Makoto Shinkai On-stage Interview

It was great to join the conversation with Makoto Shinkai “The New Miyazaki”, at the British Film Institute. Some of his early work was displayed during the interview, most of it created with his laptop…

He talked about his struggles trying to become an manga animator while working in Falcom. He also mentioned the great influence of “Castles in the Sky” and the importance it had on his career. The interview ended with a brief explanation of his latest work “5 Centimetres per Second” which consists of thre three short films titled “Oukashou”, “Cosmonaut”, and “5 Centimeters per Second”. A love story told in three different perspectives concerning the adversities of time, people and space.

Grandpa’s Impressionist Paintings on Auction

My uncle stumbled upon some of my grandpa’s impressionist paintings on E-bay. His original name was Hans Mertins but he used to sign his paintings under his artistic name: Juan Mertins. He was a known artist in the San Francisco area during the 1920’s, he used to paint backgrounds for films back in Hollywood’s golden age.

The piece has all the characteristics of his early paintings and his name on the back. This specific painting was exhibited at the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) 1939, which was held on San Francisco’s Treasure Island in order to celebrate the opening of the city’s two new bridges. The Fair ran from February 18 through October 29 in 1939, and from May 25 through September 29 in 1940.

Wols Sketches and Etchings

He explores the beautiful complexity of nature creating miniature elusive worlds and fantastic landscapes using natural surreal forms. Alfred Otto Wolfgang Schulze perfectly uses abstract forms and delicate lines but maintains a very minimalist structure. A few of his of his etchings are now being exhibited in the TATE Modern. The etchings are located in the third floor in the 4^th room within the Dream and Poetry exhibition. I try to visit them twice per month, hoping they stay here longer.

Lynch and Donovan @ London Film Festival

David Lynch and Donovan discuss the creative process and how meditation has informed their work respectively in film and music. Sadly I could not book the tickets early but I plan to visit the festival this weekend. Especially interested in the Experimeta - Cutting edge cinema, artists’ film and video and the avant-garde. And Yes, of course I will be attending the panel event: “Is the Internet Killing the Film Critic?” - A thought-provoking discussion on the power of internet, film criticism and globalisation - looking forward for this…