http://www.specialten.com Specialten is a bi-monthly publication on DVD featuring short films, music videos and exclusive interviews. http://www.specialten.com/issues/21/Stanley_donwood.html An exclusive A4 Limited print by Stanley Donwood. Stanley Donwood is the pen name of English writer and artist Dan Rickwood. He is probably best known for his close association with the British rock group Radiohead, having created all their album and poster art since the My Iron Lung EP (1994). Since 1996, he has also collaborated with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and others on the band's websites, and appeared in the occasional band webcast and the 2001 Grammy Award ceremony. Aside from his work for Radiohead, Donwood also maintains his own website, Slowly Downward, where he publishes his own short stories and various other writings, all of which have a unique and often odd style. Donwood's writings have also been used in his Radiohead album artwork, and frequently on Radiohead's official website. www.slowlydownward.com http://www.specialten.com/issues/21/Thorbjorn_Ankerstjerne_Jonas_Lund.html I had been very fortunate in meeting Thorbjørn Ankerstjerne socially. He asked if we would have some time to see some work that may be of interest for the magazine. “Of course we would take a look, it would be a pleasure.” Some weeks later, arrangements were made and Thorbjørn, his partner Jonas Lund and the hand folded, three-dimensional letters that you now see on film and in print, greeted us. While we sat and discussed the extent of work, the time constraints and practicalities we were also able to see some other work that the two had produced. A three dimensional relief projection to recorded speech and music that was just spectacular and a holographic projection created by smoke and Perspex that too was mesmeric. The plan was for them to work on a cover, a menu system and pages within the book of the issue, this has been the remit to all collaborators for every issue of Specialten so far. Over the coming weeks we stayed in touch and the issue started to take shape, as each piece of filming was completed we would receive more roughs and plans from the two Danes, then came the news of “we are going to need a warehouse to hang the letters and film it”, shortly after came more news, “we have found an old brewery and I think we are going to use 16mm film”. It has been more than a pleasure to work with these two. While they grace the pages of the super glossies hailed as the most important ones to watch, they also work tirelessly with an attention to detail that is unquestionable. www.ankerstjerne.co.uk www.jonaslund.co.uk http://www.specialten.com/issues/21/Possum_Trot.html A portrait and documentary that is a testament to the late Calvin Black. This wonder of documentary film comes from an era when there was no digital format obviously. But similar to today’s foray of hurried action, there was an abundance of interesting documentaries being made. A revolution in Filmmaking was happening due to the advent of ‘handheld’ movie cameras. When we, firmly persons of the digital age, look at the results of this era there is something about their documentary explosion that is very different – it was shot on film. The results are a quality of production that seems to engage and endear the viewer with a different kind of emotion. "Possum Trot" appears in full on the DVD in this issue. Running Time: 28' 00" http://www.specialten.com/issues/21/Maribel_Verdu.html After her spectacular performance in Guillermo del Toro's 2006 film Pans Labyrinth, Maribel seems to have been brought to the attention of an audience that had not seen some of her previous work. To be invited to spend a day or two with Maribel Verdu was of course going to be a delight. “I have a photo shoot and a few other things that I have to do, but if you don’t mind that, we can spend some time together and it could be fun”. The tones of the conversations on the telephone were relaxed and altogether comfortable. It then, in part, explains why so much of the filmed conversations that followed took place in coffee shop that is her habitual “home for a break”. After her spectacular performance in Guillermo del Toro's 2006 film Pans Labyrinth, Maribel seems to have been brought to the attention of an audience that had not seen some of her previous work. In “Y Tu Mama Tambien” directed by Alfonso Cuarón, she plays the role of a twentysomthing that accompanies two young boys on their road trip of Mexico. Politically charged, the film received great acclaim from the film industry and notably Verdu’s performance had fixed the eyes that were already watching her with great expectations. After some 50, film performances Maribel Verdu has received the prestigious Goya award for "Siete mesas the billar frances" directed by Gracia Querejeta. This is another accolade that will surely see her rate of ‘Hollywood offers’ rise again, a lure that thus far Maribel has resisted to a large degree, whilst her appetite for working with those she holds in great regard or positions of absolute friendship remains her true criteria. Francis Ford Coppola is the latest cohort. The two are working together for the first time on a film scheduled for release sometime in 2009 called "Tetro". The interview that features on the DVD is taken from two days of downtime with Maribel Verdu, Specialten would like to thank her so much for her frank and honest conversation, the spectacularly open invitation into her daily life, and her most vivacious company. And Maribel please thank your local for us. The Interview with Maribel Verdu appears in full on the DVD in this issue. Running Time: 21' 36" http://www.specialten.com/issues/21/The_Kills.html The Kills make music that sounds like the stripped-to-the-bone nub of the crux of the sex and death and madness at the heart of the very best rock ‘n’ roll. And the only way to pull that off is to put themselves through the creative, physical, financial and emotional mangle. “It was definitely a journey,” confirms Alison, with the sanguine air of one who believes that anything that doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. “We wrote so many records before we got to this one. It took a few failed attempts and different situations and going to different places and running out of money in order for us to get it together and write the right record.” The Kills session features in full on the DVD in this issue. Running Time: 4' 45"