Larger-than-life heroes of the screen
The 43rd Thessaloniki International Film Festival has only just begun, but already we've met lots of interesting characters onscreen, from Pasolini himself (sort of) to an 18-year old soccer fanatic. Thousands more heroes and anti-heroes are waiting to come to life, all rolled up in their celluloid reels. Looking around the festival, some things are the same: the cinemas (though we're still learning the names), plastic-wrapped sandwiches at concession stands, the faces and student-filled audiences. Ch-ch-ch-changes include the absence of Deneuve-Keitel-Dunaway-type stars. This may be for the best, though we do like to hover around those famous people. Another difference is New Horizons' reshaping its categories, but not lessening its appeal.

In the name of Beckham
"It's ultimate feel-good movie," one local producer said of official festival-opener "Bend it Like Beckham". Did you know: Director Gurinda Chadka was born in Kenya and made "Bhaji on the Beach" (1994). Man United's Beckham has an angular kick. One of London's largest Asian communities is located near Heathrow.

In Praise of Pasolini
Cocky, longing for beauty and fighting against the status quo is how Pier Paolo Pasolini is portrayed in Aurelio Grimaldi's "Norolio", shown yesterday. That film follows Pasolini from his ailing mother's bedside to nightly cruises for young men. He pays the men for voyeuristic moments. While he smiles in admiration, they mostly return scorn. One of the black-and-white film's sharpest blows is against the hypocrites that come with fame. Both a student hoping to publish a book - and his mother - privately denigrate the director, but only praise him to his face. This is the fifth of Grimaldi's films. Like Pasolini, Grimaldi also is an author. He based "Nerolio" on Pasolini's novel. The public and press will get to hear more from this Sicilian talent at a press conference scheduled for 1pm tomorrow.

Encountering Idols
Yesterday Hungarian director Bela Tarr's "Almanac of Fall" and "Damnation" screened. For those wishing to see what he has to say about his work there is a press conference (open to the public) at the usual place and time - in Warehouse C at noon. Unfortunately, though, it's happening at the same time as the screening of three of his works. There will also be screenings of his marriage autopsy "Prefabricated People" at 2.30 and stuffed whale-centered "Werckmeister Harmonies" at 11pm. Find out if watching a Tarr film is indeed the cinematic ritual his fans claim it is.

Standing O for Bob
Bob Rafelson is going to be honored tonight at a 7.30pm screening of his 1970 film "Five Easy Pieces". With a cast boasting the likes of Jack Nicholson and Sally Struthers and a soundtrack including the likes of Frederic Chopin, this film is about a concert pianist who gave it all up for a more humble life in the oil fields and his waitress girlfriend. However, he has to confront his snooty past when his father falls ill. Rafelson's "The Postman Always Rings Twice" is also on today's schedule at 8pm. That film features Nicholson and Jessica Lange. The Greek connection is an older immigrant gentleman that isn't loved. Rafelson is being honored for a long and daring career, where he often put a twist on familiar genres.

Golden Alexander Award Glory
The International Competition begins today - at the Olympion as always- with French film "Under Another Sky" at 2pm. Directed by Gael Morel it looks at a young man who must flee to his parents' native Algeria after a fatal accident involving a police officer. Also in competition tonight is Penny Panayotopoulos' film "Hard Goodbyes: My Father", in which a 10-year boy in 1960s Athens must grapple with his father's loss. (Another non-competition local film debuts today, Yannis Drakos' "Merry-Go-Round").

Opening New Horizons
Director Hong Sang-Soo's retrospective continues at 10am with "The Power of Kangwan Provence", which looks at various vacationers in the mountains of a popular escape. Then, at 11:30, love quadrangle "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well" is playing. The title says it all in a third film, at 5pm, in which a young woman considers two potential lovers: "Virgin Stripped Bare by her Bachelors". A few other New Horizons featured today include Claire Denis' "Friday Night", Alexander Rugozhkin's World War Two story "The Cuckoo" and Lukas Moodysson's story of an abandoned 17-year-old trapped in a dreary suburb called "Lilya 4-Ever". The Jaime Humerto Hermosillo tribute kicks off with "Esmeralda Comes by Night", the story of a woman who is married to five men.

International Star-Power
On the Balkan Survey front, today sees the screening of Croatian film "God Forbid Greater Evil"(5pm), about an 11-year-old who grows up next to a cemetery. In the Asian Vision section, "Seafood" (8pm) comes highly recommended. It is about a Beijing prostitute who goes to a snowy seaside town to try to end her life.

Lighting up the Port
Curious about the lights, cloth and metal structures decorating Thessaloniki's harbour? It is the work of French light designer Yann Kersale. The installation was launched yesterday, with Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos in attendance. It will run through January 7. Metal structures, existing street lamps and added lights play with the city's most impressive feature- its water. Kersale's work has decorated places like Lyon's Opera House and Berlin's Sony building. The 1.5km, 280,000 euros Thessaloniki project is part of a "10 Days of Architecture" event running November 29-December 9. Kersale, who hails from Brittany, considers himself "a sea person". He wanted to emphasize the deep blue and turquoise of the Thessaloniki landscape and unify city and sea. Visit www.ykersale.com for more on this artist.

Installation from the French light designer Yann Kersale

Sound Gazing
Today at 6.30, an unusual exhibit will be launched, one featuring hard-to-find soundtracks, at the Olympion's Room with a View. No, you won't be listening to the music, but can gaze at soundtrack album covers with images from your favorite films. Unusual, but certainly catering to the collectors amongst us.

Headshots
Six of Europe's new talent, or "Shooting Stars", will be presented as an entire constellation on November 15. But we've decided to analyze their headshots (see Festival Catalogue, pgs 196-198). 1940s' Glam Queen: this is what Greek Athina Maximou's sparkly gaze, curled hair and bare shoulders scream. Free Spirit: Denmark's Maira Wurgler Rich's blond hair is tossed carelessly, her intelligent eyes peer out, full of a sympathy, toughness and experience. Peter Pan: Spain's boyish Enrique Alcides' features have an upward, elfish effect. Intense: Italy's Fabrizio Gifuni's hair is scattered, as if he's just taken off his helmet. His eyes and mouth are poised to announce something important. His cheekbones give him a strong presence. Nobody's Fool: With shoulders squared, curls flaring out from a face with strong features, Portugal's Carla Bolito looks ready to fight, dance or have a stare-down. Complicated: Peering out cautiously, one arm tossed over his head, Swiss Michael Finger could either burst into laughter or belt someone. These rising star's films play on the festival's final weekend.

First shot, #114, 09/11/2002

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