In Holland


Panorama Photography
By Athula Disanayaka

“An evening of Amsterdam”


Panoramic picture means that it exposes wider area than the height of the picture. In other way panoramic view is that its aspect ratio is higher in width than the height of the picture. Use of panoramic picture is very common with the emerging of Digital Photography and relevant software. Today, all over the world people use panoramic photography for Artistic, Educational and Commercial Purposes.

T he concept of present day Panoramic Photography has a link with medieval panoramic art emerged in Europe.  When I was in Netherlands I had a chance to visit to see 360 - degree panoramic art, Panorama Message in Hague. This panoramic art is more than 14 meters high and about 40 meters in diameter (120 meters in circumference). This was a masterpiece of distinguished Dutch marine painter Henrdrik Willem Mesdag  ((23 February 1831 – 10 July 1915). This Panoramic paint reflects the sea and the land of Hague in 360 – degree. This world famous paint is exhibited in a cylindrical building with an observation gallery in the centre of building enabling viewers to see whole paint walking around 360 - degree inside the observation gallery. Sand dune is created between the paint and observation gallery and it results crating of more real atmosphere of a sea and land side that painted in the art.

This unforgettable experience inspired me to create my own panoramic picture in marvelous Amsterdam city with my DSLR. One day, a rather cold evening, I walked inside the city and found a place to create my first panoramic picture. You could see that amazing panoramic picture here that I captured at first time in my photographic life. I took three pictures and assembled it using Adobe Photo Shop photo stitching to create “An evening of Amsterdam”  



පැනොරාමා (Panorama) එහෙමත් නැත්නම් පලලින් ඉතා පුලුල් පරාසයක විහිදුණු කෝණයක් ඇති ඡායාරූපකරණය (Panoramic Photography) බොහෝ සෙයින් අද භාවිතා වුණත් එහි අතීතය මධ්්‍ය කාලීන යුගයටත් පෙර කාලයේ චිත්‍ර ශිල්පය දක්වා දක්වා දිව යනවා. නමුත් මෙම චිත්‍ර වඩාත් ජනප්‍රිය වුණේ 18- 19 ශත වර්ශ වලදී . ස්වාභාවික භූමි දර්ශන ඇඳපු චිත්‍ර ශිල්පීන් මෙම පැනොරාමා චිත්‍ර අඳින්න පුරුදු වුණා. මේවාට බොහෝ විට වස්තු විශය වුණේ භූමි දර්ශන, යුද්ධ සහ විවිධ ඓතිහාසික සංසිද්ධි. නෙදර්ලන්තයේ හේග් ( නුවර තියෙන Panorama Mesdag )කියන සුවිශාල සිලින්ඩරාකාර චිත්‍රය මධ්‍ය කාලීන යුගයේ පැනොරාමා චිත්‍ර වලට උදාහරණයක්. හේග් මුහුදු වෙරළ සහ ගොඩ බිම නිරූපනය වන අංශක 360 ක කෝණයක භූමි දර්ශනයක් මෙම චිත්‍රයෙන් නිරූපනය වෙනවා. ‍


පසුකාලීනව ඡායාරූපකරණය පැමිණීමත් සමග පැෙනාරාම ඡායාරූප ගන්න ගත්ත උත්සහ ෙය් විවිධ අත්හදා බැලීම් වල ප්‍රතිපලයක් විදිහට අදාල ශිල්පීය උපක්‍රම භාවිතා කරලා ගන්න ඡායාරූප ෙපලක් Photoshop අාධාරෙයන් පැෙනාරාම ඡායාරූපයක් බවට පත්කරගන්න පුලුවන්.



ෙනදර්ලන්තෙය් අැමස්ටර්ඩෑම් නුවර පැෙනාරාමා ඡායාරූපයක්

A Panoramic Picture of Amsterdam in Netherlands.


දවසක් සන්ධ්‍යාෙව් කාංසිය යන්නත් ඒක්ක අැම්ස්ටර්ඩෑම් නුවර අැවිද ෙගන යන විට අපූරු වීදියක අැලක් සහ මධ්‍යකාලීන යු ග ෙය් නිවාස ෙපලක් සහිත සුන්දර දර්ශනයක් හමුවුණා. ඒ සුන්දර පැෙනාරාමා ඡායාරූපය තමයි මේ.



IDFA
A contemporary perspective of visual storytelling
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

This article was published in local news paper " Daily News" 

By Athula Disanayaka



IDFA - international Documentary Film Festival of Amsterdam is one of distinguished documentary film festival in the world. Within eleven days of screenings, in 2012, reportedly more than 1.2 million documentary films enthusiasts had flocked to the theater complex in Amsterdam city to see the films. That was valuable opportunity for the documentary film makers living worldwide to expose their self consciousness and profound sentiment through visual sequences to the world.  I also got an opportunity to see several documentaries in the festival in 2012 while I was attending my training course on Educational Television Program Production at RNTC – Radio Netherlands Training Center in Hilversum, Netherlands. I was highly inspired by seeing modern forms of   expressions on documentaries by the talented directors form different countries in the world.

IDFA was founded in Amsterdam by Ally Derks  in 1987 in   order to build a platform for the documentary film makers scattered all over the  world with the intention of making outstanding documentary with new creative formats and contents.  Along this visual art project this organization creates international dialog among all participants and Dutch people on various socio – economic and political issues in the world.

New generation and the veteran documentary film makers show their unique talents of visual expression using new dimension of documentary story telling at IDFA.



IDFA 2012

IDFA 2012 festival started on 14th   and lasted on 25th of November. In developed social democratic atmosphere, Dutch people think broadly on the issues related to the numerous socio, economic and political milieu in the world. Dutch society is more liberal and uses to perceive the world in humanistic way. They make favor on the documentaries which are made with newest narrative style on the subjects of some issues in the world. Culturally, watching movies both classical and popular is a great passion of Dutch people. 
Pathe film theater complex where IDFA was held

Last year more than 4000 documentary industry people including directors and producers had visited IDFA. More than 250 films were screened.
IDFA is not just a screening of selected documentaries from all over the world, but it has been adorned with many creative and progressive ideas and systematic process and projects which lead documentary directors and documentary enthusiasts to make profound study and entertain on the subjects. Most prominently IDFA Bertha Fund provides assistance to documentary film makers living in worldwide who have financial matters to realize their documentary projects. Bertha fund gives support for the documentary projects of developing countries which discus the matters such as freedom of expression, human rights, social justice, poverty, feminism, economic justice and education.   Further, IDFA Bertha Fund provide capital  for the film festival that can be organized in developing countries by any organization with clear intention of developing documentary film culture which is dedicated to ground breaking documentaries.
IDFA Website and process
IDFA web site is one of most developed, attractive and user friendly web site which is full of modern elements enabling browsers to watch some award winning documentaries for free of charges. During the festival film buffs could download mobile apps to their smart phone to access more film information and ticket reserving. IDFA organization issues Daily tabloid news paper called IDFA with extensive details and the narrative articles about the screening films and the festival. All screenings are followed by an interactive session with Q&A between audience and the director of the film. Making documentary is an art form and an industry as well. So IDFA is a place where film makers, TV production houses and broadcast channels sell their outstanding works to the rest of world. IDFA has specially design process and meeting point where film directors could meet hundreds of people represented television field who want to purchase best documentary films for the broadcast and distribution. IDFA academy is most exceptional part which stimulates talents of new and experienced film makes through workshops and training programs.
Some stunning successes of IDFA  
Now I intend to refer some outstanding documentaries which were screened in IDFA in 2012 and earlier. I was able to watch several documentary films at IDFA but I watched many documentaries by online accessing to the IDFA web site www.idfa.nl and you tube.

 “Seeing is Believing: Handy cams, Human Rights and the News”
 In the practice of journalism TV producers and TV Directors never thought of using small video (Handy cam) cameras that could be used for broadcasting purpose, especially for documentary film making. But trend and practice have changed enabling small domestic cameras (handy cams) to enter broadcasting sect.  The story “Seeing is Believing: Handy cams, Human Rights and the News” by  Katerina Cizek, Peter Wintonick, Canada, 2002, color, video, 52', is precise instance for  using small camera for broadcasting for some case.

Rodney King is being beaten by police, scene was captured by handy cam


Documentary starts some handy cam footages of various countries, South Africa, Cambodia, Eritrea and USA reflecting the importance of the incidents/contents not the quality of footage like broadcast quality. This is the modern way of journalism involved with reality.
Operating handy cam by general people assist main stream media to built real stories of truthful, believable incidents of day to day life in society. Viewers don’t think that it is a fabrication or re enacted.   From human activist to Soldiers, astronaut, terrorists and many others use handy cam for their life style events such as birthday parties, school functions, Journeys, wedding and etc.  But occasionally, accidently, they encounter real incidents which effect upon individuals or all in the society. In 9/11 tragedy, first air plane hitting to the world trade center and many other incidents were captured by amateurs using handy cams. Television channels used those materials for their news bulletins and programs.
Since the invention of Handy Cam in 1985 it became fashion of entertaining tools of people but it turned to political weapon for the human rights activists. “Seeing is Believing” shows numerous crucial incidents happened in globally. Handy cam revolution began when someone captured (using handy cam) Rodney King police beating in Los Angles highway in 1991. Following the airing of this handycam footage of Rodney king police beating by television channel, public outrage sparked across the united state against the police brutality and racism.  This video footage assisted as credible testimony on trial against the perpetrators.   
“Seeing is Believing”, film flows with central character Philippine human rights activist Joey Lozano   who were given handycam camera from New York Based human right organization “Witness” . He provides video film making lesson to the selected people of tribe who has to fight against multinational company upon confiscation of their inherited lands. They were instructed to record all incidents with companies. Because Joey Lozano and human rights organization in New York had identified video footages as credible political tool which could be used against injustice.

Afghan Star


After Taliban regime was fallen music came back to Afghanistan where had been rich music for centuries. During Taliban extremism (under Sharia law) singing, listening music and dancing were banned and punishable by prison sentences or death penalty. Fortunately, following the 2004 election many restrictions were lifted allowing people more secular freedom. Afghan people rediscovered their art inheritance including music for enjoyment, embracing secular values. This transition and the new music trend in the Afghan society had astonishingly captured by young British director Havana Marking in her documentary called “Afghan Star” which was screened at IDFA in 2008.
Story of this documentary is revolved around four contestants of Afghan weekly popular musical television show Pop Idol exposing the music passion of Afghan people, 11 million viewers, and one third of the total population. These contestants, finalists of the show, two women and two men are under the dread atmosphere of Taliban because yet Taliban threat is still alive. People vote their favorite singers by mobile phones and this was first time Afghan people experience such reality show. Amazingly women competitors sing at stage while dancing   without wearing Burqa. The one women star says that they were forced to cage during Taliban control and but now they can do anything they want but still there were fear surrounding them. One of female singer was threatened by far extremists and openly one boy says “she is deserved to be killed”. Some conservative elders say “she could have contested according to Islamic rules”. Three weeks Before the final show Ulema Council of Scholars of Afghanistan makes decision to impose a decree  against the Afghan Star and says it was un Islamic and violates Islamic Sharia law. But despite the decree by Ulema, finalists, one woman and two boys decide to continue the contest. Music lovers gather to watch final show enthusiastically. Again, Taliban makes threat to mobile company to suspend all mobile signals at the night because they want to prevent revealing of consent of majority people who love music. But, eventually the television channel and the contestants heroically break the hurdle choosing their music star mocking the conservative ideology of Taliban. 

This feature length documentary begins the testimony of little blind Afghan boy who sings a song and says “Someone can listen to music and his good mood will return. His sadness will disappear.  If there was no music human would be sad.” This is a sarcastic prologue which places by the director who wants viewers to sense the real nature of human.

Festival was featured by three types of length films as short documentaries, mid length documentaries and feature length documentaries. 

Other most fascinating significance of this festival is allowing film makers to submit their experimental documentary films. Some documentaries had made using domestic video camera which had high resolution video filming facilities.

“5 broken Camera”


“5 broken Camera” is one of compelling story about firsthand account of Palestinian farmer lives in troubled area in West Bank. Farmer Emad Burnat bought his first video camera in 2005 to capture his youngest son’s Birth. At the same time Israel government began of constructing a fence splitting the land as Israeli side and Palestinian side. While capturing the fascinating moment of his growing son he uses to capture the incidents between Israel soldiers and Palestinians. Every time he is attacked by Israeli forced and his cameras are also damaged.

 Since 2005 to 2009 Emand had captured nine hundred hours long footages.  In 2009 Israeli co-director Guy Davidi joined with this farmer to make film. This collaboration led to compile astonishing story which won several international awards, the Special Broadcaster IDFA Audience Award and the Special Jury Award at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in 2011, Nominated for Best Documentary Feature in the 85th Academy Awards.

“5 broken Camera” is a testimony of oppressive life of Palestinian in west bank. Emad Burnat and villagers protest peacefully and every time Emad shoots the incidents with the risk of damaging his camera. But eventually, his cameras are damaged by Israel forces.  
So he buys new camera every year. He has hours of footages but not a documentary. During this time most remarkable, profound sentimental incident happens. An Israel film director, Guy Davidi, rival from opposite side of Palestinian cames towards Emad to assist to make a complete film using his hours of video.

Davidi, as an experienced film maker he shapes and structures a story placing Emad as the central character and story continues through the Emad’s point of view.    Emad gathers more visual including their family life. He fascinatingly documents his fourth son’s growing throughout six years. French Editor Véronique Lagoarde–Ségot joins with Eamad and Davidi to finalize the program in to two versions, 90 minutes film and 52 minutes television version.
 Eamad made a visual story, the incidents in village confronting Israeli forces cut in juxtaposition with family life. Although there is conflict between Israel and Palestine, convincing democratic and humanistic values and principles, initially Israel Greenhouse Development Project funded this documentary project. Ultimately “5 broken Camera” came in front of the eyes of rest of the world wining positive reviews and winning   international awards.


Salim Baba

Where ever in this world, life is a struggle of surviving. Every person has inherited life style and a means of sustain. Bad or good, old or new, profitable or not profitable anybody should do particular profession. In IDFA short length section, “Salim Baba” is a documentary on a character lives in north Kolkata, a person who has chosen one of fascinating way to find his wage. 55 year’s old Salim Muhamad operating mobile cinema with his son which is inherited from his father.  With a  Lumière-era projector and a six-foot-long theatre on wheels Salim Muhammad shows a small clips of discarded  Indian feature films  which are consisted with songs, dance and fighting.  Children living in his urban area flock to see these movies paying some coins.

He has been engaging this for 45 years. He wishes to continue the tradition.  Director   brings people to watch the real harsh atmosphere in an Indian city which is full of shanties. Salim Baba is one of most poignant documentary of human life which I have ever seen.  .This is the testimony of powerful documentary basin on actual life account.

Salim Baba, 2007, directed by Tim Sternberg, 15 minutes length film was nominated for r an Academy Award for best documentary short.

Radio Amina

It is not a matter of your gender, male or female; both of them should have equal rights in every aspect in the society. This is utmost recognition in a society where democracy is being conducted.    But this recognition is not applicable to the many societies which are far from democracy. It is true phenomenon that some religious fundamentalism and feudalism have been deprived women rights. Radio Amina, Directed by Orlando von Einsiedel , 8mins running time, IDFA selected film in 2011 is  a film which portraits  the disappointed  life of girls  in Nigeria.  

Although Nigeria is a oil rich country, now it is become to a miserable state because of years long conflict with “ Boko Haram”  ( in English meaning - western education is sinful) Islamic fundamental organization fighting for separate Islamic state for the northern Nigeria. As usual women in some Islamic societies have limited rights and they don’t have equal opportunities as men. They are confined in to the society where conservative values and taboos are existed. In this true context, even though Amina has numerous desires and wishes she has to be cornered without achieving them.  Radio Amina , short documentary expresses Amina’s wishes and desires in new form of documentary storytelling.  

12 years old Amina Dibir , a street peddler in Kano, appears in the film selling some stuffs. Her voice (dreams, wishes and opinions) goes on air through a fictitious radio and numerous people of the country listen to her speech. It is worth to listen her own voice ( back ground narration)   in the documentary to realize true nature of girls in northern Nigeria .    “Today we are talking about girl’s hopes for the future. It is hard for us girls here in Nigeria. We are expected to do everything in the house and then go out to work on the streets. But we want more from our lives. Girls can be presidents, run companies or even fly to space. But so many decisions in this country are made by the fat men in suits. They sit their offices and say educating girls is not our priority. ………To all the girls listening to my show. I know you have dreams like I do……Parents, businessmen, politicians no body listen to us girls. At the moment we are invisible to our leaders. But we can do great things for our country. We ambitious and we are hard working. We just want to be heard. My name is Amina. I am going to be someone. All I am asking Nigeria, is that you hear my voice”
                                                                                                                                                           

IDFA – International documentary festival is an event that film lovers either visit or watching film through the online. Immerging young talented and veteran documentary makers can contribute the festival submitting their excellent masterworks on variety of subjects in artistic formats. Although you are mere documentary viewer undoubtedly you could sharpen your humanistic vision upon contemporary world to be acted as a humanist. 




Athulatv@yahooo.com
 



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