00:00:00: The Calvi Ferry Film Festival is now in its second half.

00:00:03: We're already looking forward to the Crystal Globes and I have no other honor talk with a man behind it all, who has been at the film festival for more than twenty-five years.

00:00:13: Carol Och, artistic director!

00:00:15: Hi, Carol Hello How are you feeling after half of the festival run?

00:00:19: And another half in front of you?

00:00:21: Excited,

00:00:22: exhausted... It's usually a mixture or feelings psychophysical state because this year has been really demanding in terms of how we approach the anniversary.

00:00:32: We naturally wanted to boost up everything and with The Guests, certain type films.

00:00:38: calendar wise it is second half but since This Is The Last Day Of The Competition screening Thursdays ,we are looking forward towards.

00:00:45: And then at last phase of festival which bring back award winners and preparing for Saturday ceremony.

00:00:51: I'm happy It's not Friday yet Because that' s moment when you start getting sad.

00:00:55: everything will be over soon.

00:00:56: It's very emotionally demanding, but the team is great and we look for support in our fellow

00:01:02: colleague."

00:01:24: films, but then suddenly it disappears in a way.

00:01:27: But you have to create certain tools.

00:01:29: how not be too depressed that everything's over because its really intense at weekend and as I say the collective element of this team is very

00:01:36: important.".

00:01:37: You

00:01:37: already mentioned it!

00:01:38: It´s the sixties anniversary of Calvary Film Festival one of the oldest in Europe.

00:01:43: what does special edition mean for you?

00:01:46: And was also scary.

00:01:49: Look at this big anniversary.

00:01:51: I mentioned the intensity of celebrating, it's twice as intense compared to a regular Anniversary because we have actually two anniversaries.

00:01:59: The festival was founded in nineteen forty six so were are eight years old but beacause being forced alternate with Moskovan Festival between late fifties and early ninety nineties We sort-of lost twenty editions And by coincidence we had two rounded anniversary.

00:02:14: So sixty editions in eighty years Practically second oldest festival in world also one of the young ones because in early nineteen nineties, The festival was reborn.

00:02:23: The state of Czechoslovakia then wanted to let it just go Because there is no will to continue after all these socialist years.

00:02:31: But fortunately the festival did not die.

00:02:33: That's why I'm saying that we are an old-young festival.

00:02:35: In a way While preparing for this festival i went through all sorts materials from the past, festival dailies internal documents all kinds of written materials.

00:02:44: I realized something that we felt but now you can see it in the actual form.

00:02:49: The heritage is incredible But not just films as we've seen.

00:02:52: You realize our colleagues were dealing with the same type of problems Hospitality and practicalities behind.

00:03:00: We only knew before about the highlights.

00:03:02: Claudia Cardinal came to Calo Ivarie in a year and a half while preparing for.

00:03:09: You realize and you understand all the work behind all those years.

00:03:13: That's very humbling, really nice.

00:03:15: Calla Vivaari originally had been known as a more progressive festival would say that is still true?

00:03:21: And do we see?

00:03:21: the Festival today with its eighty-sixty birthday?

00:03:24: has more hallmark of tradition or still an area of progress?

00:03:29: I Would say.

00:03:30: compared to my predecessors programming strategies We are a bit more alternative.

00:03:35: Mrs.

00:03:35: Aurora was more ambassador off class approach, films based on strong stories.

00:03:41: Her mind was very open towards new formal adventures as well but she herself would prefer something a little bit calmer.

00:03:47: I as her successor continue in away in her legacy.

00:03:51: But the moment it was given to position i started to experiment by taking certain type of film out from small cinema and putting into bigger cinema because I thought that had potential despite maybe alternative not changing strategies right way people and maybe making them feel, oh this film I used to watch it in a small hall.

00:04:11: And now its' in the bigger Hall why?

00:04:12: But This is more recent history.

00:04:14: what i like to mention was The Progressive Approach In nineteen sixties by the first director of programming Mr.

00:04:21: Brosell when in nineteen sixty two already he established the program section called Symposium Of New and Young Cinema from Asia Africa Latin America .The Progressive Element Was the fact that not only He invited the films but also brought filmmakers.

00:04:35: Unlike nowadays common practice for filmmakers to accompany their films.

00:04:39: In early sixties, it was not that frequent that filmmakers actually traveled to festivals with their film.

00:04:44: so in that sense I guess we can talk about a certain progressiveness

00:04:47: especially regarding diversity and representation.

00:04:50: where do you see how will be vary these days because i cannot help but say then walk through this festival every day hardly seen one person of color hardly seem.

00:04:59: I see persons with disabilities by very few didn't meet any other person who's from underclass like me details a lot who is actually practically here and I would be interested in.

00:05:10: how do you see the festival?

00:05:11: And How Do You Approach These Challenges?

00:05:13: If There Is At All Any Strategy To Approach That

00:05:16: Would... I'm not sure.

00:05:17: It's very interesting observation, i guess we're working with a certain tradition and We try to move it forward that we tried have our because were programming team.

00:05:26: so where basically operating In The Field Of Films And The Content To Have Our Program As Diverse as Possible In Every Sense.

00:05:34: Still Keeping In Mind They have to respect the qualities of films.

00:05:37: When you talk about persons with colors in the streets, it has to do that this is not a capital city... No

00:05:44: but also with a badge!

00:05:45: I mean people with badges at festivals and festivals are not tourists?

00:05:49: Well i don't know because we didn't decide on.

00:05:53: that question somehow provokes an idea.

00:05:57: there's no strategy behind it.

00:05:58: There isn´t any decision based on our guess obviously Because we're very open minded.

00:06:05: So I don't really know where the question comes from.

00:06:33: sure it's necessarily to be like that, you know.

00:06:36: Whenever there is a moment or chance to think about and discuss it I think its great!

00:06:40: And i think your premier point of view which is more radical It´s right to ask certain questions but also have an answer for them.

00:06:48: We are trying to think because usually we get the same question and I appreciate whenever theres a different one But certain questions maybe need time to reflect on.

00:06:57: Never occurred in me

00:07:00: thinking about things like this.

00:07:02: The

00:07:02: main purpose that my questions have, sometimes many questions I ask people because i asked them myself.

00:07:09: So I don't always have an answer or a strategy where would say like oh we should just do that and everything will be fine then more people like me would be here.

00:07:16: so I had few ideas but whatever.

00:07:18: And thats not the time to talk about this Because you are at point with anniversaries.

00:07:24: when there is many film festivals Like Venice Berlinale they're looking forward big anniversarys Or having big annivercories behind Or like Sundance, they have big change.

00:07:34: Like Sundance just moves... It feels like a time when there are some crucial changes or shifts happening and festivals has to redefine themselves.

00:07:43: many festivals international.

00:07:44: In this context where do you see Carlo Vivari?

00:07:47: I See Carlo Vivar as the place which is not shying away from any type of conversation.

00:07:53: i think we should give space To any type Of discussion or potential problem And create platform for all types of our visitors, spectators to have a chance to discuss it.

00:08:04: We should not be banning any type of ideas.

00:08:07: I've always thought about festivals as some kind of islands Of complete freedom in terms of approaching everything.

00:08:13: If there is an necessity to discuss certain aspect let's talk about It.

00:08:16: i remember when There was first signs of Me Too and there Was A Certain French Movement which sent us paper To sign...I refuse to Sign because this isn't how you do it!

00:08:25: I said like come over And we'll Let's Discuss it Because we been forced to sign papers for forty years.

00:08:30: we do things.

00:08:31: We're not gonna change the theme in terms of gender with without a conversation.

00:08:35: We are not going to change certain things just because you created the paper and ask us to sign it, we have a bit more reasonable maybe slower but more authentic approach towards discussions about certain topics And I would like it too keep that way.

00:08:48: Are

00:08:48: there some changes happening?

00:08:50: Because for example if i look at early knowledge... ...I always see new sections being made then they're dropped after two years.. ..and we see all those little changes happening or sometimes also big changes in terms of how the festival structures anniversaries can be a moment for change.

00:09:04: Are they ideas like

00:09:05: that?

00:09:06: We actually spend quite a lot of time with my colleagues to discuss, let's say topics which are relevant for contemporary society and where we see our role is to give them space and exposure in the films that be programmed.

00:09:18: this how we approach it And This Is How We Know How To Do It.

00:09:21: If You Look At The Topics Of The Films In Competition I Guess We Can Talk About The Fact That They're Addressing The Hot Topics Which Are Kind Of Being Discussed Nowadays Everywhere In The World.

00:09:30: So This Is All.

00:09:31: We Do

00:09:32: many stars here, how do we vary over the years?

00:09:35: Are there some that you really personally wish he could get here.

00:09:38: I

00:09:38: think were blessed and lucky to have a real beautiful group of people.

00:09:42: i've always wanted to bring just the Eisenberg or McGillen house where we are very happy they finally would accept it.

00:09:47: .I learned not to think about who could come because maybe two years later ,that person came.

00:09:52: It's allways about if your happy with current slate of big guests in this sense is extremely satisfying.

00:09:59: You

00:09:59: also have Dustin Hoffman one of the biggest stars in this edition, and of course gonna be Christ like just at first day opening ceremony.

00:10:07: But he's also not really welcome anymore to a number of festivals.

00:10:11: so do public discussions like accusations of sexual misconduct as you mentioned me too movement or does that influence?

00:10:19: Do You think about these things and then decide or discuss

00:10:22: them?".

00:10:22: Well...you

00:10:23: can see from our past we invited Mel Gibson.

00:10:26: We invite Johnny Depp..we never stopped any type conversation being said out loud but to be also strongly support the element of the presumption of innocence.

00:10:35: Once you, somebody is making a certain type of accusation it should be followed by more than just the accusation.

00:10:41: I think its very serious thing...I guess that's what i have to say about this.

00:10:45: How many films do you personally watch for each addition?

00:10:49: To move on with somewhat easier question?

00:10:53: I guess it's maybe a little less than my colleagues, because i watch films which of course are part of the films.

00:11:01: I watched as a first spectator Because they're sent directly to me but other films have already been watched by My colleagues and recommended.

00:11:08: so more or less is The number around four five hundred titles a year.

00:11:11: Of course when you're at a film festival then the number increases because we watching for five titles A day.

00:11:17: the autumn is a little slower spring is tougher.

00:11:20: But yeah, that's the number which I guess is regular for every programmer in the world.

00:11:23: You mentioned when you are at The Film Festival so also travel to other film festivals and Do they inspire you to what to do at Calvary?

00:11:31: We all travel through each other's festivals.

00:11:57: get to Carlisle as a filmmaker, you have an assigned person.

00:12:00: So there is all system of that which I guess we were inspiring the other festivals... Beautiful collaboration.

00:12:06: At least from our point of view, between festivals we have plenty of festival representatives coming to Caliwari.

00:12:12: I've always looked at it as a community which is very connected.

00:12:15: And do you have your personal favorite festival where say i just love to travel there and be there for whatever reason?

00:12:21: Right!

00:12:22: You mentioned Sundance.

00:12:23: That's the Festival that has been attending in the past twenty years.

00:12:26: now since two thousand six.

00:12:27: We're excited about moving to Colorado because also I'm sure inevitably will bring new approach towards things.

00:12:36: I guess what i love about Sundance is that they did not... are in a constant... I don't know if i can say transformation, but the fact is that they felt need to move for many aspects.

00:12:46: But also be more comfortable as festival for guests because lately it has become difficult from the point of finances.

00:12:56: and how do you spend your time at the festival where to eat etc.

00:13:00: so being more accessible approachable affordable..I like about them the fact that they stay on one place have this dynamic thinking inside

00:13:09: of Sundance films, because I recognized them from having been earlier this year to Sundance.

00:13:14: But i think...I have not counted but believe that the most films are actually from Cannes!

00:13:19: Would you say there's a special dynamic or relationship between Cannes and Kallaviwari?

00:13:23: Not really..i think it is also due in Berlin where we take movies as well.

00:13:29: We do many meetings at the market for movies which will be ready when we go to Cannes.

00:13:36: The official selection is nearly done and we're just focusing on movies, so the whole team is watching as many movies as possible.

00:13:42: Often there's a I mean... Many people from our region don't go to Cannes So they are using Callaway also As a platform where do catch up with films from Cannes.

00:13:50: Many times Callaway Is The Second Festival After Cannes Where filmmakers travel And They Are Obviously A Bit Less Stress Because Cannes It's Very Important Then Very Stressful because of you know..The Pressure And Everything.

00:14:01: So i like the fact that after this big moment in Cannes They Have More Relaxed Moment With The Audience Maybe With The Press.

00:14:07: There Is No Collaboration But obviously we're happy to show films from the festival, which according my opinion has the best ones.

00:14:13: Now for next sixty-eighty years if you could wish something what would it be?

00:14:17: They

00:14:17: will be fantastic If they have one or two more cinemas new cinemas Or more spaces Which are actual cinemas because as You know working with What We Have I guess that's every festivals worry How To Make The Conditions To Watch Movies As Good As The Filmmaker Will Imagine.

00:14:32: That Of Course Is A Long Way To Go.

00:14:34: We Are Changing Sound Here We're Changing Project There but Another room with five hundred seats properly equipped.

00:14:39: It's a dream that I don't know when will come true, but yeah

00:14:43: we're always hoping that more cinemas will be built at times When cinemas are being closed.

00:14:48: just to move through the final question Do you have if you watch your competition films or maybe The whole program?

00:14:53: A personal favorite even If it doesn't influence the price Just for yourself?

00:14:57: i

00:14:57: mean i got very excited about Sandra Faulner's film every time in Cannes.

00:15:01: It is

00:15:02: so fantastic film!

00:15:02: I saw before Cannes and i keep recommending the film everyone.

00:15:07: In this very moment, there's a last screening of the film.

00:15:09: I got emails or messages from our spectators after they saw A film unlike any other this year.

00:15:17: I wish the film a lot of success, i think it opens new way of thinking about films.

00:15:21: so that's my favorite from Cannes.

00:15:23: Rose is one of my favorites in Berlin and i think its wonderful example for very fresh modern feminist film set in seventies century setting doesn't influence anything when you are into thinking or the filmmaker as it was in the film.

00:15:39: I love to talk about our spectators

00:15:40: For audience form this festival like what?

00:15:44: What would you wish to tell them so that people keep coming to Film Festivals and more young people who watch up on a very dictatorial world come to Film Festival?

00:15:55: In

00:15:55: general, the Film festivals which are taking place in cities where the majority of guests soon live nor work have big advantages compared with our friends from London or New York.

00:16:06: Because we don't need this enemy called everyday life When you're having challenging film like Hamaguchi at nine thirty in the morning people wake up, have a coffee breakfast and they go in the main hall.

00:16:17: They relax... I don't think about how to pick-up kids at night or for school tomorrow.

00:16:23: You know these are worries that our spectators do not have so their open minded everything.. They love be challenged because there is nothing that spoiling this challenge.

00:16:30: It's very difficult for regular distribution to attract spectators from more challenging films.

00:16:35: Because of that reason The same movie which can be extremely successful here might struggle because it's playing on Thursday evening during the regular week February.

00:16:43: I wish, because we don't have a shortage fortunately of the spectators they keep coming but i wished uh difference between attending festival and frequently visiting cinemas during the year was smaller...I hope the gap will not become bigger cause.

00:16:57: ah..we obviously need regular distribution And these are two worlds that needs to support each other, regular distribution & festivals.

00:17:03: There's

00:17:03: some very true and interesting thoughts.

00:17:05: so as say thank you so much Carol for this interview.

00:17:08: We're looking forward to The Crystal Globes.

00:17:09: Yeah me too.

00:17:10: Thank You So Much.