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  FOCAL International Awards 2008

Call for submissions closed 21 December 2007

SUBMISSIONS ENTERED

xi) Award for Best Use of Footage in a Feature Length Production

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: OSWALD'S GHOST

Company name:

Robert Stone Productions, Ltd.

Country of Origin of cited work:

USA

First Transmission / Publication Date:

October 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Theaters

Programme Duration (Mins):

90

Producer:

Robert Stone

Director:

Robert Stone

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Robert Stone

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

Hazel Gurland

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

2

BBC Motion Gallery / CBS News Archive

3

NBC 5/KXAS-TV Dallas, Ft Forth

4

WPA Film Library

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963 left a psychic wound on America that is with us still today. Few Americans then or now accept that a lone, inconsequential gunman could bring down a president and alter history. In that breach, a culture of conspiracy has arisen that points to sinister forces at work in the shadows.

Reason for submission in English

Drawing upon rarely seen archival footage and interviews with key participants, Oswald's Ghost takes a fresh look at Kennedy's assassination, the public's reaction to the tragedy, and the government investigations that instead of calming fears lead to a widespread loss of trust in the institutions that govern our society.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

CHICAGO 10

Company name:

C7 Films

Country of Origin of cited work:

US

First Transmission / Publication Date:

2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Sundance Film Festival  

Programme Duration (Mins):

99:30 Mins.

Producer:

Brett Morgen

Director:

Brett Morgen

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Jessica Berman-Bogdan

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

CBS

2

NBC

3

ABC

4

ITN

5

MacDonald Associates

Brief Synopsis in English

Written and directed by Brett Morgen (“The Kid Stays in the Picture”), CHICAGO 10 presents contemporary history with a forced perspective, mixing bold and original animation with extraordinary archival footage that explores the build-up to and unraveling of the Chicago Conspiracy Trial.  Set to the music of revolution, then and now, CHICAGO 10 is a parable of hope, courage and ultimate victory, the story of young Americans speaking out and taking a stand in the face of an oppressive and armed government.

 At the 1968 Democratic Convention, protestors, denied permits for demonstrations, repeatedly clashed with the Chicago Police Department, who waged a week-long terror campaign that resulted in riots witnessed live by a television audience of over 50 million. The events had a polarizing effect on the country.

 

Reason for submission in English

 

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

CHILDREN OF THE SUN

Country of Origin of cited work:

Israel

First Transmission / Publication Date:

 

Where published (Channel/Website):

Jerusalem FF

Programme Duration (Mins):

70 minutes

Producer:

Amir Harel, Ayelet Kait & Ran Tal

Director:

Ran Tal

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

 

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

 

Reason for submission in English

 

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

GOLDA'S BALCONY

Company name:

East-West Ventures, L.L.C.

Country of Origin of cited work:

U.S.A.

First Transmission / Publication Date:

October 10, 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Opening Showing at Quad Cinema NY, NY

Programme Duration (Mins):

92 minutes

Producer:

Tony Cacciotti

Director:

Jeremy Kagan

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Barbara Gregson

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

ITN

2

Budget Films

3

First Heritage Inc.

4

SPPN

5

DTRA

Brief Synopsis in English

The work, life, and times of Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, are revealed in this film version of William Gibsons' acclaimed Broadway play of the same title. Framed within the crisis days of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the story is told from Golda's point of view by a cast of one playing multiple roles.

Reason for submission in English

This film was shot against a green screen and we are surrounding Golda Meir with an ethereal history- both documentary and dream like. The story covers pograms in 1905 through the immigrations to Palestine through the Holocaust to the building of the state to the Yom Kippur War. This is a very positive film. Use of original art and extensive processed archival footage makes for a unique cinematic experience.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON

Company name:

DOX Productions

Country of Origin of cited work:

UK

First Transmission / Publication Date:

19 January 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Sundance Film Festival / USA general cinema release / UK general cinema release

Programme Duration (Mins):

96 mins

Producer:

Duncan Copp

Director:

David Sington

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

 

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

NASA

2

BBC Motion Gallery / CBS News

3

National Archives and Records Administration, Washington

4

John F Kennedy Library

5

Freemantle Media

Brief Synopsis in English

Between 1968 and 1972, nine American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon, and 12 men walked upon its surface. They remain the only human beings to have stood on another world. “In the Shadow of the Moon” brings together for the first, and very possibly the last, time surviving crew members from every single Apollo mission which flew to the Moon, and allows them to tell their story in their own words.

Reason for submission in English

The producers Duncan Copp and Chris Riley spent many weeks in the NASA film library examining cans of film some of which had not been opened for over 30 years. This search uncovered many gems, astonishing space shots which have been re-mastered from the original film rolls to reveal the Apollo program with a visual clarity and impact it has never had before.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

JOE STRUMMER; THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

Company name:

Nitrate Strummer Ltd

Country of Origin of cited work:

UK

First Transmission / Publication Date:

May 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Independent Feature

Programme Duration (Mins):

120 minutes

Producer:

Anna Campeau

Director:

Julien Temple

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Sam Dwyer

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

BBC

2

ITN Source

3

Cultural Fantasists

4

to come

5

to come

Brief Synopsis in English

to come

Reason for submission in English

to come

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

JOY DIVISION

Company name:

Hudson Productions/Brown Owl Films

Country of Origin of cited work:

UK

First Transmission / Publication Date:

07/09/07

Where published (Channel/Website):

Toronto Internation Film Festival

Programme Duration (Mins):

97 minutes

Producer:

Jaccqui Edenbrow

Director:

Grant Gee

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Edward Webb-Ingall

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

Sue Tiplady

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

BBC Motion Gallery

2

ITN Source

3

North West Film Archive

4

Idols

5

Central Library Manchester

Brief Synopsis in English

In 1976 four young men from ruined, post-industrial Manchester, England went to see the Sex Pistols. They formed a band, Joy Division. Three years later it was a matter of art, life and death. Now thirty years later, they are enjoying a larger audience and more influence than ever before with a profound legacy that resonates fiercely in today’s heavily careerist music industry and over-mediated pop culture. Joy Division chronicles a time of great social and political change in England and tells the untold story of four men who transcended economic and cultural barriers to produce an enduring musical legacy.

Reason for submission in English

"Joy Division" contains approximately 70% archive, licensed from over 50 different sources, spanning more than three decades, much of which has never been cleared or seen before. The clearance much of the archive often involved tracking down multiple third parties around the world, sometimes with the original signatory deceased or unknown. The project was independently commissioned with a relatively small budget and as such the team kept to a minimum; the main archive researcher was also the production coordinator for 40 shoot days.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

MY ENEMY'S ENEMY (MON MEILLEUR ENNEMI)

Company name:

WILD BUNCH

Country of Origin of cited work:

France

First Transmission / Publication Date:

7/11/07

Where published (Channel/Website):

 

Programme Duration (Mins):

87

Producer:

Rita Dagher

Director:

Kevin Mc Donald

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

 

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

‘My Enemy’s Enemy’ is an uncompromising, unsettling and provocative film that takes audiences on a journey of darkness into the history surrounding Klaus Barbie, the former Gestapo commander who terrorised Lyon and the surrounding region from November 1942 to August 1944. This dark voyage, rife with government conspiracy and violent bloodshed, culminates in the infamous 1987 French trial of Barbie when he is finally, so many years overdue, forced to face Justice for his role as a perpetrator of Hitler’s final solution.???Known as The Butcher of Lyon for his hand in the torture and murder of hundreds of civilians during the second world war, we follow Barbie as he turns from rampant Nazi war criminal opposing the Allies in Europe, to American counter intelligence and interrogation officer working for the very nations that once pursued him.? ?Despite the many war crimes and heinous acts for which Barbie’s many victims sought justice, Barbie’s newly found western allies hold off the harsh hand of justice in exchange for his invaluable skills and talents in quelling grass roots rebel organisations and obtaining important military intelligence in their fight against the threat of communism.? ?As Barbie roams freely through the nations of the world, from Europe to South America, facilitating military operations from the deportation of 44 innocent children to the Nazi death camps of Auschwitz, to the capture and execution of national resistance heroes Jean Moulin and Che Guevarra, we can only wonder at the extent to which this single man, used by his enemy against his enemy’s enemy, was able to change the shape of the world we live in today.? ?In the analysis of these, some of the most controversial events of our recent history, we uncover the frightening reality behind war time politics : that for the governments of the world, justice is a notion that applies only to the « people » and that while they would have us believe in so-called respectable democracy, it would seem that in a world of extremities, democracy and freedom are built on the backs of facists and totalitarians. ? ?In the tradition of The Fog of War, Hotel Terminus and One Day in September, director Kevin MacDonald blends striking debate, wit, and visual panache in his quest to reveal the truth behind the chilling contradictions in Nazi Klaus Barbie’s tumultuous military career and underline the horrific reality of a world filled with political leaders that, as we see with Barbie, show an unchanging resolve to expand the military success of their nations rather than deliver true justice to their citizens.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

MY KID COULD PAINT THAT

Company name:

Passion Pictures

Country of Origin of cited work:

USA

First Transmission / Publication Date:

January 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Sundance

Programme Duration (Mins):

83 minutes

Producer:

John Battsek

Director:

Amir Bar-Lev

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Carl Deal

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

ABC News

2

BBC Motion Gallery

3

FILM Archives

4

Getty Images

5

ITN Source

Brief Synopsis in English

A look at 4 year old Marla Olmstead, who was declared a child prodigy painter, a "budding Picasso," and a "pint sized Pollock" by the international media. Marla rocketed to international prominence and sold over $300,000 worth of abstract paintings. But after "60 Minutes" cast doubt on the authenticity of her work, her family's world changed overnight. Director Amir Bar-Lev, who became close to the Olmsteads during the duration of filming, scrutinizes our obsession with prodigies, explores the complex debate over what constitutes a work of art, and even goes on to examine the ethics of documentary story-telling.

Reason for submission in English

The archival footage was integral to the portrayal of the very essence of the Marla Olmstead story in documenting the affects on her family of the worldwide media frenzy that propelled her into the public eye, and the resulting backlash.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

NANKING

Company name:

Agape Partners Multimedia LLC

Country of Origin of cited work:

USA

First Transmission / Publication Date:

2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Sundance Film Festival

Programme Duration (Mins):

89 minutes

Producer:

Ted Leonsis

Producer (last name):

 

Director:

Bill Guttentag & Dan Sturman

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

 

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

 

Reason for submission in English

 

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

SCOTT WALKER 30 CENTURY MAN

Company name:

Missing in Action Films & Plastic Palace Pictures

Country of Origin of cited work:

UK

First Transmission / Publication Date:

OCT 31 2006

Where published (Channel/Website):

Theatrical release April 27 2007

Programme Duration (Mins):

95 MINS

Producer:

Mia Bays

Director:

Stephen Kijak

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Stephen Kijak

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

Sue Tiplady

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

BBC

2

ITN SOURCE

3

GETTY IMAGES

4

CANAL-PLUS

5

CULTURAL FANTASISTS

Brief Synopsis in English

Scott Walker 30 Century Man is a rare glimpse into the creative world of the most enigmatic figure in rock history, and traces the undeniable impact he has had on popular music through casual interviews with some of his biggest, highest profile fans.

Reason for submission in English

Without the use of archive footage the making of Scott Walker 30 Century Man would not have been possible. Since we are illustrating 50 years of Scott Walker's life it was vital to find archive that showed Scott through the years but also to find archive that opened up and enhanced his story.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

SIX DAYS IN JUNE

Company name:

Instinct Films

Country of Origin of cited work:

Canada/Israel/France

First Transmission / Publication Date:

May 18th, 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Quad Cinema

Programme Duration (Mins):

113 mins

Producer:

Ina Fichman

Director:

Ilan Ziv

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Terri Foxman

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

ITN Source/Reuters/Canamedia

2

IDF and Ministry of Defense Establishment Archive

3

Israel Film Service

4

Herzliya Studios Archive

5

BBC Motion Gallery

Brief Synopsis in English

For Israel, the Six Day War in June 1967 was a military success. It also redrew the Middle East map and mired the region in a never-ending cycle of occupation, terrorism and reprisal. The Six Day War forever changed the politics of the Middle East by helping to destroy the secular basis of Pan-Arab nationalism and transform secular Zionism, cementing the fusion between nationalism and religion. It also gave rise to a Palestinian nationalist movement. SIX DAYS IN JUNE takes us through the weeks that preceded the war, its six days of fighting and the aftermath that still lingers today.

Reason for submission in English

Although the fighting lasted only six days in June of 1967, the effects of the Six Day War are still apparent today. Finding footage of the Six Day War proved to be quite difficult in some parts of the world. However, our key researcher Terri Foxman’s extraordinary skill and tenacity enabled us to acquire and incorporate the footage we needed into the film. Thanks to her talent and efforts, we were able to creatively edit these archives into the film in a way that was appropriate and captivating to the audience.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

SPUTNIK MANIA

Company name:

Varied Directions Inc.

Country of Origin of cited work:

USA

First Transmission / Publication Date:

June 10, 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

Seattle film Festival & www.sputnikmania.com

Programme Duration (Mins):

87 minutes

Producer:

Eric Reid, David Hoffman, John Vincent Barrett

Director:

David Hoffman

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

David Hoffman

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

national archives

2

UCLA

3

Fred MacDonald

4

personal collection of David Hoffman

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

50 years ago America was close to war A single event shocked America and touched off a national firestorm An event the equal of Pearl Harbor or 9/11. Within months, this event almost led to global thermonuclear war Had it not been for a secret agreement made between two great ex-generals. It is a story that could not be told until the footage would be classified. Until now

Reason for submission in English

Using standard and extraordinary archival film resources, resources like eBay collectors all over the world, and my own collection of more than 30 years, I produced a story that could not have been told without the footage I uncovered. A story that young and old relate to.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

TERROR’S ADVOCAT (L'AVOCAT DE LA TERREUR)

Company name:

WILD BUNCH

Country of Origin of cited work:

France

First Transmission / Publication Date:

24/04/07

Where published (Channel/Website):

theatre

Programme Duration (Mins):

135

Producer:

Rita Dagher

Director:

Barbet Schroeder

Director (last name):

 

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

 

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

Brief Synopsis in English

Communist, anti-colonialist, right-wing extremist? What convictions guide the moral mind of Jacques Vergès? Barbet Schroeder takes us down history’s darkest paths in his attempt to illuminate the mystery behind this enigmatic figure. As a young lawyer during the Algerian war, Vergès espoused the anti-colonialist cause and defended Djamila Bouhired, ‘la Pasionaria’, who bore her country’s hopes for freedom on her shoulders and was sentenced to death for planting bombs in cafes. He obtained her release, married her and had two children with her. Then suddenly, at the height of an illustrious career, Vergès disappeared without trace for eight years. He re-emerged from his mysterious absence, taking on the defense of terrorists of all kinds, from Magdalena Kopp and Anis Naccache to Carlos the Jackal. He represented Historical monsters such as Nazi lieutenant Klaus Barbie. From the lawyer’s Inflammatory and provocative cases to his controversial terrorist links, Barbet Schroeder follows the winding trail left by this ‘devil’s advocate’, as he forges his unique path in law and politics. The filmmaker explores and questions the history of ‘blind terrorism’ through his penetrating investigation of this compelling man and leads us towards shocking revelations that expose long-hidden links in history.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

THE HONOUR OF THE WRONGED (EL HONOR DE LAS INJURIAS)

Company name:

NO HAY PENAS SL

Country of Origin of cited work:

Spain

First Transmission / Publication Date:

 

Where published (Channel/Website):

TVE / YLE-Finland

Programme Duration (Mins):

87 mins

Series number episodes:

 

Producer:

Guillermo Salafranca

Producer (last name):

 

Director:

Carlos García-ALix

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Luis E. Parés

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

Lucía Laín

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

Filmoteca Española

2

TVE

3

Gaumont Pathe

4

Lobster Films

5

Footage Farm Ltd.

Brief Synopsis in English

THE HONOUR OF THE WRONGED is the testimony of an obsession, the passionate search for an old anarchist gunman, Felipe Emilio Sandoval, aka ‘Doctor Muñiz’ (1886–1939). Born in the slums of Madrid, and initially earning his living as a bricklayer, his life is marked by his faith in a redeeming dream: social revolution. That initially turns him into a famous robber and ‘man of action’; later, during the Spanish Civil War, he becomes a ruthless murderer. In his determination to investigate and follow the dark trail of his subject, the narrator leaves no stone unturned, digging up innumerable shreds of Sandoval’s memory which can be found, today, scattered in Archives and official registries.

Reason for submission in English

Creative usage of archive material, both film and photo.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

THE KINGDOM

Company name:

Universal Pictures

Country of Origin of cited work:

USA

First Transmission / Publication Date:

Sep 28 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

 

Programme Duration (Mins):

110 mins

Producer:

Michael Mann

Director:

Peter Berg

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

Pamela Green

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

Daniela Roth

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

Producers Library

2

Getty Images

3

Corbis

4

CNN

5

NBC

Brief Synopsis in English

The Kingdom‘s opening sequence, is a 31/2 minute montage of archival audio and historical news footage, compressing 72 years of history of the U.S. involvement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The integration of original 3D animation and archival footage focus' on the discovery of oil, political and business relationships, cultural tensions and modern day terrorist actions.

Reason for submission in English

We think it is a great way to use and integrate disparate archival footage in original dramatic films. The technique provides both a historical educational element, while at the same time serving the motion picture's dramatic needs.

 

Title of Production/Series cited:

WE WANT ROSES TOO (VOGLIAMO ANCHE LE ROSE)

Company name:

MIR CINEMATOGRAFICA

Country of Origin of cited work:

ITALY

First Transmission / Publication Date:

MARCH 2007

Where published (Channel/Website):

CINEMA

Programme Duration (Mins):

84MIN

Producer:

GAIA GIANI

Director:

ALINA MARAZZI

Footage Archive Researcher(1):

RICCARDO LACCHE'

Footage Archive Researcher(2):

ANNAMARIA LICCIARDELLO

Top 5 Source(s) of Library Footage used in Production cited:

TECHE RAI

2

CINETECA BOLOGNA

3

ARCHIVIO MOVIMENTO OPERAIO-AAMOD ROMA

4

FONDO PRIVATO ADRIANA MONTI

5

CINETECA DEL FRIULI

Brief Synopsis in English

Italy c.1950. A beautiful woman, complete with post-war Dior look, immaculate coiffure and matching hat, gloves and bag, skips into a high class boutique and gazes into a crystal ball. She recoils in horror at the shocking image of a naked and dirty woman dancing in the midst of nature. Skilfully combining interviews, advertisements, animation and TV, this film illustrates how feminism and the sexual revolution transformed women's lives during the 60s and 70s. It's structured around the diaries of three women with first hand experience of the social and political turmoil of the time. The intimacy of their personal confessions is told as much with confusion and despair as with delight at new found freedoms. Such testimonies lend the film an emotional power comparable to that of the work of Su Friedrich or Jennifer Reeves. It's compelling in that, far from being a straightforward chronological documentary, it creates a personal narrative of words and images that carries us through 20 years of history that changed the world for everyone.

Reason for submission in English

This festival is very interesting