Today on Resonance FM:

I’m ready for my close-up – The films of Joseph Strick

Rip Torn, Joseph Strick and Henry Miller on the set of Tropic of Cancer (1969), photograph by Carlo Bavagnoli, (c) Life Magazine

To coincide with the ‘Directorspective’ of the work of Joseph Strick, currently at The Barbican centre in London, Alex Fitch talks to the Oscar winning director about his career from working as a U.S. Air Force photographer during the Second World War to directing adaptations of challenging texts such as James Joyce’s Ulysses and Portrait of the artist as a young man, Henry Miller’s Tropic of Cancer and Jean Genet’s The Balcony. A selection of 6 of Strick’s films will be screened on consecutive days at The Barbican from 19/11/09 and there is also an additional daily screening of a new print of Ulysses (1967) until 26/11/09.

You can also download the interview now as an episode of the Electric Sheep Podcast

5pm 20/11/09, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com

Links: Info about the Barbican ‘Directorspective’ and additional daily Ulysses screenings
Info about Joseph Strick on the IMDb and wikipedia

For info on the latest issue of Electric Sheep magazine, please click here

In association with

Recommended events:

Signings:

Reinhard Kleist signing Johnny Cash: I See A Darkness Saturday 21 November 13:00 – 14:00
Reinhard Kleist will be signing his graphic novel Johnny Cash: I See A Darkness at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Saturday 21st November 1- 2pm
Johnny Cash was a seventeen-time Grammy winner who sold more than 90 million albums in his lifetime and became an icon of American music. Already a bestseller and award-winner in Europe, JOHNNY CASH: I SEE DARKNESS vividly portrays the unpredictable, turbulent life of a loner, patriot, outlaw, and music business rebel with all the drama and character befitting the man who became a legend in his own lifetime.

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Comica week 3:

Hoshino Yukinobu: From Hokkaido To Infinity
Helen McCarthy introduces the works of manga master Hoshino Yukinobu.
Where: British Museum, Gt Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
When: November 21, 2009 – 1.15pm to 2pm

Reinhard Kleist: I See A Darkness
Reinhard Kleist discusses his graphic biography of the most famous country singer of all time, Johnny Cash.
Where: Nash Room, ICA, The Mall, London
When: November 22, 2009 – from 7pm

Willy Linthout: Years Of The Elephant
Willy Linthout discusses his poignant and surreal account of his grief after the suicide of his young son.
Where: Nash Room, ICA, The Mall, London
When: November 23, 2009 – from 7pm

Ben Templesmith: Gentleman Corpse
Ben discusses his arresting graphics and gripping narratives with director Philip Ridley. Followed by Heartless – Acclaimed writer/director Philip Ridley introduces a screening of his dark, horror-tinged, urban fantasy film .
Where: ICA, The Mall, London
When: November 24, 2009 – from 6.45pm

Mamoru Oshii: The Sky Crawlers
The latest film from anime visionary Mamoru Oshii (Ghost In The Shell; Avalon).
Where: Cinema, ICA, The Mall, London
When: November 26, 2009 – from 8.30pm

More info at: www.comicafestival.com

Today on Resonance FM:

I’m ready for my close-up: New approaches to Zombie cinema

Alastair Kirton as Colin and Stephen McHattie in Pontypool

In a special early Halloween special, Alex Fitch talks to Jeffrey Coghlan, the producer of the innovative Canadian Horror film Pontypool and Marc Price, director of the excellent British living dead film Colin about their new approaches to the zombie genre on a limited budget.
Pontypool goes on limited release in the UK today, while Colin in released on 23rd October.

10pm 16/10/09, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast online tonight…

Links: Pontypool – IMDb page and Official website
Review at Cinematropolis blog
Alex’s mini-review as part of a Frightfest 2009 article at Electric Sheep Magazine
Listen to the radio version at www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice

Colin – IMDb page and Official site
Review in Revenant Magazine
Info about the Colin panels at this month’s MCM Expo
Read a transcript of Alex’s interview with Marc at Electric Sheep Magazine

Related news:

We Are Words + Pictures stall: Saturday 17th October, Girl Germs club night @ The Camden Head (from 8pm)
Join WAW+P creators Julia Scheele and Matthew Sheret as they sell and personalise the cream of the UK’s small press output from a stall with the ‘Girl Germs’ female pop and punk night at 100 Camden High Street, London NW1 0LU

also: Hunterian Museum Film Screening – Medical Miniaturisation – Thursday 22 October, 7pm

Join us for our first ever Hunterian Museum film screening of two works on the theme of medical miniaturisation. Anime expert Helen McCarthy will introduce the classic 1963 anime Astroboy: Mighty Microbe Army about the robot boy miniaturised to fight bacteria inside the body, followed by the 1966 movie Fantastic Voyage inspired by one of Osamu Tezuka’s early Manga works ‘The Monster on the 38th Parallel’. The museum and the exhibition ‘Sci-Fi Surgery: Medical Robots’ will be open from 6pm so that you can see the mini-bots that turn fantasy into reality. Screenings supported by the Japan Foundation, the Japan Society and Right Stuf, Inc. FREE, booking essential on 0207 869 6560

plus: BLACK POWERS exhibtion at Swiss Cottage Library Gallery

As part of Black History Month, Swiss Cottage Library Gallery presents an exhibition of comics by black creators and of African-American characters in comics. The collection coheres around black representations through the imagery and language of the comic book medium: representation as markers of both historical and contemporary struggles. The theme is developed through archival works from the 1930’s to the present-day and culminates with a display of the singular comic art of Patrice and John Aggs, Paul Peart-Smith, Woodrow Phoenix and Lance Tooks.

09 October – 06 November 2009
Swiss Cottage Library Gallery, 88 Avenue Rd, London, United Kingdom

The Observer / Jonathan Cape / Comica Graphic Short Story Prize 2009
Are you an aspiring graphic novelist? Do you have an original story to tell? Win £1,000 and have your story printed in The Observer.
More info…

Deadline: 19th October 2009

and: London signings…

Fred Van Lente The third Autumnal signing at Gosh! Comics is Fred Van Lente, the award-winning writer of Action Philosophers!, Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel Zombies and Incredible Hercules, among numerous other excellent titles,and is one of the most exciting writing talents to emerge in the last five years. This will be his only London signing, so take advantage of this rare opportunity to chat with him… Saturday 24th October, from 3pm-5pm

Avatar comics signing: An all-star line up will be signing at Orbital Comics courtesy of Avatar Press on Tuesday the 27th of October from 4:30 to 7:00. Paul Duffield (Freakangels), Jacen Burrows (Crossed, 303), William Christensen (Editor-In-Chief of Avatar), Kieron Gillen (Phonogram), Si Spurrier (Judge Dredd, Gutsville) and Rich Johnston (Bleeding Cool Blogsite)

David Petersen /Mouse Guard: David Petersen be signing the gorgeous Mouse Guard Winter 1152 at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Saturday 7th November 1 – 2pm

plus: Autumn comics conventions and events…

October 24th and 25th: The MCM Expo at the Excel centre in London’s Docklands includes appearances by Andy Diggle, Jock, Leigh Gallagher, Alan Grant, Ben Templesmith ,Kieron Gillen and Emma Vieceli – more info at www.londonexpo.com

Also on Sunday October 25th, there’s the Women in Comics one-day conference at Murray Edwards College New Hall in Cambridge: which includes Belgian-based artist Dominique Goblet in conversation with Paul Gravett, Corrine Pearlman and Woodrow Phoenix discussing autobiographical comics work, Helen McCarthy on women and gender roles in the work of Osamu Tezuka, and other talks by Sarah McIntyre and Asia Alfasi. More info at http://tinyurl.com/womenincomics

5th to the 26th of November: Comica, the three week festival of comics in and around the Institute of Comtemporary Arts in London includes appearances by Eddie Campbell, David Lloyd, Brian Talbot, James Jean and Tara McPherson. – more info at www.comicafestival.com

19th to the 22nd of November: The Thought Bubble sequential art festival in Leeds which includes appearances by Paul Cornell, Garey Erskin, Garen Ewing, Andy Diggle, Frank Queitly and many more – more info at www.thoughtbubblefestival.com

I’m ready for my close-up: Francis Matthews

Francis Matthew is Paul Temple while Captain Scarlet looks on

To coincide with the release of the little known BBC TV adaptation of the Paul Temple mysteries on DVD, Alex Fitch and Robin Warren talk to actor Francis Matthews about his career from playing the aforementioned suave mystery writer turned detective to voicing the indestructible puppet Captain Scarlet and fighting Christopher Lee’s Rasputin in the underrated Hammer film about The Mad Monk…

10.30pm Thursday 13/08/09, repeated 5pm Friday 14/08/09, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast online at http://www.sci-fi-london.com 20/08/09…

Links:
Wikipedia pages on Francis Matthews, Paul Temple and Captain Scarlet
Buy the Paul Temple box set from Acorn Media

Tonight on Resonance FM:

I’m ready for my close-up: Fly me to the moon

Gerry Anderson on the set of Space: 1999

On the 40th anniversary of the moon landings, Alex Fitch talks to two television pioneers who were inspired by the events of July 16th 1969.

Alex talks to Gerry Anderson about how the space race and technological innovations of the 1960s inspired such shows as Supercar and Thunderbirds. Alex and Gerry also talk about the latter’s sojourn in the RAF as an aircraft conroller, responding the fashions in genre with Four Feathers Falls and Fireball XL5 and mixing animation styles in lesser known series such as Lavender Castle and The Secret Service.

Sir Patrick Moore and Apollo 11, photo by Paul Grover

Sir Patrick Moore covered the events of the Apollo 11 mission live on TV and discusses the events of that day with Alex as well as the highlights of his six decades presenting The Sky at Night.

(N.B. The interview with Sir Patrick is available to download now at Sci-Fi London)

Thursday 16/07/09 10.30pm Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com

Links:  Gerry Anderson’s fan club
Buy Fireball XL5 and Space:1999 from Network DVD

Sir Patrick Moore’s website
The Sky at Night page at www.bbc.co.uk
Buy The Sky at Night: Apollo 11 at play.com

Related news:

Pho and Muc: comics and photos at the Arts Bar, Camberwell

Julian Hanshaw, winner of the 2008 Observer graphic short story competition for his comic strip “Sand Dunes and Sonic Booms”, exhibits images from his forthcoming travelogue / Thai cookery graphic novel “The Art of Pho”, alongside photos by Rob Athill of Saigon’s late night food vendors…

20th-26th July 5.30pm – late
Arts Bar (above Funky Munky),
25 Camberwell Church Street,
London SE5 8TR

Meet the artists at a special squid party night on the 24th…!

and:

Kevin O’Neill at the Illustration Cupboard

14 July – 08 August 2009

The first British exhibition of his original artwork from.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Marshall Law
Nemesis the Warlock
Judge Dredd

The Illustration Cupboard is pleased to present the first British exhibition of the world-famous graphic-novel artist Kevin O’Neill.

As one of the most respected and highly regarded names in this field Kevin O’Neill’s illustrative work has led him to rub shoulders with distinguished writers, directors and film stars. Most widely known for his collaborations with writer Pat Mills on Marshal Law (see over) and Nemesis the Warlock in 2000AD Kevin has also worked with Alan Moore on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was recently turned into a blockbuster Hollywood film starring Sean Connery.

An exciting and sometimes controversial artist this unique event offers fans and collectors an opportunity to view thirty pieces of Kevin’s original drawings and paintings never seen before, and provides visitors to London during the summer season a chance to visit a truly special event.

All artwork is available for purchase, and signed books will also be for sale.
The exhibition will continue on our first floor gallery throughout the remainder of August.
Artwork can be viewed and purchased off our website from 8th July.
Prices range from £500 – £7500

Monday – Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 12pm – 5pm

www.illustrationcupboard.com

Today on Resonance FM:

I’m ready for my close-up: Kenneth Anger

Kenneth Anger at the Imperial War Museum, photo by Damon Cleary

To herald the arrival of London Gay Pride weekend, Virginie Sélavy talks to infamous experimental film maker Kenneth Anger about his career, from ground breaking shorts such as his Magick Lantern Cycle and Scorpio Rising in the 1960s, to his recent return to the medium after a twenty year break.

5pm, Friday 03/07/09, Resonance 104.4 FM / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / podcast soon after transmission at www.electricsheepmagazine.wordpress.com

Links: Read a transcript of Virginie’s interview with Kenneth Anger at www.electricsheepmagazine.com
Anger’s Wikipedia and IMDb pages
Article about Anger’s recent films at www.artforum.com
Info about London Pride film screenings

Related news:

The London Japanese Art Festival
is on the weekend of the 11th / 12th of July at Richmond Adult Community College and includes:
Manga and Anime Art Exhibition, craft and sales tables from Manga shops, toys and dolls and all sorts of Japanese art and culture related goods.
Talks by Helen McCarthy and Paul Gravett
Martial Arts
Kimono dressing (kitsuke) and kimono fashion show
Cosplay Masquerade and presentations
Manga drawing workshops
J-Pop Party
Set photo shoots and roving photographers
Origami and other paper art
Calligraphy
Koto music
Japanese Dancing
Taiko Drumming
Japanese food and drink, including Pocky, obento and sake, as well as the open cafe area
Three Yatai – Takoyaki, Okonomi-yaki, Yakisoba, Donbri

UK PREMIERE : OCEAN WAVES

The Japanese Art Festival is proud to announce that the event will be hosting the premiere of the Studio Ghibli anime Ocean Waves. Studio Ghibli is better known as the Oscar-winning animation studio who brought us Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle.

Never before released in the UK, Ocean Waves centres around the life of Taku, an average high school student. But soon his quiet life will be turned upside down with the arrival of Rikako: a beautiful exchange student from Tokyo. By the end of term Taku will have learnt a valuable lesson in love and friendship.

The Ocean Waves screening is courtesy of Optimum Releasing.

More info at www.japaneseartfestival.com

also:

Kevin O’Neill at the Illustration Cupboard

14 July – 08 August 2009

The first British exhibition of his original artwork from.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Marshall Law
Nemesis the Warlock
Judge Dredd

The Illustration Cupboardis pleased to present the first British exhibition of the world-famous graphic-novel artist Kevin O’Neill.

As one of the most respected and highly regarded names in this field Kevin O’Neill’s illustrative work has led him to rub shoulders with distinguished writers, directors and film stars. Most widely known for his collaborations with writer Pat Mills on Marshal Law (see over) and Nemesis the Warlock in 2000AD Kevin has also worked with Alan Moore on The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which was recently turned into a blockbuster Hollywood film starring Sean Connery.

An exciting and sometimes controversial artist this unique event offers fans and collectors an opportunity to view thirty pieces of Kevin’s original drawings and paintings never seen before, and provides visitors to London during the summer season a chance to visit a truly special event.

All artwork is available for purchase, and signed books will also be for sale.
The exhibition will continue on our first floor gallery throughout the remainder of August.
Artwork can be viewed and purchased off our website from 8th July.
Prices range from £500 – £7500

Monday – Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 12pm – 5pm

More info at www.illustrationcupboard.com

Today on Resonance FM
I’m ready for my close-up: Dario Argento

Dario Argento directs Adrien Brody on the set of Giallo

Today on Resonance FM:

I’m ready for my close-up: Charlie Kaufman – bringing interior worlds to the screen

Charlie Kaufman directs Robin Weigert in Synecdoche, New York

Alex Fitch talks to Academy Award winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman about his new film Synecdoche, New York, the challenges of directing his own script, working with Spike Jones and Michel Gondry on his previous screenplays such as Being John Malkovich and Human Nature and issues of post-modernism and magical realism in his work. Alex also talks to Electric Sheep Magazine editor Virginie Selavy about Synecdoche, New York looking at Kaufman’s depictions of the internal workings of the human mind in that film and in earlier scripts such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind.

10.30pm 21/05/09, repeated 5pm 22/05/09, Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast online after broadcast at www.sci-fi-london.com/audio

Links: Charlie’s pages on Wikipedia and the IMDb
Kaufman resource site beingcharliekaufman.com
Interview in The Guardian

Multimedia news:

Kamishibai.org is now live, being a resource for Japan’s performance art of telling stories with sequential images, including info on the next London performance of the form on May 31st…

plus:

The animated trailer for Bryan Talbot’s new graphic novel Grandville, a new Steampunk tale about murder and intrigue in Fin de siècle Paris, is online now

Today on Resonance FM
I’m ready for my close-up: Monika Treut

Still from Ghosted by Monika Treut

Virginie Sélavy, editor of Electric Sheep Magazine, talked to Monika Treut during the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, where Ghosted was screened.

5pm Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast 20/05/09 at www.electricsheepmagazine.wordpress.com

Links: Page on Ghosted at the BFI’s LLGFF microsite
Official German website
Wikipedia page on Monika Treut

Today on Resonance FM
I’m ready for my close-up: Figures in a landscape

Still from Helen by Desperate Optimists

Alex Fitch talks to the directors of two new films which take the starting point of a character walking through a landscape and twist it into unexpected directions. Alex talks to Bent Hamer, the director of the gentle new Norwegian comedy O’Horten which depicts the tale of a recently retired train driver who gets embroiled in a series of misadventures of the kind Victor Meldrew would be proud of from losing his shoes in a locker room and ending up with red stilettos to ending up in a car driven by a blind man. Alex also talks to Christine Molloy, one half of the film making duo Desperate Optimists, about their new film Helen, which concerns a young woman who takes part in a police reconstruction of a girl going missing and starts to take over her life from dating her boyfriend to getting maths advice from her parents.
Helen is released in selected UK cinemas on May 1st /
O’Horten is released in selected UK cinemas on May 8th

5pm Resonance 104.4 FM (London) / streamed at www.resonancefm.com / extended podcast 06/05/09 at www.electricsheepmagazine.wordpress.com

Links: Desperate Optimists‘ official website for info on Helen
Artificial Eye’s official website for info about O’Horten
Listen to Alex’s interview with Joe Lawlor, the other half of Desperate Optimists about their series of short films – Civic Life

Electric Sheep Events:

Alex Fitch and Electric sheep magazine editor Virginie Selavy will be interviewing Marc Caro co-director of The City of Lost Children about his work on stage after a screening of the film at the Apollo Piccadilly on Lower Regent Street at 9pm tonight, 01/05/09

and tomorrow, 02/05/09, at the same location at 4.15 Alex is chairing a panel with Marc Caro, Richard Jobson, director of A woman in winter, Cory McAbee (The American Astronaut) and Gerald McMorrow (Franklyn) called The problem of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Film-making and you can find more details about both at www.sci-fi-london.com

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