New York characters in sound and images: One in 8 Million
As 2009 draws to a close, so does our It’s good to know…a film competition. Submissions closed on 30 November and we were delighted to see over 200 entries in only a couple of months. Well done 4doc’ers, we knew you had it in you. But it’s in the hands of the gods now as the esteemed judging panel (Jesus, Joseph and Mary) sit down to watch the films and make their decision. But rest assured, the winning films will be announced before 2010 creeps in so you shouldn’t have bitten all your nails off by then. We encourage you to still watch all the films in competition and ‘heart’ them until your pumping organ’s content. Whilst this doesn’t effect the outcome of the competition, we think you’ll certainly get a lot out of watching them. Support each other. It’s nice.
Speaking of great storytelling, I’d like to direct your attention to The New York Times’ One in 8 Million project. Working in a similar vein to Austin Lynch’s Interview Project, One in 8 Million tells the stories of ordinary New Yorkers whose city is both the setting and the catalyst for their tales of adventure, love and absurdity. Told against the backdrop of black and white stills, the format reminded me of the opening scene in Manhattan (1979) – a kind of love letter to the city and its urban romanticism. Part radio documentary, photography exhibition and short film, One in 8 Million is simple but engaging in its storytelling. I recommend watching Joshua Caouette’s piece, which is sweetly naive but also insightful. For those of you who recognise the name, yes, he’s the son of doc filmmaker Jonathan Caouette (Tarnation, 2003 and All Tomorrow’s Parties, 2009).
Finally, I want to flag up the UK broadcast premiere tonight of Eva Weber’s The Solitary Life of Cranes on More4 at 10pm (GMT). The film has screened at over fifty international film festivals including Telluride, Camerlmage, Seville and Sheffield Doc/Fest and has been nominated for the International Documentary Association Distinguished Shorts Award 2009. Make sure you catch it.
