Filmwinter in Stuttgart

By Ady Leverette / Jan. 23, 2015
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It's been quite the season for travel among the staff at FPS. Sebastian had scarcely returned from South America before I was packing a bag for a quick trip to Europe. Flying to Germany and back in six days (in January, no less) is arguably a crazy thing to do, but my most recent film was being screened at a film festival in Stuttgart called Filmwinter, and it was one of those rare opportunities in life that merits a little insanity. Film? Yes, over the past fifteen years my friend Rob Tyler and I have made four documentaries in our so-called spare time (the first three were also made with Eric Schopmeyer). Our latest one is called "Nemo." It's a portrait of counterculture philosopher and performance artist Fred Nemo, legendary for being "The Dancer" for the band Hazel (’90s Sub Pop stars from Portland). Except for some archival VHS, the whole thing is shot on various analog film formats (8mm, 16mm, and 35mm still film shot in bursts), which is all set to Fred's musings on his life and perspectives on art. If you've got about 14 minutes to spare, you can see it here.

  • Our bilingual entry in the festival catalogue.

    Our bilingual entry in the festival catalogue.

  • The main screenings were held at the Rampe Theatre, which is part theatre, part train shed.

    The main screenings were held at the Rampe Theatre, which is part theatre, part train shed.

  • By the time we got there, we were very, very tired.

    By the time we got there, we were very, very tired.

  • The Filmwinter audience eagerly awaits more movies.

    The Filmwinter audience eagerly awaits more movies.

  • Fred Nemo on screen.

    Fred Nemo on screen.

  • Rob and I talking at the post-screening Q&A.

    Rob and I talking at the post-screening Q&A.

And as a bonus, while in Stuttgart we got to visit one of the world's most beautiful libraries, designed by Yi Architects. (Photos by Rob Tyler.)

  • The exterior is a little severe on a cloudy day...

    The exterior is a little severe on a cloudy day...

  • And the somber entry hall gives little hint of what awaits on the upper floors.

    And the somber entry hall gives little hint of what awaits on the upper floors.

  • But the book gallery is stunning. (You can see the glass block in the reading room floor that casts a blue light in the entry hall.)

    But the book gallery is stunning. (You can see the glass block in the reading room floor that casts a blue light in the entry hall.)

  • The white interior lets the books shine.

    The white interior lets the books shine.

  • They look like irresistible candy.

    They look like irresistible candy.

  • The carefully designed structure that floods the stacks with daylight even on a cloudy day.

    The carefully designed structure that floods the stacks with daylight even on a cloudy day.

  • The double skinned exterior leaves room for a viewing balcony.

    The double skinned exterior leaves room for a viewing balcony.

It was a whirlwind, but definitely worthwhile.

Ady Leverette was a designer and a principal at Fat Pencil Studio between 2011 and 2018.