Team Sarah sails into Central London

Sarah Ayton is one of Britain’s most successful female sailors. If she wins in London 2012, she will become the first British woman to win three successive Olympic gold medals. Proudly sponsored by our client, QuIC Financial, Incontext Productions was on the scene to document a special event in Central London to celebrate her success.

It was an unusual sight to see when Sarah and Saskia rolled up to London’s Financial District with their very own Olympic sail boat. We caught up with her as she parked her boat behind the Royal Exchange Building close to QuIC’s new office. Watch our video to see the events unfold or visit QuIC's blog to find out more about Team Sarah.

A sneak peek at Summer School

Tonight, I'll be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Nigella Lawson and Julie Burchill in support of the UK Feminista Winter Fundraiser. Founder Kat Banyard, who plays a pivotal role in our documentary, is the founder of the feminist campaigning organisation who's purpose is to end the continuing equalities between women and men.

We'll be screening a short trailer of Summer School, our new documentary about new activists who take on a cause far bigger then themselves. If you'd like to come down and take a look, while supporting a good cause, visit http://www.ukfeminista.org.uk/.

To see and not be seen

By Marcie MacLellan

The first movie I saw in the cinema was The Muppets Take Manhattan. As a long-time fan of Jim Henson’s characters, Miss Piggy in particular, I sat in the dark beside by sister mesmerised as the characters came to life on the big screen in the tiny old theatre. Of course, now-a-days, what defines a ‘big screen’ is infinitely bigger. In fact, many cinemas of the Leicester Square variety feel more like a theme park than a cosy place to sit back and enjoy. That’s why I still opt for those out of the way places that remind me of my first movie-going experience, where the theatre is dingy, the seats are packed, and the popcorn is always salty. Fortunately, in London, there’s no shortage of opportunities.

Roxy Bar and Screen

I’m not the first to review the Roxy Bar and Screen and I won’t be the last. It was recently reviewed by Shortlist as a ‘super-cool bar-cum-cinema’ and I tend to agree. I first came across it to get a glimpse of the super-odd musical-cum-cult-classic, the Wickerman. The upside of this place is that it makes watching films on a comfy sofa feel like a proper night out. The down side is the near riot-inducing frenzy that fighting for said sofas can cause.

Riverside Studios

Riverside Studios is a self-described arts and media centre in Hammersmith. More than just a cinema, it’s a place where art happens, comprising two main performance studios, a cinema, a TV studio and production galleries. I stumbled on it during a screening of a documentary I had worked on and continue to return, largely because it prides itself on hosting double-bills each and every night. It pays particular tribute to art-house British pictures and upcoming young directors, which makes a refreshing change from supporting yet another Sex and the City release. Another perk: after the film you can enjoy a glass of wine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames.

The Tricycle Theatre

Another oldie but goodie is the Tricycle Theatre based in Kilburn. This cinema isn’t fancy, but that’s what makes it authentically great. With a 300-seat auditorium, it screens a wide range of culturally and historically significant films and has a particular penchant for documentaries of the political variety. After taking in some culture on the screen, you can observe even more by wandering through their art gallery after the show.

Kino Live

At Kino London’s monthly open-mic film nights, you won’t be getting a glimpse of the next BAFTA award-winning film. But you will be supporting the arts in a whole new way. This group of film lovers hosts the only film night of its kind in London. No longer than 6 minutes long, the films have no themes, no pre-selection and no restrictions, other than the fact that they have to include a live component. The live element can be dialogue, music or, well, anything really. Held at the Vibe Bar in Brick Lane, this concept is a blessing for up and coming film-makers like myself, and a worthy risk for the audience who never knows what to expect next. Except popcorn.

Three miles north of sanity

By Marcie MacLellan

This film was described as “a sheer delight” by The Mirror, “a hoot” by The Guardian and “hilarious” by The Times. I’ve got to admit, none of these words came to mind after sitting through Three Miles North of Molkom. Uncomfortable, confusing, or overly sentimental seems more apt. But regardless of how you’d describe the film, I do know this; it is a film that should be seen.

In my opinion, one of the strongest emotions a film can churn up is confusion. Corinna Villari-McFarlane and Robert Cannan clearly made this one of their goals. In their words, they did not want viewers to walk away with the notion that ‘this is dark’ or ‘this is hilarious.’ They just want you to walk away sensing that something amazing has happened.

Held in a remote corner of Sweden, Angsbacka is described by some as a profound and even mystical event. To others, it’s pure nonsense. But to the Corinna and Rob, it’s something in between the two. Filmed exclusively at the 2007 No Mind Festival, Three Miles North of Molkom is the story about what happens to seven very different people who take seven very different journeys to get one step closer to the people they really are.

Perfect strangers were grouped together for this film, creating an ideal cast of characters ranging from complete sceptic to complete believer. There is the Aussie cynic, a Swedish celebrity, an Irish father of two, a Finnish hippie grandmother, a Swedish Viking, a former goat herder, and a shy blonde beauty. Combined, they take us on a two-week journey complete with workshops such as firewalking, shamanism and tantric sex (to name but a few.) The end goal is, ahem, spiritual enlightenment.

If you’re not a hippy, don’t worry. Neither are the film makers. And Nick, the unlikely lead in the film, most certainly is not. In fact, the poor fellow stumbled on this festival in hopes of finding a Glastonbury-like experience. But as reluctant as he is, he thankfully helps to close the gap between the doubters and believers among us. Which is a good thing, because often Nick says exactly what many people must be thinking – what a load of mumbo jumbo.

At times, I appreciated the open environment the festival was trying to create. At other times, I thought it was painfully manipulative. Particularly when a spiritual combat session leaves the eldest woman of the group flat on her back because she was not spiritually strong enough to fend off a body slam from a ‘guru’ twice her size. Throughout, I laughed with them (and at them), sympathised with them, and rolled my eyes at their own self-absorption. But in the end, I must admit, the film makers achieved a simple brilliance; they made their characters relatable.

“Our personality is all over the film, but we didn’t impose it,” said Corinna, summing up the outcome of the film perfectly. “We wanted the story to tell itself and allow the viewer to get lost in the humanity.”

And like it or not, cynic or believer, you will.

Funny Sh&t at the ICA

By Marcie MacLellan

I’m all about short and sweet. At 5’1, it's a saying that fits. This could be why I’ve developed a particular penchant for short films. And so has the ICA. The 7th Annual London Short Film Fest kicks off there tonight, complete with requisite mingling and mixes. First up is a collection of films appropriately titled ‘Funny Shit’ (with a shocking lack of ampersand that suggests the ICA is far less politically correct than we are). Scan the programme and you’ll find Go Away Please, a not-so-sweet short that is so inappropriately naughty, it’s irresistibly good. While this film doesn’t talk in riddles, it does talk in opposites – literally. Up is down. Black is white. Do is don’t. So when a patient’s husband is told by her morally-depraved doctor that his wife is alive and well, you’ll be left amused and abused in the best possible way. In other words: skip the ICA tonight if it’s the first thing you don’t.

The angst of American Team

By Marcie MacLellan

Some people loved high school. I was not one of them. Not because I didn’t fit in. I did. Not because I didn’t have a boyfriend. I did. Not because I didn’t do well in school. I did. In fact, I couldn’t really tell you why I didn’t like high school. That is, until last night, after watching American Teen.

Nanette Burstein’s documentary, now available on DVD, is set in Warsaw, Indiana. Filmed in such a way that makes you wonder if you’re watching truth or fiction, the story focuses on four students in their final year of high school. It comes as no surprise that each character fits into the clichés we all know so well - the jock (Colin Clemens), the geek (Jake Tusing), the rebel (Hannah Bailey), and the princess (Megan Krizmanich).

In fact, so perfectly was it cast, some of the film’s critics were dubious of its sincerity. Without getting into the age-old debate of whether documentaries truly follow the action or manipulate it, I can’t blame them. After all, Hollywood had once led me, a then naive Canadian, to believe that all English men would be as bubbling and charming as Hugh Grant, saying words like ‘whoops-a-daisy’ with surprising ease. And so too have opinions been formed about the stereotypical American high-schooler. So really, these characters seemed too good to be true.

Maybe I’m just a softie, but here’s the thing. Despite its clichés, despite the drama suspiciously caught on camera at every turn - this movie feels so heart-achingly real. Having gone to a high school very much like the one in which this film is set, I could relate to just about everything. Except, thankfully, for the choreographed moves on the dance floor.

This surreal sense of reality isn’t an accident. Burstein (The Kid Stays in the Picture) threw herself into this project, quite literally, living alongside a handful of seniors in their last year at the only high school in town. Tracking their every move for almost a year, Burstein waited for the moment when these teens would break free from their self-imposed high school roles. The moments were brief when they came, but made the movie all the more worth watching.

“All we have to do is figure out who we are and where we’re heading in life,” says Hannah, the arty-rebel who so desperately wants to fit in that she plunges into depression when her heart is broken by the oh-so-typical heartthrob. Sadly, she has no idea how inherently cool she already is - the kind of cool Megan can’t buy at Abercrombie and Fitch.

Still, no matter how different they are from each other, their worries are the same as many teens. Concerns about getting into college, falling in love and making the most of what is supposedly ‘the best year of their lives.’ Which means, by the time they graduate, you’d be hard pressed not to care about them - yes, even the bitchy Princess, who I vowed not to like from the start.

While there are brief snippets about where the foursome ends up after graduation, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen next. In fact, as the credits rolled, I was already longing for the sequel. Fortunately, the DVD offers special features that include brief interviews with each of the ‘stars’ of the film, post celebrity status.

I have to say though, I did find myself breathing a huge sigh of relief when it was over. Despite noticing a few (more) grey hairs earlier that day, I was suddenly thankful that my high school years are well behind me.

In the end, I found American Teen engaging and extremely relatable. And as for why I didn’t like high school, I found my answer. If there’s ever a place where you can’t completely be yourself, where you have no idea what’s going to happen next and where people would rather label you than understand you – it’s high school. Fortunately, the year is over and these kids have the rest of their lives ahead of them.