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Reviews
Homeless in Washington (2014)
Powerful film blog about homelessness
I had the pleasure to watch this powerful short film with a big message made with much heart and talent, at a movie theatre in Bavaria, where the filmmaker screened a number of her short films. The images and statements of the homeless people who live right outside the White House in Washington D.C., hence the title- were quite moving. The filmmaker, Marianne Hettinger steps into the background and lets those people speak for themselves. What is frightening, is the fact that so many Americans are just a paycheck away from being homeless and you get the feel that it could happen to you if the cards were unfavorably dealt. The film manages to humanize and give faces to the alarmingly high numbers of homeless people in the US, we find out more about the 5 subjects and get a very intimate and close up view- Bravo to the filmmakers to make this important film!I wish it had been a feature!
Strad for Lunch (2012)
Wonderful Concert Film
I saw Strad for Lunch in 2013 at a movie theatre in Germany. Wonderful documentary film featuring the fantastic Oscar Bohorquez making his New York violin debut with pieces by wonderful Argentine composers- The sound quality and images are superb and I also enjoyed the interview portion and tango dance with Mr- Bohorquez and filmmaker Marianne Hettinger.One of the composers, Beytelmann, is still living and is also being interviewed in the film. There is also a section where violin making is discussed and the owner of the WMP Hall where the concert took place, discusses the Stradivarius violin he lent to Mr. Bohorquez on which he made his debut. The concert has a great live feel with a live audience and we even learn facts about violin building and there is an interview with people at the Christie's auction house where violin bows are discussed. What a feast for eyes and ears!
Mango Tango (2009)
Entertaining, humorous and disturbing
This film is the opposite of mainstream cinema. Unique and creative, powerful imagery and a heroine whose search efforts for her ideal mate go disturbingly wrong in a sometimes humorous and disturbing way. The filmmaker has a unique vision and voice- The film is very ambitious and sometimes seems more a series of vignettes rather than one plot, but the power of the images and beautifully crafted soundtrack, acting and dialogue and of course dance scenes, that are like a dance relief sequence, all work beautifully. The contrast of the scenes in New York and the German Alps are a wonderful juxta -position- I was rooting for the heroine to find her man, but she found something more important, herself.
Hallo New York (2013)
Fabulous talk format!
I had the pleasure of seeing a number of episodes of the talk format Hallo New York along with some short films at a recent presentation at the Liliom Theatre in Augsburg. The show is about people who pursue their passion and talent in New York City, the toughest place to make it. If I can make it there...as the song goes. The host, Marianne Hettinger, is one of those artists who seems to be living her dream, as shown in the fun introduction of the show. She speaks both English and German like a native and even interviews some guests in German. An innovative and interesing format. I loved the intimate setting of the host's Manhattan brownstone apartment, and most of all, her intelligent, warm and open interview style that make her a wonderful conversationalist. I loved her choice of guests. First up I saw a conversation with Ann Hampton Callaway, a tremendous artist, who even sang some of her answers. What an inspiring woman. It's so rare to have someone praise their upbringing and actually say their strength is to love and sound 100 per cent honest. Ms. Hettinger is able to make her guests feel comfortable and open up in many ways. Chris Orbach, son of Gerry Orbach was another fabulous guest.The great Ute Lemper was wonderfully relaxed and open as well. I wish one can see this series of interviews on a wider platform soon!
Saint Vitus Dance (2011)
Magical little short film
I saw Saint Vitus Dance at a movie theatre in Augsburg, Germany and loved its message, that when you work very hard towards a goal and don't reach it and your life is messed up, there can be a higher force, call it imagination, poetry or in this case a patron saint who dances. Frey Faust, who plays the role of Saint Vitus has tremendous power and beauty as a performer and so does Ms. Hettinger. Together their chemistry is beautiful. There is a great soundtrack with a mix of Latin music, a tango type of song and some other great saxophone pieces. The great mix of wonderful music, dance, city images with running feet make for a magical little film. There also were some comedic elements during a broom dance.After the screening I found myself wishing I could see it again.