Film Fest Gent On Tour

FFG Wide Angle

For each On Tour film, Film Fest Gent provides a Wide Angle every month. With this dossier, we delve into the film, its director and themes (and more) by means of texts in various forms by various authors and a podcast. (Texts and podcast in Dutch)

Film Fest Gent On Tour 21.02 l The Whale

The Whale is the latest film by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for A Dream). Aranofsky's new film tells the story about a reclusive, morbidly obese English teacher (performed by a phenomenal Brendan Phraser) who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

Wide Angle: The Whale (online as of 20.02)

• Director Darren Aronofsky discussed by Patrick Duynslaegher
• Essay by Silke Bomberna
• Essay by Michaël Van Remoortere in collaboration with Fantômas
• Podcast hosted by Bo Alfaro Decreton & Tim Maerschand - in collaboration with Urgent.

Film Fest Gent On Tour 21.03 l La double vie de Véronique

La double vie de Véronique was the first film made by the great Polish director after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was also the first Kieslowski title in which French actress Irène Jacob (Trois couleurs: Rouge, Al di là delle nuvole - by Michelangelo Antonioni) made her debut, in an impressive double role. Jacob plays both Weronika and Véronique. One lives in Krakow, the other in Paris. Both are (classical) singers destined to have great careers and both have the same heart condition. Weronika dies at a performance, which is not without effect on Véronique: she stops singing and receives a cassette tape from a mysterious stranger. Are we really unique? How would we react if we met our double who not only looks like us outwardly but also inwardly? What is identity? To what extent can we influence the course of our lives? These are some of the philosophical questions Kieslowski asks through poetic, almost dreamlike scenes.

Wide Angle: La double vie de Véronique (online as of 20.03)

• Director Krzysztof Kieślowski outlined by Patrick Duynslaegher
• Essay in collaboration with Fantômas
• Video essay together with Filmscalpel
• Podcast hosted by Bo Alfaro Decreton & Tim Maerschand - in collaboration with Urgent.fm

Film Fest Gent On Tour 18.04 l All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed tells an emotional and multifaceted story about internationally acclaimed photographer and activist Nan Goldin. Oscar winner Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) created a highly personal portrait of one of the most important photographers of the late 20th century. The documentary shows Goldin's life, career and activism through unique footage, personal interviews and her groundbreaking photography. Goldin fled her traumatic childhood and discovered her own scene in which freedom and sexual independence played an important role. Her personal inspiration was reflected in her photography. Showing that art can be a weapon, Goldin today takes on the Sackler family, whom she holds responsible for the US opiate crisis. While this crisis continues to claim victims daily, the Sackler family remains a major sponsor of important museums worldwide. Goldin's battle helps her come to terms with her own grief. All the Beauty and the Bloodshed shows a portrait of a driven person.

Wide Angle: All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (online as of 17.04)

• Director Laura Poitras discussed by Patrick Duynslaegher
• Essay in collaboration with Fantômas
• Video essay together with Filmscalpel
• Podcast host by Bo Alfaro Decreton & Tim Maerschand - in collaboration with Urgent.fm