Clubs make a "knitting film" together

[Willy]

Do you know what a "knitting film" is? I will try to explain. Perhaps it is only a Belgian term. In Dutch (our mother tongue) it's called "een breifilm". "Breien" means "to knit" or "knitting". Some clubs in my region specialise in making "knitting films". They "knit" a film every year.

A "knitting film" encourages all friends, not only the ones who are wildly enthusiastic, to make movies. It can also encourage film clubs to work together.

In my Antwerp club the chairman showed a "knitting film" made in 1998. It was fantastic. Most actors were clubmates. Now they are almost 15 years older or they are already in the hereafter. Of course that's life.

There is not "schwung" (swing/energy) in the club anymore one friend said at a general meeting some weeks ago. That's why some clubmates asked the chairman to make a "knitting film" again just like in the old days. The chairman agreed and suggested a "knitting film" on interclub level.

How does it work?
On club level :

A theme is chosen for a new film. For instance :"Criminal behaviour of adolescents. End in disaster".
1. We make four groups. They consist of three or four friends.
2. Each group gets a number by drawing lots. So no 1, 2, 3 and 4.
3. Group no 1 tries to make the beginning of a short film. Maximum length: 5 minutes. These friends come together to discuss the contents and other things. They try to be very creative. After 2 months their film must be finished. For instance : the beginning of a film about theft. Two boys steal things in a supermarket, not because they are short of money. They do this only for fun. They steal and run away...
4. Group no 1 gives the film with chapter 1 to group 2 after 2 months or less.
5. Group no 2 tries to make the following part of the fim. These friends come together. They try to be very imaginative.
They also get a maximum of 2 months to get ready middle part a.
6. Group no 3 receives the film with chapter 2 (beginning) and 2 (middle part a)... etc...
7. Eventually group no 4 makes the end of the film. Also a maximum of 5 minutes. Possible end: it appears to be a TV-programme about the criminal behaviour of adolescents who are not well educated. A psychologist explains everything. However, the end must be a surprise!

The premiere takes place in the club.It's one of the entries for our local competition... Maybe even for BIAFF!

Now our chairman will contact three other clubs to make such a "knitting film" together.
At the end of the year the four clubs come together for the premiere of the film. We also drink a glass of beer, eat some toast with paté. Maybe the ladies prefer a piece of cake with a nice cup of tea. We talk to everybody, not only to our own clubmates, but also to the members of the other three clubs. Interclub socialising. "Schwung" again on interclub level.

In our own club we have already spoken about our part of the "knitting film". Eight friends are willing to contribute. One friend is an expert screenwriter. I myself would like to do the camerawork. An other one would like to edit the film... There are friends who never make films but they are very talented actors...

But of course we must first talk about the knitting pattern. We hope to be no 1. "Breifilms" are not usually of a high standard,but they are funny and encourage working together.

Hopefully you find this a good idea.

[TimStannard]

Thanks Willy for a great idea. I'll submit it to our committee for a possible club project next year.

[Willy]

Thanks Willy for a great idea. I'll submit it to our committee for a possible club project next year.

A banana film
In my club another "knitting film" was shown. Even better than the previous ones. The theme was "banana". The first group created the "set up"... The start was already very funny. In the story Paul is an oddjobber. His "one man firm" is called "SOS Paul".

A lady calls him. Her washbasin is leaking. He arrives in his car and rings the bell. He has a banana in his pocket. He always eats a banana at lunchtime. The lady notices the hard thing in his trousers... She finds John an attractive man... etc... Naughty, isn't it? The second group "knitted" some other incidents... etc... The end is a surprise...

Every subgroup was very creative. After twelve years it is still a very funny film. Now I am sure that some members have excellent acting talents. I will ask them to act for my next film.

I have written this message also to show that the story of a "knitting film" can be very simple. Every club can do it. It can always be screened on special occasions.

Toad-in-the-hole
Every second Monday in January is "Toad-in-the-Hole" day in Belgium. In Dutch "worstenbroodavond".
In our club we eat a "toad-in-the-hole" or an apple-pie. We talk and talk and talk, but we also watch an old "knitting-film" as an intermezzo. It arouses memories of the good old days.

Last time Julia couldn't stop laughing hysterically. She could see herself back in the "knitting film". She looked like a hot lady. She put a banana in her hunsband's mouth when he was lying on a massage table.

Most "knitting-films" are funny for the members of the club, but of course you can also make serious ones. I think that the next one will be a horror film.