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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 JULY 2014 36 THIS WEEK How did the Pjazza Kino concept get started, and how did you get involved? The idea of having a film compo- nent introduced to the Malta Arts Festival had been kicking around for a while, then this year I was ap- proached by the Arts Festival team to curate a trio of film nights. I was very happy to accept of course, not only due to my love of film but al- so because I really believe that it is beneficial to make art house films more readily available to the general public. In fact, the team and I imme- diately agreed that it should be an expo of European film, and because of this I suggested the name Pjazza Kino – which to my mind brings together the Latin and Germanic routes which broadly represent the south and north of Europe, and also tie in with the event's location: Pjaz- za Teatru Rjal. On what criteria did you go about selecting the films which will be shown in this first edition? I felt it was important to show films which are not readily available to the Maltese public in cinemas, however, which are simultaneously accessible to a broad audience. I was also adamant that the films be re- cent and of a certain calibre. Because as an island we are so de- fined by the sea, I thought that would be a good starting point; hence the sub-title 'Sea Stories'. Then from there I realised that we could push it further and bring films which have a further link to Malta: Kon Tiki was partially shot here; Io Sono Li deals with migration; and The Deep comes from Iceland, which has a thriving indigenous film industry despite having a smaller population than Malta. When it comes to style and form I wanted Pjazza Kino to offer a va- riety of filmmaking approaches, and whereas Kon Tiki is more of a block- buster, Io Sono Li comes from a lyri- cal documentary vein whereas The Deep is much brasher in approach. What kind of experience do you wish to create with this initiative? Do you hope it'll prove to be a more dynamic experience than the standard cinema? There's a reason why outdoor film festivals and drive-ins cinemas have a special part in so many people's hearts – there's something very spe- cial about watching a film outdoors. Furthermore, we're lucky to have the participation of two key filmmakers: Pierre Ellul who was the production manager of Kon Tiki and Lorenza Poletto one of the producers of Io Sono Li. So both before and after the screenings the audience will hear some great first hand insight into the films as well as the opportunity to ask questions, and this filmmaker participation will she a whole new dimension to the films. And to top it up its all for free! I really do think this is a great oppor- tunity and urge people to come. For more information please follow us on Facebook: PjazzaKino. Are there any plans for future editions? There is certainly a lot of potential for continuation and growth to the programme, as well as a commit- ment from the Malta Arts Festival team to include the medium of film in its repertoire. I hope that 'Pjazza Kino: Sea Stories' will fulfill its po- tential and be the start of a fantastic initiative. Kon Tiki will be screened on July 23; Io Sono Li on July 25 and The Deep on August 2. Doors open at 20:15 and screenings start at 21:00. All films will be screened with Eng- lish subtitles THE life and times of Hollywood actress Tippi Hedren, 'Hitchcock's last blonde', will be com- memorated on July 29 in an event organised by Euro Media Forum at Palazzo Xara, Rabat at 20:30, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's film Marnie. Celebrating 50 years this year, Marnie is Al- fred Hitchcock's most liberated and poetic film. Following her film debut in Hitchcock's The Birds, Tippi Hedren plays the titular character Marnie Edgar, a serial office burglar who trav- els from city to city seeking secretarial employ- ment and then breaks into the office safes. Un- til one day, Marnie's boss Mark Rutland (Sean Connery) discovers she's a thief and rather than turning her in, proposes marriage eventually discovering her deep seated fears that threaten their tranquility. Guest speaker Kim Dalli will lead the audi- ence into a greater appreciation for this clas- sic film, how it became renowned as a master- piece of psychological mystery mirroring all of Hitchcock's obsessions – the unleashing of sup- pressed female sexuality, strong willed mothers, duplicitous personalities, false identities, child- hood trauma and Hitchcock's passionate love for icy looking blonde starlets. Dalli will give an interesting insight into how Hitchcock's deep obsession with Tippi Hedren during the production contributed to the dis- quieting tone of the film. As well as the un- characteristic film technique that makes the audience wonder and question whether Tippi Hedren was a femme fatale off the screen. Mys- teries will be revealed, if there, was ever a real crime taking place between the film takes as a result of Hedren's and Hitchcock's stormy rela- tionship. Ultimately, Marnie earned Tippi He- dren the most coveted title of them all: Hitch- cock's last screen blonde. The audience is invited to participate and put forward to the guest speaker their questions, curiosities and observations. The event will also feature a Marnie film quiz, with the opportunity to win cinema tickets and a free pizza meal for two. The event is being organised in collabora- tion with Bottegin Palazzo Xara, St Paul Street, Rabat, Giotto restaurant and Eden Cinemas. Entrance is at €10 per person, including wine and platter. Limited seating is available. For bookings please email euromediaforum@ gmail.com or send an sms to 99454066, or log in http://www.facebook.com/Euro.Media.Forum Sea stories on the silver screen Tippi Hedren commemorated in Hitchcock event Simshar director Rebecca Cremona will be curating a trio of international sea-based films – Io Sono Li, Kon Tiki and The Deep – on July 23 and 25 and August 2 at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, as part of the Malta Arts Festival. She speaks to TEODOR RELJIC about the first edition of Pjazza Kino Io Sono Li The Deep Kon Tiki