Portraits and Process: BAMcinemaFest 2017

The 9th annual BAMcinemaFest kicks off tonight with the New York premiere of Aaron Katz's Gemini in the BAM Harvey Theater at 7:30pm. Earlier this season, BAM had the pleasure of partnering with photographer Robin Holland to create a series of portraits depicting this year's filmmakers. During the shoot, we asked each director a series of short questions about process, inspiration and this year's festival. Their answers follow:

Photo © Robin Holland

Lauren Wolkstein & Christopher Radcliff

The Strange Ones

1. Describe your film in three words:

Lauren: Atmospheric road mystery.

Chris: Sad-boy-secrets.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
L: Blue Velvet is one of many for me.

C: I honestly don't remember.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

L: A Ghost Story.

C: Golden Exits. Also we both really want to see I Am Another You for a second time.

Photo © Robin Holland

James Strouse

Incredible Jessica James

1. Describe your film in three words:

Breakups and makeups.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
Joe Versus the Volcano.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

The Big Sick, Snowy Bing Bongs, Bitch.

Photo © Robin Holland

Andrew Dosunmu

Where is Kyra?

1. Describe your film in three words:
Compassionate, probing, humane.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
Touki Bouki by Diop Djibrill Marberty.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

A Ghost Story by David Lowery.

Photo © Robin Holland

Gillian Robespierre

Landline

1. Describe your film in three words:

Family, reshaping, Benihana.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?

Raising Arizona and Singin' in the Rain. 

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

Golden Exits and Dina.

Photo © Robin Holland

Jim McKay

En el Séptimo Día

1. Describe your film in three words:

You tell me. 

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
Accatone. Eraserhead. Do the Right Thing.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?
Where is Kyra? and Whose Streets?

Photo © Robin Holland

Rachel Wolther & Alex Fischer

Snowy Bing Bongs

1. Describe your film in three words:

Soft, dumb, dangerous.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?

Clueless (Rachel) and My Own Private Idaho (Alex).

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

Signature Move (Rachel) and The Big Sick (Alex)

Photo © Robin Holland

Alex Smith

Walking Out

1. Describe your film in three words:

Exquisite Intimate Epic.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?

Werner Herzog's Aguirre, The Wrath of God from 1972.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

Wind River—it's set in our neck of the woods, and stars Julia Jones (who played the infamous Agnes in our film Winter in the Blood).

Photo © Robin Holland

James Kienitz Wilkins

Common Carrier

1. Describe your film in three words:

Work, work, work.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?

Wayne’s World 2.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?

The Work.

Photo © Robin Holland

Ana Asensio

Most Beautiful Island

1. Describe your film in three words:
Raw. Unnerving. Illegal.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
Blue.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?
The Strange Ones.

Photo © Robin Holland

Alex Ross Perry

Golden Exits

1. Describe your film in three words:

Families in Brooklyn.

2. What movie(s) made you want to become a filmmaker?
A Clockwork Orange.

3. What film(s) are you looking forward to seeing at this year's festival?
Gemini.

Tickets to most of this year's festival selections are still available at BAM.org.