Film Synopses:
Karen Blixen: Behind Her Mask
2011, Morten Henriksen, 54 minutes, Denmark
Karen Blixen: Behind Her Mask is a documentary depicting the eponymous author’s friendship with the devil. In public, Karen Blixen described herself as a “story-teller,” but within a small inner circle—among them, young writer Aage Henriksen—she called herself "the devil's mistress" and thanked him for his ability to convert everything into stories. Were her opinions pure literary ornament, metaphors for well-known phenomena, or did they hold some deeper meaning? These questions led the Aage Henriksen to embark on a harrowing journey into the world of the occult. At the time, Aage also brought his ten-year-old son Morten along as a confidant. Now Morten Henriksen sets out to finish his late father’s investigation.
About the Director
Born in 1950 in Denmark, Henriksen graduated with a degree in literature from the University of Copenhagen and a degree in direction from the National Film School of Denmark in 1979. Henriksen wrote scripts and directed documentaries and TV dramas before making his first fiction feature, De nøgne træer (The Naked Trees), in 1991.
Film Synopses:
The Man Behind the Throne
2013, Kersti Grunditz, 58 minutes, Sweden
Vincent Paterson is the man who told Michael Jackson to grab his crotch. The pope called Paterson Satan after he directed Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour. He has turned opera videos into bestsellers and returned Elvis to Las Vegas with the gigantic Viva Elvis! show by Cirque du Soleil. When Lars von Trier made the film Dancer in the Dark, Paterson was the first person he turned to.
The Man Behind the Throne looks at the life and career of Vincent Paterson, one of Hollywood’s most distinctive choreographers. Paterson challenges the myth of self-destructive fame with his childlike joy, tough work ethic, and personal integrity. Yet despite his work being seen by millions, he remains a largely unknown artist.
About the Directors:
Kersti Grunditz has directed a number of documentaries widely shown in northern Europe, including The Queen of Blackwater (2008). Grunditz is also a highly regarded film editor, working on several award-winning films. She started out as a dancer and choreographer.
Background:
Vincent Paterson says he will stop working when he is dead. His brilliance, combined with his passionate outlook and kind manner, have inspired countless artists. He has earned his title as “the man behind the throne,” to whom the king and queen of pop music owe much.
Awards:
Dance Camera West, Best Documentary, Los Angeles, 2013