Sundance Film Festival Podcasts

On the Circuit: The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:23:21 -0400

There is a war raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A war of which the vast majority of us are unaware. A war on women. Everyday, women from all over the country are brutally raped, sometimes by many assailants at a time, by soldiers from within and without the country. Whether these women are mutilated by the brutality or forced to raise children by themselves after being shunned by their family and village, they still must deal with the atrocities alone. Though this has been going on for decades, very few of us have ever heard about it. Until now. Lisa F. Jackson, a survivor of rape herself, uses her documentary The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, to bring a voice to the women in Congo who have so far been unable to reach the eyes and ears of the global community. Zoom In Online’s Jim Rohner talked to Lisa during the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival where she shared her thoughts on documenting the horrible stories of these women and the inexplicable hope and inspiration that still lives deep within them. For more information, visit www.thegreatestsilence.org.

Collision Course: Content Providers in the Creative Community Chart a Course for the Future (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:12:26 -0500

In 2007, Hollywood chose to stop production over unresolved new-media revenue issues. Instead, we at the Sundance Film Festival look forward to dealing with this new challenge. How do we quantify the distribution models? How do we share? Join industry and indie prognosticators as we examine subscription models, targeted, advertising, revenue sharing, and other emerging business strategies. Moderated by Scott Kirsner of Variety.

On Plurality: The Middle East in Perspective (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:50:43 -0500

With such distinctive voices and interests, the film work from the Middle East this year reinforces the sense of a vibrant cultural plurality. In combating reductive representations and articulating complex political, religious, and social issues, these filmmakers speak as many voices. Whether exploring Islam or expressing personal stories, each film holds transformative power.

Critics Cornered? (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:54:51 -0500

Do critics still matter? Maybe the better question is, what factors contribute to their perceived relevance? What have blogging and "critic-proof" marketing changed? Do they still have the power to help films? And forgetting the box office for two seconds, what about the culture where films are received? So do critics still matter? Ask them.

Imagining a Market for Short Films (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:25:54 -0500

As the zone between making short films and reaching an audience gets more explosive, new companies and technologies are changing the landscape daily. Sundance has stepped into the void to help get the power and profit into the hands of the filmmakers. Come meet the folks and filmmakers who manage the Sundance shorts deal (iTunes/Netflix/Xbox). Moderated by Sundance's own John Turner.

The Producing Cap (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:03:46 -0500

Nobody calls you when it's good news. The financing fell through, the tax incentive fell through, an actor fell through, a tree fell through (the roof). It's raining. The D.P. needs this thing...from NASA. Producing is tough, and the cap you wear is generally of a problem-solving variety. In this panel, a group of seasoned producers bring a range of problems to the table and share their solutions.

Stories That Must Be Told: Today's Human Rights Documentary Movement (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:04:28 -0500

Human rights and documentary are joining forces to powerful effect. Hear from experts working globally about the growing use of filmic storytelling in human-rights work. Panelists include Paul van Zyl (International Center for Transitional Justice), Gillian Caldwell (1Sky Alliance), and Oren Yacobovitch (B’tselem).

Going It Alone: Digital Distribution for the Indie Filmmaker (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:50:11 -0500

The myriad of distribution opportunities facing today’s filmmakers make for a landscape of both opportunity and confusion. How can you maximize your digital rights potential? Where are the best revenue opportunities? Join buyers, sellers, and filmmakers to discuss rights, royalties, and windows in the wild world of digital distribution today. Moderated by Meyer Shwarzstein, CEO of Brainstorm Media.

On Crisis Survival: Stories of Disaster and Its Aftermath (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:06:08 -0500

Which crises demand our attention? It falls to journalists and filmmakers to help us understand. But how do they do that? And how should we respond? Disasters demand solutions. With survival at stake, are you willing to engage? Panelists Naomi Klein, Peter Galison, Tia Lessin, Patrick Creadon, and others discuss the next bad thing and what to do to head it off.

Black in America (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:25:26 -0500

The African-American experience is the subject of many of the documentaries in this year’s Festival. Hosted by Elvis Mitchell, filmmakers, artists, and experts discuss the pivotal questions for African-Americans today and where the most progress is being made.

Alternative Storytelling For New Media Platforms (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:18:09 -0500

How do you tell good stories in a world where your computer is a television, your cell phone is a movie screen, and your avatar addresses a global virtual audience? Join visionary new funders, media artists, tech pundits, and program innovators to discuss the development of next-generation content for emerging platforms. Moderated by Wendy Levy of the Bay Area Video Coalition.

On Comedy: Are We Laughing In Dark Times? (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:20:36 -0500

Depression, substance abuse, family strife, and suicide—has life always been this funny? Humor seems to be tackling pretty dark stuff. Is the comedy of perversity, taboo, and dysfunction just a means of coping? What are we allowed to laugh at? This panel may not have the answer, but we’ll let them discuss it for a while.

Film Church with Martin McDonagh (2008 Sundance Film Festival)

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:20:07 -0500

McDonagh is notorious for his particular brand of blistering, postmodern dark comedy, which brilliantly slides into the extremes of ugliness, violence, and brutality in a way that might best be described as grotesquely absurd. Born in London to Irish immigrant parents, he began his career scripting radio plays and has since won two Olivier Awards and been nominated for four Tony Awards. His plays include The Lieutenant of Irishmore, The Beauty Queen of Leenane and The Pillowman. His first foray into filmmaking was the Oscar-winning short Six Shooter and In Bruges starring Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, and Ralph Fiennes is his first feature.

Meet the Artists: Neil Abramson, Director of "American Son"

Joseph_Beyer@Sundance.org (Sundance Institute) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:36:02 -0500

"American Son" is the story of a young Marine whos forced to navigate a volatile home life, a new love and the dangerous complexities of adulthood during a 96-hour Thanksgiving leave.

Meet the Artists: Gregg Araki, Director of "The Living End"