Elena Stishova. Hello! Berlinale is looking for talent!

Hello! Berlinale is looking for talent!
Berlin International Film Festival launches new project

Elena Stishova

Publication date: February 12, 2002

The new directorate Berlinale stated two basic ideas in its title program. First of all, to ensure that German cinema corresponds to the high level and international prestige of the Berlin Festival. In parallel, the Berlinale intends to actively participate in the formation of a new generation of filmmakers. This good idea, supported by the European Film Promotion, has taken shape as a project and is being implemented within the framework of the current festival. In addition to the newly established directorial debut competition, master classes and lectures are held by world-class directors. Last Monday, Robert Altman gave such a lecture , having flown to Berlin to receive an honorary award for his contribution to cinema - the Golden Lion.

It was this day that became the official start of multi-stage work, which should ultimately result next year in a grandiose enterprise called “Talent Campus”. It is planned to gather no less than 1000 young filmmakers under the campus roof.

The day ended with the premiere of the most interesting film document “Lost in La Manha”, which was born on the set of one unsuccessful film. It is not clear, however, what relation the dramatic story recorded in this film with the unmade picture of the middle-aged, but undoubtedly very talented Terry Gilliam , “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” has to do with the selection of young talents . Perhaps as a lesson for the future and as a school of courage: here; they say, what a cruel thing - cinema and filmmaking. Enormous work (Gilliam nurtured this idea for 10 years ), and a lot of money ($32,000,000) was invested in the project. And so the shooting began. Literally on the third day a terrible storm broke out - it cannot be called anything other than a disaster. The scenery was demolished, the equipment was damaged - the uprising of the elements was filmed on camera, so the document is there. Alas, the bad luck didn’t end there. Jean Rochefort, who plays Don Quixote, became seriously ill. The work had to be interrupted. The director faced the problem of recasting. Here it became clear, the campaign; who financed the picture refused to pay insurance for the losses incurred. The film could have been abandoned. However, Gilliam is not one to give up. He is looking for money to implement the project. And we will certainly find out who killed the hidalgo from La Mancha.