Background

Critics’ Choice VI: On Collectivity

20 January 2020

Background

Critics’ Choice VI: On Collectivity

20 January 2020

IFFR is not complete without the voice of film critics.

For the sixth time, film journalists Jan Pieter Ekker and Dana Linssen have organised Critics’ Choice. This programme invites Dutch and international critics to create introductory video essays for festival films.

This year, ‘collectives’ is the overarching theme, an exciting yet complicated concept in film criticism. A large part of the history of film criticism consists of defining film as an artform, in relation to other arts and mass entertainment.

Critics’ Choice VI: On Collectivity aims to investigate the concept of collectivity further by means of films, video essays and debates. How does auteur theory hold up against ideas of collective creation? How does film criticism – focused on individual opinions – relate to the collective viewing experience? In times of review aggregators and social media, does film criticism tend towards consensus and the collective forming of opinions?

Below you’ll find an overview of all Critics’ Choice appearances and an essay by the curators of the programme, film journalists Jan Pieter Ekker and Dana Linssen.

Read Ekker and Linssen's essay on collectivity here

Overview of Critics’ Choice VI: On Collectivity

Thu 23 Jan, 16:15, Schouwburg Grote Zaal
The Lighthouse by Robert Eggers
Introduced by a video essay by Kevin B. Lee

Fri 24 Jan, 15:30, de Doelen Pro Hub
Interdependencies - Mapping the Grey Areas between Press & Industry
Panel discussion with Charles McDonald, Christophe Mercier, Belinda van de Graaf, Wendy Ide and Tara Judah. Free admission

Fri 24 Jan, 16:30, Schouwburg Grote Zaal
Atlantique by Mati Diop
Introduced by a video essay by Patricia Pisters

Sat 25 Jan, 19:30, Cinerama 6
Air Conditioner by Fradique
Introduced by a video essay by Rasha Hosny, Q&A with Fradique

Sun 26 Jan, 12:00, Pathé 2
El año del descubrimiento by Luis López Carrasco
Introduced by a video essay by Lucia Salas/La vida util, Q&A with Luis López Carrasco

Sun 26 Jan, 21:00, LantarenVenster 3
The Fever by Maya Da-Rin
Introduced by a video essay by Victor Guimarães

Mon 27 Jan 09:45 Pathé 2
Kala azar by Janis Rafa
Introduced by a video essay by Jessie McGoff, Q&A with Janis Rafa

Tue 28 Jan, 13:00, Hilton Rotterdam
Countering Images
Critics’ Choice VI closing session with Kevin B. Lee, Agustina Arbetman, Hafiz Rancajale and Rasha Hosny. Free admission

Wed 29 Jan, 12:45, Oude Luxor
Beanpole by Kantemir Balagov
Introduced by a video essay by Joost Broeren-Huitenga

Fri 31 Jan, 21:30, KINO 4
Parasite (B&W version) by Bong Joon Ho
With an introduction on the role of food in film by culinary journalist Lot Piscaer, plus late night Korean snacks and drinks

Sat 1 Feb, 13:30, KINO 4
Repo Man by Alex Cox (1984)
Introduced by a video essay by Miklós Kiss and Shant Bayramian, Q&A with Andrea Müller-Schirmer

Other blog posts on Critics' Choice