Film festivals around the world

Film festivals are like a feast of film genres and a great way to boarder your horizon. Lets take a little trip around the world and see what film festivals there are. And if you happen to visit a foreign country because of a festival, what a better reason to explore it.

International Film Festival Rotterdam - Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 

Starting with this one, firstly because it is not too far away. What is more, Rotterdam is not as much a tourist attraction as its neighbour  Amsterdam and you can calmly explore the streets. Of course, Amsterdam is less than an hour away, so you can stop by if you wish. Trust me, you wish! It has a different and typical vibe in which you should dive in. Before I get too much into how I love the city, lets get back on the Rotterdam film festival. It is constantly paving the way for all genres of innovative and thought-provoking cinema. The previous years it has had around 350,000 viewers. Rotterdam attendees are passionate movie-goers, so program directors make a point of stripping down the superfluous aspects of film, like commercials and trailers, for an untarnished viewing experience. 
Not to be missed!

Venice International Film Festival - Venice, Italy

Another city with marvelous architecture and atmosphere you'd love. What is more, the festival in Venice is the oldest in the world, started in 1932.  Every year, the event is held on the island of Lido in Venice. Unlike similarly large film festivals such as Cannes, public attendees are able to purchase passes in advance to the screenings. What a chance - to see the oldest festival in the world in this stunning city.

Hong Kong International Film Festival - Hong Kong, China

Flying away from Europe to the perfect blend of East Asian culture and a thriving global market - Hong Kong. This festival has become one of the largest in the world, and has bridged the gap between Asian cinema and the global film industry.Spread among more than 11 venues all around Hong Kong, including the Space Museum and City Hall, visitors get the chance to witness the latest works while exploring the vibrant city.

There you have it, three cities in different parts of the world, all offering quality films and an experience to remember.

David Tennant, ladies and gentleman!

So, a few weeks ago I started watching Doctor Who. It was high time. And I am so glad I did. I've got chills! It is fantastic! Then I thought - I will write about it.

David Tennant

As you may know, the fellow up there plays the main character in the TV series. Born in Bathgate, Scotland he has worked as voice and stage actor as well.

Should we go on a short trip around his roles?

Probably the role that first draw attention on him was in the TV mini-series Casanova

Or you may have seen him in Harry Potter ?

What about the stage ? David Tennat describes it as his "default way of being". Two of his title roles in the theatre are Hamlet and Richard II. What is more, Hamlet has a TV adaption.

Richard II

Hamlet

And of course, the Doctor:

David Tennant's childhood dream was to play the Doctor and says he even has his own TARDIS. When Tennant was cast as the Tenth Doctor, he wanted to use his native Scottish accent and become "the first kilted Doctor". However, this was possible only in one of the episodes.
David Tennat has also been voted as "coolest man on TV"

Interesting facts:

• Tennant made his professional acting debut while still in secondary school. When he was 16, he acted in an anti-smoking film made by the Glasgow Health Board which aired on television and was also screened in schools
• He decided to be an actor at the age of three.

 Random quotes:  

'I love characters who are clever and smart, and you have to run to catch up with. I think there's something very appealing and rather heroic in that.'

'I've been quite lucky in that I've managed to tick off a few of my dream roles, really. Beyond that, you wait for the next script to come in that will have the dream role that you don't know exists yet, I suppose.'

'Twitter! It's like being stalked by committee!'

Indeed, he is!

The many faces of Ewan McGregor

Well, hello, everyone!

It high time we talk a little bit about my favourite Scotish actor Ewan McGregor.

First, let me start with a short bio.

Born on the 31 March 1971 in Perth, Scotland, he was encouraged by his parents to leave school and pursue his acting goals rather than be unhappy. Isn't that just awesome? I mean, how often do you hear these stories where the parents didn't approve of their child's ambitions. It a breath of fresh air to hear quite the opposite.

Before we dig into his acting career, here is another fact of his personal life. Ewan is married to the French production deignser Eve Mavrakis and they have four daughters.

Probably the film which first draw attention to Ewan McGregor was Shallow Grave (1994)  for which he won an Empire Award.The film, directed by Danny Boyle tells the story of three friends who discover their new flatmate dead but loaded with cash.

Here we come to the role he is mostly associated with - Renton in Trainspotting (1996) The role which was his breakthrough. Deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene,Renton tries to clean up and get out, despite the allure of the drugs and influence of friends. And, hey,who is the director? Danny Boyle! I absolutely love Trainspotting, it is an amazing movie.

You could not have missed Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. Actually, as I go through all the films he's been acting I can hardly believe how many and how different they are.

Obi- Wan Kenobi

As Christian in Moulin Rouge with Nicole Kidman

With Hugh Jackman in Deception

The Ghost Writer

With Ryan Gosling in Stay

All of these films are worth the watch. So, so much! It is not only because of Ewan McGregor, they are real quality films as well. And not to mention there are many other films, which have to be written about.(As The Island, Casandra's Dream, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Perfect Sense) It always strikes me when I see an actor in so many roles and yet not a single one reminds of another one.

However, there is one Ewan McGregor film I consider my current favourite: Mike Mills's Beginners (2010)

   

   It tells the story of Oliver, a man reflecting on the life and death of his father, Hal,who came out as gay shortly after his wife's death. During that time Oliver and Hal become closervthan ever.Oliver is also  trying to forge a new romantic relationship with a woman, Anna, dealing with father issues of her own. Inspired by his father's attitude towards the end of his life and their relationship, Oliver decides to pursue a romance with her.

The film is based on the true-life coming out of Mills' father at the age of 75. 

Beginners is a beautiful film, that runs smoothly on the screen and you love every second of it. 
With its simplicity and yet wisdom Beginners is a ray of sunlight that warms your heart.

Here is one of my favourite quotes:

  

'Here. Here is simple and happy. That's what I meant to give you.'

And just because I cannot help myself, the last thing I'll share today is about Arthur the dog, one of the main characters of the film and Oliver's main listener.

 Seriously, this is one of the most adorable dogs on the screen I've seen. This dog can easily win an Oscar or something.









Feels like I went a little too far with this post. But when it comes to Ewan McGregor it is normal to do so. If you haven't seen some of these films, be sure to check them.
See you later!
:)

All roads lead to Scotland

Well, hello, everyone!

I can't believe how the past few weeks have gone so fast. Guess that's what happens when you're enjoying life.

So, as you may know I created this blog for one of my uni modules and I have chosen the topic I'll be focusing on (yey!). Glasgow film scene it is.While preparing the upcoming posts I came to notice some of my favourite films and TV series have something to do with Scotland and even Glasgow. Which will make my job so much more exciting. But we don't want to be too narrow, do we ? That's why I'll talk to you about film festivals around the world and probably some Hollywood. Another thing I look forward to is to tell you all about some of the most outstanding Bulgarian movies. Cause, lets be honest,they are not that popular around the world, but they should be. Here I'm to prove that.
Meanwhile, here is an inspiring quote from a great book, movie and TV series character:

 

I can't help to mention that Arthur Conan Doyle is from Edinburgh. We can say that Sherlock Holmes's origins came from this very city,not from the well known Baker street 221b.As being a fеn of everything that made Sherlock come to life I cannot possibly decide which from these three is my favourite. Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Downey Jr or Benedict Cumberbatch? Too difficult to chose. Sometimes no answer is the best answer. This is from me for today.I will leave you with three pictures of the people because of who we can enjoy some quality literature and fine movies :

Anyway,hope you will enjoy reading as much I enjoy preparing the upcoming posts.
See you later, guys!
:)