ErinLaing.com

I went to a preview screening of Frost/Nixon Monday night which was organized by the American Academy in Berlin. Peter Morgan, the film’s screenwriter, was in town to talk about the film with former Secretary of State Joschka Fischer.

The film is about the lead-up to the famous Frost/Nixon interviews that were conducted in 1977.

I enjoyed the film and thought it was well made (I can’t say I usually enjoy Ron Howard’s films), but I was left feeling underwhelmed in the end. The film portrays Nixon in a very humane manner, which I think was handled brilliantly by both Morgan and Langella. It’s clear that Nixon had a great intellectual capacity and held high ambitions. It’s unfortunate that it was mired by greed and corruption (as is so often the case). As the movie points out, perhaps he would have been much better suited for a life in political journalism. Nixon composed some classical music as well which is featured in the film. (Would be interested in finding out if he composed some other pieces).

Morgan is a brilliant screenwriter, and a very intelligent man. He mentioned in the post screening interview that he wanted to portray Frost and Nixon as similar men - just on opposite sides of the same coin. I would have loved to have seen this film, unfortunately it’s not what was delivered. This is a Hollywood movie, and for it to work structurally, the underdog (Frost) must triumph over adversity.

What Frost did could be considered unethical from a journalistic standpoint, paying over 500,000 to get an interview with Nixon. (In today’s numbers that’s probably the equivalent of 3 million. Imagine someone paying W. that much money to issue a public apology.) The film doesn’t show Frost in a glamorous light but it doesn’t achieve its goal of showing him in the same light as Nixon. He may have been charming and handsome but he’s certainly not the underdog the film portrays him to be. And this, to me, is where the movie fails.

It was nice to hear Morgan say that he felt ashamed as to how the only female character in the film (Frost’s girlfriend, Caroline Cushing) was portrayed (as a two dimensional bimbo). It was a perfect waste of what could have been a very rich, informative character. (According to Morgan, she’s a fascinating woman.)

I had no idea Diane Sawyer worked so closely with Nixon after his presidency (she was his literary assistant) - that’s another movie I would be interested in seeing. I think her character utters the words ‘hello’ if that, even.

Morgan did an interview recently with CSM. I haven’t listened to it yet but it’s safe to say it’s probably very informative and funny (he is British after all).

You can listen to the full interview here.

“When I’m asked about my work, I try to explain that there is no mystery involved. It is work. But things happen all the time that are unexpected, uncontrolled, unexplainable, even magical. The work prepares you for that moment.”

- Annie Leibovitz

Leibovitz is coming to Berlin is a couple of weeks. Very excited to see her. I haven’t read Annie Leibovitz: At Work but I hear it’s amazing.

I’m listening to a great panel discussion from this year’s Sundance Film Festival on digital distribution. It’s moderated by cinematech’s Scott Kirsner.

Matt Dentler (who is one of seven panelists) makes an interesting statement. He says: “don’t be afraid of free streaming.”

What he’s referring to is the approach his company took with the documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk“. Cinetic Rights Management offered the documentary on iTunes and Amazon VOD where it was the most popular download for several consecutive weeks. Then they decided to offer it for free on Hulu. What happened? It was the most popular video on iTunes, Amazon and Hulu.

“It’s all about consumer taste. It’s about giving them variety,” Dentler said.

Everyone is still trying to figure out how to capitalize off the internet. There’s no established business model and it sometimes feels like the wild west when it comes to online distribution.

There’s the inevitable tug of war between the old and the new models. There’s the battle to convince those who resist or are afraid. There’s the struggle to receive the same attention (or respect) from the old establishment which is sometimes necessary in order to succeed. There are no figures. There are no massive profits (depending on which side you’re looking from). There is no ‘right’ way. But it is the future and eventually (as history has proven time and time again) there will be a new model - and people will either be ready for it or not.

“Change is the one quality we can predicate of it. The systems that fail are those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not its growth and development.” – Oscar Wilde

Full interview (recorded on Kirsner’s iPhone): Experiments in Indie Distribution (mp3)

Birthday Girl will be screening in Vancouver (for the third time) at this year’s Women in Film Festival, BC.

The festival takes place from March 4th - 8th 2009.

If you’re in or around the area please come check it out.

Whenever you move to a new country there’s always a small adjustment period. There are customs and traditions that take time getting used to. It’s only natural. For example, here in Berlin, there’s assigned seating at the movie theatre, there’s intermission during films to sell ice cream, and there’s the fact that alcohol can be consumed wherever and whenever anyone pleases - including the movie theatre. (This one I particularly enjoy.)

There are, however, some customs I have yet to understand.

In Germany, shared apartments are known as WG’s (Wohngemeinschaft). It’s very hard to get a WG. People often look at 10 or 15 flats and go through vigorous interviews before being ‘chosen’ as an ideal flat mate (I lucked out on my second interview).

I heard through the grapevine that some WG’s can be a little strict with their house rules. I’m open minded, I understand people have their quarks but hearing this one particular ‘house rule’ was a first. I thought it had to be a joke. I thought it strictly folklore. But it wasn’t. The rumors were true.

In case you’re wondering, this sign (or sticker) represents a ‘peeing sitting down only WG.’ The other night I had the pleasure of having dinner at one such WG (and obviously couldn’t resist taking a photo). These are house rules in an all male WG. The ‘rumors’ that I heard were that German men are raised to urinate in this manner. It’s just the way it is.

The question is, why would German men opt to pee sitting down - and insist that all men in the flat (including guests) pee sitting down as well?

There are just some customs that I will never understand or be able to wrap my head around.

Now I need to find me one of those stickers!

“You’ve got to work with your mistakes until they look intended”.

- Raymond Carver

So I recently found out that I’ve been accepted to participate in this year’s Berlinale Talent Campus! Needless to say I was floored when I heard the news. The campus takes place for a week during the Berlinale which runs from February 5th to the 15th.

The talent campus is “a six-day creative summit” for filmmakers of all sorts: writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, producers, editors, sound designers, production designers etc. I can’t imagine a better opportunity for networking.

I’m going to be blogging (as much as possible) during the week of the talent campus and I’ll be sure to post lots of photos and excerpts from the various workshops and lectures.

When I decided to come out to Berlin almost a year ago the decision to come to the city was based on: 1. complete randomness, 2. logistics (cost), and of course 3. interest (historically and culturally). Turns out it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

A friend recently introduced me to the works of Scarlatti. I’ve been listening to this recording in particular: 33 Harpsichord Sonatas by Domingo Scarlatti (performed on the piano by Christian Zacharias).

Here’s my favorite track from the album: Sonata in G minor K450

I don’t know what it is about classical music but I’m always most inspired when listening to it.