Post on 14-Apr-2018
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The Cinematograph - 2 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
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Due to many recent cinematic developments this issue reaches you later than usual. Among
many items, this edition brings you news on several movie productions shooting across Malta.
Because of this increased moviemaking activity, the June edition carries a movie-related cover
(details below and last page) rather than a usually featured historic cinema façade.
This issue also introduces two new features: a Review section and Cinema Jobs & Training
Opportunities. Check out new publications (one of them free) on historic movie theatres in
Scotland and Wisconsin.
If you would like to submit an item to this magazine, alert us of cinematic events, publications
or developments, or if you have comments/suggestions regarding the contents or style of The
Cinematograph, I will be glad to hear from you. Contact {editor@cinemaheritagegroup.org}
Fasten your seatbelt for the blockbuster season…
Marc Zimmermann
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[Malta] During the 14th National Cinema Day Maltese cinemas will charge just €3 for any
film at any show on 4 July. {MZ}
[Malta] The Malta Cine Circle will hold an Awards Show for its 2009 National Film
Competition at the ST. JAMES CAVALIER CINEMA (Valletta) on 3 July. {www.sjcav.org}
[Malta] Renzo Piano's designs for the Opera House site/ruins (see also Historic Cinema News
below), the new Parliament building and City Gate can be viewed at an exhibition at the
Museum of Archaeology (Republic St., Valletta) from 28 June to 31 July. {Times of Malta}
[USA] The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival will screen seven classic films (incl. Psycho, US
1960) under the stars in Chicago (IL) between 14 July and 25 August. For details, go to {www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/special_events/mose/chicago_outdoor_film.html}
[Germany] The FilmFest München will entertain audiences and award the 'White Elephant'
[that trophy name might merit some reconsideration, ed.] for outstanding audio-visual
programs for children and young people from 26 June to 4 July. For more information, go to
{http://filmfest-muenchen.de}
[Brazil] Fantaspoa, the 5th International Fantastic Film Festival will
entertain audiences in Porto Alegre on 3-19 July. For details, check
out {www.fantaspoa.com}
If you would like to promote your own event through The Cinematograph (screening,
conference, tour etc.), please contact {editor@cinemaheritagegroup.org}
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[UK����Cinemas] Spotlight on Scotland's Cinemas [booklet by
Historic Scotland, out now] presents the history, architecture and
future of historic cinemas across Scotland (including their protection
through listing), featuring venues such as the HIPPODROME in
Bo'ness, Scotland's oldest survivor, opened 1912 and recently fully
refurbished. The well-illustrated publication is the result of a thematic
study carried out on significant cinema buildings throughout 2007-
2008 in conjunction with the Cinema Theatre Association. To
download the free 32-page booklet, go to {www.historic-
scotland.gov.uk/cinemas.pdf}
The Cinematograph - 3 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
[USA����Cinemas] Historic Movie Theatres of Wisconsin [book by
Konrad Schiecke, out 13 May] presents 'Nineteenth Century Opera
Houses through 1950s Playhouses, Town by Town'. Check out
{www.mcfarlandpub.com}
If you have written or come across a cinema- or film-related
article/book, do let me know; I will be happy to make readers aware
of it. Contact {editor@cinemaheritagegroup.org}
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This new, regular feature will bring you reviews of mainly new
publications, including books (primarily on cinema architecture and
cinemagoing) and magazines (on the subjects of film and conservation). To submit a
publication for review in The Cinematograph, or send in a review of your own, contact
{editor@cinemaheritagegroup.org}
FILMSTAR [UK] [£3.99] {www.blackfishpublishing.com}
Stats: New monthly UK film magazine (avg. 180 colour pages)
Review: This brand new movie magazine was launched by the people behind Sci-Fi movie
mag Death Ray (see #008). Is it shaping up to be the 'smartest, sharpest title out there' that
it aims to be? Filmstar is keen to cover popcorn and brainy movies, new and old alike, and it
appears that issue one has taken steps in the right direction.
A substantial review section places emphasis on current and upcoming big-screen releases,
just how it should be in a cinema magazine (the DVD section is comparatively small). It is
complemented by sizeable interviews that aim to go deeper. Several features solidly present
the past (John Wayne), present (horror) and future (3D). Among the usual suspects are
sections on soundtracks and books (both too brief), and a segment
on TV, including an informative glance at the major US networks,
their series' trends and prospects. The absent games reviews are
certainly not missed.
Among the magazine's innovations are a good-sized, recurring
retrospective focussing on a specific year in cinema (an idea carried
over from Death Ray; in this issue: 1976) and a small but welcome
addition to some of the items on upcoming movies titled 'Secret
Fears', which counterbalances the combination of can't-wait
expectations and studio-generated hype with a healthy dose of what-
could-actually-go-wrong.
Filmstar carries only 10% adverts (compared to almost twice that in
the two main UK competitors), which are mostly related to the
subject (i.e. films, games, comics) and that are pleasantly free from
dial-4-sex entries.
At £3.99 the cover price is equivalent to that of Empire and Total Film; annual subscription
costs £40 (12 issues, UK), £71 (Europe; this can actually work out cheaper if bought over the
counter), or a substantial £107 for the rest of the world. With the proliferation of online news
and reviews, most printed movie magazines will have to reduce their overseas subscription to
more competitive rates if they want to reach larger audiences abroad.
Overall, this is a magazine well worth checking out (and comparing to others) that will
hopefully be able to distinguish itself further from the competition rather than being sucked
closer to mainstream formulas. Features on the integral part of cinemagoing (cultural and
social aspects, cinemas, architecture, staff profiles) would add value to Filmstar and set it
apart from its competitors. Issue 2 has just hit the newsstands (on 25 June).
Verdict: ***** ☺ A promising start with some new ideas � Not very dissimilar to competitors
(yet?) {issue No.1 reviewed by Marc Zimmermann}
Filmstar No.1
The Cinematograph - 4 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
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[Malta] After seven decades of decay and indecision, things are finally moving quickly for
Valletta's ROYAL OPERA site (former theatre and cinema, see also #027). Star architect Renzo
Piano has revised his original plans following
the government's decision not to erect the new
Parliament building on this site but on the
adjacent empty lot (the dismal Freedom
Square) instead, stating that the OPERA site
was "deemed too small" after a multitude of
locals and foreigners had objected to the
resulting loss of a historic monument and a
follow-up theatre. The new plans propose the
preservation of the surviving stonework and
the erection of a new light, semi-transparent,
retractable façade, creating a 1,200-seat open-air theatre. (For details of the proposal see also
Events above.) {Times of Malta}
[Malta] The capital's CITY LIGHTS, a single-screen cinema on St. John Street, is set to close as
a 'blue-movie' venue to become a bingo hall. Planning application PA02987/08, which also
includes structural alterations, has just been granted permission. {MZ}
[Malta] Demolition of the PILOT cinema (Il-Kbira Street, Māarr) has recently been approved
following a somewhat patchy planning history.
After demolition had been halted in 1997, the
building's new owner filed application
PA/03464/05 seeking "to demolish the existing
cinema and to construct basement garages,
overlying residential units and penthouses" in
June 2005. Permission was refused in
September 2007 (due to the proposed ground
floor use and the new building's
elevation/height). The resubmitted application
(October 2007) was also recommended for
refusal (January 2008) but was finally granted
(April 2009) since the "reason for refusal was addressed". Demolition works are set to begin in
July. {MZ}
[UK] Glasgow's B-listed COLISEUM, which had been lying empty for several years, was sadly
gutted in a fire on 25 May. Demolition works
started immediately to eliminate any threat of
collapse (allegedly homeless Glaswegians had
previously taken shelter in the old cinema).
The building (designed by Frank Matcham)
opened in 1905 as a theatre (seating 2,900),
operated as a dedicated cinema from 1925
onwards, converted to Cinerama in 1963,
closed in 1980, was listed 1986, and ran as a
bingo hall from 1987 to 2003. Considering that
cinema's worldwide still struggle to receive
recognition through protection, the loss of this
significant, listed building is even more
regrettable. Further images and details on {www.scottishcinemas.org.uk/glasgow/coliseum/index.html}
Gutted PILOT interior with abandoned cars 2009 © MZ
OPERA HOUSE conversion model 2009 © Times of Malta
Fire-gutted & part-demolished COLISEUM 2009 © MZ
The Cinematograph - 5 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
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[Ireland] The IRISH FILM INSTITUTE has announced expansion
and redevelopment works for its cinema in Dublin (opened
1992). It is uniquely located within the converted Old Quaker
Meeting House, featuring two screens (260+104 seats). A third
screen will be added, seating 60 patrons in "a luxurious
boutique atmosphere". It will be equipped with digital
projection technology plus equipment to screen a range of
other formats (incl. 16mm) to allow better access to material
from the Irish Film Archive and emerging Irish filmmakers. The
increased capacity will allow the IFI to significantly broaden its
arthouse programme and to add to its programme of special
events. It will also raise its competitiveness in the face of
Dublin's second arthouse cinema, the 4-screen LIGHT HOUSE,
which opened in May last year (see #019). The IFI's existing public areas will be renovated
and modernised, including its washroom facilities, film shop, box office and bar/restaurant
area. Furthermore, a "significant development" of the Irish Film Archive I set to improve the
public's access to its collection. {www.irishfilm.ie}
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[Malta] The first Indian production to come to Malta, the movie Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya,
wrapped its 10-day shoot on the islands in late May. The Kollywood movie (i.e. Tamil-
language, see Nickelodeon Dictionary below) is written, produced and directed by Gautham
Vasudev Menon who is known for his action films. Two of the six song-and-dance sequences
for the film were shot by the 26-strong Indian
crew, assisted by ten locals, around Valletta,
Mdina, Vittoriosa (see right and cover), Gozo
and Comino, creating an estimated €90,000 in
revenue.
The romantic comedy follows a Christian
heroine (played by popular Indian actress
Trisha (see cover) and a Hindu hero. It is
scored by composer A.R. Rahman (Oscar-
winner for Slumdog Millionaire). According to
the Chennai Times of India there is "fierce
competition among Kollywood directors to
shoot in never-seen-before locations" with Mr.
Vasudev Menon being the first director from
South India to film in Malta. He believes that others are likely to follow suit and plans to return
in December to shoot an entire action film on the islands, complete with water chases. Vinnai
Thaandi Varuvaaya is scheduled for release in India in September; a limited international
release will follow, possibility including Maltese screens. {Fiona Galea Debono, ToM}
[Malta] The filming of a naval battle segment for the Japanese historical drama TV series
Clouds above the Slope (sic, Engl. working title) wrapped in early June at the water tanks of
Malta's Mediterranean Film Studios (MFS). Depicting the Russo-Japanese war of 1904/05, the
scenes shot in Malta involved explosions and a fire on a warship, which starts sinking as sailors
engulfed in flames fall into the rough sea in a re-enactment of the Battle of Tsushima.
Starting in January, a local engineering company and 40 craftsmen had built two life-size,
timber-clad ship sections and a 600m2 metal structure with hydraulic pistons to simulate the
sinking of the ship. When the last scene was shot on the evening of 4 June, the fire that was
Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya shooting in Vittoriosa (Malta), May 2009 © MZ
IFI lobby 2007 © MZ
The Cinematograph - 6 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
planned to break out on one of the ship sections
got unexpectedly out of hand. The blaze, which
destroyed most of the wooden set and
damaged some equipment, however, gave the
director better shots than he had hoped for,
turning out "grander than we expected"
(Cornelia Azzopardi-Schellmann, MFS Manager).
The scene, which used propane gas fire, was
supervised by fire engines and stand-by
medical staff. No one was injured in the incident
that required the intervention of three fire
tenders to control the blaze.
The 13-day shoot (with a budget of €2m) was
spread over a three-week period. The film is a production of NHK, Japan's national public
broadcasting organisation. {Matthew Xuereb, ToM}
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This section brings you those terms from the world of
cinema and TV that are less familiar or that have faded
from memory. If you have a word in mind that you'd like
to submit for closer inspection, send your suggestion to
{editor@cinemaheritagegroup.org}
[Bollywood] Bollywood is the popular, informal term for
the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai (India),
blending Bombay (Mumbai's former name) and Hollywood. Bollywood refers only to Hindi
cinema and not to the whole of Indian cinema. The Hindi film industry is India's largest movie
producer. The term Bollywood was first used in the 1970s, when India overtook America in
terms of movie output, but it is unconfirmed who first coined it. The first silent feature made
was Raja Harishchandra (1913). By the 1930s, the industry was producing over 200 films
annually.
In the past, the Hindi film industry has produced movies with a universal audience appeal,
mainly in an attempt to maximise box office receipts. Bollywood films are typically opulent
musicals, frequently employing formulaic ingredients such as star-crossed lovers and angry
parents, love triangles, family ties, sacrifice, corrupt politicians, kidnappers, conniving villains,
courtesans with hearts of gold, long-lost relatives and siblings separated by fate, dramatic
reversals of fortune, and convenient coincidences. They typically contain songs and dances,
romance and melodrama, comedy and action (incl. super-human heroes) within one masala
film (named after the spice mix), a three-hour extravaganza. While most actors are excellent
dancers, the popular songs are usually recorded by professional playback singers instead. The
hero or heroine will often perform with a group of supporting dancers. Many song-and-dance
routines in Indian films feature instantaneous shifts of location and/or changes of costume
between verses of a song. The main characters' dance/song segments are often staged in
beautiful natural surroundings or architecturally grand settings.
Bollywood films are multi-million dollar productions. Sequences shot overseas have proved a
real box office draw, so Mumbai film crews are increasingly filming around the world, most
recently and for the first time in Malta (see photo and Movie News above). In 2002 Bollywood
movies sold 3.6bn tickets and generated a total revenue (incl. DVDs and TV) of US$1.3bn
(compared to Hollywood: 2.6bn tickets and US$51bn respectively). Bollywood films are
particularly popular in the former Soviet Union, with a large following also in North America,
the UK, Germany, France and Scandinavia. {www.wikipedia.org}
Clouds above the Slope set on fire © Times of Malta
The Cinematograph - 7 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
[Kollywood] Kollywood is the colloquial term for the Tamil-language film industry based in
Chennai (previously named Madras, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu), a blend of
Kodambakkam (a very successful Tamil movie released in 2005) and Hollywood. Movies have
been produced in Chennai since 1916 (Keechaka Vaadham). By the end of the 1930s several
studios had been set up in Chennai and the industry was booming to the extent that the State
of Madras introduced an entertainment tax.
Tamil cinema has had a profound effect on the
filmmaking industries of India, with Chennai
becoming the capital of South Indian (Tamil)
filmmaking, as well as of other languages and
Sri Lankan cinema, in the 1940s. Kollywood is
well known for its talented film composers,
including two of India's most famous,
Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog
Millionaire).
Tamil films are among India's most popular,
along with Bollywood movies. They have a wide
overseas distribution, including Japan, South
Africa, Canada, the UK and USA.
Approximately over 5,000 Tamil films were produced in the 20th century. In 2005 estimated
box office takings reached US$52m. Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu government has made
provisions for an entertainment tax exemption for movies having pure Tamil words in the title.
Tamil Nadu features approximately 2,800 cinemas with a particular concentration in Salem and
Chennai. {www.wikipedia.org}
[Mollywood] Mollywood refers to the Malayalam-language filmmaking industry in the Indian
state of Kerala (pop. 40m). The term blends Malayalam and Hollywood. Mollywood forms a
significant component of Indian cinema in terms of artistic merit. Malayalam movies typically
portray social or familial issues and as a result are often considered more realistic than
Bollywood movies. The first Kerala cinema was established in 1907 (featuring a manual
projector), the first electrical one, JOSE ELECTRICAL BIOSCOPE, followed in 1913. Initially only
Tamil, Hindi and English films were screened throughout the state, with Tamil movies
dominating due to the cultural similarities between the two states. The first Malayalam film
(Vigathakumaran) was released in 1928. {www.wikipedia.org}
[Tollywood] Tollywood refers to the cinema industry in the Telugu-language state of Andhra
Pradesh. Based in the city of Hyderabad, it is one of India's largest filmmaking industries. The
term blends Telugu and Hollywood. The Telugu film industry originated in 1912 with the
production of Bhisma Pratighna. Tollywood holds several Guinness records, including the
largest film studio in the world and the record for an actor to appear in the largest number of
films in a single language (750), held by actor Brahmanandam. The state of Andhra Pradesh
also has the highest number of cinemas in India (3,700), of which 200 are in Hyderabad alone.
Currently, on average 150 Telugu films are released each year {www.wikipedia.org}
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[Ireland] Reelmagic is a practical filmmaking course for young people aged 9 to 14 (incl.
storyboarding, scriptwriting, directing and editing) running at the IRISH FILM INSTITUTE in July.
For details, go to {www.irishfilm.ie/educ/index10_07.asp}
[UK] The new movie mag Filmstar (see Review above) is looking for staff writer(s). Send a
CV and work samples (incl. a recent 250-word DVD review and a 600-word review of a recent
film) to Meg Jones at {meg@blackfishpublishing.com}
Funkstylerz (UK) performing a dance scene for Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya in Vittoriosa (Malta), May '09 © MZ
The Cinematograph - 8 - ©©©© Cinema Heritage Group
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Director Gautham Menon and actress Trisha during filming
of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya in Vittoriosa (Malta), May 2009
© Marc Zimmermann
For film details see Movie News above.
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###000333333 will be out in mid-July.
including:
Exclusive movie cover
Local Maltese film production goes 'into space'
The Cinema Architecture Compendium resumes
New publications on historic cinemas
Virtual cinema tours & much more…
The CCCIIINNNEEEMMMAAA HHHEEERRRIIITTTAAAGGGEEE GGGRRROOOUUUPPP (CHG, estd. 2006) is a non-profit organisation bringing cinema
enthusiasts and industry experts together to encourage joint efforts in the recording,
preservation and dissemination of cinemagoing history. We pursue the following MAIN GOALS:
[1] Carry out, circulate and encourage RESEARCH on historic cinemas
[2] Secure the protection and PRESERVATION of highly significant surviving cinemas
[3] Establish and maintain EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES relating to cinemas and film
[4] Promote DEVELOPMENTS in the cinema industry, including exhibition and filmmaking
SUBJECT: Historic cinemas, multiplexes, cinemagoing history and developments worldwide.
FOCUS: Malta, Ireland and global trends.
TTTHHHEEE CCCIIINNNEEEMMMAAATTTOOOGGGRRRAAAPPPHHH (launched in Nov. 2006) is the monthly digital magazine of the Cinema
Heritage Group. It is currently available via e-mail (in PDF format) through free subscription.
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