!f Istanbul opens with a documentary on nature
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
Directed by Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman, the film is a rare behind- the-scenes look at the Earth Liberation Front, the radical environmental
If Istanbul Independent Film Festival opened yesterday with the gala screening of “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front.”Directed by Marshall Curry and Sam Cullman, the film is a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Earth Liberation Front, the radical environmental group the FBI called America’s “No. 1 domestic terrorist threat.”
The film was nominated for the 2012 Oscars in the category of Best Documentary. In 2011 it won the Documentary Film Editing Award at Sundance Film Festival, Environmental Film Award at Santa Cruz Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature Award at Nashville Film Festival and Grand Jury Prize at Dallas International Film Festival.
The festival, which caters to audiences of around 70,000 people, will continue in Istanbul through Feb. 26 at AFM Fitaş Beyoğlu, Maçka G-Mall, AFM İstinye Park and AFM Caddebostan Budak. The festival will take place between March 1 and 4 in Ankara CEPA and for the first time this year, on the same dates at İzmir Balçova KİPA.
The most anticipated independent productions
In the course of the festival, more than 80 of this year’s most anticipated independent productions will be screened in 15 categories. Award-winning films such as “The Descendants,” “Take Shelter,” “Bellflower” and “Project Nim” will be screened in the Hit Films category.
The !f Inspired Competition brings together eight exciting new films such as Ben Rivers’ acclaimed “Two Years At Sea” and Valerie Massadian’s “Nana.” Landmark gay films like “Weekend” and “Keep the Lights On” feature in the Rainbow Films section.
New Kurdish cinema will be showcased for the third year in a selection called “Home.” And of course, this year’s new categories “People Power,” “The Trip” and “e-xperiments” present a curated mix of films that speak to contemporary questions.
Within the scope of !f Istanbul, Paris-based independent cinema promoter L’ACID is coming to Istanbul with a special selection of films as part of the celebrations of its 20th birthday. Iconic French actor Jacques Nolot will attend the festival to present his film “Avant Que J’oublie.”
Presenting award-winning movies and documentaries
The multiple award-winning British composer Michael Nyman will present his first feature film “Nyman with a Video Camera” and will also hold a special talk in which he will explore the relationship between sound and image in his work using excerpts from his short works collected under Cine Opera. !f Istanbul launches !f Music for the first time this year, which is a mini-festival bringing together music documentaries, workshops, parties and music-related talks. From the latest Chemical Brothers film to Hole drummer Patti Schemel, a range of inspiring stories will be presented. The !f Music Opening Party will feature Kate Simko and Jeffrey Weeter with their groundbreaking live cinema A/V show while the !f Music Rainbow party will present Nomi Ruiz (Jessica 6) with a surprise PA after her DJ set.
In addition to the festival film screenings, the festival presents a daily program of free films and discussions focusing on issues such as video activism, gay rights.
Nyman visits Turkey for !f
ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News
The !f Istanbul film festival will host British film composer, pianist, librettist and musicologist Michael Nyman on Feb. 19 in collaboration with İf Music’s main sponsor, Adidas Originals, and the British Council.
Nyman became widely known as a film score composer for his work in Peter Greenaway’s films (“A Zed & Two Noughts;” “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover;” and “Prospero’s Books”) and his scores for “Wonderland,” “The End of the Affair” and “Gattaca.”
His soundtrack for “The Piano” sold more than 3 million copies. As one of Britain’s most innovative and celebrated composers, Nyman’s restless creativity has made him one of the most fascinating and influential cultural icons of today. In Istanbul to present his first film, “Nyman with a Movie Camera,” Nyman will also hold a special talk in which he will explore the relationship between sound and image in his work, using excerpts from his short works collected under Cine Opera.
He will also talk about his experiences as a composer of award-winning soundtracks.
The seminar will be in English with simultaneous translation into Turkish.
