Editorial

2007 World Poll

Part 1: Acquarello-Frodon

Part 2: Gianvito-Möller

Part 3: Mookas-Williams

Read the many individual contributors’ entries that in sum total form a comprehensive global survey of the best and worst films on offer in 2007.

The New Wave Remembered: Focus on Charles Bitsch

Introduction to Dossier by Sally Shafto

When exactly is the 50^th anniversary of the French Nouvelle Vague? Sally Shafto provides a brief rationale.

Interview with Charles Bitsch by Sally Shafto

Wide-ranging interview in which Bitsch discusses his youthful cinéphilia, his association with Cahiers du Cinéma, and his work with Jacques Rivette, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, et al. So evocative, one can almost relive history in the making through his words.

Charles Bitsch’s Filmography and Publications compiled by Sally Shafto

The House or the Chaos by Luc Moullet

An elegant essay in praise of Bitsch’s films, written by fellow Cahiers du Cinéma critic and French New Wave director Luc Moullet.

Interview with Orson Welles by André Bazin and Charles Bitsch

In the first decade of the Cahiers era, Bitsch conducted many interviews with Hollywood directors. He has expressed great fondness for this particular one – because of Welles and in memory of his co-interviewer, the legendary André Bazin.

Spotlight on Nina Menkes

Nina Menkes: The Warrior and her Jiang Hu by Bérénice Reynaud

An insightful analysis of Nina Menkes’ films and the many distinctive virtues they possess.

Interview with Nina Menkes by David E. James

Further illuminating insights come from the voice of the filmmaker herself, who was recently the subject of a retrospective at the 2007 VIENNALE.

General Feature Articles

M. Night Shyamalan: A Preliminary Report by Lesley Brill

The director of The Sixth Sense and Lady in the Water has experienced the highs and lows of critical and box-office reception. Brill takes stock of his career through an impressively detailed analysis of his features to date.

Three Contemporary Spanish Films: Landscape, Recollection, Voice by Linda Ehrlich

In this diary-essay, Linda Ehrlich offers some engaging impressions on three impressive films from Spain: El Cielo gira (2004), La Leyenda del tiempo (2006) and Unas Fotos … en la ciudad de Sylvia (2007).

The Power of Resistance: Les Dames du Bois de Boulogne by Wheeler Winston Dixon

Wheeler Dixon provides a refreshing look at one of the enduring masterpieces of French cinema.

“… I’m Gone”; or Seven Characters in Search of an Exit: Some Reflections on Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There. by Adrian Danks

One of the most discussed films on recent release. Is it a measure of the film’s qualities or a result of the enduring fascination with all things Dylan? Danks separates the substance from the hype.

Will the Real Revolution Please Stand Up: An Interview with Lech Kowalski by Jennifer Jones

An in-depth discussion with the director of such cult-music era-defining documentaries as Hey is Dee Dee Home, Born to Lose and the ‘Sex Pistols in America’ movie D.O.A., together with outstanding films such as Hitler’s Highway and, most recently, Winners and Losers. Surprising revelations are to be found in what Kowalski has to say on all manner of subjects.

Australian Cinema

Theoretical Perspectives on Expanded Cinema and the “Cruel” Performance Practice of Dirk de Bruyn by Steven McIntyre

This essay revisits the concept of ‘expanded cinema’ that was so central to 1960s experimental practices and examines its relevance to contemporary film/performance pieces.

“Am I crazy to make a film for only $100,000 or am I crazy not to?” Kriv Stenders goes Micro-budget Digital for Boxing Day by Alex Munt

Part-essay and part-interview, Munt documents the development of Stenders’ highly praised low-budget feature from script to screen.

Seeing in the Night: A Nocturne by Fiona Villella

Independent writer-director Bill Mousoulis’ new feature ventures into the heart of darkness and Villella finds much to appreciate in its mesmeric æsthetics.

Romulus, My Father by Fincina Hopgood

Review of the recent DVD release of Richard Roxburgh’s début feature, an adaptation of Raimond Gaita’s acclaimed memoirs about his father.

DVD Reviews

Killer of Sheep: The Charles Burnett Collection (Milestone Film & Video) review by John Fidler * new article

Saved from the Flames: 54 Rare and Restored Films 1896-1944 (Flicker Alley) review by James L. Neibaur * new article

Festival Reports

Gazing Lessons: German Films at the 58^th Berlin International Film Festival by Mattias Frey * new article

Cinema Unbound: Some notes on the 9^th Festival des Cinémas Différents de Paris by Gabriela Trujillo * new article

The Bridge: The 17^th Film Festival Cottbus by Julian Petley * new article

Gijón at the Turning Point: The 45^th Gijón International Film Festival by Lidia Merás * new article

Shadows on the Pier: The 48^th Thessaloniki Film Festival by Jared Rapfogel * new article

From One Red Balloon to the Next: The 2007 AFI Fest/American Film Market by Bérénice Reynaud

Adrift: The Experimenta Program at The Times BFI 51^st London Film Festival by Mark Harwood

A Secret Sun Shines: The 5^th Hong Kong Asian Film Festival by Ben Cho

Lost Poetics Past: The 50^th International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film by Olaf Möller

Snow Drift: The 2007 Lucca Film Festival by Maximilian Le Cain

The Spirit of Oldenburg: The 14^th Oldenburg Film Festival by Brad Stevens

CineSuspense: Le Giornate del Cinema Muto: The 26^th Pordenone Silent Film Festival by Virginia Wright Wexman

Underground/Overground: The 1^st Sydney Underground Film Festival by John Conomos

Why Women Rule: The 34^th Telluride Film Festival by Rob Phillips

Holding Up the Other Half of the Sky: The 26^th Vancouver International Film Festival by Bérénice Reynaud

The Political Matters. The Soul Does, Too. Wise Old Men Rule: The 64^th Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica: The Venice Film Festival by Barbara Wurm

Book Reviews

A Partial World Viewed: Film Fables and The Future of the Image by Jacques Rancière feature review by Tony McKibbin

The Cinema of Australia and New Zealand edited by Geoff Mayer and Keith Beattie review by Katherine Fry

Physical Evidence: Selected Film Criticism by Kent Jones review by John Fidler

Born in Flames: Termite Dreams, Dialectical Fairy Tales, and Pop Apocalypses by Howard Hampton review by Patrick Ellis

Josh Hartnett Definitely Wants to Do This…: True Stories from a Life in the Screen Trade by Bruce Beresford review by Tom Ryan

Dying to Belong: Gangster Movies in Hollywood and Hong Kong by Martha P. Nochimson review by Lindsay Coleman

Letters to the Editor from Martha P. Nochimson and Lindsay Coleman * new article

Great Directors

Charles Chaplin by James L. Neibaur

Cinémathèque Annotations on Film