15.03.2018
Text: Melikşah Altuntaş
This year, a talented writer-director and actress from Argentine cinema, Ana Katz, will be the guest of festival’s Experiences section. Here is a quick look at Katz and her journey from shorts to full feature.
Starting off her career with shorts she wrote and directed in the mid 90’s, Ana Katz received positive attention in Argentine. After her first sci-fi short Merengue in 1995, Katz kept on writing and directing two more shorts, both three years apart. Her following shorts, Pantera (1998) and Ojala corriera viento (2001) traveled around the world in festivals, making Katz a well known short film maker. Ana Katz also did the editing for Pantera, which she co-directed with Daniel Katz.
First Full Feature: Musical Chairs
While Katz traveled the world with her shorts, she was also looking for potential funding and gaining support for her first full feature. Her debut feature, El juego de la silla (Musical Chairs), was finished in 2002; and she received high praise with this dramedy, which was heavier on the comedy side.
Musical Chairs made its premiere at one of the most prestigious film festivals of the world, San Sebastian, and left the festival with a Special Mention award. The film was also highly popular in its own country and received three nominations, including Best Film, from Argentine Film Critics Association, bringing Raquel Bank the Best Actress award. Aside from writing and directing, Ana Katz stepped in front of the camera for the first time as well, portraying Laura in this 24 hour humorous story of Victor, who goes back to the place he was born to visit his family.
After the success of Musical Chairs, Katz didn’t lose much time to get back to shorts. In 2003, she directed a comedy short for television, Mujeres en rojo: Despedida, followed by another successful short, El fotografo, in 2005. Katz also continued her acting career that started in Musical Chairs, and in 2004 she took a small role in Whisky, an independent gem that received high praise from audiences and critics alike. During the rest of her career, Katz kept on taking roles in both her own films and popular Argentinean productions like Lengua Materna, Por un Tiempo, The Film Critic, Easy Ball, Kiki Love to Love and El Candidato.
A Career Milestone: A Stray Girlfriend
Katz made her big breakthrough in 2007 with Una novia errante (A Stray Girlfriend), which premiered in Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section.
Katz did not only direct this film but also took the lead role as Ines, a woman who takes a romantic journey by herself. With A Stray Girlfriend, Katz enjoyed various nominations and wins from top notch festivals like Cannes, San Sebastian, Hawaii and Warshaw. With its hopeful tone, A Stray Girlfriend was a big success in its own country as well, receiving another four nominations from Argentine Film Critics Association, including Best Film.
After this important success, Katz became one of the important directors of Argentine and directed another dramedy, Los Marziano, which received positive reactions from audiences and critics, enjoying a high box office score. Los Marziano was another family gathering story, and the film ended up traveling festivals around the world, receiving praise.
20th Year Wonder: My Friend from the Park
2015 marked another milestone in Katz’ career. Conveying the dangerous friendship and survival struggle of two new mothers, Lis and Rosa, Mi Amiga del Parque (My Friend from the Park) made its world premiere at Sundance film Festival. Katz co-wrote the film with Ines Bortagaray, who she also worked with in A Stray Girlfriend, and played the part of Rosa. My Friend From Park ended up snatching a special scenario award from Sundance’s World Cinema section.
My Friend from the Park also brought Katz her first acting nomination from Argentina Film Critics Association -as well as Best Director and Best Film nominations- and won the Best Scenario award. Most recently, Katz was back on television as the writer and director of Al Borde, while continuing to take roles in different films as well the to prepare for her new full feature.
This year, Ana Katz will be one of the Akbank Short Film Festival’s guests, sharing her experiences with young film makers and the festival audience. Ana Katz’s bright and successful journey from shorts to full feature will be the main attraction of festival’s Experiences section.