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The Religion Today Film Festival
Submitted by robin_m on Sun, 13/10/2013 - 16:26A Tale of Two Syrias is to be screened at The Religion Today Film Festival in Trento, Italy.
The Religion Today Film Festival aims to contribute to the diffusion and distribution of religious films to encourage cultural and spiritual development. It promotes, through the medium of cinema, a culture of dialogue and peace among religions, beginning with recognition of our differences. The Festival also creates opportunities for filmmakers and people working in the communications media of different cultures and religions to meet and share ideas.
The 16th Religion Today Film Festival takes place in Trento, Italy (and other Italian cities) between 11th and 22nd October 2013.
A Tale of Two Syrias to be screened in Mexico
Submitted by robin_m on Fri, 06/09/2013 - 21:27A Tale of Two Syrias (Dir. Yasmin Fedda, 64 mins) is to be screened at the BorDocs Documentary Film Festival in Tijuana, Mexico. The festival takes place between 6th and 14th September 2013.
BorDocs is a pioneering space for education as well as film and video documentary film in Northwestern Mexico. BorDocs emerged in 2003 and established itself as the first festival in Mexico that specialised in a non-fiction genre, and is the only forum of its type in Northern Mexico and the Southern United States.
A Tale of Two Syrias has now been screened at the following Film Festivals: Glasgow Film Festival (UK 2013), Sguardi Altrove (Italy 2013), Birds Eye View (UK 2013), Middle East Now (Italy 2013) and RAI Film Festival (UK 2013).
Breadmakers still Travelling the World
Submitted by robin_m on Sun, 01/09/2013 - 20:35The remarkable international journey of our short documentary Breadmakers (Director Yasmin Fedda) continues. Breadmakers was screened at The Arc & Sprout Film Festival as part of The Arc National Convention in Bellevue, WA, USA on the 5th August 2013.
Sprout is a private, non-profit organisation, founded in 1979, offering innovative programming related to the field of developmental disabilities. Their Film Programs showcase original works of artistry with the goal of breaking down stereotypes, celebrating difference and promoting awareness of our inherent similarities.
Breadmakers was first screened in 2007 and since then has been to over 50 Film Festivals worldwide.
Princess Pumpalot Review from Black Diamond FM
Submitted by robin_m on Fri, 30/08/2013 - 13:45★★★★★ FIVE STAR Review of Princess Pumpalot The Farting Princess from Black Diamond FM.
As the title suggests this Princess does indeed pump a lot and what a brilliant show it is. The Princess Pumpalot website http://www.princesspumpalot.co.uk/ states
"Princess Pumpalot (The Farting Princess) is a children's stage show based on the book of the same name by Robin Mitchell. The book was first published in July 2012."
This show is supposed to be a children's show but this adult reckons it is wasted on children it is a brilliantly written and acted show and certainly brought a smile to my face.
In essence (albeit a smelly one) the story is about the Princess who is about to turn 16 and is given a cabinet key and in that cabinet are beans, not just ordinary beans but magic beans 32,141 to be precise and these beans are beans that make you fart.
The characters are really well played by a great cast from the Princess herself to the King and the brilliantly named Queen Latifah (something that some of us adults giggled at) also one of the characters Guffy to me had a resemblance to the late great Gerard Kelly and had me wondering if this was a nod to him or just a total coincidence.
There is a witch, a good guy (Prince Niceavia), a bad guy (Prince Nastavia) a talking Giraffe called Geoffrey and a low flying Gnome but most of all a wonderful Princess who pumps/farts/trumps/breaks wind...... I think you get the idea.
All in all a fantastic show to be enjoyed by kids and big kids like me who like fart jokes and noises but there is enough to keep adults happy too.
A huge well deserved 5 ***** stars from this big kid for Princess Pumpalot.
Showing at The Assembly Rooms George Street until 25th August.
One4Review: Princess Pumpalot
Submitted by robin_m on Tue, 27/08/2013 - 13:42★★★★ Review of Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess from ONE4REVIEW.
A very enjoyable romp for young children and their parents, Princess Pumpalot has the best of panto mixed in with more traditional childrens’ storytelling. Plenty of energy and visuals help to keep even the youngest audience member attentive and although at some points the story may have been a bit wordy and convoluted for some to follow, it was always visually appealing and with varied characters such as a giraffe and flying goblins (and a headless FAQ!) to keep the interest.
The cast all work hard but are clearly enjoying themselves, the king and queen taking control from the outset with clear and controlled delivery. Princess Pumpalot does what it says on the tin, literally, and is perfectly cast for the role. Add in the two princes and her friendly servant and you have a good mix of entertaining characters.
Add in some great one-liners for the adults (talking about royal balls etc.) and you have a nicely rounded show, all in all an excellent choice to take the youngsters to.
Five Star Review from The Edinburgh Evening News
Submitted by robin_m on Tue, 20/08/2013 - 13:35Review of Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess from the Edinburgh Evening News.
This 50-minute romp through a kingdom where royalty dress in medieval clothes and yet use smart phones with intelligent apps, and featuring a giraffe who speaks with a strong Australian accent certainly keeps the interest of all ages.
After a slightly slow start, the pace and the comedy picked up as the cast led us through the twists and turns of an adventure that had everyone farting along to save the kingdom from peril. My husband joyfully demonstrated his fake-farting skill to his and my son’s great delight (and my embarrassment) but, as a parent, I enjoyed this show at the Assembly Rooms just as much because of the witty, pantomime-style writing, with many throw-away lines specifically aimed at the grown-ups. Performances were strong in this ensemble cast, particularly that of the Princess’ rugby-playing servant Guffy.
A great way to introduce children to the traditions of live theatre.
Four-Star Review Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess
Submitted by robin_m on Mon, 12/08/2013 - 13:27Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess recieves a ★★★★ Review from BroadwayBaby.
A farting princess, flying gnomes, a king, a queen and a giraffe. This on paper looks like the ideal recipe for a children’s show. Princess Pumpalot: The Farting Princess is based on the bestselling children’s book; a story of confusion, marriage, kidnap and magic beans. You don’t have to be a genius to know that this show should appeal to the demographic.
The show exploded with energy from the king and queen; they seemed confident and comfortable and immediately the audience felt safe. The perfect duo to warm up the crowd of stunned six year olds, they were easy to follow and had a lovely physical openness. These two are the performers that make the story grounded in its telling; they take care not to rush and are warm and likeable.
A rather too-cool-for-school princess was dressed in a tutu-like skirt that the average six year old girl would lust after. She had striped socks and colourful sneakers; this is a princess worth staying seated for. After a while she really relaxed into the show and resisted the temptation of over acting. Her partner in crime was a camp and comedic sidekick who had some very amusing moments, although he sped through some of his lines quicker than even he could keep up with.
The choices made in this show are clearly made for their target audience; all too often children’s theatre tries to have a token joke for the adults, but, judging by many of the grown-ups in the audience laughing at the farting noises, it proves that what makes a four year old giggle can often tickle a forty year old just as much.
This company didn’t try too hard; a wise move since trying too hard often results in patronising a young audience, causing little laughter. However, ten minutes in, this company had the children giggling, joining in with actions and hurling abuse at the ghoulish gnome and the smug stout prince.
However, a poorly chosen puppet is the only way to describe the giraffe servant. It felt ill thought out and it would have been more accessible to have a smaller marionette or bunraku puppet. Puppetry can be so effective, yet this life sized head of a giraffe was clumpy and didn’t add anything aesthetically. When you are playing with a fairytale there are so many magical possibilities - it seems a shame to not take advantage.
The show was likeable, funny, non patronising and will appeal to both boys and girls aged four to eight. It involved and engaged a potentially very fidgety audience for a full hour and for that it deserves credit.
The Spark: A Tale of Two Syrias
Submitted by robin_m on Sun, 09/06/2013 - 16:12A Tale of Two Syrias (Director: Yasmin Fedda) will be screened at The Spark in London on Monday 10th June.
The Spark is a week packed with film, discussion, music and workshops from 10 - 15 June 2013. It’s a chance for people to get together, share skills and strengthen movements for economic and social justice. This event takes place the week before the G8 meeting in the UK.
A Tale of Two Syrias will be screened on Monday 10th June at 7pm at The Spark, Blackfriars Hub, 58 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DS. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with Director Yasmin Fedda.
In the afternoon (2pm-5pm) there will be a Master class with Director Yasmin Fedda. In this master class, short documentaries, and excerpts from longer ones will be screened to look at the variety of creative methods used to make engaging films. To discuss whether it is not just the message but also the approach that is important.