Cinevue

The wisest and most succinct description of the documentary filmmaker’s plight came from Alfred Hitchcock: “In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.” The six nominees for this year’s Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award underscore this idea perfectly, as they chased after tales of survival and self-discovery, hula dancers and rogue politicians, family histories and the history of freedom. We decided to let our documentary filmmakers speak for themselves by inviting them to interview each other about the motivations, challenges, and secrets of their taxing yet noble art form.

In-soo Radstake, director of MADE IN KOREA.

Socheata Poeuv: Why do you think going-home narratives are so popular in Asian films and books?

I think the Asian community can relate so much with the whole ‘going home’ issue because lots of Asians live outside their native countries. They live there for several reasons: for a better future, escaped from regimes, war. People made dramatic choices, or had to. Separated from loved ones, they understand what others are going through and are also curious for their experiences of going home, I think.

Continue reading "Socheata Poeuv interviews In-Soo Radstake about MADE IN KOREA" »

Posted by Sonjia Hyon at 03:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The wisest and most succinct description of the documentary filmmaker’s plight came from Alfred Hitchcock: “In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.” The six nominees for this year’s Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award underscore this idea perfectly, as they chased after tales of survival and self-discovery, hula dancers and rogue politicians, family histories and the history of freedom. We decided to let our documentary filmmakers speak for themselves by inviting them to interview each other about the motivations, challenges, and secrets of their taxing yet noble art form.

Director Socheata Poeuv with her father in her award-winning documentary NEW YEAR BABY.

In-Soo Radstake: When you started documenting your background and family's life, did you have any idea what you were about to start and where it would lead? And will lead to, in the future?

Socheata Poeuv: NEW YEAR BABY is my first film. I just wanted to start capturing my family’s story. I had no idea if it would turn into a ten-minute piece or a feature-length documentary or just a collection of footage.

Continue reading "In-Soo Radstake interviews Socheata Poeuv about NEW YEAR BABY" »

Posted by Sonjia Hyon at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

CAMPAIGN director Kazuhiro Soda.

The wisest and most succinct description of the documentary filmmaker’s plight came from Alfred Hitchcock: “In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.” The six nominees for this year’s Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award underscore this idea perfectly, as they chased after tales of survival and self-discovery, hula dancers and rogue politicians, family histories and the history of freedom. We decided to let our documentary filmmakers speak for themselves by inviting them to interview each other about the motivations, challenges, and secrets of their taxing yet noble art form.
Lisette Marie Flanary: Aloha Soda, Hey, how did those screenings in Japan go? Just back from the Maui Film Festival (fun!). Looks like we are supposed to interview each other for CineVue. Frankly, I think it's awesome that we got paired up, considering I know you from waaaaaaaaay back. No questions about KILL KIMONO, please!

I know you are currently in Japan showing CAMPAIGN right now and am curious to hear your thoughts on the response the film is getting there. How have audiences reacted to the film in Japan? How are they different from the response you have received at screenings here in America? I'm sure you must be really busy with press for the film in Japan AND starting to shoot the next doc. What are you up to next, if you don't mind me asking? And how's the festival circuit treating you (I know you've been getting around…by the way, did you know both our films played at the Sydney Film Festival together?)?

Continue reading "Lisette Marie Flanary interviews Kazuhiro Soda about CAMPAIGN" »

Posted by Hieu Ho at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

NA KAMALEI: THE MEN OF HULA director Lisette Marie Flanary.

The wisest and most succinct description of the documentary filmmaker’s plight came from Alfred Hitchcock: “In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.” The six nominees for this year’s Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award underscore this idea perfectly, as they chased after tales of survival and self-discovery, hula dancers and rogue politicians, family histories and the history of freedom. We decided to let our documentary filmmakers speak for themselves by inviting them to interview each other about the motivations, challenges, and secrets of their taxing yet noble art form.

Kazuhiro Soda: Hey, Lisette, it's such a happy coincidence that they paired us up. Incredible! Everything is going fantastic in Japan. I'm so crazy busy dealing with media concerning CAMPAIGN and shooting my next doc.

Here are my questions for you. I consider my documentary movie CAMPAIGN as an observational film, so naturally, I kept some distance from my subjects and observed them as if I observed exotic animals or insects. How about you? I felt that you had a different approach from mine.

Continue reading "Kazuhiro Soda interviews Lisette Marie Flanary about NA KAMALEI: THE MEN OF HULA" »

Posted by Hieu Ho at 09:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)