Cinema Canada (Feb-Mar 1974)

David Beard point out that when you think of the film future, think of the very recent past. Take heart! The human spirit is not that easily doused. We have come this far we will make it. Just to brighten any spirit that might be flagging, here is a translation of a chant. It is sung by a folk singer on the set when the cast and crew are getting in the mood to make the sequel to The Exorcist: Hark! The cine critics sing, Semiology is all the thing. Metz’ and Wollen’s symbolic fire, Raising signs and meaning of desire. With our working papers flying, We will watch the auteurs dying. Sarris has now lost his voice, That is why we all rejoice. Hark! The cine critics sing, Christian Metz is all the thing. And Now for Something Different. . . a few books! Film Editing Handbook: Technique of 16mm Film Cutting, Hugh B. Churchill. $6.50 Churchill approaches film editing from the creative and physical aspects. The creative refines the film statement while the physical is simply the cutting of film ie. mechanical. The book is written for the film student. Churchill is a teacher. The book is designed asa teaching tool. The sensible step-by-step introduction to the problem and the concise, illustrated answers to the problems are just what is needed in this field. The purpose of each chapter is stated. The related steps are explained. The section on “‘sound cutting’? is half of the book’s assets. This is not covered in other books as effectively as it is covered here for the student. Churchill can put himself in the student’s chair. He can anticipate the questions. The book gives the answers. Japan: Film Image, Richard N. Tucker, $9.95 Theory on Japanese films is on the increase. Tucker, while he surveys the all too familiar history of Japan’s entrance into the Western film market, also goes further than his predecessors by bringing in the advent of violence and finally the sado-erotic work that dominated Japan’s films for so long. There is a wealth of film analysis. Alas, there is quite a deal of film synopsis. The pictures, however, make up for some of the text’s shortcomings. Several film scripts that should have appeared a long time ago are now available — The Battle of Algiers, Gillo Pontecorvo, $3.95, is illustrated and contains an interview with the director and screenwriter. Rossellini’s War Trilogy, $8.00 is a large overdue volume. It contains Open City, Paisan and Germany — Year Zero. Memories of Underdevelopment: The Revolutionary Films of Cuba, Edited by Michael Myerson $4.95 presents the richness of the Cuban film achievement. It has scripts and descriptions of a number of Cuban films. The editor outlines the growth of the revolutionary movement as reflected in the Cuban film. Lucia should be of particular interest to those in Women’s Liberatione QUEBEC FILM LABS For all your Eastmancolour, Ektachrome and black and white developing and printing needs 35 mm — 16 mm — Super 8 mm CONTACT DAVID BIER 1085 St. Alexander St. Montreal, Quebec 514-861-5483 oe A lot can happen before you get it in the can Your casting is perfect, your cameraman the best around, all is ready to shoot, .. then your lead breaks his leg or your film stock is faulty or the weather turns bad or the lab messes up and you're in trouble... But that’s the film game, isn’t it? It is, unless you play it smart and protect yourself in a professional manner with insurance. It’s not expensive but it is important and it gives you peace of mind because you can insure against the bad things that can happen before (or after) you get it in the can, Let's discuss it. Arthur Winkler, CLU Insurance for the Film Industry — CONSOLIDATED INSURANCE AGENCIES LTD. — 3130 BATHURST STREET, SUITE 206, TORONTO, ONTARIO M6A 2Y1, TELEPHONE (416) 787-0304 Cinema Canada 71