Gimme A Beat

08/02/2025

The podcast from the last Gimme A Beat is available online (this time not on Spotify):
** Back to 95 **
featuring Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Skunk Anansie, Björk, Mary J. Blige, AdinaHoward, and many more, with their songs released in 1995 🌟📻
#1995
(follow the link for more info)

Every year, before I step into the new year, I like to take some time to stop, smell the flowers, and reflect. Not just on the past year, but my personal and professional journey, to inspire myself for the year ahead. Music is always part of that reflection 🎶🎧 It is impossible for me to look b...

20/01/2025

Tune in tonight to Radio LoRa 97,5 MHz
from 22:00 - 00:00,
for ** Back to 95 **
featuring Alanis Morissette, Sheryl Crow, TLC, Skunk Anansie, Björk, Mary J. Blige, AdinaHoward, and many more, with their songs released in 1995 🌟📻
#1995
(follow the link for more info)

Every year, before I step into the new year, I like to take some time to stop, smell the flowers, and reflect. Not just on the past year, but my personal and professional journey, to inspire myself for the year ahead. Music is always part of that reflection 🎶🎧 It is impossible for me to look b...

23/12/2024

The Xmas 🎄🎄 is almost here, and the podcast from the last Gimme A Beat is already available online:
**Obsessed with Tiny Desk - Xmas 2024**,
with my favorite NPR Music Tiny Desk sessions, featuring Doechii, Billie Eilish, Shaé Universe, Chelsea Wolfe, Cinder Well, Anita Tijoux, Carrtoons, Kelela, and Thandiswa Mazwai

Grab a warm drink, get cozy, and join me in pre-celebrating Xmas with some incredible music🎄🌟📻🎄

(follow the link for more info..)

It's Xmas time 🎄🎄and I am back again with my favourite NPR Tiny Desk concerts! There were so many awesome Tiny Desk this year, that, after Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2024, I couldn't resist doing one more before the year wraps up - for my special Xmas Gimme a Beat. This session will feel like you...

16/12/2024

Tune in tonight to Radio LoRa 97,5 MHz
from 22:00 - 00:00,
for ** Obsessed with Tiny Desk - Xmas 2024 **,
featuring my favorite NPR Music Tiny Desk sessions sung by female artists.
Grab a warm drink, get cozy, and join me in pre-celebrating Xmas with some incredible music🎄🌟📻🎄

(follow the link for more info)

It's Xmas time 🎄🎄and I am back again with my favourite NPR Tiny Desk concerts! There were so many awesome Tiny Desk this year, that, after Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2024, I couldn't resist doing one more before the year wraps up - for my special Xmas Gimme a Beat. This session will feel like you...

31/10/2024

The podcast from the last Gimme A Beat is available online:
** Black Box Diaries and Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 **
with a focus on:
* Black Box Diaries * | trigon-film, the documentary created by Shiori It, featuring an interview with her.
Coming to swiss cinemas from October 31st, TODAY 😍

* Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis * | ostlicht filmproduktion, the movie directed and written by Lucia Chiarla, with Natalia Rudziewicz in a leading role, featuring interviews with both of them.
Coming to the swiss cinemas (hopefully) next year.

The show will also feature cherry-picked songs by Lucia and Natalia, sung by female artists, and music from Freya Arde, who wrote the music for the documentary Riefenstahl, another one of my highlights 🌟📻


(follow the link for more info..)

2024 was an even more successful year for Zurich Film Festival than its organizers expected. It was an important year as the Zurich Film Festival festival celebrated its 20th year of existence. The dates moved to the beginning of October, but that didn't stop the visitors. This year the festival att...

21/10/2024

Another year, another great 😍🎥
thank you ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL , organizers and volunteers!

i will not be able to write a review for all the I have seen (almost 35😎), but I will continue writing reviews for the highlights since many of them are coming to the and international in the next 6 months.

here are all of my highlights 🌟, in no particular order:
* Black Box Diaries |
* Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis | .chiarla
* Majka Mara / Mother Mara |
* Bergers / Shepherds |
* The Last Showgirl |
* Les Courageux |
* Riefenstahl | .film
* Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight |
* My Favorite Cake | .films
* Frieda’s Fall |
* Bird |
* The Assessment |
* The Room Next Door |

In addition, I had the opportunity to interview 5 female filmmakers and 2 actresses and this, with my impressions and the music from the movies I have seen, will be featured in the next several editions of , tonight (October 21st) at 10 PM CET on Radio LoRa 97,5 MHz and in the few future ones 🎥📻

Follow Gimme A Beat for more info and the review of the highlights (more coming soon) 🌟📻

21/10/2024

Tune in tonight to Radio LoRa 97,5 MHz
from 22:00 - 00:00
for ** Black Box Diaries and Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL 2024 **
with a focus on:
* Black Box Diaries * | trigon-film, the documentary created by Shiori It, featuring an interview with her. Coming to swiss cinemas from October 31st.
* Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis * | ostlicht filmproduktion, the movie directed and written by Lucia Chiarla, with Natalia Rudziewicz in a leading role, featuring interviews with both of them. Coming to the swiss cinemas (hopefully) next year.

The show will also feature cherry-picked songs by Lucia and Natalia, sung by female artists, and music from Freya Arde, who wrote the music for the documentary Riefenstahl, another one of my highlights 🌟📻


(follow the link for more info..)

2024 was an even more successful year for Zurich Film Festival than its organizers expected. It was an important year as the Zurich Film Festival festival celebrated its 20th year of existence. The dates moved to the beginning of October, but that didn't stop the visitors. This year the festival att...

11/10/2024

Jens and Constanze Brandt are busy, hardworking parents. Jens is a taxi driver, and Constanze is an architect, striving to secure a permanent position at her current company. Their lives are already stressful, with demanding working schedules that leave them seeing each other mostly in Jens' taxi. When they find out that their 10-year-old son is bullied in the school because of his sparkly, pink unicorn backpack, their world turns upside down, and the pressure mounts.

In * Es Gehts um Luis / About Luis *, director and screenwriter Lucia Chiarla, explores not only bullying but a range of connected, relevant topics such as social norms, mobbing, and the overwhelming demands of modern life in a competitive society. The story is intense, thrilling and escalates in front of the eyes. We never meet Luis, or any other figures directly involved in the bullying; everything is revealed through the reactions of the parents, captured in phenomenal dialogue and close-up shots in Jens’ taxi. While the setup reflects the theatrical vibe of 'The Little Pony', the play that inspired the movie, it also enhances the movie’s intensity and focus. I was on the edge of my seat, glued to the screen while watching this movie.

Both lead, Natalia Rudziewicz as Constanze and Max Riemelt as Jens, deliver an outstanding performance. Their chemistry is so convincing that it’s hard to believe they’re not playing themselves. As the movie unfolds, we also witness the evolution of their relationship as partners and parents. It is heartwarming to see how they find their way to each other, grow through experience, and build a strong support system for each other and Luis.

I love movies that make me think and * Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis * left me reflecting on my own life, identity, and the society we live in. Luis could be any one of us. This movie raised so many questions for me: What would I do in this situation, as a parent or Luis? Who decides what is normal? How does this kind of problematic childhood behavior show up later in life, at work, in our neighborhoods, or among friends?
This movie reminded me about the importance of staying true to oneself, even in the face of adversity. For me, Luis is not the victim - he is a hero who shows the world that being yourself is something to be proud of. At one point he even says: “They are jealous of me because I am free”!

The world would be a boring, sad place if we all forgot how to embrace our quirky, unique selves. So please everyone - be more like Luis!

A few days after seeing the movie, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lucia and Natalia. Lucia shared what inspired her to make this film and why telling this particular story was so important to her. Natalia talked about why she wanted to be part of this movie, and how much she appreciated Lucia’s directing style. We also talked about how they chose a career in the entertainment industry.
We had an inspiring conversation that went beyond the movie. Getting to know these ladies through our conversation is why I love doing this😍

To hear more, tune in to one of the next Gimme A Beat 📻

I hope you had a chance to see * Es Gehts Um Luis / About Luis * | ostlicht filmproduktion at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, since it already had three screenings, including two with Lucia and Natalia in attendance for Q&A. If you haven’t, I highly recommend getting the tickets (there are still some left). Don’t miss the last screening at the festival!🎥📻

Follow the link for the last screening and tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/es-geht-um-luis

09/10/2024

Mara is a tough, successful businesswoman, and a partner in the law firm. She exudes confidence, always impeccably dressed in sleek, simple dresses with high heels, and styled with a platinum bob of soft curls. Her luxurious, modern home mirrors her lifestyle - cool, minimalistic, and perfectly composed. Mara is also a single mum and when we first meet her at the opening of the movie, she has just lost her son. This tragic loss impacts Mara in a way that surprises those around her. She doesn’t openly grieve or break down, but instead picks herself up and goes back to normal. Things change when she meets Milan, a fitness instructor who knew her son, and whom she is immediately drawn to.

In *Majka Mara/Mother Mara*, Mirjana Karanović, both the director and the lead, challenges traditional expectations of how mature women, especially those grieving, should behave. Mara defies societal norms around how a woman her age should feel, dress, act, and express her sexuality. Her strength shines through as she steps out of her comfort zone, refusing to conform or back down - she just goes for it. Her connection with Milan becomes a way for her to process her grief and rediscover joy for living and new experiences. There are no promises of a future or sadness over its uncertainty - just two people sharing a beautiful, intense moment in their lives.

This movie reminds us that there is no manual for how to navigate life or cope with life challenges. We only have one life, and it’s up to us to choose how we live it 🌟

I grew up with Mirjana Karanović movies. The incredible talent of her generation and the high quality of Yugoslavian cinema, along with the variety of international films - both mainstream and alternative - that I was exposed to, is why I ❤️ the movies. Growing up in Yugoslavia, I was also surrounded by strong women, inside and outside of my family, who carried themselves with grace, integrity, with a powerful, but kind attitude, and complexity, which only people who led a life with challenges have. Those were and still are my role models. Mirjana Karanović represented women like that, both on and off-screen.

When I found out she directed and starred in her second feature film, and that she was coming to ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, I had to request an interview. I was both excited and nervous when she said yes! A few hours before the screening, I had the pleasure and honor of sitting down with Mirjana for an interview. We talked about her *Majka Mara* movie, the inspiration behind it, the challenges she faced, and why telling the untypical story of a mature woman was so important to her. We talked about the blessing of the current times, which empowers more women to take on diverse roles in the entertainment industry such as directors and producers. Mirjana also shared her excitement about her next project and working again with Snezana and This and That Productions

To hear more, tune in to one of the next Gimme A Beat 📻

In the meantime, please check *Majka Mara / Mother Mara* | This and That Productions | Prosa Film at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL. There have already been two screenings, with Mirjana, producer Snezana, and co-producer Andrea attending for Q&A. There are only two more screenings left, and tickets are still available.

It is rare to see movies by legends from ex-Yugoslavia in our cinema, so don’t miss the chance! The movie will return to Swiss cinemas only next year 🎥📻

Follow the link for the available screenings and tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/mother-mara

09/10/2024

While exploring new job possibilities, young journalist Shiori reaches out to well-known journalist Yamaguchi, a close friend of Prime Minister Abe. He invites her to a 1-1 meeting at Tokyo’s after-work bar. What starts as a professional encounter turns into a nightmare, when Shiori Ito becomes intoxicated, dragged by Yamaguchi back to his hotel, and r***d. Refusing to become a victim and stay quiet like many women in Japan in a similar situation, Shiori decides to deal with the situation as a journalist and fights back, demanding justice.

Shiori documents her journey of fighting for justice in an intense, emotional, thriller-like documentary *Black Box Diaries*. While dealing with her own trauma of the sexual assault, this courageous young woman is standing against her ra**st, Japanese society, and 110 years old Japanese r**e law. I love how personal and, at the same time, objective this documentary is, backed up by intimate, secret, and public recordings.

Shiro is outstanding in the role of the storyteller and director, she captures the raw intensity of her experience while raising some very important questions about Japanese society. What begins as a lonely battle grows into a movement, with like-minded women and men on her side, demanding the change that has been long overdue.

A few days after I saw this documentary, I got together with Shiori for an interview. This was a fun interview - we sat in the Toblerone box at ZFF, indulging in chocolates, thanks to the kind staff! During the interview, we talked about her journey of sharing her story, first through a book and then a documentary. She even mentioned her Japanese-Serbian best friend who helped her through the journey. We also talked about the importance of working through trauma by openly discussing it. Shiori shared with me what changed in Japan triggered by her story, as well as her plans to support local people and communities dealing with trauma.

To hear more, tune in to the next Gimme A Beat📻

Unfortunately, the documentary has yet to find a Japanese distributor, so the audience in Japan is still not able to see it. Shout out to anyone with connections in the Japanese movie industry - please pick this movie, and bring it to Japanese cinemas 🇯🇵! Arigatou – ありがとう 🙏😍

In the meantime, you should try to catch *Black Box Diary* | trigon-film at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL The movie had its first screening last night, with Shiori in attendance for Q&A. There are 3 more screenings this week, the next one happening this evening, also with Shiori in attendance. There are still some tickets left, my recommendation is to get them and see it 🎥📻

Follow the link for the available screenings and tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/black-box-diaries

07/10/2024

After a health scare, Mathyas, a young advertiser from Montreal decides to leave city life behind and head to France in search of a simpler, more balanced existence. He decided that becoming a shepherd would bring him exactly the life he needed. But as with everything that looks idyllic at first, shepherding turns out to be much more challenging than anticipated. Through his journey, Mathyas learns a great deal about himself, and the ups and downs of life close to unpredictable nature.

*Bergers / Shepherds* is based on a semi-autobiography from Mathyas Lefebure, co-adapted by him and Sophie Deraspe, who also directs the movie. This brilliant movie tackles a theme that resonates deeply with many, especially post-pandemic: the desire to simplify, escape into nature, and flee the stress of modern city life. Yet, the movie offers a reality check - life as a shepherd blurs the lines between work and rest. There is no clear time off, instead, you breathe and live life as a shepherd 24/7. Personally, I strongly believe that this is the same with any job you are passionate about. It becomes more than just a job, it is your calling.

What I love about this movie is how it goes beyond its storyline. The story develops into the importance of knowing yourself and others, human connection, survival, and human resilience when faced with an unpredictable nature. Mathyas didn’t find a simpler life, but instead, he discovered something far more valuable: a return to the basics of being human and, ultimately, his sense of purpose.

The cinematography is breathtaking, the French Alps, nature, the vast landscape, and herds of sheep, make you want to drop everything and reconnect with nature. If you have a chance, watch it on the big screen. The whole cast is superb, very well selected. Félix-Antoine Duval is excellent as Mathyas as well as Solène Rigot as Elise. Her determination to leave corporate life, join Mathyas and their relationship brought another dimension to Mathyas’ character and the story.

*Bergers* | micro_scope | SODEC premiered on Saturday at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, with Sophie Deraspe in attendance to answer questions. I had an opportunity to catch it on Sunday and there is only one more screening left, and if my review made this movie interesting for you, you still have a chance to see it 🎥📻

Follow the link for tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/bergers

06/10/2024

Leni Riefenstahl was a dancer, actress, and filmmaker, and arguably one of the most controversial women of the 20th century, as she played a key role in N**i propaganda with movies like Olympia or Triumph of the Will. Throughout her lifetime, Leni never accepted any wrongdoing nor was she ever held legally responsible for it. Despite photos of her with Hi**er and other influential N**i figures, her statements were always the same - she was merely doing the job, insisting she was/is an artist, not interested in politics.

In the brilliant documentary *Riefenstahl*, director Andres Veiel and producer Sandra Maischberger, who gain access to Riefenstahl’s estate following her partner’s death, explore Riefenstahl’s life, work, and legacy. They dive deep into her story using private recordings, photos, and letters from her estate, combined with public appearances and interviews. The way how they build and unfold the story is so impressive that the documentary had my full, unblinking attention for almost 2 hours.

There is much to unpack during and after watching Riefenstahl - from how privileged she remained throughout her life, to how unaffected she was by guilt or responsibility. It also reflects on how propaganda, much like hers, continues to be used today in politics, entertainment, and social media for various manipulations.

While I can’t cover everything in this review, I’ll leave you with the following thoughts: Was Riefenstahl truly that naive - an artist not aware of the horrors happening around her? Or was she aware, responsible for promoting N**is’ regime and ideology on a massive scale? I have my opinion about this, but I invite you to watch this exceptional documentary and decide for yourself.

*Riefenstahl* | Vincent Productions | already had two screenings at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, with Andres and Sandra in attendance. There is only one screening left at the festival.

If you miss it, make sure to catch it elsewhere - this is a part of history that we MUST NOT forget 🎥📻

Follow the link for the tickets: https://zff.com/de/filme/riefenstahl

06/10/2024

Bobo is an energetic 8-year-old growing up in rural Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), on a big farm with her white family and black servants. Bobo loves going around on her bike and exploring, often left to her own devices as her parents are preoccupied, her mum with drinking, her animals, and her farm, and her father with military duties. Bobo spends most of her time with Sarah, one of the black servants. She is particularly fascinated with Sarah’s traditional African stories and customs. When we get to know Bobo, Rhodesia is on the brink of becoming Zimbabwe and this is creating difficulties for her family to remain on the farm and in the country.

*Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight* is a brilliant movie based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name, but told from a different perspective- Bobo’s. This change in the view allows Embeth Davidtz, who grew up in South Africa and experienced something similar, to tell her own story through her debut as a director. Her directorial vision and ex*****on show the strong potential for future projects. There is something really powerful about the storyline told through the eyes of a child. It reminds us how we come to understand complex issues, like racism, alcoholism, privilege, and the potential to create biases and bad experiences that will consequently shape whole lives.

It is hard not to fall in love with Bobo even when she is behaving badly. This quirky little girl, with her dirty face, messy hair, big curious eyes, and open heart, has so much character that nobody else exists when she is in the scene. Lexi Venter is as outstanding as Bobo. Not having any acting experience made her even more authentic and her performance precious. Her on-screen chemistry with Embeth, who not only directs but also plays Nicola, Bobo’s mother, and Zikhona Bali, who plays Sarah, are standout elements of the movie. Even though taking on a dual role as a director and actor (and also a screenwriter) was not easy for Embeth, it made the movie even stronger since it ensured that Nicola’s character was exactly as envisioned.

*Don’t Let’s Go To The Dogs Tonight* premiered on Saturday at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, with Embeth Davidtz in attendance to answer questions from the impressed audience. There are three more screenings at the festival, one happening later this evening. Tickets are almost sold out, so if my review made it interesting for you, hurry up and see it 🎥📻

Follow the link for more screenings and tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/dont-lets-go-to-the-dogs-tonight

05/10/2024

Malin’s husband passed away 30 years ago, and her daughter and grandchildren live abroad. At seventy, she lives alone in an apartment in Teheran. Malin is full of life - she loves her garden, her girlfriends, and her family - but she has no one to share it with. She is lonely. After a fun gathering with her girlfriends, Malin decides to proactively change her life and find a companion. During lunch in the local pensioner’s restaurant, she meets Faramarz, a taxi driver around her age, who is single. The two connect instantly and decide to spend the evening together.

*My Favorite Cake* is a heartwarming movie about being open to joy, love, and life, regardless of age. There is something so charming about Malin and Faramaz’s encounter, their connection, how they open up to each other, and how they savor evening together with openness and vulnerability. At the same time, Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, directors of the movie, subtly weave in, the hostility and absurdity of the current regime in Teheran.

Malin, and her girlfriends as well as Faramarz experienced a different Teheran, exciting, vibrant city, that they still reflect on, unphased by the current setup. The type of humor and resilient attitude they have is something I can personally relate to, as it reminds me of my own culture and experiences. This is probably one of the reasons why I enjoy movies from this part of the world this much. The whole cast is well chosen particularly Lili Farhadpour as Mahin and Esmaeel Mehrabi as Faramarz who share great screen chemistry.

*My Favorite Cake* premiered at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL on Thursday. There are two more projections at the festival and they are on their last tickets. These types of movies are not easy to find in the normal cinema program, so if this is something you usually enjoy, I would suggest grabbing those tickets soon 🎥📻

Follow the link for the available projections and tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/my-favourite-cake

04/10/2024

Shelly has been a dancer and showgirl in the legendary Las Vegas show Le Razzle Dazzle for the last 30 years. Once considered fabulous, the show is now seen as outdated and cheesy, a relic of another era. For many showgirls, this show is just a way to make money. Not for Shelly. She loves everything about the show and sees it as an artistry. But her world starts crumbling down when the show gets canceled and her artistry, life choices, and whole being come into question.

In *The Last Showgirl* Gia Coppola shows us the behind-the-scenes of Vegas’s glitz and glamour (or kitsch?) and how it is to live and work there. It was never easy to live in Vegas, the city that represents the entertainment industry, but with the city and many of its residents decaying under the passage of time, it has become even more difficult. Ageism is real in all dimensions of our society, especially considering women, but under the bright lights of Vegas, it is even more obvious. Gia Coppola directs with a sensitivity that beautifully aligns these themes with the film’s setting. The film has its flaws, but it is its imperfection that makes it feel intimate and makes us nostalgic about the old times. Especially those dreamy, shooting-like closeups of Shelly with a Vegas backdrop. They deepen the end-of-an-era and the nostalgic feel that this movie carries.

Pamela Anderson is so excellent in the role of Shelly, she makes her so real, that at some times it feels like a documentary. I loved how fragile, even naive she is at times and how kind she is to the people around her. It is impossible not to fall in love with this complex character, with all her shortcomings. And I am just happy to see, after so many years, Pamela getting the chance to shine in all her beauty with or without sparkles and makeup.

The rest of the cast is also great, especially Jamie Lee Curtis in the role of Annette, Shelly’s close friend, and Kiernan Shipka as Jodie, her much younger colleague and almost-like an adopted daughter. They help us understand Shelly and life in Vegas better.

*The Last Showgirl* | Filmcoopi Zürich premiered tonight at ZURICH FILM FESTIVAL, with Pamela and Gia present, and if you were not one of the lucky people in the audience, hurry up and see it. There are only two more projections at the festival and tickets are almost sold out 🎥📻

Follow the link for the projections and the tickets: https://zff.com/en/movies/the-last-showgirl

29/09/2024

The podcast from the last Gimme a Beat is available online:
**Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2024**,
with my selection of NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts, featuring Tems, MARO, Noname, Kehlani, Feist, Chaka Khan, Chappell Roan 🌟📻

(follow the link for more info..)

It's 2024, and I am back again with a bunch of my favourite NPR Tiny Desk concerts. NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts were always one of my favourite things to listen to, but with the pandemic, my interest turned into an obsession. In 2020, I did two shows dedicated to them: Obsessed with Tiny Desk 202...

16/09/2024

Tune in tonight to Radio LoRa 97,5 MHz
from 22:00 - 00:00,
for ** Obsessed with Tiny Desk 2024 **,
featuring my favorite NPR Music Tiny Desk sessions sung by female artists 🌟📻

(follow the link for more info)

It's 2024, and I am back again with a bunch of my favourite NPR Tiny Desk concerts. NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts were always one of my favourite things to listen to, but with the pandemic, my interest turned into an obsession. In 2020, I did two shows dedicated to them: Obsessed with Tiny Desk 202...