Daily Mail Trophy

[Peter Rouillard]

What a great weekend at BIAFF, great movies, excellent venue, good food, superb
company, all shows going without a hitch, and then - disaster! - the announcement
of the Daily Mail Trophy winner! How the judges, in all their wisdom, could
award this to a pretentious, unentertaining piece of twaddle I'll never know!
I suppose some of the blame can be attributed to the panel who put it forward
for final 'judging'. I can only think that this must have been a PR job for
the Czech Republic. And before anyone starts to think about sour grapes,
I was not alone in this opinion by a long way! We now, of course accept that
there will be differences of opinion - Golds which should have been Silver,
and vice versa etc. and all makes for good discussion. I just hope that 'Passing
By' is not entered in our Guernsey Lily Festival, as I'm sure it will be
'passed by' for high award. I have to say that I thought three of the final
winners were quite stunning and could not believe the final result. Refering
to one of Ken Wilson's earlier postings, about International winners and
entertaining movies, I,ll bet Ken is thinking 'I told you so'. Your film
'Deadly Quest' was brillant Ken, and I was not alone on this opinion either!

Peter(fan of entertaining movies) Rouillard

[Michael Slowe]

"Peter Rouillard" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

What a great weekend at BIAFF, great movies, excellent venue, good food,
superb
company, all shows going without a hitch, and then - disaster! - the announcement
of the Daily Mail Trophy winner! How the judges, in all their wisdom, could
award this to a pretentious, unentertaining piece of twaddle I'll never
know!
I suppose some of the blame can be attributed to the panel who put it forward
for final 'judging'. I can only think that this must have been a PR job
for
the Czech Republic. And before anyone starts to think about sour grapes,
I was not alone in this opinion by a long way! We now, of course accept
that
there will be differences of opinion - Golds which should have been Silver,
and vice versa etc. and all makes for good discussion. I just hope that
'Passing
By' is not entered in our Guernsey Lily Festival, as I'm sure it will be
'passed by' for high award. I have to say that I thought three of the final
winners were quite stunning and could not believe the final result. Refering
to one of Ken Wilson's earlier postings, about International winners and
entertaining movies, I,ll bet Ken is thinking 'I told you so'. Your film
'Deadly Quest' was brillant Ken, and I was not alone on this opinion either!

Peter(fan of entertaining movies) Rouillard

Oh Peter, where is your soul? I thought Passing By was a stunning piece
of film making although I would have preferred the wonderful French love
story The Middle Way as the overall winner. I agree that Passing By was
a trifle pretensious and obscure but does everything have to be laid out
in the time honoured style? The atmosphere created was mysterious and the
photography the best I have ever seen. The 'apple crunching' was a bit puzzling
but how effective were the shots of the apple falling down the stairs and
rolling along the balcony?
Unentertaing pieve of twaddle? Peter I am at odds with you on this I am afraid.
Actually, having seen 34 of the films, I think that the grading was pretty
much spot on - I might have up graded the wonderful Czech (again!) film in
the cafe called Photographs Returned, but otherwise no complaints.
See you in Guernsey!

Michael (fan of good movies) Slowe.

[Peter Rouillard]

"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:

"Peter Rouillard" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

What a great weekend at BIAFF, great movies, excellent venue, good food,
superb
company, all shows going without a hitch, and then - disaster! - the announcement
of the Daily Mail Trophy winner! How the judges, in all their wisdom, could
award this to a pretentious, unentertaining piece of twaddle I'll never
know!
I suppose some of the blame can be attributed to the panel who put it forward
for final 'judging'. I can only think that this must have been a PR job
for
the Czech Republic. And before anyone starts to think about sour grapes,
I was not alone in this opinion by a long way! We now, of course accept
that
there will be differences of opinion - Golds which should have been Silver,
and vice versa etc. and all makes for good discussion. I just hope that
'Passing
By' is not entered in our Guernsey Lily Festival, as I'm sure it will be
'passed by' for high award. I have to say that I thought three of the final
winners were quite stunning and could not believe the final result. Refering
to one of Ken Wilson's earlier postings, about International winners and
entertaining movies, I,ll bet Ken is thinking 'I told you so'. Your film
'Deadly Quest' was brillant Ken, and I was not alone on this opinion either!

Peter(fan of entertaining movies) Rouillard

Oh Peter, where is your soul? I thought Passing By was a stunning piece
of film making although I would have preferred the wonderful French love
story The Middle Way as the overall winner. I agree that Passing By was
a trifle pretensious and obscure but does everything have to be laid out
in the time honoured style? The atmosphere created was mysterious and the
photography the best I have ever seen. The 'apple crunching' was a bit
puzzling
but how effective were the shots of the apple falling down the stairs and
rolling along the balcony?
Unentertaing pieve of twaddle? Peter I am at odds with you on this I am
afraid.
Actually, having seen 34 of the films, I think that the grading was pretty
much spot on - I might have up graded the wonderful Czech (again!) film
in
the cafe called Photographs Returned, but otherwise no complaints.
See you in Guernsey!

Michael (fan of good movies) Slowe.

[Peter Rouillard]

"Michael Slowe" <michael.slowe@btinternet.com> wrote:

Well Michael, we are not going to see eye to eye on Passing By, I should
also have added the words uninvolving and self indulgent. And how did it

win the 'acting' award? the girl just looked expressionless and enigmatic,
- admittedly, she was quite pretty, but acting award ? they've got to be
kidding ! However, I'm pleased that we are in agreement about 'The Middle
Way' being the best, and also in agreement that 'All Photographs Returned'
should have been uprated. We are delighted that you will be coming to Guernsey
again and I look forward to a filmic chinwag over a pint.

Peter Rouillard

Oh Peter, where is your soul? I thought Passing By was a stunning piece
of film making although I would have preferred the wonderful French love
story The Middle Way as the overall winner. I agree that Passing By was
a trifle pretensious and obscure but does everything have to be laid out
in the time honoured style? The atmosphere created was mysterious and the
photography the best I have ever seen. The 'apple crunching' was a bit
puzzling
but how effective were the shots of the apple falling down the stairs and
rolling along the balcony?
Unentertaing pieve of twaddle? Peter I am at odds with you on this I am
afraid.
Actually, having seen 34 of the films, I think that the grading was pretty
much spot on - I might have up graded the wonderful Czech (again!) film
in
the cafe called Photographs Returned, but otherwise no complaints.
See you in Guernsey!

Michael (fan of good movies) Slowe.

[Ken Wilson]

Well Michael, we are not going to see eye to eye on Passing By, I should
also have added the words uninvolving and self indulgent. And how did it
win the 'acting' award? the girl just looked expressionless and enigmatic,
- admittedly, she was quite pretty, but acting award ? they've got to be
kidding ! However, I'm pleased that we are in agreement about 'The Middle
Way' being the best, and also in agreement that 'All Photographs Returned'
should have been uprated. We are delighted that you will be coming to Guernsey
again and I look forward to a filmic chinwag over a pint.

Peter Rouillard

Well, well, well. Who would suspect that I would have something to say on
this subject? The fact that I got a mention during the speeches on Saturday
about my IAC forum postings was a bit of a surprise, but it got a big laugh,
especially from me!

I have to say that I fully agree with Peter (as much as modesty will allow.)
The winner was a "How to make a winning film whch the judges are bound to
select..in three easy lessons" cliche, matching the rule book. Lots of enigmatic
stares, mysterious symbolism and a tragic ending. A,B,C......X..Y..Z. I am
afraid I did tell you so!
It has happened so many times before.
I know Michael enjoys these types of films but they do nothing for me at
all.
I enjoyed "225", Great effects!! And of course "The Middle Way", though
perhaps a tweak too long. But stunning photography. I also liked "Success
is Mine" shown in A4 on Saturday which scandalously only got a Silver! There
were some other odd anomalies with some placed much too high and others too
low. I can`t agree that the judging was spot on and if Michael thinks so,
he must be the only one!
Also, our own work? Well here is the big problem! Anyone who knows me well
enough will know I always give my honest views. This applies to my own work
as much as anyone elses.I know if I have made a bad film or indeed a good
one. Of our three entries, I feel that the Silver award for one was right,
but the other two were unfairly placed low. I know people always state that
comments like this are only sour grapes, but I can assure you it is not.
I am the first to admit when we have produced a stinker. But not this time.

I think it was a great weekend. Good food, even better company and a great
atmosphere. The hotel staff perfomed well and the festival dinner, unlike
many previous ones, was actually pretty good. No complaints at all. There
are always the oddities with competition results and different views and
opinions. My real worry though is this idea of judging the whole competition
in ONE single weekend. fatigue is bound to be a factor and how can the judges
be fair and objective if they are exhausted. I know finance is a consideration
with hotel room hire, but I think that this policy should be re-thought before
next time!!

So to end. As Clint Eastwood might have said: "There are two kinds of IAC
festival my friend, those that are good and those that are excellent. This
was excellent!"

Ken Wilson (campaigning for fair play.)

[Ned C]

"Peter Rouillard" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Peter(fan of entertaining movies) Rouillard
Peter, A quick question for you, will you accept entries at Guernsey on

NTSC DVD? We have put a link to the Guernsey on our website and I have been
asked if you will accept from the US in this format,

Ned C

[Dave Watterson]

It's strange, I'd have thought "Passing By" would have appealed to Peter Rouillard,
whose own movies often have a similar emphasis on atmosphere, albeit of a
darker kind. Like his own "Endings" it is one you have to watch carefully
to absorb the story. Also like "Endings" it is extremely well made with production
values most of us only dream about.

As one of the people who gave it the top award I am not going to defend the
choice. I will tell you it was a unanimous decision. The film is rich in
patterns from the use of colour, the use of angles, the use of symbols right
down to the subtleties of performance.

I am glad that "The Middle Way" was so popular as it was one that nearly
got away.

It was a pleasure to see Michael Slowe get a medal for one of his films,
his first medal was 30 years before! To be brutal about it - and I know
Michael agrees - I don't think "Melissa" is as good a film technically as
say "On Silk" but he has captured such a fascinating lady so thoroughly that
it sweeps us away.

I certainly agree that it was an marvellous and successful event. CEMRIAC
excelled themselves. The programming, especially on Sunday, was first class.
The people were great as always ... and the place was happily packed. There
were delights on offer in every mini-cinema show I saw. The meals were good.
At the gala dinner the speeches were good - amazingly good - and the applause
when Norman and Dorothy Speirs received a UNICA medal for their long and
continuing contribution to our movement was deafening - as it should have
been.

One wish? I wish there might have been a mini-cinema slot for entries from
young film makers as there sometimes has been in the past. Sadly there were
very few entries from young people this year.

Dave (Defensive? Moi?) Watterson

[Willy Van der Linden]

What a pity that I could not attend BIAFF this year ! At the Gala dinner the
speeches were horrible. The programming was third class. Food was bad and
very expensive. I even preferred a Big Mac that evening. I mean our regional
festivities in Antwerp on 23rd April were a disaster. But yes, I acted up
to my duty.
I am also surprised that film makers can pass so much criticism on the BIAFF
results in this IAC-Discussion Forum. If you do so in Belgium, it may cause
a boomerang-effect on you. In Flanders it is better to keep your mouth shut
and to agree with everything. I really enjoy the discussions about BIAFF
2005, though I could not attend the festival. My Belgian friends who were
in Chesterfield (Christiane, Martin and Etienne) told me that they enjoyed
BIAFF very much. Now, I am jealous !
















"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

It's strange, I'd have thought "Passing By" would have appealed to Peter
Rouillard,
whose own movies often have a similar emphasis on atmosphere, albeit of
a
darker kind. Like his own "Endings" it is one you have to watch carefully
to absorb the story. Also like "Endings" it is extremely well made with
production
values most of us only dream about.

As one of the people who gave it the top award I am not going to defend
the
choice. I will tell you it was a unanimous decision. The film is rich in
patterns from the use of colour, the use of angles, the use of symbols right
down to the subtleties of performance.

I am glad that "The Middle Way" was so popular as it was one that nearly
got away.

It was a pleasure to see Michael Slowe get a medal for one of his films,
his first medal was 30 years before! To be brutal about it - and I know
Michael agrees - I don't think "Melissa" is as good a film technically as
say "On Silk" but he has captured such a fascinating lady so thoroughly
that
it sweeps us away.

I certainly agree that it was an marvellous and successful event. CEMRIAC
excelled themselves. The programming, especially on Sunday, was first class.
The people were great as always ... and the place was happily packed. There
were delights on offer in every mini-cinema show I saw. The meals were good.
At the gala dinner the speeches were good - amazingly good - and the applause
when Norman and Dorothy Speirs received a UNICA medal for their long and
continuing contribution to our movement was deafening - as it should have
been.

One wish? I wish there might have been a mini-cinema slot for entries from
young film makers as there sometimes has been in the past. Sadly there were
very few entries from young people this year.

Dave (Defensive? Moi?) Watterson

[Dave Watterson]

"Willy Van der Linden" wrote: What a pity that I could not attend BIAFF this
year !

We agree, Willy. We missed you, Urbain and your partners. Christiane, Martin
and Etienne did their best to be a full-scale Belgian contingent - and Christiane
gave a first-class, witty speech at the dinner - but it was not the same.
Come back soon!

As those who have spoken to me since BIAFF judging in February will know
I have been enthusing about the rock-solid shots in your film "Together with
Yoda", its careful lighting and the sheer fun with which you whisk us round
the Cotswolds. I hold it up to other film makers as an example of how good
such a travelogue can be when done properly.

I did not enjoy your collaboration with Tony Jacobs so much. There were two
films about Dickens this year: yours and one from the Zimmermanns. [I cannot
imagine British moviemakers trying a biography of Belgian author Georges
Simenon or German author Goethe.] It felt to me like bringing Speilberg and
Lucas together for one movie and finding it disappointing - a great shock.
If it had come from two unknown film makers it would have been a pleasant
surprise.

I am also surprised that film makers can pass so much criticism on the BIAFF
results in this IAC-Discussion Forum. If you do so in Belgium, it may cause
a boomerang-effect on you. In Flanders it is better to keep your mouth shut

Oh, we British are always criticising one another.
Sorry, as Peter Rouillard is from Guernsey I should say, we people of the
British Idles are always criticising one another.

So long as comments do not become too personal I am all for debate and discussion
about such things as judging. There is always a strong element of personal
taste in judging films and no one can claim to be perfect in their assessments.

There may be a few people whose feelings about a film are influenced by the
views its maker has expressed elsewhere but most national judges deal with
the work before them regardless of who made it. I know that over the years
I have given low scores to films by people I like and high scores to people
I don't like ... all according to what I made of a particular film.

Cheers

Dave Watterson

P.S. Did you know that in the UK the word "Belgium" was briefly used as an
expletive, thanks to the influence of a radio show / book / tv show called
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" - which has been remade as a Hollywood
film? Zaphod Beeblebrox, a character in the story, mutters: "It's Belgium,
man!" when things go wrong. On the other hand if we want to conjure up an
image of the best chocolate and best beer in the world we use the word "Belgian".

[Peter Rouillard]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

Well, I'm certainly not going to get into a slanging match with big Dave
Watterson ! - apart from his size I know that he is coming to Guernsey !

Suffice to say that we disagree entirely on that one particular film. I am
a little surprised that he compared the dark atmosphere in 'Passing By'to
'Endings'as I feel them to be poles apart, and our earlier movies, although
of a dark nature had at least a linear narrative. But thank you Dave for
your nice comments on Endings. Yes, we all missed Willy (and Urbain) this
year at BIAFF and yes, I agree with Dave's Comments on 'Together With Yoda'(phew!)it
is immaculately produced. What a pity that it cannot be entered in the Cotswolds
competition due to their 16 minute time limit, I'm sure it would go down
a storm.

Peter (furore instigater) Rouillard

"Willy Van der Linden" wrote: What a pity that I could not attend
BIAFF this
year !

We agree, Willy. We missed you, Urbain and your partners. Christiane, Martin
and Etienne did their best to be a full-scale Belgian contingent - and Christiane
gave a first-class, witty speech at the dinner - but it was not the same.
Come back soon!

As those who have spoken to me since BIAFF judging in February will know
I have been enthusing about the rock-solid shots in your film "Together
with
Yoda", its careful lighting and the sheer fun with which you whisk us round
the Cotswolds. I hold it up to other film makers as an example of how good
such a travelogue can be when done properly.

I did not enjoy your collaboration with Tony Jacobs so much. There were
two
films about Dickens this year: yours and one from the Zimmermanns. [I cannot
imagine British moviemakers trying a biography of Belgian author Georges
Simenon or German author Goethe.] It felt to me like bringing Speilberg
and
Lucas together for one movie and finding it disappointing - a great shock.
If it had come from two unknown film makers it would have been a pleasant
surprise.

I am also surprised that film makers can pass so much criticism on the
BIAFF
results in this IAC-Discussion Forum. If you do so in Belgium, it may cause
a boomerang-effect on you. In Flanders it is better to keep your mouth
shut

Oh, we British are always criticising one another.
Sorry, as Peter Rouillard is from Guernsey I should say, we people of the
British Idles are always criticising one another.

So long as comments do not become too personal I am all for debate and discussion
about such things as judging. There is always a strong element of personal
taste in judging films and no one can claim to be perfect in their assessments.

There may be a few people whose feelings about a film are influenced by
the
views its maker has expressed elsewhere but most national judges deal with
the work before them regardless of who made it. I know that over the years
I have given low scores to films by people I like and high scores to people
I don't like ... all according to what I made of a particular film.

Cheers

Dave Watterson

P.S. Did you know that in the UK the word "Belgium" was briefly used as
an
expletive, thanks to the influence of a radio show / book / tv show called
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" - which has been remade as a Hollywood
film? Zaphod Beeblebrox, a character in the story, mutters: "It's Belgium,
man!" when things go wrong. On the other hand if we want to conjure up an
image of the best chocolate and best beer in the world we use the word "Belgian".

[Peter Rouillard]

"Ned C" <ned@amps.com> wrote:

"Peter Rouillard" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:


Peter(fan of entertaining movies) Rouillard
Peter, A quick question for you, will you accept entries at Guernsey on
NTSC DVD? We have put a link to the Guernsey on our website and I have been
asked if you will accept from the US in this format,

Ned C

Hi Ned
Thanks for your interest in our Guernsey Festival. Brother Richard and I
are going to look into this one. We now accept DVD's in PAL,(although it
is not included on our entry form) but we will have to check whether we have
players which can handle this. If there is a way, we will do our best to
find it! I should have an answer for you very soon. Entries from the USA
have been a little thin on the ground in recent years so we would love to
have more. I believe our webmaster is adding AMPS and AMMA links to our Guernsey
Lily site, - an idea I believe which came from Big Dave W (that man again)-
but it's a great idea and I hope it reaps the benefits.

Peter Rouillard

[Michael Slowe]

"Peter Rouillard" <rouillard@cwgsy.net> wrote:

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:
Well, I'm certainly not going to get into a slanging match with big Dave
Watterson ! - apart from his size I know that he is coming to Guernsey !
Suffice to say that we disagree entirely on that one particular film. I
am
a little surprised that he compared the dark atmosphere in 'Passing By'to
'Endings'as I feel them to be poles apart, and our earlier movies, although
of a dark nature had at least a linear narrative. But thank you Dave for
your nice comments on Endings. Yes, we all missed Willy (and Urbain) this
year at BIAFF and yes, I agree with Dave's Comments on 'Together With Yoda'(phew!)it
is immaculately produced. What a pity that it cannot be entered in the Cotswolds
competition due to their 16 minute time limit, I'm sure it would go down
a storm.

Peter (furore instigater) Rouillard


"Willy Van der Linden" wrote: What a pity that I could not attend
BIAFF this
year !

We agree, Willy. We missed you, Urbain and your partners. Christiane,
Martin
and Etienne did their best to be a full-scale Belgian contingent - and
Christiane
gave a first-class, witty speech at the dinner - but it was not the same.
Come back soon!

As those who have spoken to me since BIAFF judging in February will know
I have been enthusing about the rock-solid shots in your film "Together
with
Yoda", its careful lighting and the sheer fun with which you whisk us round
the Cotswolds. I hold it up to other film makers as an example of how good
such a travelogue can be when done properly.

I did not enjoy your collaboration with Tony Jacobs so much. There were
two
films about Dickens this year: yours and one from the Zimmermanns. [I
cannot
imagine British moviemakers trying a biography of Belgian author Georges
Simenon or German author Goethe.] It felt to me like bringing Speilberg
and
Lucas together for one movie and finding it disappointing - a great shock.
If it had come from two unknown film makers it would have been a pleasant
surprise.

I am also surprised that film makers can pass so much criticism on the
BIAFF
results in this IAC-Discussion Forum. If you do so in Belgium, it may
cause
a boomerang-effect on you. In Flanders it is better to keep your mouth
shut

Oh, we British are always criticising one another.
Sorry, as Peter Rouillard is from Guernsey I should say, we people of the
British Idles are always criticising one another.

So long as comments do not become too personal I am all for debate and
discussion
about such things as judging. There is always a strong element of personal
taste in judging films and no one can claim to be perfect in their assessments.

There may be a few people whose feelings about a film are influenced by
the
views its maker has expressed elsewhere but most national judges deal with
the work before them regardless of who made it. I know that over the years
I have given low scores to films by people I like and high scores to people
I don't like ... all according to what I made of a particular film.

Cheers

Dave Watterson

P.S. Did you know that in the UK the word "Belgium" was briefly used as
an
expletive, thanks to the influence of a radio show / book / tv show called
"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" - which has been remade as a Hollywood
film? Zaphod Beeblebrox, a character in the story, mutters: "It's Belgium,
man!" when things go wrong. On the other hand if we want to conjure up
an
image of the best chocolate and best beer in the world we use the word
"Belgian".

I don't know how to start a new topic so I hope all the previous mail does
not come with this but I wanted to make a point to Peter on his comment that
'Together With Yoda' could not be entered for the Cotswold festival. The
16 minute rule does not apply to the Open class and the film can be entered
- I will have to do the same with my own film which also runs for longer.
We should not be afraid to do this anyway, widens the competition!

Michael Slowe.

[Willy Van der Linden]

Hi Michael and Dave,
The 16 minute rule does not apply to the Open Class, but the film cannot
be entered. In Category "C" the limit is 21 minutes. The length of my film
is 28 minutes now. Anyway, I enjoyed making that film. I make films not
only for festivals, but also for fun. It is still my favourite hobby. I
spent my summer holidays in that part of England and the Cotswolds are always
a good resting-place on my way to my best English friend Brian Higbee who
lives in Okehampton (Devon). I have read books, brochures and other things
to know more about this part of Britain, about the Cotswolds where most people
are in favour of fox-hunting. The Cotswolds are England ! Research is also
a very interesting part of making films. I'm an Anglophile, Dave, and
that's why I have made a film about Charles Dickens. I used to be a teacher
and I had to tell my students everything about him. Tony Jacobs and I are
different film makers with different characters. We had a lot of discussions
and it was very interesting to work together. It took us almost three years
to finish that film. Looking for costumes and other 19th century objects
was perhaps the most difficult thing. It was a fantastic experience. We
also won the Benelux Festival (Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg) with it last
year. And yes, why should an Englishman not make a film about Simenon ?
I think that an Englisman is more chauvinistic. Charles Dickens belongs to
England/Britain. To me Simenon belongs to anyone who loves his stories. Tony
and I are a little bit puzzled by what you have said about our film, but
we are not disappointed at all.