FIVE EASY PRESENTATIONS - AMERICAN FILM DIRECTOR BOB

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 000122 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA/PE/C/CU - SCOHEN AND EUR/PPD - SALTMAN-WINANS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL KPAO GG SUBJECT: FIVE EASY PRESENTATIONS - AMERICAN FILM DIRECTOR BOB RAFELSON IN TBILISI ¶1. SUMMARY: Bob Rafelson was an ECA Cultural Envoy par excellence, representing the United States at the 8th Tbilisi International Film Festival from December 3-10, 2007. Mr. Rafelson is one of American cinema's leading figures, having distinguished himself over the past three decades as a director, writer and producer of a unique collection of award-winning and ground-breaking films. His films had a particular following during the Soviet period, when aficionados watched bootleg videos of his films in closets or in peoples' basements, and he was seen as a free, independent and uncompromised artist. Within the framework of the Festival, Rafelson's films "Five Easy Pieces," "The Postman Always Rings Twice," and "The King of Marvin Gardens" were screened. Rafelson also presented a master class and a public lecture with Q&As, and was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Ambassador. But perhaps the greatest value in Rafelson's attendance at the Film Festival was in his daily interactions, even mentoring, with Georgian and other filmmakers, actors, and directors, both young and old, to talk shop and discuss the ins and outs of film tradecraft. END SUMMUARY THE PROGRAM -------------- ¶2. Rafelson attended the opening and closing of the Film Festival as a distinguished guest; was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Ambassador and attended by the Minister of Culture; presented a master class, "Confessions of a Filmmaker," with a discussion of his film work based on a series of short video sequences; and gave a public lecture following the screening of his film, "Five Easy Pieces." He met, informally, with a number of Georgian and international film producers, directors and actors, both young and old, and was received by the renowned Georgian theater director, Robert Sturua, and by Georgian movie director and scion of an important Georgian film family, Giorgi Shengelaia. RESULTS -------------- ¶3. Because of the overwhelming interest in Mr. Rafelson's master class, "Confessions of a Filmmaker," the venue was moved from a 30-seat to a 150-seat theater. Even this proved to be too small, as late-comers poured into the auditorium, blocking the aisles. The master class came to an end two and a half hours later, but only because Festival organizers needed the auditorium to screen a film. Several students in the audience followed Mr. Rafelson out of the auditorium and onto the street, peppering him with questions. More and more young people in Georgia are getting interested in filmmaking, and this was the first time a Georgian audience was able to meet an American filmmaker of this caliber. The public lecture that followed the screening of his movie "Five Easy Pieces" was another great event, with another packed hall and question after question until the Festival organizers had to clear the hall for another screening. ¶4. Rafelson has an uncanny ability to connect directly with people, and the level of discourse in the master class and lecture immediately moved to a very deep level. The honest and thoughtful way he shared his experience and professional tips was an inspiration to aspiring and experienced filmmakers alike, and his deep interest in and respect for the culture of Georgia came through throughout his visit. Audience members felt honored to be in his presence and to hear his analysis and insights into his work. ¶5. Bob Rafelson's visit significantly raised the Embassy's public profile among the general public and art community in Georgia. His visit was particularly reassuring to the Georgian public since it occurred during a period of political turmoil, after street disturbances and a state of emergency in early November, and in the lead up to snap presidential elections in early January. His presence at the Film Festival in Tbilisi helped reassure Georgians of U.S. engagement in their country. ¶6. Nino Anjaparidze, the Tbilisi International Film Festival Director, credited Bob Rafelson's appearance with putting the Festival in the spotlight and hopes this will make it easier to market the Festival worldwide in the future. She appreciated the tips on Film Festival management which Mr. Rafelson gave her during his visit, as well as his promise to serve as an informal consultant on future engagements. ¶7. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: - "Bob Rafelson's visit was very inspiring for us. It reminded me all over again of the 1980's when we used to watch his films in closets or somebody's basement. He inspired me to make movies then, and he is an inspiration to me now. I think I could live without caviar (i.e. luxuries) for a whole year if I could start making movies again." Ukraine-based Georgian film director Levan Kitia, who supports himself by making commercials and soap operas. - Beso Odisharia, a Georgian filmmaker, expressed his hope that this TBILISI 00000122 002 OF 002 one encounter with Mr. Rafelson would "infect" the younger generation with a real zest to make worthy movies. - Georgian film producer, Levan Korinteli, said, "People like Bob Rafelson remind us that great movies can be made on a very low budget." An increasing number of young professionals are interested in filmmaking, but poor economic conditions in the country and the lack of investment in the movie industry are discouraging. Mr. Rafelson's message that it is possible to make art movies on a low cost budget was very reassuring. - "Did you go to Rafelson's master class yesterday," was the question of the day at the Tbilisi State Theatre and Film University, said Olga Zhguenti, a University professor. - "Tskheli Shokoladi" (Hot Chocolate),a new high-quality arts and culture glossy magazine in Georgia, called the festival "the Milestone Event of the Year" and categorized the visit of the "legendary" American film director Bob Rafelson as the highlight of the year. MEDIA -------------- ¶8. Rafelson's program generated a number of television feature stories. Rustavi-2 Television focused on Bob Rafelson's career in the Saturday night primetime top-rated "Post Scriptum" (potential viewers: 70% of Georgia's population). The anchor called the American director "the gem" of the festival. Mr. Rafelson was also featured during Georgia Public Broadcaster's daily primetime newscasts. (potential viewers 80% of Georgia's population). The channel dedicated most of its Saturday "Moambe" news program to Mr. Rafelson's visit and called his master class and public lecture the "highlight" of the 8th Tbilisi International Film Festival. The Sunday cultural primetime program "Cultural Mzera" on Mze Television (potential viewers 60% of Georgia's population),also concentrated on Bob Rafelson's master class and public lecture and stressed that the organizers of the festival had to move the audience to a bigger hall to fit in everyone eager to attend. An interview taped by the Georgian high-profile art critic, Gogi Gvakharia, will be the central piece of the January issue of "Tskheli Shokoladi" (Hot Chocolate),the best quality, glossy cultural magazine in Georgia. Radio Liberty Radio Free Europe's Georgian Service broadcast also broadcast this same interview with Mr. Rafelson in its entirety on December 10. THANKS -------------- ¶9. AmEmbassy Tbilisi would like to thank ECA/PE/C/CU, and especially Susan Cohen of the Feature Film Service at ECA for an excellent program. TEFFT