2011 Rotterdam: Ossang, Villaronga and Dorsky Receive Rotterdam Tributes

With only three months to go until the 40th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam unfolds, the fest’s topical main section Signals is rapidly taking shape. Some programs had already been announced: one called Red Westerns (genre exponents made in Communist countries), one on the interaction of fashion industry and independent cinema (Out of Fashion), and Raiding Africa, which carries on the fest’s interest in the continent, this time by looking at Chinese-African relations.

The newest additions to Signals are oeuvre screenings to honor three filmmakers. One of them, US-American experimental director Nathaniel Dorsky (born 1943), had his latest films Aubade, Compline and Pastourelle all shown in this year’s Wavelengths program at TIFF. Dorsky’s short works revolve around 16mm, projected at 18 frames per second – ‘sacred speed‘,
as he calls it – and are explained philosophically in Dorsky’s book ‘Devotional Cinema’, published in 2004.

Another tribute is dedicated to Spaniard Agustí Villaronga, creator of the still-controversial In a Glass Cage (Tras el cristal) which in 1987 was confiscated by the police at its international premiere at the Berlinale. Next to recently starring in Marc Recha’s much-noticed Petit indi, Villaronga’s own directorial work Black Bread (Pa negra) had its premiere this fall in San Sebastian. 

Completing the trio is François-Jacques Ossang, singer, writer and filmmaker playing with the conventions of the thriller and science fiction genres, whose latest movie Dharma Guns played in Venice. As with Dorsky and Villaronga, Signals will show his most recent work, along with earlier films.

The 40th edition of IFF Rotterdam is scheduled to take place from January 26 to February 6, 2011.

[Header pic of Nathaniel Dorsky: Chronicle photo by Kurt Rogers]