Cinerama at The Camerimage Film Festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Written by: Dave Strohmaier & Tom March. Photos: Tom March | Date: 01.01.2014 |
 The
International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography CAMERIMAGE is the
greatest and most recognized festival dedicated to the art of cinematography
and its creators - cinematographers.Camerimage is the film festival name and this popular event is in the 21st year of operation. The venue is Opera Nova, the opera theatre in the heart of the city of Bydgoszcz in Poland. Bydgoszcz, pronounced something like Bid-gosht, was established before the year 1238 and received town rights in 1346. Keeping this in perspective, Chris Columbus visited America in 1492. |
More in 70mm reading: Cinerama Remaster in70mm.com's Cinerama page in70mm.com's "Windjammer" in Cinemiracle page Internet link: Stanley Livingston interview The Last Days of Cinerama Doug and Dave Interview |
 Barbara
Piętka, Dave Strohmaier, Rebecca Olkowski, Doug Knapp and Tom March gather
in the hotel lobby. The invasion of Poland by the Germans in 1939 started the Second World War so there is some new history here too. Travelling this day were Dave Strohmaier, Douglas Knapp SOC, Rebecca Olkowski and Tom March. Our stay was scheduled from Nov 15 to Nov 20, 2013. Dave and Doug were invited to give two presentations that were moderated by Jon D. Witmer, associate editor of the American Cinematographer magazine. |
|
 Doug,
Rebecca and Dave outside the Opera House.One was about the restoration of Cinerama films and the other was a seminar about the filming of the Cinerama film, “In The Picture”. The later event was followed by a screening of "The Last Days of Cinerama" the award winning short documentary on the making of "In the Picture". This event was generously sponsored by Camerimage, Cinerama Inc. and the American Cinematographer magazine. There is a popular James A. Michener quote "If you reject the food, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." We would be putting that little bit of wisdom to the test. |
|
 Dave
and Tom checking out some new technology on the exhibit floor at the ARRI
booth.Arriving in Bydgoszcz, we were met at our hotel by Barbara Piętka, a Festival volunteer. She is an accomplished linguist able to speak four languages and acted as our assistant and interpreter quickly sorting out problems we had checking in and getting oriented. We were staying at the Hotel Słoneczny Młyn which translates to Sun Mill (Much easier to say). The first night's event was the Opening Gala at 11:00 PM in the Maestra Restaurant at Opera Nova and was attended by Doug and Rebeca. |
|
 Dave,
Jon D. Witmer of American Cinematographer and Doug at the American
Cinematographer booth, a good place to pick up your free copy of ...American
Cinematographer magazine. |
|
 Aaaah ...4K!Later Barbara provided services as our personal assistant at the festival and as our tour guide around town. What better way to experience Bydgoszcz! |
|
 Barbara Piętka, Rebecca Olkowski, Tom March at Camerimage.The following day, we set out to do some sight seeing. It was a short tram ride to Old Town Bydgoszcz. As it turned out, Old Town was located immediately adjacent to the Opera Nova Theatre. |
|
 Dave, Rebecca, Doug, Barbara with Opera Nova in background. |
|
 Tom standing in front of something historic. They are old
granary warehouses on the waterfront of the Brda River and now serve as a
regional museum. |
|
 Barbara, Rebecca, Doug, Dave. Let’s eat! |
|
 Doug, Barbara, Rebecca and Dave are about to experience
traditional Polish cuisine at Karczmę Młyńską (Mill Tavern) Restaurant. It
is located by the Brda River on Mill Island and the interior is decorated
with antiques imported from Germany, Austria and Italy. Restauracja Karczma Młyńska Bydgoszcz |
|
 More excellent dining. This time at the Warzelnia Piwa
(Brewery Beer), a restaurant and brewery combined. Warzelnia Piwa Bydgoszcz |
|
 More sightseeing. At the centre of Bydgoszcz is Old Market
Square. Here we are at the War Memorial. |
|
 The Cathedral Church built in gothic style is the oldest
church in Bydgoszcz. It was erected in 1466 on the site of a wooden church
burnt down by Teutonic knights. We spent a short time inside. |
|
 Back to the Camerimage headquarters for scheduled interviews.
|
|
 Doug being interviewed about his experiences filming with the
Cinerama Camera. |
|
 Back at The Hotel Słoneczny Młyn, the nightly party is
starting with the dinner buffet. This night's gathering is sponsored by ARRI
and FREEFLY. |
|
 Let's eat! |
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 Being first in line always ensured that we got a good seat. |
|
 Doug demonstrates the FreeFly Camera Gimbal by FreeFly
Systems.The Freefly MōVI MR & M10 Stabilized Camera Gimbal on Vimeo |
|
 Some FreeFly direction. Will the Cinerama Camera fit on this
thing? |
|
 Doug acquired a souvenir copy of HOLLYWOOD PL. |
|
 Then he got an autograph from the author, fellow
Cinematographer, Jacek Laskus. |
|
 Stephan Ukas-Bradley, Digital Camera Products Manager, ARRI
and Douglas Knapp. |
|
 This is the Multikino, a 10 screen Cineplex just up the road
from Opera Nova. Our seminar presentations take place here in Hall 7. It
seats about 150. Multikino Bydgoszcz |
|
 This is our page in the Festival Program book, page 314. It's
a large book. |
|
 Jon D. Witmer, associate editor of American Cinematographer
magazine moderates the sessions. Dave and Doug alternate as featured
speakers. |
|
 The sessions ended with a lively Q&A. |
|
 Doug hands out souvenir Cinerama film clips to cap off the
presentations.It was a short but memorable visit to Bydgoszcz and Camerimage. We departed the following morning, Doug and Rebecca continuing on a two week tour of Poland, Dave and Tom returning to Los Angeles. |
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