Z365" or "Festival all year round" is the new strategic point of the Festival in which converge investigation, accompaniment and development of new talents (Ikusmira Berriak, Nest); training and cinematic knowledge transfer (Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Zinemaldia + Plus, Filmmakers' dialogue); and investigation, disclosure and cinematic thought (Z70 project, Thought and Discussion and Research and publications).
Roger Michell, the director of Blackbird, flanked by producer David Bernardi and actor Sam Neill gave a press conference after the screening of their film, which opened the Official Selection yesterday. Michell said that although it dealt with euthanasia, it wasn’t a film that demanded its legalization, and Sam Neill also agreed that it didn’t take sides. “It was far more about life and living.” Blackbird is a remake of the Danish film Silent Heart, and the director claimed he hadn’t yet seen Billie August’s film as he hadn’t wanted to be overwhelmed by it. Sam Neill also revealed that none of the cast had seen the original version, not out of any lack of respect, but simply because they hadn’t wanted to be influenced by it. He joked that he hadn’t wanted to see another actor playing his role in case he was better than him.