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chat cinema. Cinema entertainment entertainment news

Talking to Filmmakers from around the world

Chat Cinema has been fortunate enough to speak to filmmakers from around the world. Each talent brings a different story and view to the conversation.

Click on the links below to watch the full episodes.

Sexual Drive from Japan

The filmmakers of Sexual Drive talk about their work

Life of Crime from the US

Chat Cinema talks to Jon Alpert about his film LIFE OF CRIME

Roy from the UK

Chat Cinema talks to the filmmakers of ROY

God Said Give ‘Em Drum Machines from US

Chat Cinema talks to the filmmaker behinf GOD SAID GIVE EM DRUM MACHINES

UTAMA from Bolivia

Chat Cinema talks to the filmmaker of UTAMA
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Technology

Working out with the Amazfit T-Rex 3

The T-Rex 3 is a large faced active watch for those who take their physical training serious. During IFA 2024 the Amazfit team gave a presentation of the affordable activity tracker with a Hyrox Professional.  The Chinese technology company gifted attendees with their premium smartwatch. 

My digital exercise partnership will have a lower expectation concerning the workout and fitness expectation than a fitness professional.  On the packaging it reads “the power of human potential.” This sounds promising.

Amazfit T-Rex 3 from IFA

What makes the T-Rex 3 different? I will keep you posted with reviews.

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Technology

A Camera Style makes A Not So Small Comeback

During the IFA Berlin tech event a trend report came as a surprise. A Small point and shoot camera style is making a comeback.

Why are these photo devices popular? Stay tuned for the full report.

Cheap Digital Camera Trend.
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Feature

CSD Month has started in Berlin

CSD month started in Berlin. The Gay Pride Parade happens July 26th.

CSD Berlin
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Fashion

Ladies in Paris with Glamour

From Paris, a group of ladies shows off their fun side for the Glamour Magazine shoot.

Eugenia Kuzmina, Alexandra Celestin, Claire Rose, Elisa Bachir Bey, and Sabrina Dubois.

Black and Paper was happy to help out.

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chat cinema. Cinema entertainment entertainment news

More Short Films from Tribeca

From the Tribeca Film Festival, four more short films that caught my attention.

There is nothing with a film that tugs at the heartstrings. Rise falls into that category.   Jessica J. Rowlands delivers an uplifting story on the ultimate underdog. A n orphaned child living in the garbage dump of Zimbabwe becomes the student of a one-time boxing championing.  The story isn’t just about the fight, but self-worth.

Rise

Snow Bear comes down to what would one of the most ferocious creatures do for companionship in a harsh climate. Director Aaron Blaise brings polar bear cuteness to the screen for 11 minutes in an animated short about friendship and ice.

Linie 12 from directors Sarah Schulz and Christopher Schmier carries an animated story based on the reliable reputation of German train travel even in the face of danger.  Can chaos and managed orchestration come together to save the day?

Pavilhao

From Brazil, Pavilhao is hypnotic energy on the expression, unity and power of Samba in communities. Victoria Fiore’s journey is about getting pulled into the rhythm and sounds as form of liberation from the world.

Screened online during the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival

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Fashion

Anderson’s Whimsical Erotic Dior World

Fashion designer Jonathan Anderson took the helm of Dior Menswear after the exit of Kim Jones. The Irish born previously held the position at LVMH sister brand Loewe for 11 years, turning the Spanish label in a profitable achiever for the Paris conglomerate.

The anticipated debut at Paris Fashion Week was palatable.  Dior is a crown jewel, a heritage luxury label with pedigree going back almost 80 years.  Anderson took the mantle with an impulse to shake up the legacy of historical house. 

The newly installed creative head gave certainly lived up to expectations.  A journey into a whimsical world of male tailoring mixed with eroticism.   A happy place of jackets without shirts, flowing long coats and military wear strutting down the runway.  This is not your grandmother’s Dior.  Instead of resigning himself to the design shackles of an iconic brand, Jonathan daringly went head on with a unique vision of color while stirring emotions. 

The best side of the collection are the earthy elements. Including pieces that can combine with everyones wardrobe without the gaudy pretensions gave all the looks personality. If LVMH is looking for another way to infiltrate the streetwear market, this could be the route to take.

The one drawback, the DIOR monogram on certain pieces felt a bit 2018, too targeted at young buyers looking to trade up.  Or perhaps they will wait for the dupes to hit online.

As the first person to head both menswear and womenswear line at the House of Dior since the Christian, there is a lot of weight on the 40-year-old shoulders.   

Next up is Anderson’s Couture Collection in July, followed by RTW in October.

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Fashion

Wintour Resigns Here, But is Still Here!

The sort of exit that was heard around the fashion world. Anna Wintour resigned as Editor in Chief of Vogue America after 37 years and the style Bible. A brilliant, yet an overstayed career.

While the announcement came as a sudden shock, it was not surprising.  The Uber Magazine head time looked tenerous.  The question: why did it take so long for the helmet bob hair styled head to leave?

Pic of Wintour by Captain Catan from Frankfurt am Main, Germany from Creative Commons.

The most powerful person in fashion steered Vogue to the top of the heap with celebrity covers, taking control of the Met Gala, hobnobbing with politicians, athletes and career boasting recommendations. Wintour set the dark sunglasses standard for magazine power editors. 

Heydays Passed

London born Anna Wintour was born in a media, the daughter of newspaper head Charlie Wintour.  After stints in the UK in 1988 Conde Nast tapped the connected maven to replace Mirabella as head of Vogue.    The publications heyday in the 90’s saw Hollywood Stars gracing covers, a high-profile documentary on the famed September Issue, successful movie verily based on her life, the 75 year old courted a high-profile reputation befitting the Queen of the Fashion. The Louboutin wearer became a household name.

As social media wrestled the trendsetting control from publications, Vogue was caught on the wrong side of the digital realm.  Photos shot by prestigious photographers no longer charmed the masses.  Selfies, scrolling and hashtags, smartphones, ruled the media landscape, glossy print looked so last century.   Anna with the industry were out of step, behind.  Instead of setting the conversation, the Manhattanite moved in a fabulous bubble, three steps behind the curve.

As magazines lost their luster, fallen sales, the always midi skirt wearing diva doubled down on her apex position.  Yet the dwindling kingdom was ever getting smaller with global staff layoffs, cheaper office digs, fewer titled editions, labor strikes, shrinking profits. The castle was under siege.

Conde Nast Titles
Wintour still controls these global titles.

Wintour consolidated her grip at Conde Nast with the titles of Chief Content Officer and Global Editors.  I wonder how large are her business cards? Giving up one role on the June 26th, Anna will keep the other two positions, certainly along with an office, expense account and front row seats at fashion weeks.

Vogue US is currently searching for Head of Editorial Content, not an Editor in Chief.

Categories
Travel

The Elegant Cascade in the Seehof

At the Seehof Palace in the rear garden there is an elegant cascade dating back to the 1770’s.

@blackandpaper

The Flowing Cascade at the Seehof Palace near Bamberg is an elegant water show at the 17th century residence. #fountain #waterfountain #palace #garden #cascade

♬ original sound – Blackandpaper – Blackandpaper
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Travel

Splendour at the Palace

Traveling on the Autobahn 70 near Bamberg heading to Erlangen there are curious towers pushing up beyond the trees from the historical Seehof Palace. The 17th century residence sits in the middle of 21 hectares with a large garden and pond.

The Rococo style palace took eleven years to build. In 1695 the Prince-bishop of Bamberg used the stately home as his summer residence. Over time there were many additions.

Seehof Palace
Seehof Palace
Front View