The Film & Video Institute
UNICA News 2007
Volume 1
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The Film & Video Institute |
UNICA News 2007 Volume 1 |
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UNICA 2006 in KOREA - A Chronicle by Jeanne Glass
Welcome at the Airport Our first vision in the huge Seoul airport that morning was the number of Koreans wearing UNICA polo shirts. They were there to help us and to guide us to the right area…this first impression remained with us the whole time we were in Korea, so welcoming and helpful the Korean organizers were with us, we, the some 300 "video tourists" that they would soon get to know… The badges (those plastified documents you wear around the neck - very important, they told us), guidebooks, programmes, name lists for buses N° 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 - everything was spread out on tables, behind which our future guides tried pronouncing our names (though we didn't understand a word of the language spoken around us!). We, the French speakers, were to gather in front of the airport with our luggage by bus N° 4. As we drove off, our guide, Eun Jeong, a young actress having spent 3 years in France, gave us all the instructions, explanations, answers to our numerous questions, which she continued to do throughout our trip across South Korea, by bus and by plane. She always displayed a friendly charm which moved us deeply. Korean Cooking
Seoul
Seoul is the 10th largest city in the world and our buses made their way
gaily between lanes of cars (Korean) on the freeways, which were always full,
along the Han River. We could see in the distance enormous towers and buildings,
built asymmetrically on numerous hills. This was our first view of this
impressive city.
Jeju Island We spent two days on this volcanic island in the South Sea, with fantastic landscapes composed of craters and views of the ocean from Sunrise Rock. The high point of our stay, in the minds of many of us, was the visit to the Bonsai Park, an esthetic haven of peace and tranquility, where one could contemplate centuries-old trees, and the philosophical inscriptions beside them. Daegu Our 6th day. A short flight took us to Daegu, in the south-eastern part of Korea. The opening of our Unica Festival took place in an enormous convention hall and hotel complex where we all lodged. At dinner a concert of traditional music was organized, The next day, the first films were shown, the programs from Belgium and Korea. In the jury representing Korea was Dr Ko, a well-known film specialist, who is also a poet, journalist, former ambassador and a current member of the Academy of visual arts. Also in the jury were Kes Tervoort (The Netherlands), Hassan Desvoreh (Iran), Laura Astier (Italy), Radek Stipl (Czechia) and Suzanna Skolodova (Slovakia). As President of the jury I represented France.
Gyeong-ju: ancient imperial city We left Daegu to go to Gyeong-ju where we would stay for the week. No more a nomad life for us, we would settle down to "serious" work. The film showings would be taking place in a large hotel and convention centre where we would stay. The national programmes were shown, and at regular intervals, there were public discussions about the films between three members of the jury. Then the delegates held the annual Unica General Assembly (elections were held, the Committee members were re-elected, and I was elected Unica vice-president to replace Serge Michel from France). During this time the other festival-goers took the opportunity to visit the royal tombs and the oldest observatory in the world.
The Festival The films in the national programmes continued to be shown with no problems, thanks to a team of helpful and efficient young Korean technicians. As always the translators, led by Jean-Claude Lejosne, did a marvellous job. Before their films were shown, the French delegation distributed 300 programs to a very large and eager audience. Many thanks go to Philippe Sevestre who made up the program and to the filmmakers who put subtitles in their films, much appreciated by the spectators. Our last excursion: Yangdong The organisers felt it was necessary now and then for us to take a break from the projections, and thus it was we were able to visit the lovely village of Yangdong, situated in the mountains, whose history goes back hundreds of years. We were impressed by the harmony which emanated from this place. The French delegation among others was able to partake of some homemade rice wine scented with chrysanthemums… The Awards As is always the case at the UNICA festival, the final jury discussion is held in public The jury members, after a short evaluation, vote for each film by pressing one of two buttons in front of them: a green light goes on to award the prize, or a red light goes on to refuse it. There is palpable suspense. The two French films which were discussed and voted upon were well received, even if the film Adam's Teams lacked one vote to get the silver medal. HWK The Maneater, a docu-fiction about the First World War in Alsace, received a gold medal. The other gold medal films were: Behind the Door, a beautiful fictional film about memory and lost love from Spain; an Austrian film in the Ciné-verité style, A Rather Different Year, about cancer, made by a filmmaker who himself suffered from the disease; the British film, Extinction Event, about an ecological catastrophe, filmed in such a humorous way, that everyone in the audience laughed; and finally the experimental Iranian film With Him. The World Minute Movie Cup Alongside the main festival, the minute film contest is judged by the members of the public. The audience stands if they are in favour of awarding the prize and remains seated if they are not. The films are projected two at a time, one being eliminated each time. Sixteen films were selected and the winning film from Austria showed a couple of birds filmed in the company of an owl whose mimics were very amusing.
Gamsa hami-da! Jeanne Glass (FRA), UNICA vice president
UNICA world congress in Korea: as soon as I heard that I was intrigued by the thought of being part of it. This event in such an exotic place - how could I miss it? I didn't have to think long before checking my finances and signing up. At first there was the notion of travelling by train, the KOZU project. Going by Trans-Siberian railroad as far as Korea would have been especially spectacular of course. But in the end I chose the more comfortable way - by airplane. So here we are on 20th August 2006. From Schwechat airport we fly to Seoul via Dubai. We're greeted by UNICA president Max Hänsli and Treasurer Thomas Kräuchi beside a big welcome poster. Horst Hubbauer incidentally causes a lot of excitement on arrival. He had not noticed that his passport had run out. He finally gets a new passport in Korea but it is not cheap. The next day, all the other UNICA participants arrive in Seoul. We Austrians reinforce the reception committee, that is also joined by Mr. Chang and his team. Finally, 7 buses start moving almost 300 people. Our week-long sightseeing tour begins.
The visit to the national museum in Seoul and a walk through a very nice shopping-street gives us a gentle start on the first day. The wonderful temple complex of Bongeunsa and sightseeing at the presidential palace are our goals on the second day. We finish that day atop the Seoul Tower with spectacular views over the lights of that city where millions live. On the next day, we go to the island of Jeju, but, not before fitting in a short stop at a folklore village. A beautiful and breathtaking folk dancing performance is presented to us there - a dream for every film maker. On Jeju, the rough coast is really impressive with its bizarre rock formations - relics of a volcanic eruption more than two million years ago. This too is a real highlight for all film makers and photographers. We spend two beautiful days on this island. Nature, culture … it offers us so much. Incidentally Korean meals are especially healthy. However, I confess that I probably would not rush back for more. We also try a monastic meal, where "meat" is a foreign word. At the buffet, you can take as much as you want, but it all has to be eaten! Yes, that is how strict the custom is there.
The big opening ceremony for UNICA is a spectacular event. It takes place in a very beautifully decorated hall, with three gigantic screens and festively covered tables. It is everything, such a ceremonial should be. The substantial buffet makes up for the many speeches - it is simply exquisite. I can still almost taste the wonderful steaks. Korea and Belgium open the actual UNICA programme the next day. The afternoon takes the form of a trip to the beautifully situated temple complex at Dongwasa with its 30 meters' high Buddha-Statue. In the evening, we move on by coach to Gyeongju. In this pretty holiday resort on Lake Bomun, the UNICA festival continues. 102 films from 25 countries are submitted to judging. 41 of those are selected for the final discussion round. I don't want to play at being a member of the jury here, but would like to name a few outstanding films, that I feel are especially successful or interesting. The Belgian film Tomorrow on the taboo theme of dementia is a very powerful, sentimental story with a wonderful principal actor. The British film Extinction Event brings the audience to its feet for a standing ovation. The great idea behind the film is that a comet threatens the earth and the approaching catastrophe is averted in unusual way. The jury rewards that British humour with a gold medal. Buon Giorno, a film from Italy, is specially popular with the public. Maybe many of us identify with the excellent protagonist, who doesn't want to face his own reflection in the morning.
The temple complex at Pulguksa (a world cultural heritage site), set in a splendid tropical garden, offers the cameras such spectacular pictures as the graves of Daelungwon and the oldest observatory in Asia. The Iranian programme is chosen by the jury as the best national programme. The Swiss program on the other hand goes down especially well with the audience. Hans Schober, the director of the film Tönendes Wood, appears on stage after the show in brightly-coloured Alpine outfit and draws some notes from his Swiss Alpenhorn. The public shows its appreciation with much applause. Austria has reason to celebrate. In the World Minute Movie Cup competition, the film Birds by Diethelm Jobstmann is the winner. It just beats the excellent English film Plan B. Jan Baca and Horst Hubbauer - these two names in the Spanish programme promise something special. The hall is packed. The film Behind The Door is simply fascinating. Immediately after it ends there is silence, then begins unstoppable applause. No question, we have seen the most beautiful film of this UNICA. Austria also makes its mark again. 37 Austrians keep their fingers crossed during the presentation of A Rather Different Year by Bernhard and Karin Hausberger. The very emotional film touches spectators and jury and is honoured with a gold medal.
The closing event forms a glamorous climax with wonderful entertainment, a colourful folklore performance, an excellent gala buffet and a giant fireworks to conclude the UNICA world congress in Korea. It was a gathering of film enthusiasts from around the world and from different cultures. Thanks to the work of Mr. Chang and his team as well as Max Hänsli and Thomas Kräuchi, this UNICA was an unforgettable experience for all of us who took part. Sonja Steger (AUT), translation: Dave Watterson (GBR)
The town of Liptovský Mikuláš is the administrative, economic, cultural and tourist centre of Central Liptov. Liptov is the name of a region in the North of Slovakia. In the Liptov area there are many attractions - splendid countryside, the underground beauty of caves, thermal pools, the Liptovská "sea" (reservoir lake), open air archeological museum, ruins of castles, preserved folk architecture, museums, galleries and living folklore. The region of Liptov provides excellent opportunities for hiking, water sports, cycling and winter sports. All of these opportunities attract thousands of visitors to this region every year. With the increasing number of guests accomodation facilities are growing, the quality of gastronomic services is improving, new fitness and squash centres as well as amusement facilities are being built. Liptovský Mikuláš is situated in the northern part of Slovakia, on the main road between the towns of Žilina and Prešov, and on the rail route between the towns of Žilina and Košice. The nearest airport is in the town of Poprad (56km). Liptovský Mikuláš is the starting point to many hiking and ski centres in the area of Nízke Tatry (Low Tatras) - Demänovská dolina-Jasná (Demänov Valley), Závažná Poruba, Liptovský Ján; in the area of Západné Tatry (West Tatras) - Žiarska dolina (Žiar Valley) and in Chocské vrchy (Hills of Choc) - Kvacianska dolina (Kvacany Valley) and Prosiecka dolina (Prosiek Valley). Dam Liptovská Mara and the recently built Aquapark Tatralandia with thermal water are also located close to the town. Approximate road distances:
Access by rail:
Access by bus:
Further travel information:
Registration:
Price of Congress Card:
Accommodation: Inquiry office of the Town
Námestie mieru 1 Recommended accomodation:
Holiday Village Tatralandia - unique and completely furnished apartments
and bungalows, reception with non-stop service, exchange office and professional
services. Take advantage of free entry to AQUAPARK TATRALANDIA, which is
situated next to the accommodation complex. 11 pools with thermal mineral
water offer activity or relaxation. Our guests can enjoy also vital world
Tatra-Therm-Vital, indoor centre Tropical Jungle - Pirates of the Caribbean
and their Island, animation programmes and many other attractions. The complex
provides also catering according to your wishes: self service breakfast,
half board or full board. SPECIAL OFFER FOR PARTICIPANTS OF UNICA FESTIVAL
- special discount on accommodation - 10%
Sequence of Screenings at UNICA 2007 and projection times
One young film maker (<25 years of age) of each member Federation will be sponsored by UNICA, the respective national Federation and the organiser, on condition that they have a film in the national selection. The distribution of costs is:
Page updated on 14 February 2008 Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers Free JavaScripts provided
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We had our first Korean meal on the road to Seoul, in a restaurant
with several floors, which also contained shops, particularly for those who
wished to buy Ginseng, which has the reputation of being the best in Asia.
This first meal, like the others we were soon to discover, was made up of
several small dishes of vegetables, exotic seasonings, soybean sprouts, salty
seaweed crisps, accompanied by rice, iced green tea served in canisters.
Heated barbecues sitting in the middle of the table are used for cooking
meat or fish, or to keep sauces, fondues, or soups warm. This all garnished
with an almost infinite variety of good things to eat. Korean meals do not
feature desserts, so we felt comfortable and satisfied upon leaving the table,
knowing we ate well, food that was healthy - something which is very important
to Koreans…
Insadong - On Insadong Street, we stopped to visit the
artists, galleries, shops, small stands where noodles were being made before
our eyes, stores with shelves displaying ceramic ware. Our guide let us wander
around, with one clear instruction: "meeting point at the end of the street,
on a square at 5 p.m." OK, but would we be smart enough to find our way with
no problem? Finally, she was right to trust us, we didn't get lost! We then
went for dinner in a large restaurant and at last arrived at our hotel, located
on the hills above Seoul, where, in the large comfortable room, we finally
allowed ourselves to sleep…
The Bongeunsa Monastery - Once again in our beloved
N° 4 bus, along with our filmmaker friends from Spain, Catalonia, Italy,
Belgium and French-speaking Switzerland, we were all under the spell of the
country. Our guide explained to us that we were going to have lunch at the
Monastery with the monks and that we shouldn't put more on our plates than
what we could eat out of deference to them. We were then going to attend
meditation lessons with a monk, finally we would have a demonstration of
the tea ceremony. We were impatient to begin! When we arrived at the Monastery,
we were divided in small groups to visit the grounds of the institution (equal
in importance to an archbishopry). Spread out on a mountainside, with the
monks' residences (which we did not visit) and temples. Of course our
photographers and cinematographers were having a field day. We were allowed
to film thanks to Mr Chang who had gotten the authorizations…
Putting a programme together for such a large group is an
organisational challenge. It needs to be informative, interesting and diverse;
but, of course, not too tiring. As I see it, the organisers succeeded brilliantly
in doing that.
With the flight from Daegu, our one-week tour finishes and
the UNICA world congress begins.
Alongside the film programme, the sightseeing schedule continues.
All participating countries show great films - the creativity,
quality and enthusiasm of amateur film makers is simply unbelievable. Day
by day, the spectators fill the cinema until late at night.
Andorra (AND) - 75