Good news for everyone who When you grow up, the double award-winning graduation film by Max Baggerman, has missed until now. This documentary look at working people, as poetic as it is socially critical, can be seen again on 1 August as part of New Lights. This evening is the second installment of a new bi-monthly event that introduces us to young documentary talent and documentary experiments. This time with a focus on the Film Academy.
It is an initiative of Nadica Denic, who also contributes to IDFA as a programme advisor. New Lights is organised in collaboration with what calls itself Amsterdam's cosiest cinema: FC Hyena. The filmmakers will be present so that there is not only viewing but also room for discussion.
Without words
That the by Culture Press already previously touched upon When you grow up fits perfectly into New Lights is immediately obvious after the first images. A baby smiles at you. Then the camera pulls back slightly, revealing the bars of the playpen. Immediately followed by an almost philosophical image jump to a tightly photographed panorama of people in the treadmill of work. All without the need for words.
With this, Max Baggerman graduated from the Film Academy this year and saw his piece of work awarded the VPRO Documentary Prize and the Prize of the Circle of Dutch Film Journalists. 'The viewer is given space to reflect on how we are in life.' And: 'Minimalist documentary with maximum impact'. Thus read the jury reports.
Master's students
New Lights not only looks for young talent, but in doing so it also shows how diverse documentary can be. How images from reality can be given a voice with all kinds of different aesthetic approaches and narrative techniques. Sometimes also with cross-links to other arts.
The two other contributions to the evening are by students doing the master's degree at the Film Academy. When the Dragon Came by Stefan Pavlovic is an intimate portrait of a couple in the Romanian countryside condemned to each other there. See the way they independently go about their business in a picture-perfect yet indifferent landscape that works as a poetic yet oppressive metaphor. When the Dragon Came already attracted a lot of attention from festivals.
Kiosk as idea generator
The third component Familiaroscope is not only a film but also a live presentation by creator Giorgia Piffaretti. A childhood memory of a kiosk on the Italian-Swiss border became a kind of idea generator. In doing so, she explores how everyday images can be the starting point for artistic explorations and new interpretations. How film can create meaning by evoking recognition while distancing itself. Together with her live presentation, this gives an insight into the creative process of filmmaking. It sounds a bit abstract, but that is precisely why it may be worthwhile to explore that with Piffaretti. In any case, the presentation, which I saw a glimpse of, looks tangible enough.
The other makers will also be present and let their voices be heard at this special documentary night.
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