From Greek Classics to International Rebels
In the AM, Larry Clark, Bob Rafelson and Balkan screenwriting awaits visitors to Warehouse C. A web education or back-to-back films may follow in the afternoon. When it gets dark, the only place to be will be a packed Competition screening, Bellocchio's "The Nanny" or some other film that fits your taste. What is mandatory is attending the annual New Horizons party, tonight at 11.30 at Mylos.

Sticking with "Brides"
Pantelis Voulgaris was "shocked, pleased and a little scared" when the festival told him they'd like to do a retrospective. He explained in yesterday's press conference that he thought retrospectives are held when a director is at the end of his or her career - or dead. Meanwhile, he feels like he is at a very productive point- with at least five good ideas for films remaining yet. One of these is "Brides", which has been in development for five years. Shooting may finally begin in March. A lot of things delayed the project: difficulty securing US funding (despite Martin Scorsese's interest and script collaboration), US actors' strikes, 9/11, and even "The Lord of the Rings" (as "Brides" cast member Viggo Mortensen was called back to New Zealand). The idea began after Voulgaris read a Times article about hundreds of young women, including Greek ones, who went to Ellis Island with only a photograph of their future groom. Voulgaris feels the immigration theme is relevant to a Greece full of new immigrants. Returning to the festival for the first time in many years, he's appreciated coming into contact with young audiences. However, he feels the balance hasn't quite been found between Greek and international films. He dedicated his retrospective to the late director Lambros Yiannopoulos. With regards to young Greek filmmakers, Voulgaris agreed that the lack of a film academy shows in local films, but worse still is a common absence of energy. He has faith, however, in the spirit of a new generation of filmmakers. He attributes his son and daughter's choice to become filmmakers to seeing him enjoy directing.

Festival Kids Focus on Clark
US director and photographer Larry Clark will be in town today to present his latest film, "Ken Park", which is about a bunch of "teenage fuckups" (The Village Voice's words) and their parents. When it comes to sex, the film has already created shockwaves with its graphic details. An 11am press conference will give Thessaloniki a chance to ask Clark about his focus on kids, sex, drugs and rock n' roll. With him will be rising star Tiffany Limos and Ed Lachmann. The latter, one of the greatest cinematographers ever (according to reputable sources), co-shot and co-directed "Ken Park" with Clark. He's also shot "Blue Train" and "The Virgin Suicides". Another American director, Bob Rafelson, addresses the press at noon.

Welcoming Kiarostami
We can't get enough of Abbas Kiarostami. The Iranian director is back in Thessaloniki, presenting his latest work "Ten" (8pm, with a press conference on Friday). The ten-part film was shot with a digital camera mounted atop a sports utility vehicle. Meanwhile, at 7.30pm, Iranian director Manijeh Hekmat presents his "Women's Prison" and the photography exhibit continues on the top floor of Warehouse A. Meanwhile, due to popular demand, New York-based Iranian artist Shirin Neshat's films will be shown both today and on Saturday at Pavlos Zannas at 10am.

Marco Bellocchio & Michel Demopoulos	Andonis Kioukas & Pandelis Voulgaris	Lou Castel & Marco Bellocchio

Bellocchio's Religion
An animated Marco Bellocchio discussed his work, the Italian government and the Catholic Church yesterday. His early films were political, he notes, due to the specific historical context they were made in. Later, his work shifted to more internal searches. The theme of religion, which he addressed first in "Fists in Pocket", comes full circle with Bellocchio's latest "My Mother's Smile". The difference is that the struggle in the older film is more violent. Directors don't have to slam the Catholic Church, as he does, to be talking about religion, however. When directors like David Lynch talk about "big evil", they too are entering a religious discours, he feels. Over the years, Italian cinema has shifted from left to right, says Bellocchio. He points to the fact that Italy's Oscar-nomination, "Pinnocchio", was made by Medusa, Berllusconi's production company. "I love actors a lot," said Bellocchio, "because I wanted to be one and failed." He gives casts room for creativity. His next project goes into production in January. It will be about the death of Aldo Moro at the hands of the Red Brigades. Tonight there is a gala presentation of his 2002 film "My Mother's Smile" at 7.30 at the Olympion.

Dalianides' Cinema for the People
"You weren't there," said Yiannis Dalianides, "but you can't imagine the passion with which we used to work." He was talking about working for companies like Finos Films in the glory days of Greek cinema - i.e., before television. There wasn't such thing as a set workday back then, as crews ("drunk" with filmmaking) just created the best possible projects- regardless of the clock. While Greek film crews today also put in overtime, he thinks they haven't managed to generate past filmmakers' success. "US film figured out how to draw crowds [after TV]," said honored director Dalianides yesterday, "but European - and Greek film- never did." He is anything but a film snob, underlining the importance of profitability and insignificance of medium. "There's no point in making films for empty theaters," he said, adding, "Today's Greek cinema is still finding its way." A son of Thessaloniki, he is moved when he receives awards, but also when people stop him on the street. Meanwhile feature newcomer Stella Theodorou's "Close...So Close" may redeem local film with its look at a troubled love story and indie work-in-progress "Match Box" will try to impress viewers at 12.30am (not 11pm as listed).

Greek, Romanian Competition
Romania's International Competition entry, "Occident", will be shown today at 2pm. In it director Cristian Mungiu looks at a couple which is suddenly left homeless. Meanwhile Katerina Evangelakou's "Think It Over" (10.30) will have its packed Olympion Premier at 10.30pm. That film features a provincial Greek woman considering lost opportunities to "make something" of herself.

Bridging Europe and Asia
The Asia-Europe Foundation, who helped bring three directors to this year's festival, hopes to continue working with Greece in the future. At yesterday's press conference, the organisation presented blue glass trophies to directors Min Boung-Hun ("Let's Not Cry") and Nan T. Achnas ("Whispering Sands"). Both directors appreciated the chance to see Thessaloniki and be exposed to new work. A third director, Hiroshi Ando, will surely receive a trophy too. He arrived last night from Japan. His film "Blue" (on students in a seaside town) be screend at 8pm. The Asia-Europe Foundation helps in promoting directors under 35, by sending them to European Festivals. There was talk of sending Greek films to Asia too.

Win-Win Balkan Scenario
At 2pm today, the Thessaloniki Film Festival will unveil its new Balkan Fund. No, this program won't solve regional problems or build schools. It is a new Balkan (and hey, that includes Greek) script development program. Meanwhile, already completed Balkan films today include "Fate as a Rat" (about amoral young people in a seaport town, noon), "Ljubljana" (on five Slovenian 20-25-year-olds discovering rave parties, 10.30pm) and a collection of short films (12.30am). The Balkan Survey press conference is today at 1pm.

New Horizons Party
Every year THE party that no one misses (except maybe Faye Dunaway) is the New Horizons party. Again it's at Mylos tonight, starting at 11.30 and lasting until sunrise. (Earlier in the day, at Mylos, techies can take part in the ongoing cinem@net workshops, featuring the wise words of the world's web creators.)

Quote/unquote:
"The reason we keep making films is because we feel that the next one will be even better." - Director Pantelis Voulgaris

First shot, #119, 14/11/2002

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