Frogs for filmmakers
If a festival of cinematography sounds to you like an event for specialists discussing technical details incomprehensible to anyone who is not a camera operator, Łód's Camerimage festival, being held this week, is sure to give you a pleasant surprise.
"Do not believe the popular opinion that Camerimage is a closed, hermetic event only for camera operators," says Marcin Tercjak, Camerimage's spokesperson. "Everybody is welcome and for sure he or she will quickly get involved in festival life."
Organizers have prepared over 200 events, including film competitions, concerts, seminars, workshops, photographic and painting exhibitions, as well as a discussion panel. The festival will also hold a European cinema review, a Danish cinema review, a Swedish cinema review, and a Bergman-Nykvist retrospective.
During the festival's eight days, more than 100 films from all over the world will be shown; some of them by debutants, others by world-famous directors. During Saturday's closing gala, competition winners will be awarded a Golden, Silver or Bronze Frog, whereas the winners of the Student Etudes Competiton will get Golden, Silver, and Bronze Tadpoles. As usual, one of the main attractions for the public will be the opportunity to meet the stars of cinematography on Łód's streets. This year's special guests include Agnieszka Holland, Wim Wenders and Ken Russell.
For 14 years Camerimage has attracted the most famous filmmakers and thousands of spectators. "It is this place's atmosphere," explains Tercjak. "It is not a festival full of glitter and red carpets. Camerimage is a feast of cinema, movies, and of all people who are fond of film and art."
