Elio Gelmini
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Contact Information*:
Toronto Ontario Canada |
Contact Type: Artist |
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Bio:
Originally from Casagiove, (CE) Italy. Elio Gelmini is a filmmaker, videoartist, writer and producer. His documentary work includes the critically – acclaimed documentaries This Is Chiapas, Asesinados and Borders. His work has screened internationally at festivals, among them the Locarno Video Art festival, The World Wide Video Festival in The Netherlands, The International Hamburg Short Film festival, Brest Short Film Festival, The London Gay And Lesbian Film And Video Festival, Independent Exposure in Seattle and the 6th Festival Of Indigenous Film And Video in Guatemala, at which his video Asesinados won a solidarity honorable mention. In Canada, his work has been seen at the Art Gallery of Ontario, The National Film Board of Canada and different local Film Festivals. Elio is an active member of the artist run center Charles Street Video, where he served on the Board of Directors. His work is distributed through V Tape, Toronto. Filmography/Awards Info: 1. Why did you make this film? "Borders" 2. How long did it take to make this film? I shot the video in different countries over the course of a year. 3. What was the biggest challenge you faced in making this film? Putting myself in motion. 4. Do you have any "war stories" that you would like to tell us about the making of this film? Some footage of Chiapas, Mexico was also used in a documentary called "This Is Chiapas." During the making of "This Is Chiapas" the first time I entered the state of Chiapas was night, and the bus I was traveling in was assaulted by a paramilitary group. They had set up a roadblock which halted the bus. Then they fired at the bus for a few minutes, hitting a fellow traveler in the head. Two men with guns and green fatigues boarded the bus, roughed up the panic stricken passengers. They claimed to be Zapatista, which is unlikely since they were in a zone controlled by the Mexican Army. Ultimately these events further inflamed my desire to make a documentary for the Zapatista cause. 5. What can you tell us about the technology/equipment that you used? Camera? Editing? Software? Hardware? Film stock? Video tape stock? Sound equipment? Etc. I used Hi-8 mm video, Super 8 and 16 mm film. And I normally edit on a nonlinear system like a Media 100 or Avid, and with a lot of patience. 6. Do you enjoy one aspect of filmmaking more than any others? No. When I work on a project I enjoy it from the beginning to the end, as much as I suffer. 7. In what country or region do you live? Is it important to your art? If so, in what way? I live in Toronto Canada and I am in the process of moving to Montreal. 8. What does "Microcinema" mean to you? It provides an exciting moment to move in new directions. 9. What does "Independent" mean to you? "Independent" is a beautiful word. It means that you produce, direct and take care of your own project practically from the beginning to the end. 10. What are a few tips you can give to other filmmakers? Not to be afraid to put yourself in your work. 11. Do you have ideas for another film? If so, will you share them with us? 12. Who is your favorite film director? In the course of my life, I have liked different directors, like Francois Truffaut, Goudard, Bunel, Fassbinder, Derek Jarman, Pasolini, etc. But in this moment of my life, I am interested in work like film and video, more than the director. 13. What is your favorite film? Blue by Derek Jarman. 14. What else would you like to tell us? That you are beautiful. This Contact appears in this database if Microcinema International has screened a film directed by the Contact, a film directed by the contact is featured in a DVD distributed by the Blackchair Collection Shop, or featured an organization or activity linked with the Contact. This database is used for commercial as well as informational, non-commercial purposes. It is a historical archive of Microcinema International's activities. Inclusion in this database and archive in no way implies a continuing formal relationship or affiliation with Microcinema International or the Blackchair Label nor an endorsement of its activities by the Contact. Contact details are not displayed in order to protect privacy. If you wish to contact this artist please see their website as listed above or write Microcinema International and we will be happy to forward your e-mail.
Microcinema Interview/Article:
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