Robert K Stephen (CSW)

RKS Wine: Wonderful Washington State?

In the past few months, with some exceptions, I am looking to Washington for quality affordable red wine. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have proven to be winners and superior to Californian in the same price range. I couldn’t resist picking up a Drumheller 2018 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You see Drumheller is a city inContinue reading “RKS Wine: Wonderful Washington State?”

RKS Wine: Greek Cabernet Sauvignon: More to Greek Red Wine than Xinomavro

I curl up in a ball of apprehension when Greek Xinomavro’s are released. They are dry and astringent like an immature Barolo but give an Xinomavro 8 years in the bottle my apprehension melts as it has aged as it should. By the way a sparkling Xinomavro can be a real treat. As for GreekContinue reading “RKS Wine: Greek Cabernet Sauvignon: More to Greek Red Wine than Xinomavro”

RKS Wine: So You Want Your Wine Reviewed?

So you think you have a great wine that is going to tear up the market and you’ll be rewarded for your hard work. Dream on. Unless you market it you’ll be stuck with it unless of course you want to devote all your energy to direct sales from winery to the consumer. However evenContinue reading “RKS Wine: So You Want Your Wine Reviewed?”

RKS Film: How to Promote Your Film Using a Film Critic : 10 Golden Rules

Distribute your promotional material well before the release date. Recently for Toronto Hot Docs I received films days before its showing. I had a waiting list of numerous films ahead the late arrivers. Help your reviewer plan. Include a trailer/teaser. Include stills of the film. Include a synopsis of the film. Indicate when the reviewContinue reading “RKS Film: How to Promote Your Film Using a Film Critic : 10 Golden Rules”

RKS Film: “Relative”: The Iceberg of Sexual Abuse

The American documentary “Relative” in the 2022 Toronto Hot Docs Festival deals with multi generational sexual abuse in an Italian-American family. Home videos and film portray seemingly happy families but beneath the floating iceberg the pervasiveness of sexual abuse lurks ready to inflict psychological damage. Tracy Arcabasso Smith takes us along a shocking voyage ofContinue reading “RKS Film: “Relative”: The Iceberg of Sexual Abuse”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 9July1975: On the Way to Norway: Deliver Me from Temptation: Bug Buffet

Up early with a goal of making it into Norway. Horrible Finnish hitchhiking. My Aussie friend gave up and headed to the bus station. Bought breakfast of a litre of milk, bread and ham. Unfortunately I broke my record for waiting with one of just over 5 hours. There was traffic but full of peopleContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 9July1975: On the Way to Norway: Deliver Me from Temptation: Bug Buffet”

RKS Film: “Corrupto” (Corrupted)

“Corrupto” is a short Chilean documentary showing at Toronto Hot Docs 2022. A young woman undergoes multiple electro convulsive therapy in August 2018 and the doctor proclaims the treatment was successful. It is quite apparent that is not the case as the woman suffers from loneliness, alienation, memory loss, panic attacks, confusion, incomplete memories andContinue reading “RKS Film: “Corrupto” (Corrupted)”

RKS Film: “The Killing of a Journalist”: A Filthy Stinking and Deadly Web of Slovakian Corruption (Toronto Hot Docs 2022)

“The Killing of a Journalist” is a documentary chronicling the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancé Martina Kašnírová in Slovakia. Kuciak was in the midst of preparing an investigative report on corruption in Slovakia focusing on VAT and tax fraud centering on Slovakian Mafiaosa Marían Kocner a.k.a. “prominent businessman”. Kocner wasContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Killing of a Journalist”: A Filthy Stinking and Deadly Web of Slovakian Corruption (Toronto Hot Docs 2022)”

RKS Film: “Sexual Healing”: A Tale of Courage and Curiosity

Evelien is a 53-year-old Dutch woman confined to a wheelchair due to spastic scoliosis. She was born premature and the hospital authorities advised her parents not to name her as she would not live long. It became a theme for her life that she shouldn’t exist. She retreated to a state of unhappiness which wasContinue reading “RKS Film: “Sexual Healing”: A Tale of Courage and Curiosity”

“Travels to a Different Time” 8July1975: Muonio, Finland: 100 Miles North of the Arctic Circle and Freezing Cold

Pelting rain last night but no leakage into my tent. It was raining when I woke up and it looked as if I’d be pinned down in my tent. A wonderful breakfast of tuna fish and rock-hard bread. Finally a bit of sun so I packed up and split. A 2 km walk to theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” 8July1975: Muonio, Finland: 100 Miles North of the Arctic Circle and Freezing Cold”