Mark Cousins to Deliver Explosive ‘Anti-Masterclass’ at MDAG Festival

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At MDAG Industry, which is the industry segment of the Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival in Poland, Mark Cousins will present an “opposite-workshop” or “anti-workshop.” Additionally, he’ll conduct a review and reflection on his past projects.

In their role as filmmakers, it’s our constant aim to captivate and astonish. We must experiment with the medium itself. Similarly, film festivals ought to innovate with their formats as well. Most of them host masterclasses, so I propose to conduct an ‘anti-masterclass’, to challenge the conventional notions of what a master entails, and what a class truly is. This idea I share with EbMaster.

During my time in Finland, I was tasked with presenting a 90-minute masterclass. Initially, I thought this duration was sufficient for preparing a meal. However, we decided to take a unique approach by setting up an oven on stage and cooking while discussing cinema. At the Cannes Film Festival, I suggested to the host that she should select images without explaining them, instead presenting them during our discussion. This approach aimed to foster vulnerability, improvisation, and hopefully, create an enjoyable experience.

In Sweden, instead of doing a press conference, he hired a bus and went on “a mystery tour.”

The concept of traditional masterclasses is outdated; it should be reimagined with more creativity, playfulness, questioning, and boldness. Unfortunately, I can’t reveal specifics about my innovative approach, as we want it to be a mystery, but here’s a hint: ‘Don’t fear the unknown. Embrace your sense of amusement and wonder.’

As a cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Mark Cousins is making his debut with us, and we’re excited to screen his newest creation, ‘A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things.’ This film centers around the life of artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. Since this is his first time here, we thought it would be a fantastic chance to delve into Mark’s unique cinematic perspective.

I’m fortunate enough to be part of an event that will proudly host Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. He will present “The Bibi Files,” a production he himself created, offering insights into the life and career of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Liebhart also mentions that he’ll participate in our rapidly evolving and captivating industry events. He’s referring to another project spearheaded by sound designers Nicolas Becker and Peter Albrechtsen, which concentrates on “Creating Soundscapes: Designing Engrossing Audio for Documentary Films.

Sound plays a crucial role, particularly in the production of ‘Viktor’, a film about a deaf individual during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To accurately portray his unique perception of reality, they equipped him with microphones throughout his body. This innovative approach is expected to offer an extraordinary learning opportunity for the entire film industry.”

“In ‘Viktor’, sound takes on significant importance as it tells the story of a deaf individual living through the Russian invasion of Ukraine. To capture the unique way he perceives reality, they placed microphones all over his body. This creative method is set to provide an exceptional educational experience for the film industry.

At the event, Danish producer Mette Hoffmann Meyer will join in, while Young Woo Kim, the programming director of the Seoul Independent Film Festival, will share insights on collaboration and distribution possibilities for documentaries from Europe.

For the last ten years, it’s been the documentary genre that has experienced the most impressive expansion and success in the Asian cinema landscape. A surge of emerging filmmakers is driving this transformation,” he notes.

Nevertheless, there are obstacles to overcome. The selection of European documentaries accessible in Asian nations is quite scarce. While they may be displayed at film festivals, it can be difficult to locate them in movie theaters or online streaming services.

For the initial unveiling, a selection of XR, AR, and VR projects in different stages of development will be showcased. One of these projects is an interactive XR installation titled “AI & Me: Understanding the Bond Between Humans and Algorithms.”

A variety of XR, AR, and VR projects at different production phases will be introduced for the first time. The interactive installation “AI & Me: The Impact of Algorithms on Us” will give an insight into the connection between humans and algorithms.

Anna Szczypińska, who heads the industry, is thrilled about the vibrant start of adopting new technologies. This year, what particularly excites her is the expanding variety and magnitude of the MDAG Industry. She highlights three pitching events, one of which is ‘Pole Position,’ specifically focusing on Polish films that are part of the lineup.

We’re evolving from an intimate 2021 event into a broad platform encompassing the entire film industry. Not only can we welcome renowned documentary figures like Mark Cousins and Nicolas Becker, but we also nurture smaller entities and newcomers. This diversity speaks volumes about our maturity and commitment to inclusivity.

She notes: “Currently, Polish documentarian filmmakers require two essential elements: a global network of connections and genuine chances to advance their projects. While the Polish market is growing and Polish documentary cinema is gaining international recognition, it still necessitates assistance in its growth. We aim for MDAG Industry to play a role in addressing this need.

Industry events are “the backbone of documentary cinema,” she stresses. 

Festivals serve not just as venues for screenings; they are incubators where new films take shape. Our mission is not merely to foster film production but to cultivate a network of innovative filmmakers and industry professionals. By bridging local and global perspectives, we strive to establish enduring connections within the industry and shape the future editions of our festival.

MDAG Industry will take place from May 8 – 12.

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2025-05-08 12:08