Leonie Brandt was an interesting historical character but a lack of curiosity and reliance on re-enactment obfuscates rather than illuminates
How do you make a film about someone of whom there exists no moving images? Diving into the mysteries surrounding Leonie Brandt, an actor turned double-agent for the Dutch intelligence service during the second world war, Annette Apon’s documentary enlists the extensive archive of the Eye Film Museum, an approach that unfortunately obfuscates rather than illuminates a historical enigma.
Depicting the “greatest hits” of Brandt’s life, from her brief acting career to her daring exploits in Nazi Germany, the film utilises a wide range of clips mostly from silent movies, the images edited together as literal illustrations of the events recounted by the voiceover. There’s little stylistic purpose here, as the film oscillates between the first-person Pov of Brandt and Apon’s third-person perspective. For cinephiles who know their film history,...
How do you make a film about someone of whom there exists no moving images? Diving into the mysteries surrounding Leonie Brandt, an actor turned double-agent for the Dutch intelligence service during the second world war, Annette Apon’s documentary enlists the extensive archive of the Eye Film Museum, an approach that unfortunately obfuscates rather than illuminates a historical enigma.
Depicting the “greatest hits” of Brandt’s life, from her brief acting career to her daring exploits in Nazi Germany, the film utilises a wide range of clips mostly from silent movies, the images edited together as literal illustrations of the events recounted by the voiceover. There’s little stylistic purpose here, as the film oscillates between the first-person Pov of Brandt and Apon’s third-person perspective. For cinephiles who know their film history,...
- 6/5/2023
- by Phuong Le
- The Guardian - Film News
Masterclasses from Pedro Costa, and Sarah Gavron and Anu Henriques, offered differing perspectives.
UK filmmakers Sarah Gavron and Anu Henriques, and Portuguese director Pedro Costa offered distinct interpretations of the international film industry in their respective masterclass sessions at International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) this weekend.
Gavron, whose latest feature Rocks is playing at the festival, discussed a collaborative approach to filmmaking that, while acknowledging it would be unpopular with some, she felt has brought results. She co-created the film with Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson.
“I honestly think there’s a way of doing creative decisions where you don...
UK filmmakers Sarah Gavron and Anu Henriques, and Portuguese director Pedro Costa offered distinct interpretations of the international film industry in their respective masterclass sessions at International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) this weekend.
Gavron, whose latest feature Rocks is playing at the festival, discussed a collaborative approach to filmmaking that, while acknowledging it would be unpopular with some, she felt has brought results. She co-created the film with Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson.
“I honestly think there’s a way of doing creative decisions where you don...
- 1/27/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
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