31/01/2003 - 7000 meetings about forthcoming projects and co-productions, a gathering of European and international operators: the final balance by the General Manager of Italia Cinema

After the celebrations for the winners of the 32nd Rotterdam Film Festival and the films that will benefit from the financial support of the Hubert Bals Foundation and the other funds that converged on the CineMart, the time has come for those returning from the Dutch event to sit back and take stock.
Generally speaking, it was a very positive experience, for a number of reasons other than those mentioned by the artistic director, Simon Field. According to the (rather optimistic) organisers, some 7000 meetings were held about forthcoming projects and co-productions. Simon Field proudly drew attention to the fact that over 80 per cent of all screenings were “sold out” and that never before had such a gathering of European and international operators been seen at a time of huge economic uncertainty in Europe. They flocked to Rotterdam where they rediscovered a taste for taking risks in the name of creativity and art.
Rotterdam is considered to be an unmissable appointment in the agendas of industry operators and producers of quality films and Rotterdam’s Tigers roared as they lead the field in world cinema presenting films with the courage to dare and seek new directions and forms of expression. That was especially true both of the video-installations that now accompany so many films like David Byrne’s True Stories, and a competition which maintained a dignified stance despite being wedged between the Berlin selections and market turbulence.
Almost everything that is and represents novelty in world cinema was screened in the stunning efficiency of the De Doelen area and its unparalleled video library, and in the Pathé Complex and the thousands of cinemas of Rotterdam. Two distinct areas emerged from the official selection: the first targeted hard-bitten filmfans and the domestic market, the other, industry insiders with interesting proposals that made excellent use of the short film, video and documentary mediums.
The highlights of this edition included a tribute to Jean-Claude Brisseau, the latest from Philippe Grandrieux and Claire Denis, a huge number of French and Italian filmmakers, Todd Haynes’ masterpieces (his Far From Heaven opened the festival) and Alexander Sokurov and his Russian Ark [+see also:
trailer
film profile].

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In conclusion, if you are looking for films of the future, and the opportunity to look back at the past year and relive the best films, Rotterdam’s the place to be! The Dutch event continues to grow in prestige in the stock market of international festivals with every new edition because Rotterdam does not limit itself to merely showing films but digs deeper and proposes, ideates and suggests. See you next year.