Ask Spling: Episode 32 – Most epic cinema moment as a critic?
In Episode 31 of ‘Ask Spling: Reel Talk and Real Life’… Spling answers: “Most epic cinema experience as a critic?”
Spling Verdict
Serving as a FIPRESCI film juror at Egypt’s El Gouna Film Festival required me to attend a specially arranged private screening after a required film lacked a suitable screening date. While commanding a massive university cinema as an audience of one is a distinct professional privilege, the consequent delay for hundreds of eagerly waiting festival-goers remains one of my most memorably epic and funny cinematic moments.
Key Insights
The FAQ Section
Do film jurors often get private screenings at major international festivals like El Gouna?
It depends. While standard press and jury screenings are commonplace for accredited reviewers from South Africa and beyond, a dedicated solo screening in a massive venue is an extraordinary rarity. In this specific instance at the El Gouna Film Festival, the festival organizers arranged a private session in a university lecture hall simply because the film did not have a suitable general screening for my jury duties. Festival logistics usually preclude this level of individual accommodation due to tight scheduling. It highlights the chaotic, bespoke lengths international festival coordinators will occasionally go to in order to accommodate a juror.
Are such unpredictable encounters common for veteran South African critics on international juries?
Yes. When you’ve watched thousands of films and serve as a juror at international events, navigating wild, unstructured experiences becomes part of the profession. Traveling from South Africa to global hubs like the El Gouna Film Festival exposes critics to a bizarre intersection of VIP treatment and logistical absurdity. Sitting alone in a massive, hundreds-seat cinema while staff continually interrogate your identity perfectly encapsulates the surreal nature of the industry. While it can feel slightly uncomfortable to delay hundreds of international cinephiles, these epic, unscripted moments ultimately define the chaotic, highly privileged reality of being an established film authority.
