Shepperton Studios book offer

To celebrate the end of the year in style, Kamera has teamed up with Southbank Publishing to offer readers the opportunity to buy Shepperton Studios: A Visual Celebration, by producer and broadcaster Morris Bright, at a special price of £79.95 (normal price £125).

In 2006 Shepperton Studios completed 75 years of cinematic activity. It was here that past classics such as The Third Man, The African Queen, Oliver!, The Omen, Alien, Gladiator and 2001: A Space Odyssey, as well as recent blockbusters like Bridget Jones's Diary, Bend It Like Beckham and Troy were made since it was inaugurated in the winter of 1931.

The Limited Edition of 750 copies is presented in a box with unique cushion cover and includes an exclusive facsimile copy of an original Flicker Book (the success of which helped Norman Loudon create Shepperton Studios) and a facsimile copy of the film campaign brochure for The Wicker Man.

This elegant volume also includes exclusive contributions from directors, actors and producers and including over 300 stunning images and a DVD with trailers, besides much more. The book represents the first comprehensive illustrated account of Shepperton Studios. Here's a taster:

Kamera wishes all its readers a great Christmas and a truly amazing 2007.

All the best,

Antonio Pasolini
editor

SlamDance short film programme

Out of a staggering 2,150 short films from 20 countries that were submitted to the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, 73 have been selected to screen, each of which is now

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New Hollywood?

The art newsletter artnews.com is currently carrying an article about contemporary film projects carried out by artists. The article tries to create an idea of movement, a trend, but I think that's pushing the envelope too far. There's always an artist working on a feature film project and most of them vanish without a trace - has anyone seen Tracey Emin's Top Spot? Besides, the artists mentioned are not really working in Hollywood, maybe Julian Schnabel gets close to that, but still, Hollywood is not interested in art, has never been and never will be. Even in the period of the so-called New Hollywood, when they drafted in European directors to make films (like Visconti's disastrous experience with Death in Venice (1969), Hollywood wanted people like Visconti because he was good box office in Europe and they thought that, at a time of a shortage of ideas in Tinseltown like the late 60s were, perhaps European auteurs could work their magic in the United States as well. Big mistake. But the article does provide a good round-up of who's doing what and here it is.

European Film Awards

The European Film Awards were announced yesterday. Among the many winners -and some surprising results there - Pedro Almodovar's Volver was all over the place with three awards: Best Director, BestActress for Penelope Cruz and the People's Choice Award.
European Film Awards +

2007 Independent Spirit Awards

The 2007 Independent Spirit Awards nominees have been announced. David Lynch and Laura Dern are listed for a Special Distinction Award, the late Robert Altman for Best Director and Michael Arndt for Best First Screenplay Award, an undeserving entry in my opinion.

Independent Spirit Awards +

Kamera's editor tonight at the Brixton Ritzy

If anyone is around in Brixton, London, this evening, I'll be at Ritzy at 6:30 presenting a selection of short films from Brazil for the Discovering Latin America film festival, which ends on Sunday. More information here. Come and say hello.