Rob Nilsson Cinema
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This page currently concerns the "Nomad Trilogy Films," the latest project of award winning independe What his leads to is working with people, not stories. I
Hello Again,
I'm back on Facebook to let you know what I've been up to since I stopped posting or answering posts a few years back. An explanation would be too long and tedious to write or to read but suffice it to say that I've been hard at work. And today, a day so different, along with every day since Nov. 8, 2016, requires more work than ever, and more communication. For the last 40 years I'v
e made a feature film a year, last year, 2016, three, two with my Bay Area Citizen Cinema workshops and one with the International Academy of Filmmaking in Bologna, Italy. I've done close to 50 features since NORTHERN LIGHTS, most of them variations on the Direct Action idea. We prepare with emotional exercises in joy, rage, despair and personal intimacy and, with some sort of skeletal outline, a prediction as to the direction our film will take, we go out into the world with notions, hunches and predictions, to discover the film from the collective input of cast, crew and strangers we meet along the way. This way we get a fresh look at the way people react to circumstances spontaneously, rather than pre-imagined and contrived. I never get tired of the "miracles of the ordinary" which appear in the midst of the day to day routine. I’m never sure how a film emerges out of this hybrid of ideas and experiences, but I suspect the world is filled with a cornucopia of drama because we are all seekers and yearners in the midst of responsibilities, many of which wear us down and paralyze our imaginations. And paradoxically, our attempts to realize the deeper joys and insights we seek come from moving towards our fears and sorrows. I've recently been inspired by Yuval Harari, (HOMO DEUS) who tells us that the distinguishing factor of being human is to recognize that we suffer, and our primary goal in discovering “truth" is to try to free ourselves from it. Maybe "we suffer therefore we are" and the usual categories of "identity" we agonize about are really besides the point, stories out of worry, attractive illusions rather than truthful descriptions. He says that reality is discovered through the door of suffering. I have made my films because I saw the films of Ingmar Bergman and John Cassavetes, both filmmakers who avoid easy answers and inspirational bromides. Both make me laugh and cry, but I never think of them as manipulators with a pamphlet full of solutions. I think what they show is what the existential movement of the 60s and 70s was about. We are alone with other people who are alone, and the only hope of community is through the free association with others, social and potentially empathetic as we hope to be. The palpable reality of the human in touch with the human. So much is conveyed by looks, by body language, by the mere presence of another person. Our work in the cinema has shown us both the fear and the joy of close human contact. When we work for the joy of the work and the thrill of the aesthetic chase, we create our own rewards. Still, there is the real world, survival, and the present day economy, not so friendly to alternative movements. And so I am coming once again to the Internet to see if a cinema movement can be supported intellectually, emotionally and financially by people like myself, looking for cathartic Art in a money-haunted, entertainment- obsessed society. As always I'm trying to lean forward rather than back. I've never been satisfied with either the Hollywood mainstream film or the Indiewood so-called alternative. If you already feel, like I do, that the real cinema today comes from other places, i.e., Taiwan, Iran, the Philippines, Armenia, Turkey, Denmark, Russia, etc., or if you’re interested in getting educated in film which challenges, rather than condescends, then check us out. I believe we have something to show, something to share, something to view on a screen and something transformative which challenges Post Modern sterility. I’ve never wanted to be in the film business, created by so many bottom line hard-body fortune seekers and I've survived up to now. But I’m not satisfied that enough people who would support our kind of work know about our work. Mainstream or slipstream… I want that to change. On this space we'll soon be posting a flyer about how people can get involved in the Players Workshops we do which result in feature length films cast with workshop members who have the means to support the project while playing major dramatic roles. You'll also hear about other upcoming screenings and grass roots distribution efforts. I'll be posting a schedule for a retrospective to be held in my screening room of Direct Action films produced in the last 20 years. I'm feeling the need to show and to discuss and this is my first attempt to begin new dialogue in a time when we are in danger of being dragged into a world of alternative facts and fake news with no respect for Truth. But as I'm aware of a long standing misuse of the word "Truth", I'll just say that I'm hoping we can work on making a cinema which assists in helping us discover the nature of suffering in the search for "the way things seem to be".
21/08/2024
Hello Everybody,
Some good news just confirmed. NORTHERN LIGHTS, my first feature film, co- directed with John Hanson, which won the 1979 Caméra d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, has been selected for the New York Film Festival in its Revival section. It will be screened at Lincoln Center this coming Oct. 6 and 7, 2024, with possible additional screenings in other Boroughs. I’ll be posting other info as it comes in.
I also want to let you know that we are now in the process of creating ROB NILSSON ART FORMS an innovative new website for the presentation, interpretation, and sales of all my work in the Arts. My poetry book FROM A REFUGEE OF TRISTAN DA CUNHA and my film book WILD SURMISE lay out the hows, whys and other speculations about my worldwide adventures in the cinema. I have some 400 pieces of my art: paintings, drawings and sculpture (and inexpensive digital copies of same) available for sale. My 45 feature films, and a few shorter ones, will be available for viewing and download . We’ll be posting more info on this new venture on a regular basis.
A final thought. Although I decry the fact that money and power rule the world, I live in the here and now. Right now we need to rid ourselves of the fascist menace posed by the Trump crowd. Vote Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, one necessary step in preserving the freedoms we have. There are many more steps. But I’m involved in the power of the Arts to help us understand “the way things seem to be” so that we can continue to wage the tougher struggle for “the way things ought to be.”
Onward!
Rob
15/01/2021
04/09/2019
02/03/2019
This past week we got out of the editing room and back onto the road to shoot for the second film of the , CENTER DIVIDE. Oh was it was fun to be back! The shoot was of rapper Taylor, agent Wes, and drifter Geoff on their way to Reno, Nevada as they search for opportunity and work. Rob, Will, Sam, Dante and Dante were all there, crammed in the car making the magic happen. Check out the video below to get a sense of how it all happens! We can't wait to share more behind the scenes action as we begin to get back into the swing of filming. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruHXBz0U0ck
14/02/2019
Hi all, here's Rob exploring his technique of Direct Action Cinema. Read up on the unique manifesto that guides Rob's filmography.
https://www.robnilsson.net/single-post/2017/10/15/Direct-Action-Cinema
Direct Action Cinema is… …a practice created to allow actors and technicians high freedom and deep responsibility to create memorable cinema. It is a dynamic ja...
01/02/2019
Today was Cindy's second day of editing with us, she's very sharp. She picked up Premiere intuitively after being a graphic designer and being familiar with Adobe programs. She says it's like looking at poetry when everything's right there in front of her. Between her, Will, and Emi we are editing 5 days a week and flying! It is invigorating to see the film taking shape.
27/01/2019
Rob spoke at the Occidental Center for the Arts in Sonoma County last night for a screening of the "Prairie Trilogy," filmed at the same time as "Northern Lights." Rob thanks West County for the thoughtful discussion about the convergence of film and politics, optimism, and the power we have when we come together. The response was powerful and affirming. This is all energy that pushes forward! Have a question about Nomad Trilogy or Rob's other work? Ask below!
25/01/2019
Here's a treat from the MVFF 2015: an insightful interview with Rob that explores his evolving definition of Direct Action Cinema, what continues to drive him as a filmmaker, and achieving a personal catharsis through his style of films. All that and more, check it out!
MVFF38 Interview with director Rob Nilsson PERMISSION TO TOUCH Internationally renowned for his signature style, the emotionally intense, character-driven approach…
22/01/2019
Hi there, let me introduce myself: My name is Dante Hay and I am interning for Rob on the “Nomad Trilogy Films.” I am going to post occasional behind the scenes looks at what the filmmaking process and world looks like. A bit about me: I am an undergraduate student at Columbia University, where I study film. I was introduced to Rob through actress Lydia Becker, who is featured in Rob’s “The 4th Movement” and now the “Nomad Trilogy Films,” and it has been a whirlwind ever since!
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This weekend I was able to sit down for lunch in San Rafael with Rob and his longtime friend Mark Fishkin, head and founder of the Mill Valley Film festival and the California Film Institute. Mark has worked 40+ years collectively between exhibition, festivals, and distribution, and we spoke about all things film. It was incredibly revealing, so revealing that some of it cannot be reprinted! Rob and Mark’s partnership began with "Northern Lights" and they've been in cahoots ever since, with a film of Rob’s appearing in the MVFF nearly every year since its inception. Rob was able to update him about his new project Nomad Trilogy Films, and I admit I was kind of giddy at the thought of it premiering at the festival — how cool would that be? Rob said of Mark, “he's just terrific, he's been there with us for years.”
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We got to talk about a film Mark's distributing, "Life and Nothing More", which according to Rob “is one of the more important movies I’ve seen in years in America. It’s not bu****it. It’s a hardball movie and a terrific film about a young single woman and her son in Florida.”
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I asked Mark about the differences between the independent and studio sides of film, and I got to hear a lot of financial figures, anecdotes, and appreciation for those he’s come to work with closely, such as Antonio Méndez Esparza, director of "Life and Nothing More,” and, of course, Rob. He had this interesting take on the pair of them: “I’m not saying the way Antonio Méndez Esparza and Rob work is the same, but there are things in common, they both work with [non]professionals. And I am a big fan, I grew up with European cinema, especially Italian neorealism, so the neorealism of and the European influences of "Life and Nothing More" and Rob[’s work] were natural for to me gravitate to.” I saw that that really meant a lot to Rob, who said “[Mark]’s one of the best in the business and a great friend.”
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And that was just some of the conversation! And just one afternoon! Can’t say enough how much I’m looking forward to the process, I’ve already heard such great stories and seen such rigor. Thanks for accepting me into the fold.
Enjoy the week, Dante
20/01/2019
Hi everyone, I wrote a new blog post in between the raindrops and the exploding gaskets of my car. Catch up on what I've been thinking about below. Thank you, Rob.
https://www.robnilsson.net/single-post/2019/01/20/Theories-of-Science-and-War
My painting to the left is called "Demagogue with Sunglasses". Scientists used Einstein’s theories to send space ships into the universe. They now move billion...
18/01/2019
Hello all, I'm back and would like to introduce you to my new feature project -- Nomad Trilogy Films. It's about houselessness in America and finding connection and direction. I'm charging into the process with a really wonderful team. We look forward to getting you involved along the way. We'd love if you could, please, spread the word here on Facebook and follow us as well on Twitter and Instagram, , to stay up to date. Thank you and much appreciation, Rob.
16/09/2017
Jazz was the music I came up on. I heard Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, etc. in small clubs like the Half Note, the Three Deuces, the Black Hawk and Jimbo’s Bop City back in the 50s. It’s taken me until now to finally make a film with a jazz theme. But it is more than that. FOURTH MOVEMENT takes place on election night, Nov. 8, 2016, when Donald Trump changed the course of American history and plunged the country, and the events of our film, into chaos. But my focus is always on character and circumstance invented by the members of my Direct Action workshop who show up when it's time to make a film. They are the ones who show me the power of spontaneous performances, backed by exacting editing, in the making a film which money could never buy.
Cast and Crew:
Celik Kayalar Menbere Aklilu Marianne Heath Matt Lucas shaw Fred Randolph mccabe becker scan Tiziana Perinotti greenberg Rabten Lama Shannah Laumeister Stern Rabten O'Keefe Howard Teich Audrey Levan Rob Nilsson Jeff Kao Jenna Anast Paul Nicholas Daniel Kremer Rafael Matos Martinez Vilayphanh Chris Damm Masora Fukuda Zulema Carrasco Fernando De La Rosa Aaron Caesar Hollander David Castro Chikara Motomura Deepika Metkar Ryan Lucius Leaneagh Wilt Galina Pasternak Charlie Wilson Smith Jim Cucuzzella Stout Stout Schickele Anton Allen Spight Donati Milena A Grozeva Meets The Eye Studios Richards
09/09/2017
Now that FOURTH MOVEMENT has been accepted into the Mill Valley Film Festival on Saturday night, Oct. 7, 10:00 PM Cine Arts at Sequoia Cinema, Mill Valley and Oct. 14, 8:45 PM at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center, San Rafael and has a foot into the world, it's time to think ahead to the next workshop and workshop/feature film. Here's a flyer about the whats and whys. If you're interested in playing a role in the film please let me know.
09/09/2017
Jazz was the music I came up on. I heard Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, etc. in small clubs like the Half Note, the Three Deuces, the Black Hawk and Jimbo’s Bop City back in the 50s. It’s taken me until now to finally make a film with a jazz theme. But it is more than that. FOURTH MOVEMENT takes place on election night, Nov. 8, 2016, when Donald Trump changed the course of American history and plunged the country, and the events of our film, into chaos. But my focus is always on character and circumstance invented by the members of my Direct Action workshop who show up when it's time to make a film. They are the ones who show me the power of spontaneous performances, backed by exacting editing, in the making a film which money could never buy.
21/03/2017
Shooting interview scenes for the coming up movie! Sometimes the shooting takes place until midnight, but it all worth the end.
Huge appreciation for the great actors and crews!
08/03/2017
Come participate Nilsson Master Classes!!
For more Information, visit website;
http://citizencinema.net
25/12/2011
Citizen Cinema wishes everyone a happy holiday!
13/12/2011
Current Project: "WOMAN1", a picture produced by Marshall Spight(head of meets the eye productions), along with Michelle Anton Allen, John Stout.
Directed by: Rob Nilsson
Prominent players: Stacy Keach, Ron Perlman, Thur Lindhardt, Maria Grazia Cucinotta(Il Postino, and Finnoula Flanagan.
11/12/2011
Rob Nilsson was the first American film director to win both the Camera D'or at Cannes as well as the Grand Jury prize at Sundance. Since then he has made over 30 features, and is currently in production on "WOMAN 1", a film about William Dekooning, which will star Stacy Keach, Ron Perlman, and Maria Grazia Cucinotta. Please visit http://www.robnilsson.com/ for more Rob Nilsson, and Citizen Cinema news, and find out how you can participate in the movement.
Rob Nilsson Presents Cinema of the Human Condition
11/12/2011
NEWS: The Trotsky documentary had it's world premiere in October and also "What Happened Here" premiered at the Mill Valley film festival. For more upcoming news, and to shop at our Web Store, please visit http://www.robnilsson.com/
Rob Nilsson Presents Cinema of the Human Condition
05/12/2011
"The Steppes" played at Syracuse international film festival. It won jury citations for direction, acting (Irit Levi, David Hess)
01/12/2011
News: in July Rob was honored with a 5 movie retrospective, at the Moscow International Film Festival.
Rob Nilsson being honored at the 33rd Moscow International Film Festival ( June 23 - July 2 ) with a retrospective and tribute to his distinguished filmmaking career of thirty films to date.
28/04/2011
Additional Class- Spaces Available!
EXPRESSIVITY FOR THE ACTOR-
Sundays April/May at 3:00, Expressions College, Emeryville, CA-
Three hour sessions for 8 successive weeks: $400. Drop-ins ok, $65/session. All acting levels welcome with teacher permission.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this creatively energized!”
- Arthur Vibert: Writer-Director
[email protected] or [email protected]
28/04/2011
SPACES AVAILABLE!!! NEW CLASSES FROM ROB!!!
DIRECT ACTION CINEMA Workshop
for Actors & Directors
with Rob Nilsson
Start date: April 28, 2011
Class time: Thursdays, 6:30 pm-10:00 pm (8 classes on: April 28, May 5, 12, 19, 26, June 2, 9, 16)
Contact: [email protected], [email protected]
28/04/2011
"Keep fighting for an Art of truth seeking, with vision, epiphany, emotion and intuition fully included. The present day fakirs of Pop still reign, but they can’t last.
Our ever more complex world will eventually make it necessary for us to seek the cathartic value of the Arts once more. I know I’ll continue to fight for it."
Rob Nilsson: New Blog Post 4/25/11- www.citizencinema.net
12/04/2011
We have five films in editing right now! Here's Michael Macbroom, Lisa Taylor, and Rob Nilsson subtitling the Steppes.
11/04/2011
Expressivity for the Actor (8 classes) also at Film Acting Bay Area at ex'pression College starts April 17. For more information http://filmactingbayarea.com/classes.html
11/04/2011
"Direct Action Cinema" Workshop for Actors & Directors (8 classes) with instructor Rob Nilsson starts April 28. More information is at http://filmactingbayarea.com.
Videos by Film Acting Bay Area http://filmactingbayarea.com
31/12/2010
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