There have been contemplative documentaries about monastic life before, not least Philip Gröning’s epic Into Great Silence. The contemplative air that prevails at the start of this gorgeously shot film that focuses on the nun of the title, might indicate we are in for more of the same, but Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s study of Mother Vera is set to become a lot less cloistered as the nun embarks on an unexpected and transformational path.
The bulk of the film is shot in black and white, drawing its influence from the Ex-Voto photographic project about places of pilgrimage, which is how Embleton and Tomlinson met Mother Vera in the first place - the former from a film background, while the other has a strong photographic back catalogue. We’re drawn into the nun’s world by a combination of impressive visuals as she heads to prayer and an evocative soundscape that.
The bulk of the film is shot in black and white, drawing its influence from the Ex-Voto photographic project about places of pilgrimage, which is how Embleton and Tomlinson met Mother Vera in the first place - the former from a film background, while the other has a strong photographic back catalogue. We’re drawn into the nun’s world by a combination of impressive visuals as she heads to prayer and an evocative soundscape that.
- 4/15/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Cécile Embleton: 'It was really exciting to be able to move from this incredible image that Alys had taken of Vera that captured her essence and unpack that and go deeper into one story' Contemplative documentary Mother Vera follows several years in the life of an Orthodox nun, first as she goes about her monastic duties in Belarus and later as she makes a life-changing decision. Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson’s patient film gradually reveals Vera’s backstory as she considers a different future. The film has already received plaudits as a work in progress, picking up a £42,000 Creativity Media First Look Award in Locarno to cover completion costs for films in post-production.
We caught up with the filmmakers ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival next week to talk about the unexpected journey they went on with it and...
We caught up with the filmmakers ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival next week to talk about the unexpected journey they went on with it and...
- 4/12/2024
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Swiss documentary festival Visions du Réel (VdR) has revealed the line-up for its 55th edition (April 12-21) which opens with the IDFA- and Göteborg selection As The Tide Comes In by Juan Palacios (and co-directed by Sofie Husum Johannesen).
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
The full selection includes 128 films, 88 of which are world premieres.
Among the 14 world premieres in international competition is Apple Cider Vinegar from Belgium’s Sofie Benoot whose 2020 documentary Victoria won the Caligari award at Berlinale Forum. Her latest feature is part nature documentary, part philosophical tale beginning with the journey of a kidney stone.
Other world premieres include Swiss titles The...
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Swiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel has unveiled the program for its 55th edition, which includes 10 first films out of 15 in the main international competition, cementing its reputation as a springboard for emerging talent.
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
The official selection includes 165 films from 50 countries and no fewer than 88 world premieres, making VdR the place to be in April on the international non-fiction film calendar.
Key figures from the world of cinema will be attending including outgoing Berlinale artistic director Carlo Chatrian in the main competition jury, Argentine director and screenwriter Martín Rejtman with his latest film “Riders” in the Burning Lights section, and celebrated French author Christine Angot with her debut film “Une Famille,” which premiered in Berlin.
This year’s opening film is Juan Palacios and Sofie Johannesen’s “As the Tide Comes In,” which has been touring the festival circuit since opening at IDFA. Guests of honor include acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhang-Ke,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Belarusian-set pic Mother Vera has picked up Locarno’s Creativity Media First Look Award, the biggest prize handed out by the festival’s industry section.
The award comes with a €50,000 cash prize that covers services towards the completion of films in post-production. Filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson co-directed the pic with producer Laura Shacham.
Discussing their choice, the Locarno Pro jury — comprised of Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer, and Eugene Hernandez — said: “From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France. We congratulate filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson and wish them the best with this new film, Mother Vera.”
Embleton is a London-based filmmaker who has predominantly worked in docs. Her debut film,...
The award comes with a €50,000 cash prize that covers services towards the completion of films in post-production. Filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson co-directed the pic with producer Laura Shacham.
Discussing their choice, the Locarno Pro jury — comprised of Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer, and Eugene Hernandez — said: “From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France. We congratulate filmmakers Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson and wish them the best with this new film, Mother Vera.”
Embleton is a London-based filmmaker who has predominantly worked in docs. Her debut film,...
- 8/6/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
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