Boxer, Marlo Poras, Daniel Junge and political activist Doris “Granny D” Haddock and was moderated by Lesley Dahlkemper, president of Schoolhouse Communications and former national award-winning public affairs and education reporter for Colorado Public Radio.
Posted on November 12, 2007 // No Comments »
Take30 with Director Bob Rafelson
In this episode of Take30, legendary film producer and director Bob Rafelson looks back at a defining period in filmmaking, The New American Cinema. Rafelson co-wrote, produced, and directed Five Easy Pieces and directed Easy Rider, two classic movies of this period.
These Take30 episodes were produced and aired on Martini Radio.
Posted on November 12, 2007 // No Comments »
