Almost 400 new movies previewed in Cannes
I look forward to MIDEM every year. 10.000 music pros bombarded with noise, brochures, presentations, drinks and sales pitches from the hundreds of booths and pavilions...publishers, tv producers, the mobile industry, music labels, payment providers...the lot! I really love it!
Last year I gave a presentation on my day job - the classical music VOD platform monteverdi.tv This year, aside from a little panel participation I was free to enjoy the noise. Although MIDEM is mostly about Pop and Rock, its fascinating to follow one of the niche programs of the IMZ (International Music Centre/Vienna) with their so called 'Avant Premiere' viewings.
This year almost 400 newly produced films were presented by all major producers from BBC to AVRO to Unitel. Lots of Ballet, documentaries and operas. Three full days with just 2 minutes per film! About 50% really didn't ring my bell. 25% was OK the last 25% was great stuff: the new Wagner Ring production from Valencia Opera House for example. This was a stunning mix of staging and video art! Rheingold is ready, the rest will follow until the project is ready in 2010. Watch the Valencia site for news!
I still wonder which broadcaster would dare to do 20 hours of opera though.
