10th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival –
Images of the 21st Century
March 7-16, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
JOE BERLINGER – BRUCE SINOFSKI PRESS CONFERENCE
Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, important figures in the world of American independent documentary film making, gave a press conference on Thursday, March 13 at the Olympion’s Green Room. They said that they began working together at a time when the genre was not well known, wishing to contribute to the development of the genre.
The press conference was introduced by Dimitri Eipides, Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. He said: “I am happy that we have such two distinguished directors with us. We are honoring them for the entirety of their work, and for their great contribution to the documentary genre.”
Joe Berlinger’s and Bruce Sinofski’s paths first crossed at the Maysles Films production company, legendary in the field of documentary film, run by the Maysles brothers. The two directors spoke about the deep influence the Maysles brothers had on their work. They called them genuine teachers. “There is something of David and Albert in our work. As a matter of fact, we are more like them today than we were in the past”, they said
“It is not possible to film absolute truth. It is our truth, not the absolute truth:, commented Joe Berlinger, referring to the influence direct cinema had on them. Bruce Sinofski stressed that a necessary prerequisite for the success of their documentaries is the cultivation of a close, honest relationship with their subjects.
“The films stimulate public discussion, but they don’t change people’s attitudes. We made a film about global warming, but this didn’t change anything. In Paradise Lost, justice has never been served, it’s been 15 years and the main man accused is still in jail”, Joe Berlinger said, in answer to whether they believe that they manage to influence public opinion through their work. On the same subject, Bruce Sinofski noted: “Damian continues to be on death row. However, if it hadn’t been for the film, perhaps he would be dead. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t get an email or phone call about the Memphis Three”.
Finally, when asked about their future plans, the directors spoke about their project on the Grateful Dead, joking: “We specialize in music and murder”.
