Documentary News Letter (1947-1949)

160 DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER (Conld. from p. 1 54) action in many places is confused and obscure. Taken as a whole, for overseas audiences, the film lasts too long; but there is fascinating material here for a shortened version which, omitting the background, would deal only with the Danish people under the Occupation and the sabotage work of the Underground movement. The Playhouse. Sunday evening Films from Britain, France and Italy 1. Antarctic Whale Hunt (Britain. 18 mins.) Theme. The work of the whaling fleet in the Antarctic. Comment. This film, one of 'This Modern Age' series, has some fine action shooting of the harpooning of whales and of their processing in factory ships to provide important sources of food and other materials urgently needed today. 2. Henri Matisse (France. 40 mins.) Theme. The life and work of the French painter, Matisse. Comment. Films about art are nearly always unsatisfactory. This one comes as close to an explanation of the work of a painter as it would seem possible to do. Covering the whole development of Matisse's work, and including some shots of the artist himself, the most interesting sequences are those which show how he builds up his ideas from the initial conception to the final result, and are a record posterity may value. The most irritating part of the film is the atmosphere of reverence and adoration created by the commentary. 3. Paisa (Italy. 120 mins.) Theme. Episodes showing the interaction between the Italian people and the Allied armies during the invasion of Italy. Comment. This film, a multi-lingual full-length feature documentary provided a magnificent finale to the Festival. Directed by Rossellini, whose Rome, Open City has already been seen in this country, the film consists of a series of short stories with no continuity link other than that of the Allied armies' advance from the South to the North. Each of these incidents, with its cunningly contrived twist, is constructed with a vivid realism, which is as brilliant as it is terrifying. With only a handful of material, Rossellini compresses into the space of two hours a range of human emotion which makes Paisa an unforgettable experience, and one of the screen's greatest achievements. Paisa is too important a film to be discussed briefly. A fuller review must await its hoped for theatrical showing. CORRESPONDENCE DEAR SIR, Your October issue included amongst its contents an article bearing the title 'The Miller's Aim'. It was written by an enemy of our country. Yes, an enemy; for in my eyes, like millions of Englishmen, the Bosch will remain an enemy. Let us not forget that period of horror and misery, 1939—1944. This Bosch is complaining not only of the German film industry, but seemingly about ours also. I request him, as far as our industry is concerned, to keep his nose well and truly out; it has nothing whatsoever to do with him. Many people, I am sure, will join with me in this request. Complete monopoly, like nationalization, is something to keep well clear of. Take away competition in any business, and you destroy that very vital thing, ambition. Destroy ambition and you destroy life, for every man jack of us lives on ambition. In this country today, we are producing films far surpassing the products of Hollywood: films made by the J. Arthur Rank Organization. Very different from the 'quickies' of 1932 — 1939, before Mr Rank took such an active interest. Today our industry is respected in many countries. In fact, even Englishmen are beginning to respect us, and that is really something. That being the case, I think the term 'Monopolist Miller' used by our German friend, ridiculous and most certainly insulting. If Arthur Rank has proposed the plan suggested to the British Control Commission, and if it will promote a new democracy in Germany, then I say 'Thank heaven', for democracy is a fine thing. May I also remind the German writer that v-e won the war, defeated Germany. Had the botf been on the other foot, I am certain no Englishman would have been given the opportunity 'c complain about anything. Nobody could complain as a prisoner in one of the Nazi 'horror camps. Could the citizens of London am Coventry complain as they saw their dear arc loved ones crushed to death during the blit/.' Crushed to death by Germans. Let us not forger, You have my full permission to publish th above if you so desire. In fact I would esteem it favour if you do. Yours faithfully, ERIC LESLIE (ERIC T. ASBURY), Managing Direct t Leslie Laurence Productions Ltd. 29 Whitcomb Street, London, WC2 October 23rd, 1947 THE UNIT WITHI Realist Film Unit has been making documentary and instructional films since 1937. During the last two years a Unit under the Educational Supervision of Dorothy Grayson, B.Sc, has completed ten classroom films. This'unit within' is now preparing, shooting or completing eight films. REALIST FILM UNIT Member of the Federation of Documentary Film Units 9 GREAT CHAPEL STREET W I Telephone Gerrard 1958 AN APOLOGY The article 'Denmark and Film' in our last iss was Mr Elton's introduction to Documented in Denmark, a catalogue of_ films shortly to t issued by Statens Filmcentral, 1 Dahlerupsgad Copenhagen, we apologize to the publishers ar the Danish Government for any inconvenien or misunderstanding caused by its pre-public tion in DNL. DOCUMENTARY 47 will be a lasting souvenir of the EDINBURGH FESTIVAL it is on sale at Film Centre. 34 Soho Sq., Wl or from the publishers ALBYX PRESS 42 Frederick Street Edinburgh 2 PRICE 2/6