Editors note: This story originally ran with a photo that more prominently featured the rapper Skepta, with Wiley in the background. We regret the error.
British grime artist Wiley has been stripped of a national honour, after he posted abusive social media posts aimed at his Jewish critics and other figures.
The 45-year-old rapper from East London was seven years ago awarded the MBE – Member of the British Empire, presented by the monarch – for his services to music.
Within a few years, his followers had noticed many anti-Semitic comments on his social media platform, including a statement likening Jews to the Ku Klux Klan. He also wrote “Israel is ours,” apparently referring to the black community, and shared his opinion that Jewish people control global business interests, as well as the entertainment industry.
At the time, the musician was suspended from X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, while his manager John Woolf,...
British grime artist Wiley has been stripped of a national honour, after he posted abusive social media posts aimed at his Jewish critics and other figures.
The 45-year-old rapper from East London was seven years ago awarded the MBE – Member of the British Empire, presented by the monarch – for his services to music.
Within a few years, his followers had noticed many anti-Semitic comments on his social media platform, including a statement likening Jews to the Ku Klux Klan. He also wrote “Israel is ours,” apparently referring to the black community, and shared his opinion that Jewish people control global business interests, as well as the entertainment industry.
At the time, the musician was suspended from X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, while his manager John Woolf,...
- 2/24/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died aged 67, his agent has said.
The Sri Lankan-born newsreader’s agent Mary Greenham told Pa: “I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones. George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today. George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.”
Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in April 2014. He endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.
Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and began as a foreign correspondent, interviewing major figures including Nelson Mandela and Robert Mugabe and covering civil wars in Somalia and Liberia,...
The Sri Lankan-born newsreader’s agent Mary Greenham told Pa: “I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones. George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today. George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.”
Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in April 2014. He endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several operations, including the removal of most of his liver.
Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and began as a foreign correspondent, interviewing major figures including Nelson Mandela and Robert Mugabe and covering civil wars in Somalia and Liberia,...
- 7/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
From her home in Copenhagen, Denmark, director Camilla Nielsson is fighting for justice. Justice in Zimbabwe.
The filmmaker has shot two acclaimed documentaries in the landlocked African nation: Democrats, which won the best documentary feature honor at Tribeca in 2015, and President, which premiered in Sundance in January, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award.
The first looks at efforts by the opposition parties allied against long-serving dictator Robert Mugabe to reform the country’s constitution and push Zimbabwe towards democracy. Mugabe’s government banned it. Only in 2018, following Mugabe’s resignation and the election of former Mugabe supporter Emmerson Mnangagwa as the country’s new president, did the country’s courts lift the ban.
President follows that election, documenting the widespread fraud that accompanied it. The film contrasts the campaign of 79-year-old Mnangagwa, known by the moniker “the crocodile,” with...
From her home in Copenhagen, Denmark, director Camilla Nielsson is fighting for justice. Justice in Zimbabwe.
The filmmaker has shot two acclaimed documentaries in the landlocked African nation: Democrats, which won the best documentary feature honor at Tribeca in 2015, and President, which premiered in Sundance in January, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award.
The first looks at efforts by the opposition parties allied against long-serving dictator Robert Mugabe to reform the country’s constitution and push Zimbabwe towards democracy. Mugabe’s government banned it. Only in 2018, following Mugabe’s resignation and the election of former Mugabe supporter Emmerson Mnangagwa as the country’s new president, did the country’s courts lift the ban.
President follows that election, documenting the widespread fraud that accompanied it. The film contrasts the campaign of 79-year-old Mnangagwa, known by the moniker “the crocodile,” with...
- 8/12/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
The government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has banned Camilla Nielsson’s award-winning political documentary President, saying the movie, which details alleged election fraud and violence during Zimbabwe’s 2018 presidential elections, has the “potential to incite violence.”
Nielsson’s documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award. The film is set to have its on-demand premiere in the U.S. on PBS on Monday.
Calling the ban “a devastating blow to freedom of the press in Zimbabwe” the filmmakers filed a legal challenge to the decision with Zimbabwe’s constitutional court but, they reported Monday, it was rejected. In a statement, the filmmakers cited the Zimbabwe Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Censorship and Entertainment Control Unit, which said that the content of President “is likely to be contrary to...
The government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe has banned Camilla Nielsson’s award-winning political documentary President, saying the movie, which details alleged election fraud and violence during Zimbabwe’s 2018 presidential elections, has the “potential to incite violence.”
Nielsson’s documentary premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last year, where it won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award. The film is set to have its on-demand premiere in the U.S. on PBS on Monday.
Calling the ban “a devastating blow to freedom of the press in Zimbabwe” the filmmakers filed a legal challenge to the decision with Zimbabwe’s constitutional court but, they reported Monday, it was rejected. In a statement, the filmmakers cited the Zimbabwe Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Censorship and Entertainment Control Unit, which said that the content of President “is likely to be contrary to...
- 8/8/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The government of Zimbabwe has banned “President,” Danish filmmaker Camilla Nielsson’s Oscar-shortlisted documentary about the African nation’s corrupt 2018 presidential election, Variety can exclusively reveal.
In a letter dated June 16, the country’s censorship board slapped a ban on the Sundance prize-winning documentary, insisting that it “has the potential to incite violence” as Zimbabwe gears up for presidential elections in 2023.
The filmmakers are now challenging the ruling in Zimbabwe’s constitutional court, promising a long legal battle ahead.
“President” is the follow-up to Nielsson’s critically acclaimed “Democrats,” which chronicled the laborious construction of Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution. It captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads, as it prepares for its first election since the ouster of Robert Mugabe, who was forced from power after nearly four decades in the wake of a 2017 military coup.
The film follows opposition leader Nelson Chamisa as he challenges the dictator’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, while...
In a letter dated June 16, the country’s censorship board slapped a ban on the Sundance prize-winning documentary, insisting that it “has the potential to incite violence” as Zimbabwe gears up for presidential elections in 2023.
The filmmakers are now challenging the ruling in Zimbabwe’s constitutional court, promising a long legal battle ahead.
“President” is the follow-up to Nielsson’s critically acclaimed “Democrats,” which chronicled the laborious construction of Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution. It captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads, as it prepares for its first election since the ouster of Robert Mugabe, who was forced from power after nearly four decades in the wake of a 2017 military coup.
The film follows opposition leader Nelson Chamisa as he challenges the dictator’s successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, while...
- 8/8/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Philippa Kowarsky to ”pursue other ventures outside of the BBC”.
Philippa Kowarsky has stepped down as commissioning editor of BBC Storyville, the UK broadcaster’s documentary brand, after less than a year in the role.
Kowarsky, who joined from international sales and advisory firm Cinephil in October, has departed ”to pursue other ventures outside of the BBC”.
Newly-appointed BBC Film director Eva Yates becomes the interim lead for the factual strand.
In an internal note to BBC staff, Yates said: “I would like to personally thank Philippa for her contribution to the success of Storyville over the past year, during...
Philippa Kowarsky has stepped down as commissioning editor of BBC Storyville, the UK broadcaster’s documentary brand, after less than a year in the role.
Kowarsky, who joined from international sales and advisory firm Cinephil in October, has departed ”to pursue other ventures outside of the BBC”.
Newly-appointed BBC Film director Eva Yates becomes the interim lead for the factual strand.
In an internal note to BBC staff, Yates said: “I would like to personally thank Philippa for her contribution to the success of Storyville over the past year, during...
- 8/4/2022
- by Alex Farber Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
Thandiwe Newton wants to know why the BFI London Film Festival did not accept “President,” the award-winning documentary she produced about the 2018 Zimbabwe presidential election.
The Camilla Nielsson-directed film chronicles young presidential hopeful Nelson Chamisa’s unsuccessful bid to unseat Pres. Emmerson Mnangagwa, the country’s former vice president who staged a military coup that ousted decades-long dictator Robert Mugabe. “President” takes a look at allegations that Mnangagwa, who publicly promised a fair and transparent election, and his party held onto power through vote tampering and violence against his opposition.
“Every time it gets into another festival and wins another festival and then gets shortlisted for the Oscars, I’m just thinking London Film Festival, ‘Where were you?’” Newton says. “And the reason they weren’t there was because it was the week before Mnangagwa went to Scotland with 100 delegates from Zimbabwe, invited by the United Kingdom. That wouldn...
The Camilla Nielsson-directed film chronicles young presidential hopeful Nelson Chamisa’s unsuccessful bid to unseat Pres. Emmerson Mnangagwa, the country’s former vice president who staged a military coup that ousted decades-long dictator Robert Mugabe. “President” takes a look at allegations that Mnangagwa, who publicly promised a fair and transparent election, and his party held onto power through vote tampering and violence against his opposition.
“Every time it gets into another festival and wins another festival and then gets shortlisted for the Oscars, I’m just thinking London Film Festival, ‘Where were you?’” Newton says. “And the reason they weren’t there was because it was the week before Mnangagwa went to Scotland with 100 delegates from Zimbabwe, invited by the United Kingdom. That wouldn...
- 1/30/2022
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC’s Storyville strand, which sets out to showcase the world’s best international documentaries, has picked up a new slate of eight films.
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
- 1/21/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Camilla Nielsson’s thrilling documentary takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 election that followed the ousting of Robert Mugabe
“A free, fair and credible election.” These words of promise echo throughout Camilla Nielsson’s riveting documentary, capturing the fervour of the 2018 presidential vote in Zimbabwe, the country’s first without Robert Mugabe since its independence.
While opening with the rip-roaring rallies for Nelson Chamisa, who is running for the presidency against the incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s former aide, President is more than an intimate portrait of a charismatic opposition leader. Considering the fraudulent electoral practices that existed under Mugabe’s 30-year reign, this election concretises a collective cry for democracy to triumph over decades of corruption and lies. Such a desire, alas, comes with blood, sweat and tears.
“A free, fair and credible election.” These words of promise echo throughout Camilla Nielsson’s riveting documentary, capturing the fervour of the 2018 presidential vote in Zimbabwe, the country’s first without Robert Mugabe since its independence.
While opening with the rip-roaring rallies for Nelson Chamisa, who is running for the presidency against the incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mugabe’s former aide, President is more than an intimate portrait of a charismatic opposition leader. Considering the fraudulent electoral practices that existed under Mugabe’s 30-year reign, this election concretises a collective cry for democracy to triumph over decades of corruption and lies. Such a desire, alas, comes with blood, sweat and tears.
- 1/11/2022
- by Phuong Le
- The Guardian - Film News
What does it take to pull a country back from a state of tyranny? A collective leap of faith is required. People need to have confidence that others will back them, and that they’ll be successful – at least to the extent that they won’t have to fear violent reprisals from a regime they have failed to overthrow. Making this happen takes a leader whom people can really believe in. When Robert Mugabe finally stood down as President of Zimbabwe in 2017, that leader looked to be Morgan Tsvangirai; but when Tsvangirai died from colorectal cancer just a few months later, the task of leading the country’s main opposition party to victory fell upon the shoulders of 40-year-old lawyer Nelson Chamisa.
Made at some considerable personal risk to those involved, Camilla Nielsson’s documentary has unprecedented access to Chamisa’s campaign, embedded at the very heart of it during the four weeks before.
Made at some considerable personal risk to those involved, Camilla Nielsson’s documentary has unprecedented access to Chamisa’s campaign, embedded at the very heart of it during the four weeks before.
- 12/15/2021
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Ian McKellen, Stephen Fry and the former archbishop of Canterbury appear in a chummy documentary recounting the gay rights activist’s most outrageous stunts and impressive achievements
“My doctors have said very clearly: ‘No more head injuries.’” So says Peter Tatchell, one of the world’s most tenacious, divisive and necessary activists, as he prepares to fly to Moscow in 2018 to protest against state-sanctioned homophobia. The trip, which returns him to the city where he was beaten and arrested in 2007, forms one of the few present-tense sections of this greatest hits-style documentary. Tatchell has sustained numerous injuries from his lifetime of protest, though claims of memory loss are comically undermined during a kid-gloves interview with Ian McKellen. “Fifty two years of civil disobedience, Peter!” gasps the actor admiringly. “Fifty three now,” Tatchell replies, unable to resist the lure of being right.
As of this year, it’s 54. Tatchell was already...
“My doctors have said very clearly: ‘No more head injuries.’” So says Peter Tatchell, one of the world’s most tenacious, divisive and necessary activists, as he prepares to fly to Moscow in 2018 to protest against state-sanctioned homophobia. The trip, which returns him to the city where he was beaten and arrested in 2007, forms one of the few present-tense sections of this greatest hits-style documentary. Tatchell has sustained numerous injuries from his lifetime of protest, though claims of memory loss are comically undermined during a kid-gloves interview with Ian McKellen. “Fifty two years of civil disobedience, Peter!” gasps the actor admiringly. “Fifty three now,” Tatchell replies, unable to resist the lure of being right.
As of this year, it’s 54. Tatchell was already...
- 11/1/2021
- by Ryan Gilbey
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has picked up North American distribution rights to President, directed by Camilla Nielsson (Democrats).
Produced by Danish company Final Cut For Real and U.S.-based Louverture Films, in co-production with Norway-based Sant & Usant, the film premiered to strong notices at the Sundance Film Festival.
Nielsson won a Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking in Park City. Greenwich is aiming to generate awards traction for the film with a December theatrical release.
The movie charts the dangerous aftermath of Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in Zimbabwe. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades...
Produced by Danish company Final Cut For Real and U.S.-based Louverture Films, in co-production with Norway-based Sant & Usant, the film premiered to strong notices at the Sundance Film Festival.
Nielsson won a Special Jury Award for Verité Filmmaking in Park City. Greenwich is aiming to generate awards traction for the film with a December theatrical release.
The movie charts the dangerous aftermath of Robert Mugabe’s removal from power in Zimbabwe. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades...
- 9/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
British-Zimbabwean actor and activist Thandiwe Newton, who was named to the Queen’s New Year’s Honors List, receiving an OBE for services to film and charity, has joined documentary “President” as executive producer. The film won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival this year and will screen at AFI Docs on Thursday.
The film captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads. In the first election since the removal of Robert Mugabe, the new leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa is challenging the dictator’s corrupt legacy, and his successor Emmerson “the crocodile” Mnangagwa. The election will be the ultimate test for both sides. How they interpret the principles of democracy, if they can inspire trust among the citizenry, not succumb to violence, and foster faith in institutions, will set the course for the future for the country.
Newton said: “Zimbabwe needs this film like a body needs oxygen. It...
The film captures Zimbabwe at a crossroads. In the first election since the removal of Robert Mugabe, the new leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa is challenging the dictator’s corrupt legacy, and his successor Emmerson “the crocodile” Mnangagwa. The election will be the ultimate test for both sides. How they interpret the principles of democracy, if they can inspire trust among the citizenry, not succumb to violence, and foster faith in institutions, will set the course for the future for the country.
Newton said: “Zimbabwe needs this film like a body needs oxygen. It...
- 6/24/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Amos’ debut feature Hating Peter Tatchell is a portrait of the Melbourne-born human rights activist who has taken on the likes of Margaret Thatcher and Robert Mugabe, campaigning for gay liberation, the environment and against war.
The documentary is presented by Sir Ian McKellen, features interviews with Stephen Fry and former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, and is executive produced by Elton John and David Furnish. Veronica Fury is the producer with Amos and Lee Matthews.
The post ‘Hating Peter Tatchell’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
The documentary is presented by Sir Ian McKellen, features interviews with Stephen Fry and former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, and is executive produced by Elton John and David Furnish. Veronica Fury is the producer with Amos and Lee Matthews.
The post ‘Hating Peter Tatchell’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 6/17/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
As Americans are painfully aware these days, democracy is messy business. Following her fascinating 2014 documentary Democrats, about the work of creating a new constitution in Zimbabwe, Camilla Nielsson’s sweeping President explores the nation’s second democratic election, in 2018, through the eyes of the opposition party. The legacy of Robert Mugabe looms large in the ruling Zanu-pf party, which controls all manner of life in the nation despite inroads made by the liberal Mdc (Movement for Democratic Change) and its presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa. Challenging incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, the film shifts modes between fly-on-the-wall picture about the inner workings of a campaign and an on-the-ground study in real election rigging, wherein the Zanu-pf use all manner—from soft approaches like food giveaways to disturbing allegations of sexual violence against poll workers.
The film is a straightforward act of courage by Danish journalist-turned-filmmaker Nielsson, whose film Democrats was considered pornographic and...
The film is a straightforward act of courage by Danish journalist-turned-filmmaker Nielsson, whose film Democrats was considered pornographic and...
- 2/4/2021
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Democracy is a fragile enterprise no matter where it takes shape, but Zimbabwe’s past decade has proved an especially troubling case. Though dictator Robert Mugabe was booted by his own party in 2017, his replacement, Emmerson Mnangagwa — whose reputation for crude strategies led to the nickname “the crocodile” — hasn’t fared much better. In 2018, Mnangagwa faced a contemptuous election showdown with lawyer and activist Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition party known as the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (Mdc). The results, delayed by the ruling party for days, were blatantly rigged by Mnangagwa’s government; Mdc challenged them in nationally televised court proceedings and failed.
Those events fill the frantic, infuriating two-plus hours of hectic campaigning in “President,” director Camilla Nielsson’s probing look at the passion and uncertainty of working to preserve an ideal when the ruling party can discard it at will. If these recent events are new to you,...
Those events fill the frantic, infuriating two-plus hours of hectic campaigning in “President,” director Camilla Nielsson’s probing look at the passion and uncertainty of working to preserve an ideal when the ruling party can discard it at will. If these recent events are new to you,...
- 2/4/2021
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Camilla Nielsson’s President tells the tumultuous story of Zimbabwe’s 2018 general election, the first since the country attained independence that Robert Mugabe was not a candidate. It is in many ways a follow-up to Nielsson’s 2014 film Democrats. Editor Jeppe Bødskov discusses his ongoing collaboration with Nielssoni. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Bødskov: I worked with Camilla Nielsson on her previous documentary Democrats. So, I knew her already. I know quite a lot about Zimbabwe and about […]
The post "There Were so Many Parallels and Contrasts": Editor Jeppe Bødskov on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "There Were so Many Parallels and Contrasts": Editor Jeppe Bødskov on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/31/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Camilla Nielsson’s President tells the tumultuous story of Zimbabwe’s 2018 general election, the first since the country attained independence that Robert Mugabe was not a candidate. It is in many ways a follow-up to Nielsson’s 2014 film Democrats. Editor Jeppe Bødskov discusses his ongoing collaboration with Nielssoni. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the editor of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Bødskov: I worked with Camilla Nielsson on her previous documentary Democrats. So, I knew her already. I know quite a lot about Zimbabwe and about […]
The post "There Were so Many Parallels and Contrasts": Editor Jeppe Bødskov on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "There Were so Many Parallels and Contrasts": Editor Jeppe Bødskov on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/31/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Camilla Nielsson’s President tells the tumultuous story of Zimbabwe’s 2018 general election, the first since the country attained independence that Robert Mugabe was not a candidate. It is in many ways a follow-up to Nielsson’s 2014 film Democrats. Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen discusses the film’s difficult and ephemeral subject matter, and the synergy between his camerawork and Nielsson’s direction. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Ipsen: I had worked with director Camilla Nielsson on her previous film Democrats, […]
The post "On the First Film We Had Been Arrested, so We Knew This Danger Was Real": Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "On the First Film We Had Been Arrested, so We Knew This Danger Was Real": Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/31/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Camilla Nielsson’s President tells the tumultuous story of Zimbabwe’s 2018 general election, the first since the country attained independence that Robert Mugabe was not a candidate. It is in many ways a follow-up to Nielsson’s 2014 film Democrats. Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen discusses the film’s difficult and ephemeral subject matter, and the synergy between his camerawork and Nielsson’s direction. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer of your film? What were the factors and attributes that led to your being hired for this job? Ipsen: I had worked with director Camilla Nielsson on her previous film Democrats, […]
The post "On the First Film We Had Been Arrested, so We Knew This Danger Was Real": Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post "On the First Film We Had Been Arrested, so We Knew This Danger Was Real": Dp Henrik Bohn Ipsen on President first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/31/2021
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“Democrats,” Camilla Nielsson’s superb 2014 documentary about the tortuous construction of Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution, was most riveting as a snapshot of a country still trying democracy on for size, wary of what it saw in the mirror. Studying the troubled coalition government that paired president Robert Mugabe’s long-ruling Zanu-pf party with the more liberal opposition of Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (Mdc) Alliance, Nielsson’s film posited any progress at all as fragile, easily undone by a volatile political system: Audiences might have left hoping for a more optimistic sequel, but hardly counting on one.
Even so, those who haven’t checked any headlines from Harare in the interim could hardly be prepared for the gut-punch of “President,” Nielsson’s galvanizing, epic-scale docuthriller tracking Zimbabwe’s corruption-riddled 2018 presidential election — presented here as a brazen feat of hijacked democracy to make Donald Trump positively chartreuse with envy. As...
Even so, those who haven’t checked any headlines from Harare in the interim could hardly be prepared for the gut-punch of “President,” Nielsson’s galvanizing, epic-scale docuthriller tracking Zimbabwe’s corruption-riddled 2018 presidential election — presented here as a brazen feat of hijacked democracy to make Donald Trump positively chartreuse with envy. As...
- 1/29/2021
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
The Elders today called on all political, military and civil society leaders in Zimbabwe to work together towards free and fair elections and a peaceful, inclusive transition following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe.
They urged all stakeholders to implement immediate socio-economic measures to address urgent issues that affect ordinary Zimbabweans’ welfare and provide relief to their pain and suffering. Zimbabwe’s neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries must do all they can to support a successful political process that respects human rights and returns stability and growth to the country.
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said: “The period between now and the 2018 election is critical both for reconciliation and organised transition in Zimbabwe. All stakeholders should come together and engage in serious debate on a future vision and public policy.”
Graça Machel, co-founder of The Elders and a former freedom fighter in Mozambique, said:...
They urged all stakeholders to implement immediate socio-economic measures to address urgent issues that affect ordinary Zimbabweans’ welfare and provide relief to their pain and suffering. Zimbabwe’s neighbours in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries must do all they can to support a successful political process that respects human rights and returns stability and growth to the country.
Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said: “The period between now and the 2018 election is critical both for reconciliation and organised transition in Zimbabwe. All stakeholders should come together and engage in serious debate on a future vision and public policy.”
Graça Machel, co-founder of The Elders and a former freedom fighter in Mozambique, said:...
- 11/28/2017
- Look to the Stars
An American woman has been jailed in Zimbabwe over allegedly posting a mean tweet about Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, according to multiple reports.
The Washington Post reported that on Friday, 25-year-old New York University graduate Martha O’Donovan — who had lived in Zimbabwe since 2016 and worked at a local satirical comedy station — has been charged with subversion and attempting to overthrow the Mugabe government.
According to court documents released by the group Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, CNN reported that Zimbabwe authorities traced a tweet which said “we are being led by a selfish & sick man” and suggested Mugabe wore...
The Washington Post reported that on Friday, 25-year-old New York University graduate Martha O’Donovan — who had lived in Zimbabwe since 2016 and worked at a local satirical comedy station — has been charged with subversion and attempting to overthrow the Mugabe government.
According to court documents released by the group Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, CNN reported that Zimbabwe authorities traced a tweet which said “we are being led by a selfish & sick man” and suggested Mugabe wore...
- 11/4/2017
- by Maria Pasquini
- PEOPLE.com
Harvey Weinstein is reportedly on the verge of joining a small club of disgraced public figures who have been stripped of their honorary British titles and decorations.
Following the mogul’s recent sexual assault and harassment scandal, the British government’s Honors Forfeiture Committee is actively considering removing his Cbe, an honorary title that stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, according to the BBC.
Weinstein received the title, which is one step down from a knighthood, from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for his contribution to the British film industry.
Related: People Cover Story: Breaking Down...
Following the mogul’s recent sexual assault and harassment scandal, the British government’s Honors Forfeiture Committee is actively considering removing his Cbe, an honorary title that stands for Commander of the Order of the British Empire, according to the BBC.
Weinstein received the title, which is one step down from a knighthood, from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for his contribution to the British film industry.
Related: People Cover Story: Breaking Down...
- 10/27/2017
- by Mike Miller
- PEOPLE.com
Alec Baldwin returned to “Saturday Night Live” for last night’s cold open, which means you should expect a series of angry tweets from Donald Trump any minute now. Rather than Vladimir Putin (Beck Bennett) or Rex Tillerson (John Goodman), this time he was joined by Steve Bannon (Mikey Day), who bears a striking resemblance to the Grim Reaper and is clearly pulling all the so-called president’s strings. Watch below.
Read More: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Review: Kristen Stewart Has A Message For President Trump
It’s Grim Bannon who advises Trump to call the Prime Minister of Australia despite how woefully unprepared he is to do so, leading Trump to end the conversation by angrily telling Malcolm Turnbull to “prepare to go to war” — which is, of course, also how he ends his disastrous chats with the leaders of Mexico (who refuses to pay for the wall) and Germany...
Read More: ‘Saturday Night Live’ Review: Kristen Stewart Has A Message For President Trump
It’s Grim Bannon who advises Trump to call the Prime Minister of Australia despite how woefully unprepared he is to do so, leading Trump to end the conversation by angrily telling Malcolm Turnbull to “prepare to go to war” — which is, of course, also how he ends his disastrous chats with the leaders of Mexico (who refuses to pay for the wall) and Germany...
- 2/5/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
This is a reprint of our review from the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival. "I want to befriend my former enemies. And get them on my side… change the picture and be seen as a man of peace, even if you are not. The game of politics is pretending."— Paul Mangwana If dictatorial power corrupts absolutely, imagine what happens when a dictatorship tries to transition its way into democracy. Letting go is never easy, and expecting a despot to give up complete authoritarian control is an even greater challenge. This is essentially the backdrop of “Democrats,” a captivating documentary chronicling the corrupt political environment in Zimbabwe as its current leader, President Robert Mugabe — who has ruled over the country in some form or another since 1987 — attempts to cede control and open up the country to draft a new constitution. Of course, his decision to relinquish some power only comes in the wake...
- 11/20/2015
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Democracy, at least here in the states, is more often than not taken for granted by a vast majority of citizens as something that is not only the rule of the land, but more resembling a right of humanity. However, throughout the world, there are nations under tyrannical rule that not only deserve democratic rule, but when they get a shot at forming a democratic government, find that the road is a far rockier one than previously expected.
Take the subjects of the new documentary Democrats, for example. With this new film, director Camilla Nielsson introduces us to two men, on two different sides of the political aisle in the nation of Zimbabwe. Under the rule of the dictator Robert Mugabe since 1980, Zimbabwe is a land of great beauty, even greater cultural import and almost complete and utter political unrest. Over the decades of Mugabe’s control, numerous sanctions were...
Take the subjects of the new documentary Democrats, for example. With this new film, director Camilla Nielsson introduces us to two men, on two different sides of the political aisle in the nation of Zimbabwe. Under the rule of the dictator Robert Mugabe since 1980, Zimbabwe is a land of great beauty, even greater cultural import and almost complete and utter political unrest. Over the decades of Mugabe’s control, numerous sanctions were...
- 11/20/2015
- by Joshua Brunsting
- CriterionCast
"I want to befriend my former enemies. And get them on my side… change the picture and be seen as a man of peace, even if you are not. The game of politics is pretending."— Paul Mangwana If dictatorial power corrupts absolutely, imagine what happens when a dictatorship tries to transition its way into democracy. Letting go is never easy, and expecting a despot to give up complete authoritarian control is an even greater challenge. This is essentially the backdrop of “Democrats,” a captivating documentary chronicling the corrupt political environment in Zimbabwe as its current leader, President Robert Mugabe — who has ruled over the country in some form or another since 1987 — attempts to cede control and open up the country to draft a new constitution. Of course his decision to relinquish some power only comes in the wake of his 2008 re-election — one of the most hotly contested appointments in Africa in the last ten years,...
- 5/1/2015
- by Rodrigo Perez
- The Playlist
Offering immediate access to historical sausage-making, Camilla Nielsson’s Democrats is an intimate look at the process of drafting a new constitution for Zimbabwe. Taking a balanced exploration of two sides of the argument, we follow Paul Mangwana of president Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-pf and Douglas Mwonzora of the opposition party Mdc-t as they struggle for three years to negotiate […]...
- 4/18/2015
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
The Tribeca Film Festival began on Wednesday night with the premiere of Live From New York!, Bao Nguyen’s documentary about the history of Saturday Night Live. Although your humble film critic was unable to see that film, the festival will offer more than a hundred movies of various flavors from April 15-26, and in this critic’s opinion, the lineup in 2015 is stronger than any in the last five years. Starting today, this is your place to find a brief run-down of the films that played the festival the day before, either in public screenings or in pre-festival press screenings.
Although it may not sound as entertaining as an oral history of America’s leading sketch-comedy program, Democrats comes surprisingly close. Documentarian Camilla Nielsson was given unprecedented access to two of the framers of a democratic constitution in the country of Zimbabwe: one man representing the government of dictatorial president Robert Mugabe,...
Although it may not sound as entertaining as an oral history of America’s leading sketch-comedy program, Democrats comes surprisingly close. Documentarian Camilla Nielsson was given unprecedented access to two of the framers of a democratic constitution in the country of Zimbabwe: one man representing the government of dictatorial president Robert Mugabe,...
- 4/17/2015
- by Mark Young
- SoundOnSight
Human Rights Watch Film Festival
Celebrating Individual and Community Efforts to Effect Change
18-27 March 2015, London
Barbican, British Museum, Curzon Soho, Ritzy Picturehouse
(London, February 12, 2015) – The 19th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in London will be presented from 18 to 27 March, 2015 with a programme of 16 award-winning documentary and feature films, Human Rights Watch said today.
The festival will include live music performances following screenings of Beats of the Antonov and No Land’s Song and a Guardian Masterclass focusing on human rights reporting and digital storytelling. The festival will take place at the Barbican, British Museum, Curzon Soho, and Ritzy Brixton.
“This year’s festival features many determined, brave individuals – such as Colombia’s philosopher-politician-teacher Antanas Mockus, the Afghan school founder Razia Jan, and Guatemala’s first female attorney general, Claudia Paz y Paz – who have made huge personal sacrifices to bring about change”, said John Biaggi, director...
Celebrating Individual and Community Efforts to Effect Change
18-27 March 2015, London
Barbican, British Museum, Curzon Soho, Ritzy Picturehouse
(London, February 12, 2015) – The 19th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in London will be presented from 18 to 27 March, 2015 with a programme of 16 award-winning documentary and feature films, Human Rights Watch said today.
The festival will include live music performances following screenings of Beats of the Antonov and No Land’s Song and a Guardian Masterclass focusing on human rights reporting and digital storytelling. The festival will take place at the Barbican, British Museum, Curzon Soho, and Ritzy Brixton.
“This year’s festival features many determined, brave individuals – such as Colombia’s philosopher-politician-teacher Antanas Mockus, the Afghan school founder Razia Jan, and Guatemala’s first female attorney general, Claudia Paz y Paz – who have made huge personal sacrifices to bring about change”, said John Biaggi, director...
- 2/19/2015
- by John
- SoundOnSight
Frozen top animated film ever, Dyke and Fats is the show you want to watch, Sam Smith may actually be the next Adele
Chelsea Handler’s manager says she’s quitting her E! show when her contract runs out at the end of the year, saying they have seven suitors waiting to snap her up. Handler made some waves recently trashing E! on the Howard Stern Show.
Mozilla is still trying to deal with the fallout from promoting Pro 8 supporter Brendan Eich to CEO, and has released another statement, this time affirming their support for marriage equality. “Mozilla’s mission is to make the Web more open so that humanity is stronger, more inclusive and more just. This is why Mozilla supports equality for all, including marriage equality for Lgbt couples. No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves the same rights and to be treated equally.
Chelsea Handler’s manager says she’s quitting her E! show when her contract runs out at the end of the year, saying they have seven suitors waiting to snap her up. Handler made some waves recently trashing E! on the Howard Stern Show.
Mozilla is still trying to deal with the fallout from promoting Pro 8 supporter Brendan Eich to CEO, and has released another statement, this time affirming their support for marriage equality. “Mozilla’s mission is to make the Web more open so that humanity is stronger, more inclusive and more just. This is why Mozilla supports equality for all, including marriage equality for Lgbt couples. No matter who you are or who you love, everyone deserves the same rights and to be treated equally.
- 3/31/2014
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
It might not cure the cancer that has attacked Hollywood, but a sparkling new initiative by Franklin Leonard’s Blacklist might help bring some much needed originality back to the screenplay form. Announced last July, the Black List (which, every December proposes a best of list for the best unproduced screenplays of the past calender year) decided to perhaps one up the hundreds of screenplay competitions that exist out there and in their own way, do what the Sundance Labs do best; support future voices.
The week-long (September 30-October 5th) intensive workshop includes mentorship from the likes of Brian Koppelman, Jenny Lumet, Scott Myers, Billy Ray, and Kiwi Smith and I imagine will get tons of handed notes and suggestions on how to survive the shark infested waters of the industry. Here’s the first batch of six and don’t be surprised if we one day see one of these get a greenlit.
The week-long (September 30-October 5th) intensive workshop includes mentorship from the likes of Brian Koppelman, Jenny Lumet, Scott Myers, Billy Ray, and Kiwi Smith and I imagine will get tons of handed notes and suggestions on how to survive the shark infested waters of the industry. Here’s the first batch of six and don’t be surprised if we one day see one of these get a greenlit.
- 9/25/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
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