East End Film Festival 2016
I started making films with Hazuan Hashim in 2002 and for the last 8 years our films have been selected by the East End Film Festival (EEFF). This year we submitted a programme of four short films.
“Founded in 2000, the East End Film Festival is one of the UK’s largest film festivals. An annual multi-platform festival held in London, the EEFF presents a rich and diverse programme of international premieres, industry masterclasses, free pop-up screenings and immersive live events. The EEFF’s mission is to discover, support, and exhibit pioneering work by global and local independent filmmakers, and to introduce viewers to innovative and challenging cinematic experiences.
Attracting an annual audience of more than 30,000, the EEFF has established itself as a major international film festival situated at the heart of London’s most dynamic quarter. Committed to the work of first and second time directors, the annual EEFF showcases more than fifty feature film screenings, several short film programmes, and a variety of cross-arts events and industry activities across the festival.”
This year Hazuan Hashim directed a film about my work as a photographer. ‘The Photographer’ goes on line today and can be viewed below.
Phil Maxwell (left) with Dougie Wallace (photo Hazuan Hashim)
On our way to the opening of the festival at the Genesis cinema we were fortunate to bump into the photographer Dougie Wallace. In my view Dougie is one of the finest photographers in the UK. I’ve always regarded him as an eclectic cross between Brassai and Weegee. In recent years he has broken new ground in street and documentary photography.
Hazuan registers for the festival
Hazuan with Tyrone Walker-Hebborn, director of the Genesis cinema
In the past the Genesis was the Paragon Theatre of Varieties. Charlie Chaplin performed there as well as Laurel & Hardy.
In 1963 there was the royal premiere of the film Sparrows Can’t Sing, starring Barbara Windsor. She also attended the Genesis opening in 1999 and told the story to that premiere. Today the Genesis, thanks mainly to the vision and dedication of Tyrone, is one of the foremost independent cinemas in the UK.
With festival Director Alison Poltock
Against all the odds festival Director Alison Poltock has managed to keep the festival going, inspiring a small army of volunteers who are passionate about film. Her love of the East End has ensured the festival is not dominated by big-budget films; she promotes work that reflect the communities of East London.
With composer Lola Perrin
We have collaborated with composer Lola Perrin for many years. Her “hauntingly compelling” music appears in many of our films. Her piece for six pianos accompanied our film ‘Barcelona’.
Q&A following the premier of ‘The Photographer’ at the Rich Mix cinema (photo: Abdul Hamid)
Following the premier of our films there was a Q&A chaired by Stefan Dickers, archivist at the Bishopsgate Institute (where my archive is stored).
Women protesters against racist murderers. Newham 1980’s (still from ‘The Photographer’).
You can watch ‘The Photographer’ below:
The Photographer from Hazuan Hashim and Phil Maxwell on Vimeo.
