Interviews

In 'Here we move, here we groove', director Sergej Kreso asks of Balkan Beats founder DJ Robert Soko, what next? The answer is creative and compassionate, and appropriate for our age.

Femke Wolting has revealed further details of her galactic plans. Co-founder of Amsterdam/LA-based film and transmedia outfit Submarine, she is one of the producers on Richard Linklater’s new project 'Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Adventure', described as a hybrid of live action in a fully animated world.

No, the Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI) won’t be holding their usual soirée during IDFA at which it plies festival guests with wee drams of whisky. Covid restrictions have meant that SDI representatives, like other international industry delegates, can’t be in Amsterdam in person.

Music doc Phil Lynott: Songs For While I'm Away premiered in the UK recently to considerable acclaim at Alexandra Palace as part of the Doc N Roll music documentary festival. However, the film’s theatrical life in the UK has been hampered by the COVID lockdown.

“In established power structures, there are many people who abuse their power willingly and for their own benefit, and also at least as many people who know about it and silently tolerate it.” Alison Kuhn talks to BDE about The Case You, her documentary response to a horrific experience.

Kids and Docs embraces young adults in 2020, explains co-ordinator Marije Veenstra to Business Doc Europe ahead of IDFA Junior Day at Amsterdam’s Eye. Plus there is a VR in competition for the first time, alongside 12 short and feature documentaries.

In 2020 the Poles have four docs in official selection, a bagful in Docs for Sale and a project in Forum. What’s more, Polish Docs will present four new projects at the online Industry Hub 20 November. The new projects are “very diverse and that it is their strength,” says company MD Barbara Orlicz-Szczypuła.

Mandy Chang, Commissioning Editor BBC Storyville, has been steeped in Forum projects this week, listening to pitches, holding one-on-one meetings and watching rough cuts. It’s all part of her ongoing quest to discover new doc gems that Storyville might board.

The documentary and private detective genres meet in Maite Alberdi’s The Mole Agent which world premiered at Sundance 2020 and is now selected for IDFA Best of Fests. The Chilean director talks to BDE.

In Estephan Wagner and Marianne Hougen-Moraga’s Songs of Repression, screening in IDFA Best of Fests, we hear of acts of evil and encounter acts of kindness. What makes the film so compelling is that many of the film’s characters have been, at some point of their lives, more than capable of both. The directors speak to BDE.