GERMANY: Legendary U.S. singer Harry Belafonte encourages young filmmakers at talent campus

Record ID: 345374

  • Title: GERMANY: Legendary U.S. singer Harry Belafonte encourages young filmmakers at talent campus
  • Date: 21st February 2011
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 14, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VENUE ('THEATER HEBBEL AM UFER') (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) HARRY BELAFONTE ON STAGE, TALKING VARIOUS OF AUDIENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) HARRY BELAFONTE, SAYING: "I think when good pushes evil, it is a moral force that drives us to find the best in us. Art is the instrument for moral thought, is the instrument for interpreting moral definition, interpreting moral choice. Most of the literature that we love have always rooted in some moral tale, in some moral purpose. And it is the one that most us. I would hope that the generations that come will understand this and see the power of art that is liberated and is out in the service of social development. And not just tried to entertain. It's such a silly concept." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING VARIOUS OF BELAFONTE ON STAGE, AUDIENCE APPLAUDING VARIOUS OF BELAFONTE WITH ROSE BELAFONTE LEAVING STAGE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE TALKING AT TALENT CAMPUS SIGN 'TALENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION' (SOUNDBITE) (English) TALENT CAMPUS VISITOR COOPER (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN) SAYING: "I've been here since Thursday. I've seen quite a few things but I think this has affected me the most." PEOPLE AT TALENT CAMPUS (SOUNDBITE) (English) TALENT CAMPUS COOPER (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN) SAYING: "My ultimate goal is just to change film industry in Ireland. Because it's full of unions, and nepotism. I can't get a job. I'll finish college now at the end of the year and I cannot get a job because there is no work for me there. Because I'm not allowed into the unions and I want to change that." (SOUNDBITE) (English) TALENT CAMPUS VISITOR ANNA DARIA VON THAN, SAYING: "It's very very important to talk about artists and engagement, social and political engagement. I'm an actress myself and I was just talking to my friend that one of the purposes to be a really successful artist is also to be able to talk about social engagement, political engagement. So for me it was brilliant, it was really fantastic. I loved it. And he is such a humanist, has such a big heart, and is really communication, and he is so humble with all what he went through and it's a big moment." (SOUNDBITE) (English) TALENT CAMPUS VISITOR ULRIKE MAHR SAYING: "That was striking me or touching me when he talked about the art: 'Do you want to do the art to be famous or in a profound way.' And yeah, so that's a lot of inspiration and motivation to go on." PEOPLE AT TALENT CAMPUS
  • Embargoed: 8th March 2011 12:00
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  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Reuters ID: LVA2WR0XJQVQWML93M63O4ZYFEU5
  • Story Text: The Berlin Film Festival not only features established artists but also tries to promote and support young film makers and artists with seminars and discussions at its 'Talent Campus.' The effort is supported by artists like Harry Belafonte.
    Legendary American singer, actor and human rights activist Harry Belafonte was among the Campus' star guests for an "In the Limelight" session. Belafonte talked to young artists about his recording career and his cinematic work for directors like Preminger, Wise or Altman, and also about his unrelenting commitment to humanitarian issues and his active involvement in human rights advocacy. During his almost two-hour long session with young film makers, actors and writers from around the world, Belafonte reminded his young listeners of a decision they had to take before 'making it big.' "I think when good pushes evil, it is a moral force that drives us to find the best in us. Art is the instrument for moral thought, is the instrument for interpreting moral definition, interpreting moral choice," Belafonte said. "I would hope that the generations that come will understand this and see the power of art that is liberated and is out in the service of social development. And not just tried to entertain. It's such a silly concept."

    Director Susanne Rostock's inspiring documentary about the life and times of Harry Belafonte, 'Sing Your Song', was presented in Berlinale Special. Visitors of the question and answer session with Belafonte were deeply impressed: "It's very very important to talk about artists and engagement, social and political engagement," said actress Anna Daria von Than. "So for me it was brilliant, it was really fantastic. I loved it. And he is such a humanist, has such a big heart, and is really communication, and he is so humble with all what he went through and it's a big moment." And her friend and colleague Ulrike Mahr said: "That was striking me or touching me when he talked about the art: 'Do you want to do the art to be famous or in a profound way.' And yeah, so that's a lot of inspiration and motivation to go on."

    Two other 'In the Limelight' sessions included one with this year's Berlinale jury president Isabella Rossellini and another with Hungarian filmmaker István Szabó and British director and actor Ralph Fiennes, who presented his directing debut 'Coriolanus' in Berlinale competition. Both filmmakers gave insights into the mutual commitment between directors and actors during challenging projects.
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