Annual film series zooms in on work of emerging directors

It only seems appropriate for an event showcasing new filmmakers to have its opening night at a museum full of modern art. 

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art launched “New Directors / New Films 2010,” an annual film series that includes new works by dozens of filmmakers from around the world. Through April 4, “New Directors / New Films” will be presenting documentaries, features, and short films.

In a video interview on the festival’s official website, Rajendra Roy, the chief curator of the Museum of Modern Art’s film department, describes the unique quality of the films selected for the festival. “I guess what it really gets down to is a distinct voice,” Roy said. “When you’re focusing a series on emerging directorial voices, you want something that resonates in a way that perhaps you haven’t seen before.”

Not only is it a chance for audiences to see excellent movies, “New Directors / New Films” is a remarkable opportunity for filmmakers to have their works be recognized. The annual event helped introduce the early works of Academy Award-winning filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and Pedro Almodóvar.

“People would be interested because it’s really, like, diverse,” Elina Myagkaya, BC ’12, said. The event allows students to be introduced to the recent works of various overseas director: students “...would see, like, different perspectives of filmmakers in different countries, so, kind of broaden their whole film-viewing experience, perhaps.”

“It makes you more aware of who’s out there and directing,” Kandace Coston, BC ’12, said. “And, also, gives them the chance, you know, to get on the map, I guess.”

“Bill Cunningham New York,” an enchanting documentary directed by New York native Richard Press, was selected to open the festival. Press is certainly a bona fide new director—“Bill Cunningham” is his first feature-length project. But a number of the other featured directors have already been acknowledged for their past works.

For example, the Argentinian filmmakers Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat have already received some international acclaim, including an award for “The Man Next Door” (“El hombre de al lado”), a comedy being screened during the series. Myriam Aziza, who wrote and directed “Evening Dress” (“La Robe du soir”), is also an award-winning filmmaker. Maybe the title of the event should be changed to “Relatively New Directors / Fairly New Films.

Press’ documentary follows Cunningham, the exuberant 81-year-old photographer for The New York Times. During the opening scenes, we watch as Cunningham bicycles through the East Side, wearing his trademark blue jacket and a camera swinging from his neck. He explains that he doesn’t care about taking celebrities’ pictures, but only searches for unique and interesting fashion. Cunningham captures various, modern images that remind  the viewers why New York in known as “the center of the universe.” He is presented as a celebrated and vital part of the city, like Lincoln Center or the Museum of Modern Art.

Press’s documentary includes input from a variety of Cunningham’s fans, which include famous fashion designers, editors, socialites, and even Nepal’s former UN diplomat. Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine, glowingly describes Cunningham: “I’ve said many times, we all get dressed for Bill.” Humble and passionate, Cunningham presents a striking contrast to the loathsome gutter paparazzi of today’s celebrity culture. The film is a sparkling example of caliber of films premiering during the series’ run.

“He who seeks truth shall find beauty,” quotes a tearful Cunningham upon being honored by the French Ministry of Culture. And he who seeks the inspiring works by new filmmakers shall find them at “New Directors / New Films 2010.” Highlighted screenings in the next week include “Beautiful Darling: The Life and Times of Candy Darling, Andy Warhol Superstar,” a documentary by James Rasin, and “I Am Love” (“Lo sono l’amore”) directed by Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino and starring Tilda Swinton.

“The impetus is back with the directors, the writers, the creative folks in the independent world,” Roy said, “to kind of stake their claim and say, ‘we are once again kind of representing something that is sometimes in opposition, but always kind of as a counterpart to what’s happening in the mainstream.”