A well-crafted study of a neglected artist who died after the plane he was flying disappeared during the second world war
“Exhilarating, enthralling and outstandingly beautiful. A revelation.” That was the verdict of Observer art critic Laura Cummings in 2015 on the first major exhibition of Eric Ravilious’ watercolours since he was killed in 1942 aged 39 while serving as a war artist. His work was almost forgotten until his children found a stash under a bed in the 1970s.
This well-crafted documentary makes a thorough and convincing case for Ravilious as a major figure in early 20th-century art. It’s a portrait of the artist as a tea-sipping cheerful sort of a chap with not an ounce of artistic torture in his body – which might go some way to explaining why he was ignored for so long. That and the fact that his gentle, comforting pastorals are so easy on the eye.
“Exhilarating, enthralling and outstandingly beautiful. A revelation.” That was the verdict of Observer art critic Laura Cummings in 2015 on the first major exhibition of Eric Ravilious’ watercolours since he was killed in 1942 aged 39 while serving as a war artist. His work was almost forgotten until his children found a stash under a bed in the 1970s.
This well-crafted documentary makes a thorough and convincing case for Ravilious as a major figure in early 20th-century art. It’s a portrait of the artist as a tea-sipping cheerful sort of a chap with not an ounce of artistic torture in his body – which might go some way to explaining why he was ignored for so long. That and the fact that his gentle, comforting pastorals are so easy on the eye.
- 6/29/2022
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
The actor and musician on his first kiss, a treasured watch and the truth about fame and money
Born in South Africa, Johnny Flynn, 39, studied at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He played the lead in Netflix’s Lovesick, went on to appear in TV adaptations of Vanity Fair and Les Misérables and was Olivier-nominated for his role in the play Jerusalem. His film credits include Emma, Stardust, Operation Mincemeat and The Outfit. Last year, he released an album with nature writer Robert Macfarlane, Lost in the Cedar Wood; the pair embark on a five-date tour from 26 April. He is married with three children and lives in London.
When were you happiest?
When I was about eight, by a river waiting for my dad to finish fishing, eating a Mars bar, drinking a can of Coke and listening to Beat It by Michael Jackson on my Walkman. I remember...
Born in South Africa, Johnny Flynn, 39, studied at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He played the lead in Netflix’s Lovesick, went on to appear in TV adaptations of Vanity Fair and Les Misérables and was Olivier-nominated for his role in the play Jerusalem. His film credits include Emma, Stardust, Operation Mincemeat and The Outfit. Last year, he released an album with nature writer Robert Macfarlane, Lost in the Cedar Wood; the pair embark on a five-date tour from 26 April. He is married with three children and lives in London.
When were you happiest?
When I was about eight, by a river waiting for my dad to finish fishing, eating a Mars bar, drinking a can of Coke and listening to Beat It by Michael Jackson on my Walkman. I remember...
- 4/16/2022
- by Rosanna Greenstreet
- The Guardian - Film News
UK scheme aimed at first time filmmakers.
UK-based female-focused film organisation Birds’ Eye View has revealed the 18 first-time filmmakers selected for this year’s Filmonomics business training programme.
The cohort have been chosen for the sixth iteration of the scheme, which is aimed at feature writers, directors and producers of marginalised genders who are either on the verge of making their first feature, or have just made or released their debut.
The 18 participants are Afia Nkrumah, Bircan Birol, Cherish Oteka, Emily Everdee, Fozia Khaliq, Isla Badenoch, Jo Tracy, Katie Dolan, Lesley-Anne Macfarlane, Libby Potter, Lidz-Ama Appiah, Liv Little, Lizzie Mackenzie,...
UK-based female-focused film organisation Birds’ Eye View has revealed the 18 first-time filmmakers selected for this year’s Filmonomics business training programme.
The cohort have been chosen for the sixth iteration of the scheme, which is aimed at feature writers, directors and producers of marginalised genders who are either on the verge of making their first feature, or have just made or released their debut.
The 18 participants are Afia Nkrumah, Bircan Birol, Cherish Oteka, Emily Everdee, Fozia Khaliq, Isla Badenoch, Jo Tracy, Katie Dolan, Lesley-Anne Macfarlane, Libby Potter, Lidz-Ama Appiah, Liv Little, Lizzie Mackenzie,...
- 3/30/2022
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Revisiting a formula that worked well in Mountain, director Jennifer Peedom lets Willem Dafoe’s voiceover run away with bland generalities
Australian director Jennifer Peedom had a huge hit with her 2017 documentary Mountain, descanting on the majesty of mountains. I found myself carried along by its admittedly gushy mix of great cinematography, swirling orchestral score, sonorous voiceover from Willem Dafoe and prose-poetic script by Robert Macfarlane. Peedom has now done it again, this time on the subject of rivers with the usual montage of powerful images.
Visually rich though it still is, I have to admit to being a bit restless with this kind of globalist Imax-style docu-fantasia – a hangover, maybe, from the success of Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. The droning observations can be platitudinous and verging on insufferable. “The world’s great cities all have a river at their heart!” intones Dafoe. This film has a story,...
Australian director Jennifer Peedom had a huge hit with her 2017 documentary Mountain, descanting on the majesty of mountains. I found myself carried along by its admittedly gushy mix of great cinematography, swirling orchestral score, sonorous voiceover from Willem Dafoe and prose-poetic script by Robert Macfarlane. Peedom has now done it again, this time on the subject of rivers with the usual montage of powerful images.
Visually rich though it still is, I have to admit to being a bit restless with this kind of globalist Imax-style docu-fantasia – a hangover, maybe, from the success of Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life. The droning observations can be platitudinous and verging on insufferable. “The world’s great cities all have a river at their heart!” intones Dafoe. This film has a story,...
- 3/16/2022
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Director Jennifer Peedom’s follows her record-breaking documentary Mountain with River, again created in collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and narrated by Willem Dafoe.
Produced by Stranger than Fiction Films and Arrow Pictures, River is a cinematic and musical reflection on how rivers have shaped both the planet’s elaborate landscapes and all human existence.
Dafoe’s narration guides audiences on a journey across 39 countries, including Australia, with a script written by renowned writer and environmentalist Robert Macfarlane.
River is the second of a planned trilogy of feature documentaries that explores the impact of landscape on the human heart, and was conceived as both a film for cinemas and one that would have its score played live by the Aco.
River will be presented live in concert with the Aco July 29 – August 10, followed by a national cinema release from October 7 via Madman Entertainment.
The post ‘River’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
Produced by Stranger than Fiction Films and Arrow Pictures, River is a cinematic and musical reflection on how rivers have shaped both the planet’s elaborate landscapes and all human existence.
Dafoe’s narration guides audiences on a journey across 39 countries, including Australia, with a script written by renowned writer and environmentalist Robert Macfarlane.
River is the second of a planned trilogy of feature documentaries that explores the impact of landscape on the human heart, and was conceived as both a film for cinemas and one that would have its score played live by the Aco.
River will be presented live in concert with the Aco July 29 – August 10, followed by a national cinema release from October 7 via Madman Entertainment.
The post ‘River’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 7/1/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
"Where rivers wandered, life could flourish... They have shaped us as a species." Dogwoof has unveiled the first official trailer for another stunning new documentary film titled River, a follow-up to the doc feature Mountain made by filmmaker Jennifer Peedom a few years ago. River is a cinematic and musical odyssey that explores the remarkable relationship between humans and rivers. Featuring text by Robert Macfarlane, with music by Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (Aco), and featuring music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead. With narration by Willem Dafoe. Peedom is one of my favorite doc directors, she creates mesmerizing works of cinematic art that celebrate the majestic and incomparable beauty of this planet we live on. Rivers have indeed played an important part in human civilization since the beginning, and I'm looking forward to watching them explore this in-depth in the film. I adore this kind of filmmaking. Here's...
- 7/1/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Willem Dafoe-narrated documentary “River,” from “Sherpa” director Jennifer Peedom, has unveiled its first trailer.
Produced by Stranger Than Fiction and Arrow Pictures, “River” is an exploration of the timeless relationship between humanity and rivers. Billed as an orchestral concert film, the doc is an ode to the natural word and a retelling of the history of both rivers and human civilization.
“When the first rains fell, the Earth awakened,” reads Dafoe in the moving trailer, which features stunning footage of river systems around the world. “Where rivers wandered, life could flourish. They have shaped us as a species and we worship them as gods. Today, there is scarcely a river unspanned, undammed or undiverted. The sheer scale of the human project has begun to overwhelm the world’s rivers.”
With a score composed by Richard Tognetti from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Dafoe narrates a script from award-winning author...
Produced by Stranger Than Fiction and Arrow Pictures, “River” is an exploration of the timeless relationship between humanity and rivers. Billed as an orchestral concert film, the doc is an ode to the natural word and a retelling of the history of both rivers and human civilization.
“When the first rains fell, the Earth awakened,” reads Dafoe in the moving trailer, which features stunning footage of river systems around the world. “Where rivers wandered, life could flourish. They have shaped us as a species and we worship them as gods. Today, there is scarcely a river unspanned, undammed or undiverted. The sheer scale of the human project has begun to overwhelm the world’s rivers.”
With a score composed by Richard Tognetti from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Dafoe narrates a script from award-winning author...
- 7/1/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Willem Dafoe is set to narrate the documentary “River” from “Sherpa” director Jennifer Peedom.
Produced by Stranger Than Fiction and Arrow Pictures, “River” is an exploration of the timeless relationship between humanity and rivers. Billed as an orchestral concert film, the doc is an ode to the natural word and a retelling of the history of both rivers and human civilization. With a score composed by Richard Tognetti from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Dafoe will narrate a script from award-winning author and fellow of Cambridge University, Robert Macfarlane. The film will also feature additional music from William Barton, Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead.
“I wanted to be conscious of not dumping the words on top of the image or illustrating the music, but having them sonically blend,” said Dafoe, who also narrated Peedom’s 2017 doc “Mountain.”
“Of course there is some underlining but I try to let the words just open channels of thought and emotion,...
Produced by Stranger Than Fiction and Arrow Pictures, “River” is an exploration of the timeless relationship between humanity and rivers. Billed as an orchestral concert film, the doc is an ode to the natural word and a retelling of the history of both rivers and human civilization. With a score composed by Richard Tognetti from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Dafoe will narrate a script from award-winning author and fellow of Cambridge University, Robert Macfarlane. The film will also feature additional music from William Barton, Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead.
“I wanted to be conscious of not dumping the words on top of the image or illustrating the music, but having them sonically blend,” said Dafoe, who also narrated Peedom’s 2017 doc “Mountain.”
“Of course there is some underlining but I try to let the words just open channels of thought and emotion,...
- 6/22/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
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