There have been contemplative documentaries about monastic life before, not least Philip Gröning’s epic Into Great Silence. The contemplative air that prevails at the start of this gorgeously shot film that focuses on the nun of the title, might indicate we are in for more of the same, but Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s study of Mother Vera is set to become a lot less cloistered as the nun embarks on an unexpected and transformational path.
The bulk of the film is shot in black and white, drawing its influence from the Ex-Voto photographic project about places of pilgrimage, which is how Embleton and Tomlinson met Mother Vera in the first place - the former from a film background, while the other has a strong photographic back catalogue. We’re drawn into the nun’s world by a combination of impressive visuals as she heads to prayer and an evocative soundscape that.
The bulk of the film is shot in black and white, drawing its influence from the Ex-Voto photographic project about places of pilgrimage, which is how Embleton and Tomlinson met Mother Vera in the first place - the former from a film background, while the other has a strong photographic back catalogue. We’re drawn into the nun’s world by a combination of impressive visuals as she heads to prayer and an evocative soundscape that.
- 4/15/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Cécile Embleton: 'It was really exciting to be able to move from this incredible image that Alys had taken of Vera that captured her essence and unpack that and go deeper into one story' Contemplative documentary Mother Vera follows several years in the life of an Orthodox nun, first as she goes about her monastic duties in Belarus and later as she makes a life-changing decision. Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s patient film gradually reveals Vera’s backstory as she considers a different future. The film has already received plaudits as a work in progress, picking up a £42,000 Creativity Media First Look Award in Locarno to cover completion costs for films in post-production.
We caught up with the filmmakers ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival next week to talk about the unexpected journey they went on with it and...
We caught up with the filmmakers ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival next week to talk about the unexpected journey they went on with it and...
- 4/12/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the line-up for its 55th edition (April 12-21) which opens with the IDFA- and Göteborg selection As The Tide Comes In by Juan Palacios (and co-directed by Sofie Husum Johannesen).
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Swiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel has unveiled the program for its 55th edition, which includes 10 first films out of 15 in the main international competition, cementing its reputation as a springboard for emerging talent.
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Drawn from an exciting Locarno Pro lineup, these talents – directors, producers and industry execs – impacted at Locarno, and will often in the future. Nine are women, which says a lot about cutting-edge innovation in Europe and beyond.
Despina Athanassiadis, France
Born in France and with Greek roots, Athanassiadis is currently focusing on her Alliance4Development project “The Young One,” about female truck drivers – “It’s a story of transmission, from older to younger generation” – which was awarded script consultancy residency at DreamAgo. “As a filmmaker, I’m interested in people who struggle. I find it fascinating, watching how they find ways to fix their problems. I want to see them on screen,” she states. In her next film, she will focus on a middle-aged French woman, whose life changes forever when she goes to Greece. “It’s a movie with inner and outer journeys, and with lots of international characters.
Despina Athanassiadis, France
Born in France and with Greek roots, Athanassiadis is currently focusing on her Alliance4Development project “The Young One,” about female truck drivers – “It’s a story of transmission, from older to younger generation” – which was awarded script consultancy residency at DreamAgo. “As a filmmaker, I’m interested in people who struggle. I find it fascinating, watching how they find ways to fix their problems. I want to see them on screen,” she states. In her next film, she will focus on a middle-aged French woman, whose life changes forever when she goes to Greece. “It’s a movie with inner and outer journeys, and with lots of international characters.
- 8/9/2023
- by John Hopewell and Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s ’Mother Vera’ and Sarah Lewis’ ’No Ifs Or Buts’ honoured in festival’s works-in-progress section.
Documentary filmmakers scooped the prizes in Locarno Pro’s First Look work-in-progress section, which is dedicated to UK films this year.
Mother Vera, co-directed by Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson, won the new Creativity Media First Look Award covering services towards the completion of films in post-production up to the value of € 50,000.
Mother Vera follows a young Orthodox nun making her way from the thick snow of the Belarusian forest to the heat of the reeds in the French Camargue.
Documentary filmmakers scooped the prizes in Locarno Pro’s First Look work-in-progress section, which is dedicated to UK films this year.
Mother Vera, co-directed by Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson, won the new Creativity Media First Look Award covering services towards the completion of films in post-production up to the value of € 50,000.
Mother Vera follows a young Orthodox nun making her way from the thick snow of the Belarusian forest to the heat of the reeds in the French Camargue.
- 8/7/2023
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Belarusian-set pic Mother Vera has picked up Locarno’s Creativity Media First Look Award, the biggest prize handed out by the festival’s industry section.
The award comes with a €50,000 cash prize that covers services towards the completion of films in post-production. Filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson co-directed the pic with producer Laura Shacham.
Discussing their choice, the Locarno Pro jury — comprised of Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer, and Eugene Hernandez — said: “From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France. We congratulate filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson and wish them the best with this new film, Mother Vera.”
Embleton is a London-based filmmaker who has predominantly worked in docs. Her debut film,...
The award comes with a €50,000 cash prize that covers services towards the completion of films in post-production. Filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson co-directed the pic with producer Laura Shacham.
Discussing their choice, the Locarno Pro jury — comprised of Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer, and Eugene Hernandez — said: “From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France. We congratulate filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson and wish them the best with this new film, Mother Vera.”
Embleton is a London-based filmmaker who has predominantly worked in docs. Her debut film,...
- 8/6/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
It was a good day for female filmmakers – and documentaries – at Locarno Pro, with “Mother Vera” by Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson winning the Creativity Media First Look Award on Sunday at Locarno’s pix-in-post competition, dedicated this year to the U.K.
Dedicated to a young Orthodox nun, “Mother Vera” shows her turbulent past and fragile future as she faces inner conflict after 20 years as a monastic.
“From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France,” said jurors Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer and Eugene Hernandez.
The award covers post production services up to the value of €50,000. Laura Shacham produces “Mother Vera” for She Makes Productions.
“About six years ago, they were working together on Alice’s photographic project documenting Christian pilgrimage sites in Eastern Europe. They saw this striking woman,...
Dedicated to a young Orthodox nun, “Mother Vera” shows her turbulent past and fragile future as she faces inner conflict after 20 years as a monastic.
“From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France,” said jurors Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer and Eugene Hernandez.
The award covers post production services up to the value of €50,000. Laura Shacham produces “Mother Vera” for She Makes Productions.
“About six years ago, they were working together on Alice’s photographic project documenting Christian pilgrimage sites in Eastern Europe. They saw this striking woman,...
- 8/6/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
First Look, the works-in-progress strand of the Locarno film festival’s industry section, has revealed the six titles selected for its 2023 edition.
This year First Look will highlight independent projects from the UK. The festival has described each project as a work in progress “at the cusp of completion.” The selected works-in-progress, none of which currently have sales representation, will be presented to accredited industry professionals at the Cinema Rialto during the Locarno Film Festival.
Among the titles is All At Sea by the late filmmaker Mike Hodges. Produced by Solon Papadopoulos at Hurricane Films and directed, written, and narrated by Hodges, the pic explores Hodges’ story from his start in the Navy in the 1950s, to his work for Granada in the 1960s, through to his meteoric success with hits such as Get Carter and Flash Gordon in the 1970s onwards. Reflecting from his quiet Dorset home,...
This year First Look will highlight independent projects from the UK. The festival has described each project as a work in progress “at the cusp of completion.” The selected works-in-progress, none of which currently have sales representation, will be presented to accredited industry professionals at the Cinema Rialto during the Locarno Film Festival.
Among the titles is All At Sea by the late filmmaker Mike Hodges. Produced by Solon Papadopoulos at Hurricane Films and directed, written, and narrated by Hodges, the pic explores Hodges’ story from his start in the Navy in the 1950s, to his work for Granada in the 1960s, through to his meteoric success with hits such as Get Carter and Flash Gordon in the 1970s onwards. Reflecting from his quiet Dorset home,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Six U.K. works-in-progress have been selected for the 12th edition of Locarno’s First Look, an international launchpad for films in post-production taking place during Locarno Pro Days.
Since its introduction in 2012, First Look has already focused on Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Germany
This year, the late Mike Hodges – known for “Get Carter” or “Flash Gordon” – will be celebrated in “All at Sea,” produced by Hurricane Films, a semi-autobiographical documentary depicting his life. The film was directed, written and narrated by Hodges himself.
“We have been working with Mike on this feature documentary over the past three, four years. We lost him in December, but luckily, we have a director’s cut and an even more pressing need to make sure his final film sees the light of the big screen,” says Solon Papadopoulos.
“Mike was a humble visionary and a delight to work with.
Since its introduction in 2012, First Look has already focused on Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Germany
This year, the late Mike Hodges – known for “Get Carter” or “Flash Gordon” – will be celebrated in “All at Sea,” produced by Hurricane Films, a semi-autobiographical documentary depicting his life. The film was directed, written and narrated by Hodges himself.
“We have been working with Mike on this feature documentary over the past three, four years. We lost him in December, but luckily, we have a director’s cut and an even more pressing need to make sure his final film sees the light of the big screen,” says Solon Papadopoulos.
“Mike was a humble visionary and a delight to work with.
- 7/26/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Late director’s semi-autobiographical doc will be showcased alongside five other UK films.
All At Sea, a semi-autobiographical documentary by the late and acclaimed director and scriptwriter Mike Hodges, is one of six UK films selected for Locarno Pro’s works in progress strand First Look.
Thriller 7 Keys, the feature debut of Joy Wilkinson, a 2015 Screen Star of Tomorrow, will also be showcased in First Look.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Taking place at the Locarno Film Festival between August 4- 6, the 12th edition of Locarno Pro’s First Look is presenting works-in-progress from the UK through a...
All At Sea, a semi-autobiographical documentary by the late and acclaimed director and scriptwriter Mike Hodges, is one of six UK films selected for Locarno Pro’s works in progress strand First Look.
Thriller 7 Keys, the feature debut of Joy Wilkinson, a 2015 Screen Star of Tomorrow, will also be showcased in First Look.
Scroll down for full list of titles
Taking place at the Locarno Film Festival between August 4- 6, the 12th edition of Locarno Pro’s First Look is presenting works-in-progress from the UK through a...
- 7/26/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Projects come from 34 different countries.
Projects from Rodrigo Reyes, Ike Nnaebue and Sean McAllister are among 48 titles that will be pitched to international and UK industry representatives and experts at this year’s Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket.
One of the world’s largest documentary and factual pitching forums, MeetMarket moved to the beginning of the festival and will take place on June 15-16 with all projects in the development or production stage.
The projects have been selected from more than 500 submissions. Rodrigo Reyes, whose doc Sanson And Me was the winner of DocFest’s 2022 international competition, is pitching Mexican-us co-pro Warrior Mothers.
Projects from Rodrigo Reyes, Ike Nnaebue and Sean McAllister are among 48 titles that will be pitched to international and UK industry representatives and experts at this year’s Sheffield DocFest MeetMarket.
One of the world’s largest documentary and factual pitching forums, MeetMarket moved to the beginning of the festival and will take place on June 15-16 with all projects in the development or production stage.
The projects have been selected from more than 500 submissions. Rodrigo Reyes, whose doc Sanson And Me was the winner of DocFest’s 2022 international competition, is pitching Mexican-us co-pro Warrior Mothers.
- 4/25/2023
- by Heather Fallon Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.