Film fest Q&A: Greg Rhem

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

By Ben Cannon

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Greg Rhem manages acquisitions of documentary films for HBO Documentary Films. In Jackson for his first Jackson Hole Film Festival, Rhem, who has helped discover some of the most widely viewed documentary films, did double duty as juror and Global Insight panelist. A man who up-and-coming filmmakers want to impress, Rhem spoke with Planet Jackson Hole about the state of documentary film, the power of storytelling and the film fest as an emerging venue.

Planet Jackson Hole: Tell me about HBO’s presence in the world of documentary films.

Greg Rhem: We’re a major force in the documentary filmmaking world, especially in this country. Over the years, HBO has fostered some of the biggest, award-winning, poignant documentaries. Some of them, of course, are a little more controversial, edgy pieces of film. We’ve gone from extremes of like Academy-Award winner, “I am Godless,” to Spike Lee’s “When the Levees Broke” to “Real Sex.” It goes the gamut. This Monday, a new one on Roman Polanski.

I helped find films like “Born into Brothels,” and “Freeheld,” which won an Oscar this year, and “Spellbound.” We have worked with some great filmmakers over the years.
PJH: How are documentary films currently faring today as an industry?

GR: It’s a weird zone we’re in now. Documentaries don’t typically make a lot of money, but I think they’ve definitely gotten a greater notoriety among the general public. People are more aware and more willing to watch a documentary. But I don’t know if they’re willing to pay for it if you’re not Michael Moore. It’s sort of difficult to find money to fund a lot of that stuff. But, on our channel, we reach over 35 million subscribers. That’s a big audience. It’s not as financially lucrative as you might think it is. You do it more to spread the word about your film and your subject matter and so forth.

PJH: What is the social value of a good documentary film?

GR: It’s when you want something that involves real people and real time, and their real life stories, their narratives and so on. We tend to focus on talking about one individual showcasing or championing the cause of a bigger issue. People tend to shy away from the big issues if they feel someone is trying to lecture them. But once you have a character and a story, people get into it. And that’s what’s going on with documentaries. That’s why we’re doing as well as we’re doing.

PJH: And what are you seeing with documentary films here at the JHFF?

GR: Fun stuff. It’s my first time in Jackson Hole. I am a juror for documentary competition. I screened eight films beforehand - some wonderful films - and have seen three others since then. What I love about festivals is the diversity. I think if you’re a filmmaker and you can embrace the power of a festival presentation as well as trying to do the whole market-driven thing, you can find a great home for your documentary through festivals. And I’ve definitely found that here at the Jackson Hole Film Festival. There’s a lot of good stuff. Not everything is for us, but I do appreciate that someone took the time to make a movie about a particular topic. Once you’ve made that film, you’ve captured a moment in time that will never be captured again. That’s important.

PJH: What are you looking for in a film?

GR: Individual characters. Buoyancy as told through story. Documentaries are like fictions - it’s all about good story and good characters. That’s basically what we’re looking for. HBO is not primarily a documentary network, so you’re looking for stuff that’s going to grab the audience. We’re doing reality with a flavor of drama to it.

PJH: A lot of the aims of the film fest are centered around the potential power of a documentary on many of these issues, particularly the Global Insight aspect.

GR: Yes. And again diversity is important and the fact that there are films dealing with broader issues is fantastic. The fact that they brought in the U.N. secretary-general - wow.

I got to be a part of that experience as one who attended his speech. This idea of the U.N. linking up with the media, they’re not foolish. They see it as a possibility for spreading - in a positive, viral way - this word about human rights issues throughout the world and about children. I was part of a panel this morning. I thought it was fantastic. I don’t think you can force it, but there’s a real potential there. Film is a great medium.

PJH: How do you feel Jackson is situated as far as a documentary film festival?

GR: I would say five years is still a fledgling of sorts, but it’s got great potential. Why not? The trick is to diversify. It’s not only about award-winning directors and stars. It’s about taking up any issue that might be important in a well-told story. That’s the important part. The atmosphere here is very communal; it crosses all borders. The fact that it’s new is probably working in its favor. When you’re new you can experiment and play around with it. Hopefully they’ll do more of that in terms of diversity and the kinds of films you’re showcasing, especially when it comes to these world issues.

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Film fest Q&A: Greg Rhem | Planet JH News Article: General Music Arts and Culture

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