As November approaches, we are on route to the AFI and AFM in Los Angeles, via Valencia, Torino and Rome where each offers a special view of the international film scene. The adventure culminates in Los Angeles where the AFI Fest and American Film Market (which have established a partnership) take over the film scene [...]

The lounge of the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel seemed a fitting setting to interview the young German director about his cautionary new film THE LIVES OF OTHERS. It had just been screened in AFI FEST, but the story is an old one: political paranoia and suppression of civil liberties. The walls of this hotel, if they had ears and voices, could tell similar tales from Hollywood’s darkest hour… the Blacklist years. I had the chance to discuss it with Florian Henckle von Donnersmarck.

It was a great time this year, and much will be posted about the trip! Stay tuned…

John Sayles reflects on … Blues People, History & Places with personality.