Daniel Burman
Encyclopedia
Daniel Burman is a film director
, screenplay writer, and producer
.
According to film critic Joel Poblete, who writes for Mabuse, a cinema magazine, Daniel Burman is one of the members of the so-called "New Argentina Cinema" which began c. 1998.
Film critic Anthony Kaufman, writing for indieWIRE
, an online community of independent filmmakers and aficionados, said Burman's A Chrysanthemum Burst in Cincoesquinas
(1998) has been cited as the beginning of the "New Argentine Cinema" wave.
.
He holds both Argentine and Polish citizenship, like his films' character, Ariel. He studied law before changing to audiovisual media production.
In 1995, he launched his own production company together with Diego Dubcovsky
, BD Cine
(Burman and Dubcovsky Cine).
Burman is a founding member of the Academy of Argentine Cinema
.
His loose trilogy of films, Esperando al Mesías (2000), El Abrazo Partido
(2004), and Derecho de Familia (2006), were all written and directed by Burman and star Uruguay
an actor Daniel Hendler
. They are largely autobiographical, dealing with the life of a young neurotic Jew in contemporary Buenos Aires.
He frequently collaborates with other Argentine Jews, notably writer and klezmer
musician Marcelo Birmajer
, and César Lerner.
His comedic touches often bring comparison to Woody Allen
, a comparison Burman is quick to reject. He said, "It's not a measurable comparison. But I'm very happy with it. I admire him more than anyone else in the world."
Burman's films have been featured in many film festivals around the world. El abrazo partido
(2003) took the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival
, as well as best actor for Hendler.
Burman was co-producer of the successful 2004 film, The Motorcycle Diaries
, as well as Garage Olimpo
(1999).
"I don't love film in itself; it's not like I was debating the merits of using different types of camera-work, like traveling shots. I love film because it's a story-telling tool," he said in an interview he did for TimesSquare.com.
(2003), and Derecho de Familia (2006) — happen in the same "universe". The three share common traits: They are written and directed by Burman and all star Daniel Hendler in the title role as a young Jew. Additionally, several actors and actresses appear twice in the films. Because Hendler's characters share similar traits (they are all named Ariel: Ariel Goldstein, Ariel Makaroff and Ariel Perelman respectively) and because some characters from one film seem to appear in another, the trilogy is usually considered as happening in the same universe
Several continuity changes show that the three Ariels are different people: In the first movie, Ariel's father is a restaurant owner, and his mother dies; in the second film, his father has been long gone, and his mother tends to a small shop; in the third movie, his father dies in the film, and his mother has been long dead. However, a character named Estela from the first film appears in the second, and is both times played by Melina Petriella
. This at least connects the first two movies to the same universe. Additionally, Juan José Flores Quispe appears in the second and third movie as "Ramón". Although his character, unlike Estela, varies from film to film, this suggests that the second and third film also share the same universe and, thus, the trilogy itself is set in the same storyline, with the "Ariel persona" showing either different aspects of the same character or simply being a mere coincidence.
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, screenplay writer, and producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
.
According to film critic Joel Poblete, who writes for Mabuse, a cinema magazine, Daniel Burman is one of the members of the so-called "New Argentina Cinema" which began c. 1998.
Film critic Anthony Kaufman, writing for indieWIRE
IndieWire
indieWIRE is a daily news site for the independent film community. It covers indie, documentary and foreign language films, as well industry news, film festival reports, filmmaker interviews and movie reviews...
, an online community of independent filmmakers and aficionados, said Burman's A Chrysanthemum Burst in Cincoesquinas
Un Crisantemo Estalla en Cinco Esquinas
Un crisantemo estalla en cinco esquinas is a 1998 Argentine, Brazilian, French, and Spanish film, written and directed by Daniel Burman, his first feature film. The picture was produced by Diego Dubcovsky...
(1998) has been cited as the beginning of the "New Argentine Cinema" wave.
Biography
Burman is of Polish-Jewish descent, and he was born and raised in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
.
He holds both Argentine and Polish citizenship, like his films' character, Ariel. He studied law before changing to audiovisual media production.
In 1995, he launched his own production company together with Diego Dubcovsky
Diego Dubcovsky
Diego Dubcovsky is an Argentine film producer, production manager, and production designer.He works in the cinema of Argentina....
, BD Cine
BD Cine
BD Cine is a film production company in Buenos Aires, Argentina.The firm was formed in 1995 by producer/director Daniel Burman and producer Diego Dubcovsky....
(Burman and Dubcovsky Cine).
Burman is a founding member of the Academy of Argentine Cinema
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina Awards
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina Awards are given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Argentina to honor achievement in Argentine cinema by Argentina-based filmmakers....
.
His loose trilogy of films, Esperando al Mesías (2000), El Abrazo Partido
El abrazo partido
Lost Embrace is an Argentine, French, Italian, and Spanish comedy drama film, directed by Daniel Burman and written by Burman and Marcelo Birmajer...
(2004), and Derecho de Familia (2006), were all written and directed by Burman and star Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
an actor Daniel Hendler
Daniel Hendler
Daniel Hendler is an Uruguayan film, television, and theatre actor who works mainly in the cinema of Argentina, where he lives. He is known for his starring roles in films such as Bottom of the Sea, Family Law, The Paranoids, Phase 7, and award winning Lost Embrace by director Daniel Burman, with...
. They are largely autobiographical, dealing with the life of a young neurotic Jew in contemporary Buenos Aires.
He frequently collaborates with other Argentine Jews, notably writer and klezmer
Klezmer
Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe. Played by professional musicians called klezmorim, the genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations...
musician Marcelo Birmajer
Marcelo Birmajer
Marcelo Birmajer is an Argentine Jewish author. The grandson of Romanian, Polish, Lithuanian and Syrian immigrants. Best known for writing the script for the 2004 film El abrazo partido. Birmajer's work usually revolves around the Porteño neighbourhood of Once and its colorful inhabitants...
, and César Lerner.
His comedic touches often bring comparison to Woody Allen
Woody Allen
Woody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
, a comparison Burman is quick to reject. He said, "It's not a measurable comparison. But I'm very happy with it. I admire him more than anyone else in the world."
Burman's films have been featured in many film festivals around the world. El abrazo partido
El abrazo partido
Lost Embrace is an Argentine, French, Italian, and Spanish comedy drama film, directed by Daniel Burman and written by Burman and Marcelo Birmajer...
(2003) took the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
, as well as best actor for Hendler.
Burman was co-producer of the successful 2004 film, The Motorcycle Diaries
The Motorcycle Diaries (film)
At the end of the film, after his sojourn at the leper colony, Guevara confirms his nascent egalitarian, anti-authority impulses, while making a birthday toast, which is also his first political speech. In it he evokes a pan-Latin American identity that transcends both the arbitrary boundaries of...
, as well as Garage Olimpo
Garage Olimpo
Olympic Garage is an Argentine drama film, directed by Marco Bechis and written by Bechis and Lara Fremder.The film was produced by Daniel Burman and Diego Dubcovsky , Amedeo Pagani , and Eric Heumann ....
(1999).
On filmmaking
In an interview with Brian Brooks, who writes for indieWIRE.com, an online community of independent filmmakers and aficionados, Burman discussed his approach to filmmaking. He said: "I don't have goals when I make a film, except to create as faithfully as possible the story I wanted to tell, and that the sensations that provoked me to tell the story are also caused when reading the script.""I don't love film in itself; it's not like I was debating the merits of using different types of camera-work, like traveling shots. I love film because it's a story-telling tool," he said in an interview he did for TimesSquare.com.
Interconnections between films
It is arguable that the loose trilogy of films — Esperando al Mesías (2000), El Abrazo PartidoEl abrazo partido
Lost Embrace is an Argentine, French, Italian, and Spanish comedy drama film, directed by Daniel Burman and written by Burman and Marcelo Birmajer...
(2003), and Derecho de Familia (2006) — happen in the same "universe". The three share common traits: They are written and directed by Burman and all star Daniel Hendler in the title role as a young Jew. Additionally, several actors and actresses appear twice in the films. Because Hendler's characters share similar traits (they are all named Ariel: Ariel Goldstein, Ariel Makaroff and Ariel Perelman respectively) and because some characters from one film seem to appear in another, the trilogy is usually considered as happening in the same universe
Several continuity changes show that the three Ariels are different people: In the first movie, Ariel's father is a restaurant owner, and his mother dies; in the second film, his father has been long gone, and his mother tends to a small shop; in the third movie, his father dies in the film, and his mother has been long dead. However, a character named Estela from the first film appears in the second, and is both times played by Melina Petriella
Melina Petriella
Melina Petriella is an Argentine movie and television actress.-Filmography:* Besos en la frente * Esperando al Mesías aka Waiting for the Messiah* Nocturno * El Abrazo partido aka Lost Embrace...
. This at least connects the first two movies to the same universe. Additionally, Juan José Flores Quispe appears in the second and third movie as "Ramón". Although his character, unlike Estela, varies from film to film, this suggests that the second and third film also share the same universe and, thus, the trilogy itself is set in the same storyline, with the "Ariel persona" showing either different aspects of the same character or simply being a mere coincidence.
Filmography
As Director:- En que estación estamos? (1992, short)
- Post data de ambas cartas (1993, short)
- Help o el pedido de auxilio de una mujer viva (1994, short)
- Niños envueltos (1995, short)
- Un Crisantemo Estalla en Cinco EsquinasUn Crisantemo Estalla en Cinco EsquinasUn crisantemo estalla en cinco esquinas is a 1998 Argentine, Brazilian, French, and Spanish film, written and directed by Daniel Burman, his first feature film. The picture was produced by Diego Dubcovsky...
(1998) aka A Chrysanthemum Burst in Cincoesquinas - Esperando al Mesías (2000) aka Waiting for the Messiah
- Todas Las Azafatas Van Al CieloTodas las Azafatas van al CieloTodas las azafatas van al cielo is an Argentine and Spanish comedy drama film directed by Daniel Burman and written by Burman and Emiliano Torres. The picture was produced by Pablo Bossi, Pedro D'Angelo, Diego Dubcovsky and José María Morales...
(2002) aka Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven - El Abrazo PartidoEl abrazo partidoLost Embrace is an Argentine, French, Italian, and Spanish comedy drama film, directed by Daniel Burman and written by Burman and Marcelo Birmajer...
(2004) aka Lost Embrace - 18-J18-J18-j is a 2004 Argentine docudrama. The motion picture is a collection of ten, ten-minute shorts, by ten Argentine directors. The film focuses on the July 18, 1994 bombing of the AMIA Building in Buenos Aires, where 86 people were killed and 300 others wounded. The perpetrators were never caught...
(2004) - Derecho de Familia (2006) aka Family Law
- EncarnaciónEncarnación (film)Encarnación is a 2007 four-time Silver Condor nominated Argentine film directed and written by Anahí Berneri. It premiered on 11 October 2007. The film was produced by Daniel Burman and Diego Dubcovsky...
(2007) - El nido vacío (2008)
- Dos Hermanos (2010)
Awards
Wins- Bangkok World Film Festival: Best Film; El Abrazo partido; 2004.
- Berlin International Film FestivalBerlin International Film FestivalThe Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
: Silver Berlin Bear; Jury Grand Prix; for El Abrazo partido; 2004. - Clarin Entertainment Awards: Clarin Award Best Film Screenplay; for Derecho de familia; 2006.
- Clarin Entertainment Awards: Won Clarin Award Best Film Screenplay; for El Abrazo partido; 2004.
- Festróia - Tróia International Film Festival: Golden Dolphin; for Todas las azafatas van al cielo; 2002.
- Havana Film FestivalHavana Film FestivalThe Havana Film Festival is a Cuban festival that focuses on the promotion of Spanish-language filmmakers. It is also known in Spanish as Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano de La Habana, and in English as Festival of New Latinamerican Cinema of La Havana.The festival takes place...
: Best Unpublished Screenplay; for El abrazo partido; 2002. - Havana Film Festival: Won Grand Coral, Third Prize; for Esperando al mesías; 2000.
- Lleida Latin-American Film FestivalLleida Latin-American Film FestivalThe Lleida Latin-American Film Festival is a cinema festival that takes place in Lleida, Spain awarding Latin American films. It is organised by the Latin American Centre of Lleida and is sponsored by the city council , the University of Lleida and La Caixa...
: Best Director; Best Film; ICCI Screenplay Award; all for El Abrazo partido; 2004. - Lleida Latin-American Film Festival: Best Film; for El Esperando al mesías 2001.
- Mar del Plata Film FestivalMar del Plata Film FestivalThe Mar del Plata International Film Festival is an international film festival that takes place every November in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina...
: Audience Award; Best Ibero-American Film; SIGNIS Award; all for Derecho de familia; 2006. - Santa Fe Film FestivalSanta Fe Film FestivalThe Santa Fe Film Festival is a Non-Profit Organization which presents important world cinema in a non-commercial context that represents aesthetic, critical and entertainment standards highlighting New Mexican film, new American and foreign film including revivals, retrospectives, independent...
: Luminaria Award; Best Latino Film; for Todas las azafatas van al cielo; 2002. - Sochi International Film Festival: FIPRESCIFIPRESCIThe International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
Prize; for Un Crisantemo estalla en cinco esquinas; 1998. - Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film FestivalThe Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
: NHK Award; for Every Stewardess Goes to Heaven (Latin America); 2001. - Valladolid International Film Festival: FIPRESCI Prize; for Esperando al mesías; For an honest, both realistic and symbolic depiction of human hopes in Buenos Aires nowadays; 2002.