Even with all the havoc the coronavirus wreaked in the world, cinema could not be stopped, so why should Mark Cousins, the solicitous Irish critic-cum-tour guide whose 15-hour “The Story of Film: An Odyssey” was but a tip-of-the-iceberg survey of the medium’s infinite possibilities?
Making the most of his time in lockdown, Cousins compiled an appendix/capper to that marathon series, delivering “The Story of Film: A New Generation” on opening day of the Cannes Film Festival. This latest installment (doubtful the last) is less focused on where the medium’s been than on where it’s headed, focusing mostly on 21st-century examples, from Attenberg to Zama, that point the way forward.
At two hours and 40 minutes, it’s a longer epilogue than audiences needed perhaps, but then, no one would accuse Cousins of brevity. And for those who appreciate the director’s wide-eyed and open-hearted way of looking at cinema,...
Making the most of his time in lockdown, Cousins compiled an appendix/capper to that marathon series, delivering “The Story of Film: A New Generation” on opening day of the Cannes Film Festival. This latest installment (doubtful the last) is less focused on where the medium’s been than on where it’s headed, focusing mostly on 21st-century examples, from Attenberg to Zama, that point the way forward.
At two hours and 40 minutes, it’s a longer epilogue than audiences needed perhaps, but then, no one would accuse Cousins of brevity. And for those who appreciate the director’s wide-eyed and open-hearted way of looking at cinema,...
- 7/6/2021
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
MaryAnn’s quick take… An absolutely hilarious and very pointed exploration of politics and culture on the smallest possible scale. And a lot of good-lookin’ chickens. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
You’ve seen Christopher Guest’s mockumentary Best in Show, about geekily dedicated dog-show people. Now behold Pecking Order,, the “flockumentary” from New Zealander filmmaker Slavko Martinov about competitive poultry pageantry and, more specifically, about the Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club, and the greatest crisis to rock the organization in its 148-year history. There’s no “mock” in this: it’s all true, and while there is humor galore here, none of it is at the expense of its subjects. Instead, with, perhaps, the maxim that as soon as you get more than two people together, you get politics, Martinov crafts an...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
You’ve seen Christopher Guest’s mockumentary Best in Show, about geekily dedicated dog-show people. Now behold Pecking Order,, the “flockumentary” from New Zealander filmmaker Slavko Martinov about competitive poultry pageantry and, more specifically, about the Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club, and the greatest crisis to rock the organization in its 148-year history. There’s no “mock” in this: it’s all true, and while there is humor galore here, none of it is at the expense of its subjects. Instead, with, perhaps, the maxim that as soon as you get more than two people together, you get politics, Martinov crafts an...
- 9/29/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
This quirkily entertaining documentary takes a peek behind the scenes of competitive poultry breeding in New Zealand
Christopher Guest’s dog-show mockumentary Best in Show must surely have been the inspiration for this quirkily entertaining documentary about the world of competitive chicken breeding. Director Slavko Martinov follows the deadly serious preparations for the New Zealand chook championships by the Christchurch Poultry and Pigeon Club (but don’t mention pigeons to the chicken people – there’s bad blood there).
As you’d expect, the chicken fanciers are an endearingly eccentric bunch, and Martinov affectionately mocks their foibles without being mean or poking fun. Though he does spend too much time dwelling on a power struggle involving the club’s veteran president and members who believe he’s lost the dressing room.
Continue reading...
Christopher Guest’s dog-show mockumentary Best in Show must surely have been the inspiration for this quirkily entertaining documentary about the world of competitive chicken breeding. Director Slavko Martinov follows the deadly serious preparations for the New Zealand chook championships by the Christchurch Poultry and Pigeon Club (but don’t mention pigeons to the chicken people – there’s bad blood there).
As you’d expect, the chicken fanciers are an endearingly eccentric bunch, and Martinov affectionately mocks their foibles without being mean or poking fun. Though he does spend too much time dwelling on a power struggle involving the club’s veteran president and members who believe he’s lost the dressing room.
Continue reading...
- 9/28/2017
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
In these troubled times, what we really need is a documentary about chickens and the people who raise them. The trailer for Slavko Martinov's documentary Pecking Order is far more entertaining than might be expected. It follows animal breeders who are competing in a poultry show and the differences that arise between them. Imagine something like Best in Show, only with chickens instead of dogs, and set in New Zealand, with a tangy and distinctive sense of understated humor, and you might end up with something like Pecking Order. Synopsis: Fierce rivalries, problematic birds and irregular judging are some of the challenges faced by zealous Kiwi chicken breeders, racing to compete at the 2015 National Poultry Show. Directed by Slavko Martinov, Pecking Order is a...
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- 8/30/2017
- Screen Anarchy
Exclusive: North American deal among those concluded.
Montreal-based Seville International has licensed territory rights to Slavko Martinov’s feelgood documentary Pecking Order, which premiered at Hot Docs in May and will screen in competition at the Edinburgh International Film Festival later this month.
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North America, while Lemon Tree will distribute in China, and Discovery Film releases in the former Yugoslavia.
Pecking Order trains its sights on the competitive poultry pageantry scene as a group of chicken enthusiasts vie for the crown at the New Zealand National Poultry Show.
The film follows members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Bantam Club as they bid to win the nationals despite decades of infighting that threatens to tear the 148-year old club apart.
“It’s great to have Freestyle Digital Media take the film under its wing – they will get flying results I am sure,” Seville International senior vice-president of international sales Anick Poirier said. “We...
Montreal-based Seville International has licensed territory rights to Slavko Martinov’s feelgood documentary Pecking Order, which premiered at Hot Docs in May and will screen in competition at the Edinburgh International Film Festival later this month.
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North America, while Lemon Tree will distribute in China, and Discovery Film releases in the former Yugoslavia.
Pecking Order trains its sights on the competitive poultry pageantry scene as a group of chicken enthusiasts vie for the crown at the New Zealand National Poultry Show.
The film follows members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Bantam Club as they bid to win the nationals despite decades of infighting that threatens to tear the 148-year old club apart.
“It’s great to have Freestyle Digital Media take the film under its wing – they will get flying results I am sure,” Seville International senior vice-president of international sales Anick Poirier said. “We...
- 6/8/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Imagine the Westminster Dog Show, except replace the canines with chickens. That’s competitive poultry pageantry, and it’s a huge phenomenon around the world. In Hot Docs documentary “Pecking Order” (definitely one of the most clever titles of the festival), filmmaker Slavko Martinov hones in on New Zealand specifically, but makes sure to emphasize that this is […]...
- 5/1/2017
- by Chris Jancelewicz
- ET Canada
Exclusive: Canadian sales outfit is representing the project at the Efm.
Seville International arrives at the European Film Market (Efm) with international rights to a feel-good documentary about competitive poultry shows.
Slavko Martinov’s Pecking Order follows members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Bantam Club as they strive to overcome internecine warfare and triumph at the New Zealand National Poultry Show.
The New Zealand Film Commission supported the film, which Martinov produced alongside Mike Kelland and David Brechin-Smith.
“This out-of-the-box, hilarious project is pure fun for me and the team at Seville,” said Seville International senior vice-president of international Sales Anick Poirier.
“We are so excited to work with Slavko to bring this creative ‘flockumentary’ to the world and show audiences just how to ruffle some feathers. Buyers will flock.”
Seville’s Berlin sales slate includes the historical epic Hochelaga, Land Of Souls starring Vincent Perez and French-Canadian rapper Samian from The Red Violin director [link=nm...
Seville International arrives at the European Film Market (Efm) with international rights to a feel-good documentary about competitive poultry shows.
Slavko Martinov’s Pecking Order follows members of the Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon and Bantam Club as they strive to overcome internecine warfare and triumph at the New Zealand National Poultry Show.
The New Zealand Film Commission supported the film, which Martinov produced alongside Mike Kelland and David Brechin-Smith.
“This out-of-the-box, hilarious project is pure fun for me and the team at Seville,” said Seville International senior vice-president of international Sales Anick Poirier.
“We are so excited to work with Slavko to bring this creative ‘flockumentary’ to the world and show audiences just how to ruffle some feathers. Buyers will flock.”
Seville’s Berlin sales slate includes the historical epic Hochelaga, Land Of Souls starring Vincent Perez and French-Canadian rapper Samian from The Red Violin director [link=nm...
- 2/9/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
WikiLeaks founder to judge films at the 21st Raindance Film Festival; 2013 line-up unveiled.Scroll down for full line-up of films
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
Julian Assange has joined the jury of the 21st Raindance Film Festival (Sept 25 - Oct 6), a London-based event that celebrates independent film in the UK and around the world.
The appointment is a controversial one. The Australian editor-in-chief and founder of WikiLeaks took refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about sexual assault allegations.
It is understood that he fears Sweden would extradite him to the Us, where he believes he is wanted in relation to WikiLeaks’ disclosure of a significant amount of classified Us military and diplomatic documents.
Commenting on Assange’s appointment, Raindance founder Elliot Grove said: “Every year Raindance invites interesting people to join our jury. In the past we have had musicians like Mick Jones, Marky Ramone and [link...
- 9/3/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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