Film Festivals: With Entertainment and Accessibility for All

March 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

International film festivals are very popular in Italy. This is a platform for filmmakers to compete for awards, bring awareness to different topics all over the world, and discuss artistic trends.

Not only are many film festivals as accessible as the local movie cinemas, the festivals are also as diverse as the movies themselves. This diversity extends not only the genre of the movies involved, from sci-fi, to comedy, action and drama; but also includes diversity within the directorship as well. Interested in the perspective of today’s youth? Check out a children’s or youth film festival. Curious about different cultures, religions and ethnicities? Look up a minority or cross-cultural film festival. For every hobby or passion, from female directors to animation to human rights, there is a film festival you are sure to enjoy.

Additionally, there are so many film festivals available throughout the world, they are more accessible than many people may have thought previously. In fact, it is probable that there are multiple film festivals in the city nearest you. In addition to physical proximity, film festivals can also be an economically feasible option for recreation with ticket prices sometimes costing even less than, or comparable to, a movie ticket. Remember when a movie cost $5? With prices like these, and with the plethora of styles available, attending a film festival could be a movie event the whole family could enjoy.

With the accessibility of film festivals, and with so many options for different recreation styles and enjoyments, it’s a wonder that they are not a more commonly accepted form of entertainment and recreation. So, check out your local options and see if there is a film festival near you. Or spice up your next vacation by staying at a luxury hotel Italy and spotting celebrities!

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The Women Behind the Camera

February 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Since the creation of the camera and the earliest development of the art of photography there have be female pioneers. Brushing aside any gender bias, women have excelled behind the camera.

And the tradition of leading female photographers has persevered, as women continue through the many creative doors opened by those before them in everything from photojournalism to portraits.But like in other areas of life, they could always use a few more good women.

History

It didn’t take long for women to explore their artistic prowess with the camera. Julia Margaret Cameron, for example, didn’t just advance photography for women, but advanced photography in general with her unique portraits comprised of soft tones and up-close shots. Her models included many historical figures like Charles Darwin.

As the very first war correspondent in the world, Margaret Bourke-White also became one of the best photojournalists in the world. Her harrowing work of the 1930s and 1940s that captured everything from the Great Depression to concentration camps are still considered the standard for good photojournalism today.

Present

Women continue to push artistic boundaries in the field of photography. Most notable of all present female photographers is Annie Leibovitz.She is considered to have stretched the possibility of intimacy in portrait photography.Her portraits have captured the most famous people in the world, from Oscar-winning actors to world leaders.

Another stalwart of photography in modern times is Anne Geddes. Her most famous subjects have been small: babies. The creative vision of photographing babies in unique surroundings has earned her a following the world over.

Future

The future of women in photography will undoubtedly be determined by their continued participation in the art. If history is any indication, the future looks bright. Women now have the ability to learn the craft at an art school or by getting an online photography degree.

Needless to say, photography owes a lot of credit to women.

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What if Marilyn Monroe Had Lived?

January 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It would be a different and amazing world. Drugs wouldn’t be as much of an issue, obviously. What an idea it would be if Marilyn had the help most celebrities have in The Canyon at TheCyn.com, don’t you think? One can only dream.

The reality is Hollywood is notorious for drug abuse because of all the pressure and the expectation to deliver—be it film, music, or modeling. How you look, how you act, and how you perform matters. Your fans matter. It’s a lot to handle all at once. The natural choice to combat all of that is to find a way out that gives peace of mind. Unfortunately, drugs do that. There won’t be any lies here! It’s the truth: drugs make you feel good. And that’s why many actresses have turned to drugs to cope with their everyday issues.

Sadly, it couldn’t help Marilyn Monroe from her dangerous downward spiral but at the very least the next generation of lovely stars saw the light in that place called The Canyon, right in Malibu, California. Name any actress you might know that had popped up in the tabloids over some bit of drug use, and you can bet that the actress had landed herself in the tremendous place. The list is extensive and includes Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Whitney Houston, and Kelly Osbourne. But the best part of this truth is that all these celebrities listed have come out better people, free and clean, changed, and out searching for the same thing we all search for: validation and stability. Because of The Canyon, they found it.

It’s sad that some of the classic greats of our time had to suffer in death; but we can at least rejoice in the triumph of others to commemorate those classics and remind us all that there is a way out.

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The Beauty of the Sound of Music

January 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Sound of Music
Image by elycefeliz via Flickr

When thinking of famous musicals, there is nothing like the Sound of Music. Between the story and music, it’s a musical that has withstood the test of time. The original Broadway production, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, opened in November 1959 and was based on the Maria von Trapp’s memoir entitled The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.

Most fans of the musical nowadays are familiar with the film version of the play starring Julie Andrews as Maria, which was released in 1965. There are so many iconic scenes that are favorites of fans. For example, the scene with the song “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” where Liesl and Rolf are driven to a gazebo by rain where they dance and finally kiss will always be remembered by girls of all ages. So romantic!

After the original production finished its run, there was a lull before the play appeared again. Then in 1981, the musical was revived in London starring Petula Clark and Michael Jayston. The play was again revived in 1998, receiving a Tony Award for the Best Revival of a Musical, and in 2006. The 2006 production was produced by famed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (think of Catsand Phantom of the Opera).

Following the productions in London and on Broadway, Sound of Music tours traveled the countries performing in major cities. Other tours across the world have also been put together including Canada in 2008; Brazil, France, Austria, UK, and Mexico in 2009; and most recently in Argentina in 2011.

Although the story has captured audiences from around the world, the story in large part is inaccurate. Although Georg Ludwig von Trapp was indeed anti-Nazi, Maria and Georg had been married 10 years prior to Anschluss and had had children of their own. When they left, the family went to the local train station where they traveled to Italy, London and then the United States.

Filed Under: Entertainment, History Tagged With: ,

Film Festival Mania

January 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Film Festivals provide a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers and scriptwriters to advance their careers. While Film Festivals provide a venue for self-promotion and networking opportunities, the festivals also provide entertainment for those that love to watch movies and socialize. There are thousands of film festivals all over the United States and around the world. Film festivals have become a favorite recreation activity for movie lovers. Film Festivals are one of the most popular social activities among avid movie fans. Film Festivals are filled with lively activities that provide remarkable opportunities to socialize and meet people.

Forget online dating and social media sites. There are thousands of Film Festivals to visit. Even the smallest and least known Film Festivals attract hundreds of people and provide excellent opportunities to meet like-minded people. Once you delve into the Film Festival world, you will be amazed and astounded by the numerous social and professional connections you can develop.

For the socially challenged, Film Festivals offer an easy way to meet new people. You will always have a subject matter to discuss to break the ice. People that attend Film Festivals love movies and love discussing every aspect of films. The evenings are filled with parties, which provide a phenomenal way to relax, socialize and have fun. While Film Festivals are designed to display the talents of filmmakers and scriptwriters, the festivals also provide an opportunity for those seeking social interactions.

Film Festivals offer wonderful opportunities for networking and socializing. You get to watch great movies from a wide variety of genres and participate in wonderful activities. Film Festivals are an exceptional way to connect with people and to have a great time. For many, attending Film Festivals is their favorite form of recreation. With so many Film Festivals to choose, you will find many opportunities to enjoy wonderful films and wonderful people.

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The History of Sundance

October 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The largest independent film festival in the United States is hosted in Utah. Sundance is held in January in a number of places in Utah such as Salt Lake City, Park City, and Ogden. The film festival showcases work from independent filmmakers from around the world and offers competitive segments for dramatic films, documentary films, feature-length and short films. Sundance Film Festival also offers non-competitive segments for newer filmmakers to showcase their work to the festival attendees.

The Sundance Film Festival began in 1978 in Salt Lake City under the name Utah or U.S. Film Festival. The original name was chosen in an effort to entice more filmmakers to the State of Utah. The festival was established by Sterling Van Wagenen who was the head of Robert Redford’s company Wildwood, and others serving on Utah’s Film Commission. Robert Redford was made a chairperson and the festival’s purpose was to showcase American films and increase awareness of filmmaking in Utah. The judges of the first festival included Gary Allison, Linwood Gale Dunn, Verna Fields, Katherine Ross, and many more big names of the time.

Sterling Van Wagenen left one year later to oversee the first year of what would soon become the Sundance Institute. In 1979, more than 60 films were screened at the Sundance Film Festival with panel judges featured well-known filmmakers from Hollywood. It wouldn’t be until 1980 that the film festival would make a profit and several factors attributed to its success. The involvement of Robert Redford as a chairman gave the festival a lot of attention since he was a Utah resident. Another positive attribution was that there was a high desire for American-made films that other festivals in the country were not succeeding. In 1984, after several years of success, the festival’s name was changed to Sundance, which is a name that everyone knows in and out of film.

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